Spiritual Thoughts and Stories

Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul

2011-07-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

JEFFREY R. HOLLAND
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

May the joy of our fidelity to the highest and best within us be ours as we keep our love and our marriages, our society and our souls, as pure as they were meant to be.

As Sister Holland and I recently disembarked at a distant airport, three beautiful young women getting off the same flight hurried up to greet us. They identified themselves as members of the Church, which wasn’t too surprising because those not of our faith usually don’t rush up to us in airports. In a conversation we hadn’t expected, we soon learned through their tears that all three of these women were recently divorced, that in each case their husbands had been unfaithful to them, and in each case the seeds of alienation and transgression had begun with an attraction to pornography.

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.”¹But 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?”

But, of course, I knew at least part of the answer to my own question. Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages of some kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the movie, television, and music industry step further and further into offensive language and sexual misconduct. Tragically, the same computer and Internet service that allows me to do my family history and prepare those names for temple work could, without filters and controls, allow my children or grandchildren access to a global cesspool of perceptions that could blast a crater in their brains forever.

Remember that those young wives said their husbands’ infidelity began with an attraction to pornography, but immoral activity is not just a man’s problem, and husbands aren’t the only ones offending. The compromise available at the click of a mouse—including what can happen in a chat room’s virtual encounter—is no respecter of persons, male or female, young or old, married or single. And just to make sure that temptation is ever more accessible, the adversary is busy extending his coverage, as they say in the industry, to cell phones, video games, and MP3 players.

If we stop chopping at the branches of this problem and strike more directly at the root of the tree, not surprisingly we find lust lurking furtively there. Lust is an unsavory word, and it is certainly an unsavory topic for me to address, but there is good reason why in some traditions it is known as the most deadly of the seven deadly sins.²

Why is lust such a deadly sin? Well, in addition to the completely Spirit-destroying impact it has upon our souls, I think it is a sin because it defiles the highest and holiest relationship God gives us in mortality—the love that a man and a woman have for each other and the desire that couple has to bring children into a family intended to be forever. Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures. But lust changes as quickly as it can turn a pornographic page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by, male or female. True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine—the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case. Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite.

These are just some of the reasons that prostituting the true meaning of love—either with imagination or another person—is so destructive. It destroys that which is second only to our faith in God—namely, faith in those we love. It shakes the pillars of trust upon which present—or future—love is built, and it takes a long time to rebuild that trust when it is lost. Push that idea far enough—whether it be as personal as a family member or as public as elected officials, business leaders, media stars, and athletic heroes—and soon enough on the building once constructed to house morally responsible societies, we can hang a sign saying, “This property is vacant.”³

Whether we be single or married, young or old, let’s talk for a moment about how to guard against temptation in whatever form it may present itself. We may not be able to cure all of society’s ills today, but let’s speak of what some personal actions can be.

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Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal. So too in moral matters. Like Joseph in the presence of Potiphar’s wife,⁴just run—run as far away as you can get from whatever or whoever it is that beguiles you. And please, when fleeing the scene of temptation, donot leave a forwarding address.
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Acknowledge that people bound by the chains of true addictions often need more help than self-help, and that may include you. Seek that help and welcome it. Talk to your bishop. Follow his counsel. Ask for a priesthood blessing. Use the Church’s Family Services offerings or seek other suitable professional help. Pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you.
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Along with filters on computers and a lock on affections, remember that the only real control in life is self-control. Exercise more control over even the marginal moments that confront you. If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,⁵so watch your step.
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Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down. More than one man has been saved from sin or stupidity by remembering the face of his mother, his wife, or his child waiting somewhere for him at home. Whatever thoughts you have, make sure they are welcome in your heart by invitation only. As an ancient poet once said, let will be your reason.⁶
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Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Make sure that includes your own home or apartment, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature you keep there. If you are endowed, go to the temple as often as your circumstances allow. Remember that the temple arms you “with [God’s] power, … [puts His] glory … round about [you], and [gives His] angels … charge over [you].”⁷And when you leave the temple, remember the symbols you take with you, never to be set aside or forgotten.

Most people in trouble end up crying, “What was I thinking?” Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren’t thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to “always remember him.”⁸So let us work a little harder at remembering Him—especially that He has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … , [that] he was bruised for our iniquities … ; and with his stripes we are healed.”⁹Surely it would guide our actions in a dramatic way if we remembered that every time we transgress, we hurt not only those we love, but we also hurt Him, who so dearly loves us. But if we do sin, however serious that sin may be, we can be rescued by that same majestic figure, He who bears the only name given under heaven whereby any man or woman can be saved.¹⁰When confronting our transgressions and our souls are harrowed up with true pain, may we all echo the repentant Alma and utter his life-changing cry: “O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.”¹¹

Brothers and sisters, I love you. President Thomas S. Monson and the Brethren love you. Far more importantly, your Father in Heaven loves you. I have tried to speak today of love—real love, true love, respect for it, the proper portrayal of it in the wholesome societies mankind has known, the sanctity of it between a married man and woman, and the families that love ultimately creates. I’ve tried to speak of the redeeming manifestation of love, charity personified, which comes to us through the grace of Christ Himself. I have of necessity also spoken of el diablo, the diabolical one, the father of lies and lust, who will do anything he can to counterfeit true love, to profane and desecrate true love wherever and whenever he encounters it. And I have spoken of his desire to destroy us if he can.

When we face such temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, “[I will] give place no more for the enemy of my soul.”¹²We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I promise you that the light of His everlasting gospel can and will again shine brightly where you feared life had gone hopelessly, helplessly dark. May the joy of our fidelity to the highest and best within us be ours as we keep our love and our marriages, our society and our souls, as pure as they were meant to be, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

A Vision Given to Heber Q. Hale

2011-01-09T09:56:00.000-08:00

A Vision Given to

Heber Q. Hale

President of the Boise Stake

A heavenly manifestation given to Heber Q. Hale, President of the Boise Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as related by him at the Genealogical Conference held in the Auditorium of the Bishops' Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, October, 1920. (Requested by the Presidency of the Church in 1920.)

It is with a very humble and grateful spirit that I attempt to relate on this occasion, by request, a personal experience which is very sacred to me. I must of necessity be brief. Furthermore, there were certain things made known to me which I don't feel at liberty to relate here. Let me say by way of preface that between the hours of 12 and 7:30 in the night of January 20, 1920, while alone in a room at the home of W.F. Raween in Carey, Idaho, the glorious manifestation was vouchsafed to me.

I was not conscious of anything that transpired during the hours mentioned, except what I experienced in this manifestation. I did not turn over in bed, nor was I disturbed by any sound, which indeed is unusual for me. Whether it be called a dream, an apparition, a vision or a pilgrimage of my spirit into the world of sprits, I know not. I care not. I know that I actually saw and experienced the things related in this heavenly manifestation, and they are as real to me as any experience of my life. For me, at least, this is sufficient.

Of all the doctrines and practices of the Church, the principle of vicarious work for the dead has been the most difficult for me to comprehend and wholeheartedly accept. I consider this vision is the Lord's answer to the prayer of my soul on this and certain other questions.

I passed but a short distance from my body through a film into the world of spirits. This was my first experience after going to sleep. I seemed to realize that I had passed through the change called death and I so referred to it in my conversation with the immortal beings with whom I immediately came into contact. I readily observed their displeasure at our use of the word death and the fear which we attach to it. They use there another word in referring to the transition from mortality to immortality, which word I don't recall and I can only approach its meaning and the impression which was left upon my mind, by calling it “the New Birth.”

My first visual impression was the nearness of the world of sprits to the world of mortality. The vastness of this heavenly sphere was bewildering to the eyes of the spirit-novice. Many enjoyed unrestricted vision, and unimpeded action, while many others were visibly restricted as to both vision and action. The vegetation and landscape were beautiful beyond description; not all green as here, but gold with varying shades of pink, orange, and lavender as the rainbow. A sweet calmness pervaded everything. The people I met there I did not think of as spirits, but as men and women, self-thinking and self-acting individuals, going about important business in a most orderly manner. There was perfect order there and everybody had something to do and seemed to be about their business.

That the inhabitants of the spirit world are classified according to their lives of purity, and their subservience to the Father's will, was subsequently made apparent. Particularly was it observed that the wicked and unrepentant are confined to a certain district by themselves, the confines of which are as definitely determined and impassable as the line marking the division of the physical from the spiritual world. A mere film, but impassable until the person himself was changed. The world of spirit is the temporary abode of all sprits pending the resurrection from the dead and the judgment. There was much activity within the different spheres, and appointed ministers of salvation were seen coming from the higher to the lower spheres in pursuit of their missionary appointments.

I had a very pronounced desire to meet certain of my kinsfolk and friends, but I was at once impressed with the fact that I had entered a tremendously great and extensive world, even greater than our earth and more abundantly inhabited. I could be in only one place at a time, could do only one thing at a time, could look only in one direction at a time, and accordingly it would require many, many years to search out and converse with all those I had known and those whom I desired to meet unless they were especially summoned to receive men.

All men and women were appointed to special and regular service under a well organized plan of action, directed principally toward preaching the gospel to the unconverted, teaching those who seek knowledge and establishing family relationships and gathering genealogies for the use and benefit of mortal survivors of their respective families, that the work of baptism and the sealing ordinances may be vicariously performed for the departed in the temples of God upon the earth. The authorized representatives of families in the world of sprits have access to our temple records and are kept fully advised of the work done therein, but the vicarious work done here does not become automatically effective.

The recipients must first believe, repent and accept baptism and confirmation; then certain consummating ordinances are performed effectualizing these saving principles in the lives of those regenerated beings. And so the great work is going on—they are doing a work there which we cannot do here, and we a work here which they cannot do there, for the salvation of all God's children who will be saved.

I was surprised to find there no babies in arms. I met the infant son of Orson W. Rawlings, my first counselor. I immediately recognized him as the baby who died a few years ago, and yet he seemed to have the intelligence and, in certain respect, the appearance of an adult, and was engaged in matters pertaining to his family and its genealogy. My mind was quite contented upon the point that mothers will again receive into their arms their children who died in infancy and will be fully satisfied, but the fact remains that entrance into the world of spirits is not an inhibition of growth but the greatest opportunity of development. Babies are adult spirits in infant bodies.

I presently beheld a mighty multitude of men, the largest I had ever seen gathered in one place, who I immediately recognized as soldiers, the millions who had been slaughtered and rushed so savagely into the world of spirits during the great world war [WWI]. Among them moved, calmly and majestically, a great general in supreme command. As I drew nearer, I received the kingly smile and generous welcome of a great loving man, General Richard W. Young. Then came the positive conviction to my soul, that of all the men living or dead, there is not one who is so perfectly fitted for the great mission unto which he had been called. He commands immediately the attention and respect of all the soldiers. He is at once a great general and a great High Priest of God. No earthly field of labor to which he could have been assigned, could compare with it in importance and extent. I passed from this scene to return later when I found General Young had this vast army of men completely organized with officers over successive divisions, and all were seated, and he was preaching the gospel in great earnestness to them.

As I passed forward, I soon met my beloved mother. She greeted me most affectionately and expressed surprise at seeing me there, and reminded me that I had not completed my allotted mission on earth. She seemed to be going somewhere and was in a hurry and, accordingly, took her leave with saying that she would see me soon again.

I moved forward covering an appreciable distance and consuming considerable time, viewing the wonderful sights of landscape, parks, trees and flowers and meeting people, some of whom I knew, but many thousands of whom I did not recognize as acquaintances. I presently approached a small group of men, standing in a path lined with spacious stretches of flowers, grasses, and shrubbery, all of a golden hue, marking the approach of a beautiful building. The group was engaged in earnest conversation. One of their number parted from the rest and came walking down the path. I at once recognized my esteemed President Joseph F. Smith. He embraced me as a father would his son and after a few words of greeting, quickly remarked: “You have not come to stay,” which remark I understood more as a declaration than an interrogation. For the first time I became fully conscious of my uncompleted mission on earth and, as much as I would have liked to remain, I at once asked President Smith if I might return. “You have expressed a righteous desire” he replied, “and I shall take the matter up with the authorities and let you know later.”

We then returned and he led me toward the little group of men from whom he had just separated. I immediately recognized President Brigham Young and the Prophet Joseph Smith. I was surprised to find the former a shorter and heavier built man than I had pictured him in my mind to be. On the other hand I found the latter to be taller than I had expected to find him. Both they and President Smith were possessed of a calm and holy majesty which was at once kind and kingly. We then retraced our steps and President Smith took his leave, saying he would see me again.

From a certain point of vantage I was permitted to view this earth and what was going on here. There was no limitation of my vision and I was astounded at this. I saw my wife and children at home. I saw President Heber J. Grant at the head of the Great Church and Kingdom of God and felt the divine power that radiates from God giving it light and truth and guiding its destiny. I beheld this nation founded as it is on correct principles and designed to endure, but beset by evil and sinister forces that seek to lead men to thwart the purposes of God. I saw towns and cities; the sins and wickedness of men and women. I saw vessels sailing the oceans and scanned the battle-scarred fields of France and Belgium. In a word, I beheld the whole world as if it were but a panorama passing before my eyes.

Then there came to me the unmistakable impression that this earth and scenes and persons upon it are open to the vision of the spirits only when special permission is given or when they are assigned to special service here. This is particularly true of the righteous who are busily engaged in two fields of activity at the same time.

The wicked and unrepentant have still, like the rest, their free agency, and applying themselves to no useful or wholesome undertaking, seek pleasure about their old haunts and exalt in the sin and wickedness of degenerated humanity. To this extent they are still the tools of Satan. It is these idle, mischievous and deceptive spirits who appear as miserable counterfeits at spiritualist seances, table dancing and ouija board operation. The noble and great ones do not respond to the call of the mediums and to every curious group of meddlesome inquirers. They would not do it in the world of mortality, certainly they would not do it in their increased state of knowledge in the world of immortality. These wicked and unrepentant spirits are [tools] of Satan and his host, operating through willing mediums in the flesh. These three forces constitute an unholy trinity upon the earth and are responsible for all the sin, wickedness, distress and misery among men and nations.

I moved forward feasting my eyes upon the beauty of everything about me and glorying in the indescribable peace and happiness that abounded in everybody and through everything. The further I went, the more glorious things appeared. While standing at a certain vantage point, I beheld a short distance away a wonderful beautiful temple, capped with golden domes, from which emerged a small group of men dressed in white robes who paused for a brief conversation. They were the first I had seen thus clad. The million that I had previously seen were in uniforms. In this little group of holy men, my eyes centered upon one more splendid and holy than the rest. While I thus gazed, President Joseph F. Smith parted from the others and came to my side. “Do you know him?” he inquired. I quietly answered, “Yes, I know him. My eyes behold my Lord and Savior.” “It is true,” said President Smith. And, oh, how my soul thrilled with rapture, and unspeakable joy filled my heart!

President Smith informed me that I had been given permission to return and complete the mission upon the earth which the Lord had appointed to me to fulfill, and then with his hand upon my shoulder, uttered these memorable and significant words, “Brother Heber, you have a great work to do. Go forward with a prayerful heart and thou shall be blessed in your ministry. From this time on, never doubt that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son, the Savior of the World, that The Holy Ghost is a god of spirit and the messenger of the Father and Son; never doubt the resurrection of the dead, the immortality of the soul; that the destiny of man is eternal progress. Never again doubt that the mission of the Latter-day Saints is to all mankind, both the living and the dead; and that the great work in the holy temples for the living and the dead had only begun. Know this, that Joseph Smith was sent of God to usher in the gospel dispensation of the fullness of times, which is the last unto mortals upon the earth. His successors have all been called of and approved of God. President Heber J. Grant is at this time the recognized and ordained head of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. Give him your confidence and support. Much you have seen and heard here you will not be permitted to repeat when you return.” Thus saying he bade me “Good bye, and God bless you.”

Quite a distance, through various scenes and passing innumerable people, I traveled before I reached the sphere which I had first entered. On my way I was greeted by many friends and relatives, certain of whom sent words of greeting and counsel to their dear ones here—my mother being one of them.

One other I will mention. I met brother John Adamson, his wife, his son James and their daughter Isabelle, all of whom were killed by the hand of a foul assassin in their home, at Carey, Idaho, in the evening of October 29, 1915. They seemed to define that I was on my way back to mortality and immediately said, (Brother Adamson was speaking) “Tell the children that we are very happy and very busy and they should not mourn our departure, nor worry their minds over the manner by which we were taken. There is purpose in it, and we have a work to do here which required our collective efforts, and which we could not do individually.” I was at once made to know that the work referred to was that of genealogy on which they are working in England and Scotland.

One of the grandest and most sacred things of heaven is the family relationship. The establishment of the complete chain without any broken links brings a fullness of joy. Links wholly bad will be dropped out and either new links put in or the two adjoining links welded together. Men and women everywhere throughout the world are being moved upon by their departed ancestors to gather genealogies. These are the links for the chain. The ordinances of baptism, endowments, and sealings performed in the temples of God by the living for the dead are the welding of the links. Ordinances are performed in the spirit world effectualizing the individual recipient for their receiving the saving principles of the gospel vicariously performed here.

As I was approaching the place where I entered, my attention was attracted towards a number of small groups of women, preparing what appeared to me wearing apparel. Observing my inquiring countenance one of the women remarked, “We are preparing to receive Brother Phillip Worthington very soon.” As I grasped his name in repetition I was admonished, “If you knew the joy and the glorious mission that awaits him here you would not ask to have him longer detained upon the earth.” Then came flooding my consciousness this awful truth, that the will of the Lord can be done on earth as it in is heaven, only when we resign completely to His will and let His will be done in and through us. On account of the selfishness of many, persons who might have otherwise been taken in innocence and peace, have been permitted to live, and have lived to their own peril, men and the assertion of the personal will as against the will of God. Phillip Worthington died January 22, 1920, for which I was advised by telegram, and returning to Boise, preached his funeral sermon on January 25, 1920.

Men, women and children are often called to missions of great importance on the other side, and some respond gladly while others refuse to go and their loved ones will not give them up. Also, many die because they have not the faith to be healed. Others live and pass out of the world of mortals without any special manifestation of action of the divine will. When a man is stricken ill, the question of prime importance is not “Is he going to live, or Is he going to die?” What matter is it whether he lives or dies, so long as the will of the Father is done? Surely we can trust him with God. Herein lies the special duty and privilege of administration by the right and authority of the Holy Priesthood, namely: it is given the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ to divine the will of the Father concerning the one upon whose head their hands are laid. If for any reason they are unable to presage the Father's will, then they should continue to pray in faith for the afflicted one, humbly conceding supremacy to do the will of God, that His will may be done in earth as it in done in heaven.

To the righteous person, birth into the world of sprits is a glorious privilege and blessing. The greatest spirits in the family of the Father have not usually been permitted to tarry longer in the flesh than to perform a certain mission; then they are called to the world of spirits where the field is greater and the workers fewer. This earthly mission, may therefore, be long or short, as the Father wills.

I passed quietly out where I had entered the world of spirits and immediately my body was quickened, and I was to ponder over and record the many wonderful things I had seen and heard.

Let me here and now declare to the world that irrespective of the opinion of others, I do know of my own positive knowledge and from my own personal experiences that God in the Father of the spirits of all men and that He lives; that Jesus Christ is his son and the Savior of the world, that the spirit of man does not die, but survives the change called death and goes to the world of spirits; that the world of spirit is upon or near this earth; that the principles of salvation are now being taught to the spirits and the great work of saving the Father's family among the living and dead is now in progress, and that but comparatively few will ultimately be lost; that spirits will literally take up their bodies again in the resurrection and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has again been established upon the earth with all of the keys, powers, authority, and blessings, through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith; that His is the power that will not only save and exalt every one who yields obedience to its principles, but will ultimately save the world; that the burden of our mission is to save souls unto God, and that the work for the salvation of the dead is no less of importance than the work for the living.

http://www.byui.edu/onlinelearning/courses/hum/121/Vision%20of%20H%20Hale.htm

Making Your Calling And Election Sure

2010-12-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

ACCEPTED OF THE LORD: THE DOCTRINE OF MAKING YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE.
BY ROY W. DOXEY
When the Lord revealed to Moses the great purpose of life, he expressed himself in these words:

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.)

In other words, the Lord’s work is to bring about the resurrection (immortality) of all of his Father’s children and to make it possible for them to receive exaltation or godhood (eternal life). When one comes to understand these purposes, one’s heart rejoices in the knowledge that the greatest blessing available to man—godhood—may be received by those who desire it with all their hearts.

In a glorious sermon preached by the Prophet Joseph Smith, this same fundamental purpose of earth life was expressed—except that this time the other side of the matter, mankind’s responsibility, was emphasized: “You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 346.)

Fundamental to our understanding of the reason for existence in mortality is our knowledge that men and women were born as spirit children of the Eternal Father and that Jesus Christ is our elder brother in the spirit. Because their status is transcendently greater than ours, we stand in awe at the thought of one day becoming as they. Nevertheless, we are begotten spirit children of the Eternal Father—born in the lineage of the gods—and we have within us the power, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, to rise to the heights of godhood.

Earth life, a necessary part of eternal progression, is the proving ground for the exalted-to-be, a state in which we are undergoing a period of testing and proving to see if we will do the Lord’s will. (See Abr. 3:22–26.) A modern revelation speaks of those who are valiant in the service of the Lord during this testing period:

“Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.” (D&C 132:20.)

What is necessary to receive this inestimable blessing? The Prophet Joseph said that one must begin at the beginning with the first principles of the gospel:

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” (Teachings, p. 348.)

Although the process of obtaining exaltation continues even into the spirit world, the knowledge that one will become exalted with the privileges of continuing on to eternal life can be certain in this life. This is what making one’s calling and election sure is all about.

Peter admonished the ancient saints to “make your calling and election sure,” and the apostle Paul also gave thanks to the Lord for providing such a sealing. (See 2 Pet. 1:10–11, Eph. 1:13–14.) In addition, the Prophet Joseph Smith used this same expression in discoursing upon Peter’s exposition and Paul’s teachings. (See Teachings, pp. 305, 149.)

Peter made it clear that a testimony of Jesus Christ is not in itself evidence that one’s calling and election has been made sure. Mentioning the manifestation on the Mount of Transfiguration with the Savior and his fellow apostles James and John (see Matt. 17:1–8), he said that although they had heard the voice of the Father declaring that Jesus was his Son, this was not sufficient to obtain the blessing—there was “a more sure word of prophecy”—the calling and election made sure. (See 2 Pet. 1:16–19.)

Concerning this instruction and testimony from Peter, Joseph Smith said: “Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure. … They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation.” (Teachings, p. 298.)

What, then, is the calling and election made sure? The following scripture gives the definition:

“The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood.” (D&C 131:5.)

As expressed by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“To have one’s calling and election made sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the assurance of godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced, so that an inheritance of all the glory and honor of the Father’s kingdom is assured prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine presence to sit with Christ in his throne, even as he is ‘set down’ with his ‘Father in his throne.’ (Rev. 3:21.) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bookcraft, 1973, 3:330–31.)

As Elder McConkie goes on to indicate, the “unconditional guarantee” means that a person’s actions have been fully approved, that “there are no more conditions to be met by the obedient person.” (P. 335.) When one has been thus sealed up unto eternal life, he is “sealed up against all manner of sin except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and the shedding of innocent blood.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:46.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith’s exhortation to press forward to this goal of assured exaltation is as follows:

“I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it.” (Teachings, p. 299.)

“Wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it” implies that every effort will be made by the member of the Church to obtain it. An eternal compact was made in the premortal world that the sons and daughters of God would receive an eternal exaltation provided they were true and faithful to covenants made in this life. (See, e.g., Titus 1:1–2.) Keeping in mind Peter’s injunction to his dispensation, Joseph Smith said:

“We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure. If this injunction would lie largely on those to whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation!” (Teachings, p. 306.)

What, then, is necessary to make one’s calling and election sure? At the foundation of all blessings lies acceptance of the atonement of Jesus Christ by obedience to the first principles and ordinances of the gospel—faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then, following entry into the kingdom of God by baptism of water and of the Spirit, comes the need to overcome by faith to enter into certain sacred covenants by the power of the priesthood and be “sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true” (D&C 76:53), and to endure faithfully to the end in these covenants.

To overcome by faith through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ is to become “partakers of the divine nature,” as Peter testified. (See 2 Pet. 1:1–4.) The way to this blessing, he said, is “through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:3.)

The knowledge of Christ in this context is the emulation of his life and teachings. And what are the virtues found in Jesus’ life to which Peter refers? After one has escaped the corruptions of the world by sincere repentance in becoming a member of the true church, he is to add to the principles and ordinances that admitted him into the kingdom of God by being diligent in his obedience. One adds to “faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

“And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

“And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” (2 Pet. 1:5–7; see also Teachings, p. 305.)

Obedience and the gradual acquisition of this impressive array of virtues brings one nearer and nearer to the stature of Christ. (See Eph. 4:13.)

However, in addition to these required qualities of character, those who would have hope of the calling and election made sure must also receive the ordinances of salvation (exaltation) in the temple of God.

The Prophet Joseph Smith gave an ultimate definition of salvation as having the power to overcome all enemies in this world (meaning the vices which are the opposites of gospel virtues) and “the knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come.” (Teachings, p. 297.) He further stated that the triumph over one’s enemies would come only through a knowledge of the priesthood. (See Teachings, p. 305.)

If we are to triumph over all of our enemies in this world in preparation for exaltation, wherein does the priesthood make this possible? Obedience to “the mysteries of the kingdom”—the higher ordinances of the gospel—is the answer. Higher ordinances of the gospel suggest there are lesser ordinances, these being the first ordinances and all other performances outside of the temple.

Jesus taught his disciples that they were to receive the “mysteries of the kingdom” but that others were not to receive them because they were not prepared for them. (See Matt. 13:10–13.) Similarly, the prophet Alma said that these mysteries were known to some but others were to receive only that “portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” (Alma 12:9.)

Because Joseph Smith received “the keys of the mysteries of those things which have been sealed” (D&C 35:18), and because these keys remain with the prophet of the Church today, the member who keeps the commandments may receive “the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” (D&C 63:23; see also D&C 42:65.)

Only through the priesthood may these blessings accrue to the member of the Church. The worthy male member must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, which holds “the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God” (D&C 84:19; see also D&C 107:18–19), in order to receive these “mysteries.” Therein lies the key to the principal purpose of the higher priesthood—to reveal the principles of exaltation in the house of the Lord through ordinances, consisting of washings, anointings, the priesthood endowment, and marriage for eternity. (See D&C 124:37–42.) Marriage for eternity is an order of the priesthood “in which the participating parties are promised kingdoms and thrones if they are true and faithful to their obligations.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Ensign, December 1971, p. 98.) These blessings include the power to beget spirit children after the resurrection. In this regard, Joseph Smith said:

“The question is frequently asked, ‘Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances?’ I would answer, No, not the fulness of salvation. …

“If a man gets a fullness of the priesthood of God he has to get it in the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord.” (Teachings, pp. 331, 308.)

Both men and women receive the blessings of the “fullness of the priesthood” in the temple, even though women are not ordained to the priesthood; for as President Joseph Fielding Smith said:

“Women do not hold the priesthood, but if they are faithful and true, they will become priestesses and queens in the kingdom of God, and that implies that they will be given authority. The women do not hold the priesthood with their husbands, but they do reap the benefits coming from that priesthood.” (Doctrines of Salvation, Bookcraft, 1956, 3:178.)

Concomitant to participating in ordinances and holding the priesthood is the making of covenants. Divine covenants must be entered into and honored before a person can have his calling and election made sure. To ensure that we receive the blessings of covenants righteously entered into and followed, the Lord has established a means by which ordinances and covenants may be approved. This is through the sealing power of the Holy Spirit of Promise. When the Holy Spirit of Promise (which is the Holy Ghost) justifies a person’s performance with respect to a covenant entered into, that performance is ratified, making the covenant effective for salvation.

The influence of the Holy Ghost received by keeping the commandments also leads one to sanctification, or becoming holy and pure in heart, which involves forsaking all evil and learning to “love and serve God with all [our] mights, minds, and strength.” (D&C 20:31.) The process of sanctification comes gradually, over a long period of time, “overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ.” (Brigham Young, JD, 10:173.) It means yielding one’s heart to God, becoming one with the Savior in building his kingdom, and working for the eventual establishment of Zion. (See Hel. 3:35.) The member of the Church prepares himself by striving for sanctification; and when he has become just through the ratifying of his covenants by the Holy Ghost, and in the sight of the Lord has sanctified his life, he is a candidate for having his calling and election made sure.

From the Prophet Joseph Smith we learn that the faith necessary to become sanctified and make one’s calling and election sure is gained through strict obedience to the law of sacrifice:

“From the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.” (Lectures on Faith, 6:58; see also D&C 98:11–15 and Teachings, p. 322.)

When faith is sufficient to sacrifice all earthly things, even life itself if necessary, it is possible for a person to know that he is accepted of the Lord for what he has done, and with this strong faith he may eventually receive eternal life.

Thus the Prophet Joseph said:

“After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure.” (Teachings, p. 150.)

Such a person eventually receives godhood and becomes a member of the “church of the Firstborn.” (D&C 76:54.)

Who were some of the saints who were accepted of the Lord through their sacrifices? The Prophet Joseph Smith indicated that when a person has been proved of the Lord by “hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God,” he may then have the privilege of receiving the Second Comforter. This Comforter is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, “and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face.” Joseph Smith went on to say that this was the condition of a number of the ancient saints, naming Isaiah, Ezekiel, John the Revelator, Paul, and “all the saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn.” (See Teachings, pp. 150–51.)

The assurance of being accepted of the Lord was also known to many of the Nephites: Enos (see Enos 1:27), Alma the Elder (see Mosiah 26:20), the Three Nephites (see 3 Ne. 28:4–11), and others (see 3 Ne. 28: 1–3).

The promise of becoming a member of the church of the Firstborn is also made to Latter-day Saints. (See D&C 76:50–60.) In our dispensation many Saints have made their calling and election sure. (See, e.g., D&C 124:19.) Noteworthy among these was William Clayton, to whom the Prophet said:

“Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of the Priesthood unto eternal life, having taken the step necessary for that purpose.” (History of the Church, 5:391.)

Joseph Smith himself was told by the Lord that he had been sealed unto exaltation and that the Lord had prepared a throne for him “in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father.” (D&C 132:49; see also Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:347–50 for further discussion.)

President Marion G. Romney, as a member of the Council of the Twelve, admonished the Saints in general conference to make their calling and election sure and said:

“The fullness of eternal life is not attainable in mortality, but the peace which is its harbinger and which comes as a result of making one’s calling and election sure is attainable in this life. The Lord has promised that ‘… he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.’ (D&C 59:23.)

“I think the peace here referred to is implicit in the Prophet’s statement, ‘I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.’ (DHC, 6:555.)

“I also think it is implicit in this statement of the late Apostle Alonzo A. Hinckley which he wrote in a letter to the First Presidency after he had been advised by his physician that his illness would be fatal: ‘I assure you I am not deeply disturbed over the final results. I am reconciled and I reach my hands to take what my Father has for me, be it life or death. …

“As to the future, I have no misgivings. It is inviting and glorious, and I sense rather clearly what it means to be saved by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and to be exalted by his power and be with him ever more.’ (The Deseret News Church Section, March 27, 1949, p. 24.)” (Conference Report, October 1965, p. 20.)

Inasmuch as the calling and election made sure is the greatest of all blessings received in this life, what greater counsel may Latter-day Saints receive than the following from the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Then I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it.” (Teachings, p. 299.)

Our Time In History

2010-11-28T12:45:00.001-08:00

A Columbine High School student wrote:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but less solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals.

We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.

… Author unknown

Santa Claus

2010-11-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. “Even dummies know that!”
My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.
She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus!” she snorted. “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let’s go”
“Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn’t even finished my second cinnamon bun. “Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.
I was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class.
Bobbie Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn’t have a cough, and he didn’t have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
“Yes,” I replied shyly. “It’s … for Bobbie.”
The nice lady smiled at me. I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, “To Bobbie, From Santa Claus” on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa’s helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.
Forty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker’s bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
… Author unknown
This is a Picture from our Ugly/Christmas Sweater Party

Finding The Beacon

2010-11-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

Vickey Pahnke tells a wonderful story of a beautiful young woman named Jenni. Like many teenagers, she has a strong testimony of the gospel, loves to be involved with her friends, and is typical of today’s extraordinary young -- except that Jenni is blind. There are sometimes ward or youth activities planned in which she cannot participate, and others that make her feel awkward or left out. But one activity seemed ideal for her, letting her show others how to "see".

On one occasion, the young women planned a special activity with their fathers. In preparation, an obstacle course was set up in the cultural hall complete with tires, sawhorses, and so on. The object would be for the girls, beginning at one end of the hall, to make it to their fathers at the other end. One by one, each receiving instruction from her dad, they would move through this course. The equalizing factor was that each girl would be blindfolded. Jenni needn't feel left out, and it would be fun for all participating. It must have been a hilarious night. Fathers were getting frustrated in voicing their directions, daughters were getting agitated and falling all over the place. On the sidelines the others were shouting instructions and contradicting one another. Laughter filled the hall. Not one of girl was getting through this course.

Jenni was last up. A quiet come over the hall as she stood ready for her turn. The other girls had whipped off their blindfolds. Jenni would not have the luxury of seeing this room when the games were over. Her father quietly said, "Jenni, listen to me. Don't pay attention to what the others say; just listen to my voice. I will guide you through ." Jenni began her trip. Among those watching, eyes widened in amazement as she carefully maneuvered. Once or twice she stopped to get her bearings or to have her dad repeat his instructions before she moved forward. Jaws dropped as Jenni continued -- never falling, never losing her composure. In time she made it to the finish line and into the arms of her father, who swung her around as the others clapped and encircled the "winners."

"No way!" "Incredible!" The girls crowded around Jenni, amazed at how easily she had gotten through the course that they had failed to navigate. "How did you do it?"

"It was easy," Jenni said. "I just listened to my fathers voice and did what he told me to do."

To Jenni the solution to the challenge before her seemed all too obvious. There is great wisdom in Jenni's simple explanation of the source of her success -- she listened to her father's voice and then acted upon the guidance she received. This isn't always easy for teenagers, given the sometimes strained relationships between parent and offspring. But advice and counsel given by a righteous father, as influenced by the Holy Ghost, can be just like the beacon -- a source of steady direction guiding us safely home in the storms that sometimes swirl about us. But we must first find the beacon.

Mosiah Chapter 5:
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

The Marks Of A Man

2010-11-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

By: David Bryan Viser
The Marks of a Man

As I jumped on board my flight from Miami to Salt Lake City, I paused for a moment to catch my breath.
Seated near the front of the plane was an excited young man, probably 19, sitting with his parents. His hair was short, his clothes new and sharp. His suit was fitted perfectly; his black shoes still retained that store bought shine. His body was in good shape, his face and hands were clean. In his eyes, I could see a nervous look; his movements were that of an actor on opening night.

He was obviously flying to Utah to become a missionary for the LDS church. I smiled as I walked by, and took pride in belonging to the same church where these young men and women voluntarily serve the Savior for two years. With this special feeling, I continued back to where my seat was located.

As I sat down in my seat, I looked to the right and to my surprise saw another missionary, sleeping in the window seat. His hair was also short, but that was the only similarity between the two.
This one was obviously returning home, and I could tell at a glance what type of missionary he had been.
The fact that he was already asleep told me a lot. His entire body seemed to let out a big sigh. It looked as if this was the first time in two years that he had even slept, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

As I looked at his face I could see the heavy bags under his eyes, the chapped lips, the scarred and sunburned face caused by the fierce Florida sun.
His suit was tattered and worn. A few of the seams were coming apart, and I noticed that there were a couple of tears that had been hand sewn with a very sloppy stitch. I saw the nametag, crooked, scratched, and bearing the name of the church he represented, the engraving of which was almost all worn away.
I saw the knee of his pants, worn, and white, the result of many hours of humble prayer.
A tear came to my eye as I saw the things that really told me what kind of missionary he had been.
I saw the marks that made this boy a man. His feet, the two that had carried him from house to house now lay there swollen and tired. They were covered by a pair of worn out shoes. Many of the large scrapes and gouges had been filled in by countless polishing.
The books lying across his lap were his scriptures-the word of God. Once new these books which testify of Jesus Christ and his mission were now torn, bent, and ragged from use.
His hands, those big, strong hands which had been used to bless and teach, were now scarred and cut from knocking on doors.
Those were indeed the marks of a man.
And, as I looked at him, I saw the marks of another man, the Savior, as he was hanging on the cross for the sins of the world.
His feet, those that had once carried him throughout the land during his ministry, were now nailed to the cross.

His side, now pierced with a spear, sealing his testimony with his life.

His hands , the hands that had been used to ordain his servants and to bless the sick were also scarred with the nails that were pounded to hang him on the cross.

Those were the marks of a great man.
As my mind returned to the missionary, my whole body seemed to swell with pride and joy because I knew, by looking at him, that he had served his Master well.

My joy was so great that I felt like running to the front of the plane, grabbing the new missionary, and bringing him back to see what he could become, what he could do.

But, would he see the things I saw? Could anyone? Or, would he see just the outward appearance of that mighty elder, tired and worn out, almost dead?

As we landed, I reached over and tapped the returning missionary to wake him up.

As he awoke, it seemed like new life poured into his body. His whole frame seemed to fill as he stood up, tall and proud. As he turned his face toward mine, I saw a light that I had never seen before.

I looked into his eyes. Those eyes. I will never forget those eyes. They were the eyes of a prophet, a leader, a follower, a servant. They were the eyes of the Savior.

No words were spoken. No words were needed.

As we disembarked, I stepped aside to let him go first. I watched as he walked, slow but steady, tired but strong. I followed him, and found myself walking the way he did.

When I came through the doors, I saw the returning missionary in the arms of his parents, and I couldn't hold it any longer. With tears streaming down my face, I watched these loving parents greet their son, who had been away for such a long time, and I wondered if our parents in heaven would greet us in the same manner.

Will they wrap their arms around us and welcome us home from our journey on earth? I believe they will. I just hope that I will be worthy enough to receive such praise, as I'm sure this missionary will.

I said a silent prayer, thanking the Lord for missionaries like this young man. I don't think I will ever forget the joy and happiness he brought to me that day.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

On a Personal note. The picture below is of Myself (Dallas Curtis) and ELDER BRETT RYAN NEELEY.*** Brett was my MTC companion for 2 months and i saw him frequently for the next 2 years in Panama. He is like a brother to me. He passed away on June 26th, 2006 from a fatal longboarding crash. He died instantly. I feel that Heavenly Father has called him home to labor in other missionary fields. ~GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN MY BROTHER~

Healing The Wounded Soul

2010-11-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

Healing The Wounded Soul - Jack R. Christianson

President Packer said. “You won’t survive spiritually unless you know how to receive revelation. The still small voice of the spirit. It’s a noisy world and you’re going to have to learn that revelation comes in the quiet times. It will come when the lord can speak to your feelings. The lord will speak to you; he will never fail to answer your prayers.” The problem is that we need have quiet times so that he can speak to us. As we spend time meditating, and In the midst of our meditation we will suddenly discover what we need to do. We’ll discover how we can heal ourselves, how we can change and how we can bless. (We’re usually just to busy) We have to have quiet times to be able to hear the voice of the spirit and come to know the savior. (Meditation is the key)

Misbehavior: People don’t usually misbehave because they are bad people, they misbehave because they are wounded, they’re hurt, and their lack of desire to please and to serve their master (Jesus Christ) is totally influenced by their pain, suffering and wounds. Generally these people’s misbehaviors are because they are wounded. Often times “We” don’t know the whole story about these people and how often are we so quick to judge. How often do we put them down, get upset at them or talk bad about them because of their misbehavior? When in reality their lack of desire and motivation to do that which is good, isn’t there because of internal pain. Their misbehavior has nothing to do with who and what they REALLY are.

These types of wounds have to heal from the inside out; we must be patient with people. But when they are healed you won’t even be able to tell that there has ever been a wound there. The savior can Heal without a scar.
Again, most misbehavior is not about people being bad, or worthless, or stupid… it’s about wounds, and pain, and insecurity, and hurt.

How often do we ourselves get up set, and when we are hurting inside or in pain, we say things that we don’t really mean. It’s often quoted that “hurting people, hurt people. “ Your whole misbehavior has nothing to do with your lack of love for the other person. It had to do with your own pain, your own insecurity, and your own wounds. And as a result we often bark back, we say something or do something that we normally wouldn’t do.

What about those who suffer from drugs? What about those that have been victims of sexual, physical or verbal abuse? What about someone who absolutely hate themselves because they’ve been told that they are stupid or ugly or they don’t like the way that they look.
We need to stop saying “You stupid idiot, why would you do that? “ And instead ask “What is it that has caused such deep pain, such deep wounds, such deep insecurity that you would behave in such a manner? We need to work to be more understanding and see what’s behind it all and why they might do those things. We might consider the questions…Why would drugs be so attractive, why would pornography be so attractive, what is missing in your life? What pain, what hurt, what insecurity, what need is not being met? Then we might see in what way we might love and help them.

Jacob 2:8 “And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.”

The word of god heals wounded souls. Jacob himself knows about being wounded because he lived it. He was a victim of abuse from his two oldest brothers. We see that the drenching of ourselves in the living waters of the scriptures will begin to heal our wounds. With prayer, scripture study and meditation we will discover how to handle our difficulties. We will have the spirit of revelation come upon us.

President Faust was asked, “ President Faust, What are we going to do to overcome all the addiction that we face in this world, alcohol, drugs, pornography?” President Faust put his elbow on the podium, put his chin into his hand, and said, “Get them to hold faster and tighter to the Iron Rod (The scriptures).“ If you let it get in you the word of god will heal your wounded heart, feelings and emotions.

When people become truly healed, all they care about is pleasing their Heavenly Father, and loving and serving him. They will want to love and serve their master. Our lord, Our Savior and our King, Jesus Christ. But many times those who misbehave don’t get it because their wounds have been so deep that they haven’t been able to see clearly.

3rd Nephi 9: 13 “O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?” It’s a question, “will you let me heal you”, that’s all he wants to do.
1st Nephi 15: 24 “And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.”

The Healing balm is the word of god which health the wounded soul. We can’t force anyone to read scripture or to feel the way we feel.

Elder Nelson said “ Man is that he might have joy, NOT Guilt Trips.” How often do we put guilt trips on people? One might say for example “Well if you don’t go on a mission then you just don’t love the lord.” Instead we should understand that maybe the reason that they don’t want to go on a mission is because they are wounded and they haven’t been able to see clearly yet. This goes for any other misbehavior problem we might see.

Well, How do we get the word of god into those people suffering from wounds, and particularly into the Book of Mormon? We must Love, Lead, and teach out of our own healed and changed hearts. President Lee said, “We will never help another unless “WE” are standing on higher ground.” So we have to love, we have to be patient, and we have to let them heal from the inside out.

May we remember President Hinckley’s challenge. “Those who read the Book of Mormon will be blessed with an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”

Russell M. Nelson taught “Each individual who prayerfully studies the Book of Mormon can also receive a testimony of its divinity. In addition, this book can help with personal problems in a very real way. Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships in your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power. He who fed a multitude with five loaves and two fishes, He who helped the blind to see and the lame to walk can also bless you! He has promised that those who live by the precepts of this book “shall receive a crown of eternal life.”

If you may be one who is struggling I say to you Come Home! Heavenly Father needs You.! We need you! May we be slow to judge others. Cause if we really knew the whole truth we wouldn’t be so harsh, we wouldn’t be so quick to judge or to miss judge. Because again often people are wounded, they haven’t learned that they are Princes and Princesses to a King, Jesus Christ.

The old nursery rhyme is true: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses, And all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty together again! But the King Can!

Let’s heal out of our own healed and changed hearts. I know as we read the Book of Mormon we will come to know the Great Healer, Jesus Christ, and by coming to know him we will be healed of our own wounds. This I know because he personally has healed me many times in many different ways. I am proof that it’s true. May we have trust in the promises of our Heavenly father and faith in both his words, the scriptures, and his son Jesus Christ the Great Healer.

Christmas List - Gifts and Blessings

2010-11-12T15:11:00.001-08:00

As i was praying this morning i started thinking about gifts. I thought " there are a few SPIRITUAL GIFTS i'd like to receive", and then i thought "but what would I then GIVE to my Heavenly Father as a gift to him?" In Church i heard this thought : What we are is Gods gift to us, But what we BECOME is our gift to God.

-This is just a thought but maybe we could make a "Christmas List" of the spiritual gifts that we desire. There are many spiritual gifts we could desire. For example i'd like greater knowledge and understanding of the scriptures, a stronger ability to hear and recognize Heavenly Fathers Voice and to follow the promptings of the spirit. To become an even more upbeat, happy and positive person than i already try to be. Ect.. The list can go on and be something that is very specific to your own personal life and needs.

Consider this quote from the Movie Evan Almighty: "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

Now, We then could make a list of the Gifts that we are going to give to our Heavenly Father in Return. But what do you get the man that has everything? Well we can start by doing something nice for one of his Children. When we reach out to bless the lives of one of his children, it's serving him. How do we change the world? One single act of random kindness at a time. I know that it's the HEART that Heavenly Father wants from us. We can give up our "Favorite Sins" and give him our whole Heart.

President Packer said "Obedience to god can be the very highest expression of independence. Just think of giving to him the one thing, the one gift, that he would never take. Think of giving him that one thing that he would never wrest (to gain with difficulty as if by force or violence) from you. Obedience that which god will never take by force, he will accept when freely given and he will then return to you the freedom you can hardly dream of". So our agency, our freedom to choose, can be used as a gift to give back to Heavenly Father and choose him over the world.

So in closing I challenge us all as we make our Christmas List of Spiritual gifts we want to "seek . . . earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given" (D&C 46:8). Gifts of the Spirit are given to bless and benefit those who love the Lord and seek to keep His commandments. (See D&C 46:9.)

May we remember Christmas gifts can become Christmas blessings.
Times change, years speed by; but Christmas continues sacred. It is through giving, rather than getting, that the spirit of Christ enters our lives. God still speaks. He prompts. He guides. He blesses. He gives. (President Monson)

May we likewise remember to make a Christmas list for those gifts we will give to our Heavenly Father and his Children here on earth. As we do so i know that we will be filled with the Christmas Spirit and the love of God. Lets put the CHRIST back into CHRISTmas.

Merry Christmas to you
-Dallas Curtis

The Los Angeles Temple after Proposition 8

2010-11-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

Story about the Los Angeles Temple after Proposition 8

This was sent by a Temple Worker in the LA Temple. It is so wonderful to see the Lord's tender mercies in behalf of the saints who strive to live righteously in the face of persecution:

My dear family, brothers and sisters, friends and leaders:

My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies and mighty miracles in our behalf. I just have to share this with you. As most of you know, I am a Temple ordinance worker and work the morning shift in the LA Temple every Saturday. Today, I had the privilege of translating sister Martz-the new assistant Matron's-message during our devotional.
She started like this "The prophet Joseph Smith said that no unhallowed hand would be able to stop this Work from progressing. These past few weeks when mobs have combined and armies have gathered against the saints, the Lord has protected His house". She went on to say that those, like her, who were inside the Temple when mobs were surrounding it, did not realize how scary and terrifying this looked on TV to the rest of us, because inside the House of the Lord all was calm and there was peace abundant. After Proposition 8 passed, the Temple began receiving threatening calls and mail from those opposing it. They were warned that more than 5000 people would come to the Temple and burn it to the ground, and stop its work. The first Thursday when the mob came, the new LA Temple President called the Salt Lake City Temple Offices for instructions. He was instructed to call the local police and to insure the safety of those attending the Temple by closing the gates. The assistant Matron said today, that it was a tender mercy from the Lord that the mob chose that Thursday to come since they had only one person coming to receive his own endowment that day, which he received in time to leave before trouble started.

The LAPD and the FBI responded quickly to the Temple Presidency's summons and patrolled the grounds and kept the mob from entering the same. Most of them had never been there before and expressed their surprise at how beautiful and peaceful all around was. They were invited to come back during the Christmas season to see the lights and they promised they would.

On Thursday, November 13th, sister Campbell, a secretary in the Temple, was opening the mail and upon opening a large manila envelope found inside a smaller one. When she opened this one, a white powder flew all around her desk. She thought this could be related to the demonstrators and feared the worst-ANTRAX. She contacted the President, who in turn called the Salt Lake City Temple office again for instructions. The FBI, the LAPD, and even the SWAT teams were once again in the grounds to investigate, and the Temple once again had to close from around 11:30 AM to 5PM. They closed the gates and were instructed to keep all the people there wherever they were found at the time. Those in the parking lot had to remain in the parking lot. Those entering the Temple had to remain in the first floor and those already upstairs were taken to the Celestial Room. Then, the miracles began to happen:

A brother serving as a recorder that day is a Microbiologist by profession and used to deal with hazardous substances every day. He was the first to say the white powder in the envelope was only talc, and put every one at ease. Then the sister coordinator upstairs was impressed to call upstairs to the sealing area, and said "They said we can't go down but no one said we can't go up, and I have many people in the Celestial room with their ceremonial clothes on ready to work. Could they do some sealings?" As it happened, there were four sealers present that day and they ran four sealing sessions non stop while the Temple was closed. Downstairs, someone else thought to invite those in the Lobby to do some initiatories, which they promptly did for all those hours too, brothers and sisters alike. Among those waiting in the parking lot there was a large group of young men and women with their leaders who had come to do Baptisms for the dead, and who waited patiently all those hours and decided when the Temple was reopened to go ahead and fulfill their assignment instead of driving back home. The Temple reopened in time for the 5:30 PM session. The next day when recording the ordinances, they discovered that they had performed 2000 sacred ordinances on Thursday, only one less than the day before when three stakes had been visiting the Temple.

Once again the assistant matron reminded us of the words of the prophet Joseph Smith, "No unhallowed hand can stop the Work from progressing...". But, this is not all, a prophecy was fulfilled also. When the new LA Temple President was set apart by President Uchdorft of the First Presidency, he received a blessing and these words were pronounced: " The time has come for the LA Temple to come out of obscurity and become an Ensign for Righteousness to the world under your presidency." The pictures of the Temple have been shown on TV, newspapers and the internet, not only in this country but worldwide. People of other faiths have called and sent letters to the Temple thanking the Church for defending marriage and protecting the family, and commenting how impressed they are by how beautiful and majestic the Temple looks . One minister of an African American church, who by his own admission had harbored ill feelings against the Mormons before said " I am impressed by your integrity and Christ like behavior, and even if I am not ready to consider you my brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be first cousins!".

I asked the assistant matron if I could share her comments and she said to go ahead. I can only add my own testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the power and authority of God on earth. God Lives and Jesus, His only Begotten Son and our Savior is coming soon to redeem His people. I am grateful to know this and I pray we stand firm, steadfast and immobile while the prophecies of the signs before His Coming are fulfilled. "Be not afraid, only believe" He has said, and also " What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." I testify that this is true and testify it in the Holy Name of Whom I strive to serve, even Jesus Christ. Be faithful and safe is my humble prayer. Your sister in Christ,

Suicide

2010-11-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Lynnette Schow Savage

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

I have really struggled over the last few years with life in general. It started about 3 years ago when Rod got laid off and I was pregnant with my son. Seemed like everything started to go wrong. My son was born and was really sick, we didn't kow if he was going to live or die for over a week, Rod got laid off again, we moved back to Utah Rod leaving his engineering background behind him and got into the mortgage industry, that went sour, I got a job working nights to help out financially, I got really sick, we almost lost our house. When things seemed like I just could not keep going Rod got an excellent job offer back in his engineering field. He was to start his new job July 28th, 2008. We really felt blessed after everything we'd been through. What happened next put all of our struggles into perspective.

My little brother Derek suffered for years from a drug and alcohol addiction. After he finished 3 months of rehab he came to live with us for a short time. He decided to move out and be on his own, which looking back on his mental state I wish we would have pushed harder to have him stay with us. On July 26th, 2008 he took his own life, leaving a letter letting us know he just couldn't keep going. We've all wondered (and still wonder) what we could have done differently, if we could have saved his life. My sister-in-law sent this story that fits Derek so perfectly. I hope it can help someone else going through similar trials. It is not from an LDS person, but I think this guy was truly inspired.

"Our friend died on his own battlefield. He was killed in action fighting a civil war. He fought against adversaries that were as real to him as his casket is real to us. They were powerful adversaries. They took toll of his energies and endurance. They exhausted the last vestiges of his courage and his strength. At last these adversaries overwhelmed him. And it appeared that he had lost the war. But did he? I see a host of victories that he has won!
"For one thing - he has won our admiration - because even if he lost the war, we give him credit for his bravery on the battlefield. And we give him credit for the courage and pride and hope that he used as his weapons as long as he could. We shall remember not his death, but his daily victories gained through his kindnesses and thoughtfulness, through his love for his family and friends...for all things beautiful, lovely, and honorable. We shall remember not his last day of defeat, but we shall remember the many days that he was victorious over overwhelming odds. We shall remember not the years we thought he had left, but the intensity with which he lived the years that he had. Only God knows what this child of His suffered in the silent skirmishes that took place in his soul. But our consolation is that God does know, and understands."

There are many people who believe suicide is the same as murder and that you can not be forgiven for it. I just don't think our Heavenly Father would take someone who was so sick and punish them for it. I look at Derek as being just as sick as someone with terminal cancer. He fought like crazy trying to overcome his addiction and lost his battle. I am so grateful for our knowledge of the afterlife and to know that Derek is now in a place that he can get the help he needs and finally overcome his addiction.

-Lynnette Schow Savage

Did we contract with someone during our pre-mortal lives to find and marry that person here?

2010-11-12T15:02:00.000-08:00

Is it true that each of us contracted with someone during our Pre-mortal lives to find and marry that person here?

"I Have a Question," Ensign, June 1977, 39–41
Steve F. Gilliland, director, institute of religion, Cambridge, Massachusetts As I understand it, we do not know the answer to this question. It is a question that has often been raised by Latter-day Saints, particularly as we contemplate the nature of our premortal experience. The issue captures our fancy, and as a consequence, we have found this idea popularized through romantic novels, plays, and movies written by Latter-day Saints. Thus, because members of the Church have raised the issue, the leaders of the Church have occasionally made some observations on the subject. Let me identify some of the observations that I am aware of, observations that give some orientation that I have found to be helpful.
First, we know from the writings of the prophets that many of us made covenants with the Lord prior to mortality. (See History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6:364; Alma 13:3–9.) How general or how specific these were, I do not know. I have heard of occasional Latter-day Saints whose patriarchal blessings have stated that they made premortal covenants with their spouses.
However, concerning a universal application or general principle, the First Presidency in 1971 stated that "we have no revealed word to the effect that when we were in the preexistent state we chose our parents and our husbands and wives." (Letter to Joe J. Christensen, Associate Commissioner for Seminaries and Institutes, June 14, 1971.)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, in 1931, wrote on this issue: "It is possible that in some instances it is true, but it would require too great a stretch of the imagination to believe it to be so in all, or even in the majority of cases." (The Way to Perfection, Genealogical Society, p. 44.)
Concerning one of these specific cases some members of the Church like to quote an article by Elder John Taylor in 1857, in which he suggests that, at least in one case, he felt that a premortal agreement had been made. (See "The Mormon," August 29, 1857.)
But the answer we have been given by the Brethren is that "we have no revealed word" on this matter. And in this and many similar matters Church leaders have counseled us to avoid teaching doctrines that are not clearly defined in the scriptures or by current prophets. (Elder Harold B. Lee, address to seminary and institute personnel, July 8, 1966, pp. 6–7.) This is good advice, even for members who feel that they have had personal revelation on this subject.
Realizing that we do not have a universal, revealed answer on this question, I think it could be helpful to examine some of the problems people may get themselves into when they build on the idea of premortal marriage commitments.
This idea seems to assume that prior to mortality we knew everyone we would meet on earth well enough to make that kind of decision. Some of us made promises as childhood sweethearts that in maturity were wisely never kept. The same may be true for premortal sweethearts, if there are such. One young lady, when informed by a returned missionary that she made a premortal covenant to marry him, replied, "Even if I made that mistake there, I am not going to make it here." Since we should be making spiritual progress here, and since covenants only have eternal validity if sealed by the Spirit (D&C 132:7), perhaps some of us can make better marriage choices in mortality. Another young lady I know received two proposals in the same week. Each suitor told her that he had a revelation that she had promised in heaven to marry him. She informed each that he had no priesthood stewardship over her and that he must wait until she received her own spiritual confirmation. Thus far it looks as though she will marry neither person.
A general belief in this idea may cause some problems for those seeking a future companion. It tends to emphasize premortal preparation for marriage. The challenge we face in mortal preparation is to develop qualities of spirit and personality that enhance meaningful relationships. I have seen many young adults who totally immerse themselves in academic and other pursuits and seldom date or seek other kinds of social experiences that may be challenging and developing. They justify this by saying, "When the right one comes along, I will know and I will marry him/her." They neglect the wise counsel that young adults should be involved in dating and other activities together. This is not just for the purpose of finding a mate, but also to develop qualities such as the capacity to listen and respond, the ability to handle conflicts, the skill of helping others, a greater understanding of the opposite sex, etc. These essential qualities are not developed by one who seeks only selfish pursuits while waiting for the "one and only" to arrive on the scene. While developing these capacities and living in tune with the Spirit, one will come in contact with many potential eternal companions.
A belief in this concept may even tempt one to rationalize inappropriate sexual experiences prior to marriage. "This is my one and only. This is a special situation. We will be married anyway." Immorality usually leads to a disintegration of the relationship. (See "The Psychological Case for Chastity," Ensign, July 1975, pp. 54–58.) Can you imagine the disillusionment and fear that can come if your "one and only" decides to end the relationship? It can be even more overwhelming if the couple have become too intimate.
Individuals who believe that marriages are made in heaven may focus on finding "the one" and not prepare for the work required after the wedding. Premortal associations may enhance the attraction between two people, but they do not resolve current conflicts. A man may feel secure with his "one and only" and complacently ignore her needs. Security in a relationship is important, but complacency can be detrimental. Relationships will wither if not nourished, no matter how long they have existed.
Certainly the wisest course for any of us to take is to build a relationship on its own merits, rather than on any premortal contracts we suppose have taken place.

The Sweetest Experience

2010-11-12T14:59:00.001-08:00

“The sweetest experience I know In life is to feel a prompting and act upon it. And later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone’s prayer or someone’s need. I always want the lord to know that if he needs an errand run Tom Monson will run that errand for him.
-President Thomas S. Monson

Durning Conference they did a special in between sessions on the life of President Thomas S. Monson. At the end of he said the above statement. I want to add my name in where he said his. That I always want the lord to know that if he needs an errand run Dallas Curtis will run that errand for him.
We all should add our name in and let our Heavenly Father know that he can count on us.

I too feel that it's a sweet experience to feel a prompting and see what comes from such a prompting when acted upon. I feel that there are many times our Heavenly Father calls to us and places thoughts and desires into our minds and hearts. For this is how he communicates to his children. It is a precious source of inspiration that we received as part of the gift of the Holy Ghost after our baptisms. I know that those promptings come quietly and are easily missed when we are preoccupied with the things of this world. But as we make time "regularly" to meditate and ponder our many blessings and spiritual things, that we will be open and receptive to the feelings and impressions that will come to us for our instruction, direction, correction, and protection.

May we strive to "quiet" our lives and rid ourselves of those things that are drowning out the spirit and making it difficult for us to hear the voice of the lord. Even better, may we not only avoid that which is bad but fill our lives with those things that invite the spirit. Then the lord will begin to be able to answer all our questions about where we need to go and what we need to do. I know we'll all see a great difference and a higher level of peace and happiness as we do so.

-Dallas Curtis

Remember who you are

2010-11-12T14:58:00.001-08:00

It's amazing how one quote can help you remember who you are. I read this in Jack Christiansons book called "Making the music decision" and it is VERY powerful. A testimony is a living thing...it will grow or die. We need to feed it each day that we live. Even if it's taking time to read that which inspires and causes us to look to heaven.

“We live in a great and evil day. Never have the powers of darkness, evil and perversion covered the earth as they do in this generation. This is a season in the Lord’s affairs that the greatest generation of men and women in the history of the world is being called forth. Our work is at hand. It is not a time for cowardice or compromise nor is it a time to indulge or live an undisciplined life. It is a time to rally to the banner of our Master, to declare with unwavering allegiance our loyalty to His great cause. It is a time to be noble and pure, to live lives disciplined like no other generation. It is a season for a “Spartan” life, a “committed” life, a “conquering” life.

This generation of men and women are going to accomplish the seemingly impossible because you are on His errand. Your generation will fight the greatest army of satanic hosts ever assembled. You will be severely outnumbered. You will need a deep and abiding faith in Christ to survive—and you will survive. The Lord and His servants will triumph, we do know that.”

~Elder Robert L. Backman, Vaughn J Featherstone, and Rex D. Pinegar.

The Found Sheep

2010-11-12T14:54:00.001-08:00

The Found Sheep

I thought of the "lost sheep" of our lives. We all have lost sheep in our families.
They were all raised on the same "farm". They grazed in the same
meadows, drank from the same streams, rested together under the same
cooling shades. But somehow, somewhere, during the growing season they
strayed. They thought they saw a brighter meadow with cooler streams.
They thought the grasses were richer, somehow greener. They had grown
tired of being led where they needed to graze, they wanted to find
their own way. They were in search of adventure. It was so near, they
could almost smell it!

Their way led to a wilderness. That wilderness was filled with
dangers. Their straying away left empty places. But the flock itself
could not cease following the Shepherd to seek the lost sheep, or else
they too would become lost sheep. They felt the wisest action would be
to stay near the Shepherd and the home he provided.

The loud persistent bleating of the ewes reached the ears of the
Shepherd. With their voices straining to be heard, they were crying
out the agony of their hearts for the loss they were feeling. No
longer did they feel their little lambs nearby. There lives held an
emptiness that they could not understand.

As soon as they saw their Shepherd coming toward them with his
purposeful stride, their bodies ceased trembling. Their voices
quieted. They grew calmer just from the sound of His soothing voice as
He spoke in hushed tones of assurance. They felt peace. He had them to
lie down. Near the large tree, where a nearby brook with its water
tumbling over stones caused the temperature to drop noticeably around
them. The change in atmosphere brought a sleepiness to their weary
bodies. They rested.

Once the Shepherd saw that all the sheep were safe and their immediate
needs were met, He started off for the rocky hillside nearby. His
inner spirit told him he would find the missing sheep there. He saw
tracks telling him that his count was correct, he was in search of 3
missing sheep. It was growing late in the evening. Clouds of a
promised storm were gathering in the west. He had to find them before
the slashing rains started. The hillside would be dangerous and
slippery if he could not locate them before it rained.

And what about the adventure seeking sheep? Boisk, Banimen and Tollie.
Different mothers, same family. Same training as the other sheep in
the flock. They however, each had their own idea of what they wanted.
They loved their families, even enjoyed the attention of the Shepherd,
but felt compelled to follow neighboring sheep to the hillside for
adventure. They felt that somehow there must be more to life than
grazing, drinking, walking, resting, romping, and shearing. Surely,
there must be something else.

When they started out on their little lark, they did not think past
the noontime grazing. They weren't even upset that their neighboring
friends that had first suggested the adventure had not shown up. They
didn't think about rocks in the road that would embed themselves in
their feet, nor did they consider the thorny bushes that would seem to
leap out at them from nowhere.

It was, as a matter of fact, a very thorny bush that had trapped
Tollie. The more she struggled, the deeper the thorns dug into her
thick wool, even to reach down and bite into the skin. The blood oozed
onto her white wool, staining it scarlet. Boisk and Banimen didn't
know what to do. They tried everything they could think of, but
nothing worked. Then Banimen had a thought, maybe he and Boisk could
chew at the base of the thorny bush, in the place just below where the
thorns protruded.

They began chewing, each taking a turn. She had ceased struggling due
to the weakening legs. She could hardly stand upright. Finally they
had chewed enough that they were able to help her free herself. The
thorny bush remained around her neck, digging in if she moved wrong,
but at least she was able to walk.

Tollie was in pain as she had never experienced in her life. As she
walked along she felt more encumbered than before they freed her from
the bushes roots. They had nothing to offer for the pain she was in.
Nothing except the hope that they might be discovered missing and
maybe the Shepherd would come looking for them.

They continued their trek in the rocky hills of what seemed a faraway
land from where they had begun this morning. But surely they couldn't
go home. They would be made fun of. They would be shunned by the
others. No, they would have to continue on this way.

Nothing they saw looked inviting. Banimen began to notice the drop in
temperature and the ominous clouds. In the distance they saw flashes
of fire in the sky. He began to miss his mother. He thought of her
soft voice. He was so far from what he remembered of the soft comfort
of his mothers side.

Boisk went on ahead. He began to nibble on berries that he thought
would quiet the desperate hunger he was feeling in his rather empty
belly. Instead of conquering hunger though, he began to feel very
sick. The sickness began to spread from not only his stomach, but to
his heart and his head as well. He soon became too dizzy to stand. He
swayed from side to side and finally fell over. Unable to right
himself he began to weep. Calling for his father in his weak sick
voice. His throat stung from the juice of the berries. He was tired
and was now wishing with all his heart that he had never left. Would
he ever see them again? Would they all perish out here on this
hillside?

The rain came softly at first, as Banimen and Tollie struggled up the
hill to be find Boisk. Soon the climb began to feel as if they were
going nowhere. They began slip on the slimy clay as it soaked up the
rain falling in sheets all around them. The whole hillside seemed to
disappear in the heaviness of the clouds and rain. As Banimen slipped
and fell, he seemed to tangle himself in the thorny bush still binding
Tollie's bleeding neck. Tollie did not have enough strength to stand
under the pressure of the struggle caused by Banimen. She fell. Down
the hill. Banimen close behind, falling too.

The rocks struck them from either side until they stopped at the edge
of a cliff. They felt the sudden fear that gripped their hearts. If
they moved forward at all, they would tumble to their death. Where was
home? Where was their family? Were they warm and safe? Did they miss
the stray sheep?

Suddenly the thunder grew louder. It seemed to shake the very rock
they were clinging to. The thunder seemed so near. Almost under their
ears which were pressed to the rock. The cuts from the rocks had gone
deep into Banimen's legs. He wondered where Boisk was. Had he reached
the top? Would he come and search for them? Tollie was barely
breathing. Was she near death? Thoughts tumbled around his head as the
thunder that grew louder.

Tollie saw him first. She thought she was dreaming. The horse was
shining white against the storm blackened sky. Sitting atop the horse
was the Shepherd. His voice was soft and his arms were firm as he
began to lift her to her feet. He carefully unwound the thorny bush
from Banimen and then began to remove it from her neck. His fingers
prodded gently her wool and skin in search of the gashes that were
still bleeding. He quickly began to pour in a warm soothing ointment
into the wounds. Then he wrapped her with a cloth so soft and
fragrant, that she could sense his devotion.

He gently laid her across the back of the horse, along with Banimen.
He spoke soft words in the ear of his horse and turned to climb up the
steep hill in search of Boisk. His cries reached his ears long before
his eyes were able to rest on him. Boisk thought he was dreaming. He
thought the berries surely had taken his life and he was dreaming of
heaven. But soon he felt his Master's strong arms offering security
and love. When Boisk opened his mouth to offer his weak bleat of
gratitude, the Shepherd poured in water. Water unlike he had ever
tasted. This water was cool and sweet. It seemed to bring healing to
his heart and stomach instantly. The gnawing pain left him. The
dizziness was gone. His Master gently picked him up and carried him
down the hill to the waiting horse.

When they arrived at the meadow, the Shepherd, horse and three lost
sheep were greeted warmly by the waiting flock. They were all so happy
to see them. Tollie had stains of scarlet on her wool, but the
Shepherd would soon bathe her and she would be clean again. The scars
of Banimen and Tollie would soon heal, but their hearts forever hold
the memory close as a reminder of the love and devotion of their
Shepherd.

Up on the hillside, which now seemed a distant memory, Boisk had
tasted a water so clear that his heart and life would eternally be
changed. His eyes held a light filled with love for the Shepherd. His
Master had left all the other sheep to search him out. Boisk felt a
love so deep in his heart he couldn't explain it. He couldn't hold it
in. He knew in his heart that he would never leave his Shepherd's side
again.

Luke 15:4-7
So Jesus used this illustration:
"If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was
lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to
go and search for the lost one until you found it?
And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.
When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors
to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found.
In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who
returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and
haven't strayed away!

Are you the lost sheep? Do you know how much your Father wants to
bring you into His fold? Into safety and warmth? He loves us with an
everlasting love. A love that knows no end.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have
loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I
have drawn you.

Trust Him

Prayer

2010-11-12T14:53:00.000-08:00

PRAYER:

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me,
and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when
ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 28:12-13)

It had been a long time since I had earnestly prayed (key word --
earnestly). It was well after 1:00 in the morning and my mind was
consumed with my troubles. I couldn't sleep. The hymn "Prayer Is The
Soul's Sincere Desire" flashed in my brain and I couldn't get it out.
I felt compelled to get on my knees.

In the darkness of the early morning hour I knelt beside my bed. I
spoke out loud about my frustrations, problems, and feelings. I poured
out my heart and just talked to Heavenly Father like He was sitting on
the edge of the bed listening to every word. Eventually, I came to a
point where I didn't know what to say; I could no longer find the
words to paint the picture of my sorrows. I just knelt there next to
my bed, absorbed in my thoughts, unable to speak.

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Then the most amazing thing happened; my heart pounded, my chest
filled and overflowed with warmth that flooded through my body. I
heard an unmistakable thought in my mind that was in my own voice …
but it didn't come from me.

"I love you," the voice said. I bit my lower lip as tears flowed and I
struggled for a response. All I could say was, "Thank you."

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
That sentiment of love from my Heavenly Father reminded me that I
wasn't alone. He was telling me that I would get through this problem.
As I continued to bury my face into the side of my bed, the warmth and
pressure increased from my chest and spread across my arms and around
my body. It was unmistakable … I was getting a hug.

Then another thought from the voice: "I've missed you." I'd missed Him
too. I used to pray for everything: help with my Sunday School or
Seminary lessons, for the kids in my classes, to reactivate my mother
back to the fold of the church, for our financial and family woes to
lessen, that my children would get home safely from a date or church
activity. Whatever! But so much time had passed, nearly 6 months,
since I had really "talked" to God. I was embarrassed and didn't feel
worthy to be in God's presence. And, wouldn't you know it, all this
time He had been waiting for me so He could let me know that He was
aware of my troubles and would be there for me. He was glad I finally
decided to go to Him for advice.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, "Behold, he prays."
I had prayed for the Comforter to help clear my mind of my troubles
and help me sleep. I received that comfort in a loving embrace and in
the kind words of my loving Heavenly Father. I heard His voice confirm
that I was important and a special daughter with a special purpose.

When I finally crawled into bed, it was after 3:00 am. My feet were numb.

Later that morning, when I finally got up at 9:00, I felt renewed. I
started doing housework, went outside and pulled weeds, and cleaned up
the flowerbeds. I felt invigorated and had a great sense of pride in
my accomplishments of the day. I hadn't felt that way in a long time.

What a shame I had to be compelled to pray. Alma 32:16 states:

" …blessed are they who humble themselves
without being compelled to be humble…"
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26 echoes with:

"… for he that is compelled in all things,
the same is a slothful and not a wise servant …"
O thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.
Hymn #145 "Prayer Is The Soul's Sincere Desire"
My advice to you: Don't waste another minute. Talk with your Heavenly
Father now. Right this minute. Close your eyes, bow your head, and
just say "Thank you."

And say hello from me.

-Unknown Author