The Power of the Priesthood

"The Power of the Priesthood"

by President Boyd K. Packer

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"'..We are encamped against the greatest array of sin, vice, and evil ever assembled before our eyes...The battle plan whereby we fight to save the souls of men is not our own...'" --Thomas S. Monson

"'..the whole earth [is] in commotion' (D&C 45: 26, see also 88: 91) and 'Satan is abroad in the land.' (D&C 52: 14) He seeks to destroy all that is good and righteous."

"Through the keys of the priesthood, they had access to all of the powers of heaven. They were commanded to carry the gospel unto all nations." --Doctrine and Covenants 42: 58

"We are to go forth and preach the gospel."

"The Book of Mormon makes it clear that we never will dominate by numbers. But we have the power of the priesthood."

"'...we are but a handful in comparison with...the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven [or lift] the whole world.'" --Joseph Fielding Smith

"We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are...we will win the battle against Satan."

"Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him."

"'It seems clear to me that the Church has no choice--and never has had--but to do more to assist the family in carrying out its divine mission, not only because that is the order of heaven, but also because that is the most practical contribution we can make to our youth--to help improve the quality of life in the Latter-day Saint homes...'" --President Harold B. Lee

"about the priesthood in the home: '...The father is there. It is his right and it is his duty to preside. He should select the one who is to administer the oil, and the one who is to be mouth in prayer, and he should not feel that because there are present presiding authorities in the Church that he is therefore divested of his rights to direct the administration of that blessing of the gospel in his home...'" --President Joseph F. Smith

"'...the saints of the church of the Lamb...were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.'" --1Nephi 14: 14

"We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know who we are and what we have and what we must do in the work of the Almighty."

"'I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." --Doctrine and Covenants 82: 10

"..the work of the Lord will prevail..we must marshall all of our efforts and unify ourselves.."

"The authority of the priesthood is with us...it is now our responsibility to activate the power of the priesthood in the Church. Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness."

"...protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary's mischief will be that power. You will receive direction from the Lord by way of the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"'This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'" --Moses 1: 39

"the power of the priesthood given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that, we have no fear of the future. Fear is the opposite of faith."

"The Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family."

Relief Society 10-25-2010

   -God gave agency to act for himself.

    -JSH 1:16-17 (and part of verse 15)
    -Christ: 1)Is there when asked, 2)Brings light, & 3)Deliver from Satan
    -Satan: 1)Interferes, 2)Darkness, & 3)Marvelous power
    -Satan brings darkness. If you feel darkness, Satan is there.
    -2 Nephi 32:4
    -3 Nephi-The Savior is visiting the Nephites and is talking to them about the temple.
    -The Holy Ghost can show you (she tells the story about the Holy Ghost showing her a boy riding out into the street as she is driving. It was a warning to her to stop the car.)
    -If you ask, like the Prophet Joseph Smith did, the Lord will answer.
    -Remember that the Lord will always be there for us.
    -It is so much easier to live and be a member of the church...and live gratefully.
    -If the darkness gathers, "knock" and ask for help and He will answer.
    -There is hope, there is joy, there is grattitude.
    -Learn of Him, listen to His words and walk in the meekness of Him and you shall have joy in this life.
    -President Boyd K. Packer- The Family Proclamation http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-23,00.html
    -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - "You may not need the best of the best. Just use things that you can get by with." http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-7,00.html
    -Bishop Richard C. Edgle- "I know that God Loves me" http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-11,00.html
    -Take something spiritual and bring it from your mind to your heart.
    -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland- "We all need to make sacrifices for our families" http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-2,00.html
    -Julie B. Beck- "You're doing better than you think you are...but you can do better" http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-36,00.html
    -Don't let General Conference just come and go, keep it alive.
    -The Holy Ghost bears witness in your life...let it be a part of your life.
    -Let you and your husband be as one.
    -Speak the truth.
    -Make the changes in your life so that you may be happy.

Church on Feb., 15, 2009

• When we fast and pray, we tend to receive more answers.
• Ask yourself: "Have I had a meaningful fast?"
• You need to be in the right mind frame when you fast.
• D&C 59:13-14
• Fasting is a sacrifice
• Matthew 6:1-4
• Alma 5:45-46
• Alma 11:37
• 2 Nephi 2:7, 10
• Alma 42:20-27
• Our Heavenly Father has mercy on us and loves us.
• Alma 36:10-12, 13-15, 16-21

__________________________________________________

          (Sunday School)

• D&C 19:23
• How can we strengthen our faith in Christ?
• Study it out,  and learn of Him.
• Hear Him and follow.

• John 17:3
• D&C 88:118
• Alma 32:27
• D&C 19:23
• Optimism is a sign of faith
• D&C 8:10
• D&C 10:46-52
• What is repentance?
• It's a change of heart
• "Change" is to turn away from evil and look to God.

• Based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Look forward, not backwards.
• What are consequences for not repenting?
• The Spirit will no longer dwell with you.
• There will be no blessings.
• Most likely the sins that you are making will increase, unless you go to the Lord.
• Sorrow and sadness :(
• Guilt.

• Why is it difficult for people to forgive themselves?
• People forget the plan of mercy.

• What happens if you don't fully forgive yourself?
• Then you didn't fully repent.

• 2 Nephi 4:19
• Why is it essential to be baptized?
• It is essential for Salvation. Without it, you cannot dwell in the highest Degree of Glory with God.

• Qualifications for baptism:
• You need to believe and have a testimony of the Gospel.

• We should always be repenting.
• He leads us to do good.

(I know some of this is pretty vague and simple, but some times it's good to hear those simple things.)

Church Notes Sept 19th, 2010

• To have a successful marriage, you [both] need to be determined, unselfish and righteous.
• Our families need to be our 1st priority in life.
• Isaiah 62 (His vision of the future)
• "We are a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord" (v.3)

• Our Patriarcal Blessing (the scriptures also) is like our "Liahona" in this life to guide and direct us.
• Remember that you weren't called to this earth to ____(be a doctor, the CEO of whatever co., firefighter, etc...)
• Just be sure to focus on work when you are at work, family when you are with your family or even just at home, focus on the Savior and other church things while you are at church...don't let yourself go and focus too much on work and other non essential things in this life.

• D&C 45:32, 87:8, and 101:22 }"Stand In Holy Places"
• 3 Nephi 23:1
• Isaiah 1-5
• 1:3-5, 11-15

• Isaiah 2:7-8, 11-12
• Isaiah 3:5
• Are we making our home a place where the Spirit is invited?
• Isaiah 5:26-29
• How are we 'gathering Israel'?
• Isaiah 6:1-8

The Proof of Desire is in the Pursuit

Alma 41:5-6 "The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long, even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness."

Matthew 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there is your heart also."

D&C 6:8 "...Even as you desire of me so shall it be done unto you."

D&C 7:8 "...Ye shall have according to your desires..."

Alma 29:4 "...I know that God granteth unto men according to their desire..."

Alma 29:5 "...To him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death..."

Jacob 2:18-19 "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good-to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and to administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."

"If you want something enough...

To go out and fight for it, 

Work day and night for it, 

Give up your time and your 

peace and your sleep for it; 

If you'd gladly sweat for, fret for it, 

plan for it, 

Lose all your terror of devils and man for it; 

If you'll simply go after the thing 

that you want; with all your capacity, 

strength and sagacity; 

If dogged and grim you beseech it 

and beset it, 

You'll get, you'll get it!"

(Unkown)

"...with God all things are possible" Matt 19:26

The Weekly Spiritual Thought

 Faith.

Doctrine and Covenants 90:24 "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."

James 1:5-6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and abraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

The Apostle Paul taught that "faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Alma made a similar statement: "If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see.

(LDS.org )

Scripture of the Week

(I know this is a day late, things have been hectic..)

"O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes."

Mosiah 1:6

This scripture is very special to me. It was the scripture that really strengthened my testimony in the Book of Mormon and helped me to realize how true these things are.

Visiting Teaching Message-Sept 2010

Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation

“Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation,” Liahona, Sep 2010, 7

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

From the Scriptures

Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Enos 1:1; Alma 53:20-21; 56:47; 57:27

Without nurturing, our rising generation could be in danger of becoming like the one described in Mosiah 26. Many youth didn’t believe the traditions of their fathers and became a separate people as to their faith, remaining so ever after. Our rising generation could likewise be led away if they don’t understand their part in Heavenly Father’s plan.

So what is it that will keep the rising generation safe? In the Church, we teach saving principles, and those principles are family principles, the principles that will help the rising generation to form a family, teach that family, and prepare that family for ordinances and covenants—and then the next generation will teach the next and so on.

As parents, leaders, and Church members, we are preparing this generation for the blessings of Abraham, for the temple. We have the responsibility to be very clear on key points of doctrine found in the proclamation on the family. Motherhood and fatherhood are eternal roles and responsibilities. Each of us carries the responsibility for either the male or the female half of the plan.

We can teach this doctrine in any setting. We must speak respectfully of marriage and family. And from our example, the rising generation can gain great hope and understanding—not just from the words we speak but from the way we feel and emanate the spirit of family.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

From Our History

Addressing the sisters at the general Relief Society meeting on September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior.” President Hinckley then went on to introduce to the sisters, the Church, and ultimately people everywhere “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

In subsequent years this prophetic document has been translated into many languages and distributed to world leaders. It asks citizens and government leaders “to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

The proclamation has become the foundation for Latter-day Saint beliefs about the family, a statement to which we can hold fast and know that by living its precepts, we are strengthening our families and homes.

What Can I Do?

• 1. How can I help my sisters use “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to nurture the rising generation? You might consider sharing a copy of the proclamation and helping your sisters identify and mark those passages that would best teach key doctrines.
  
• 
  
  2. How can I nurture the rising generation? You might consider reaching out to members of your ward, branch, family, or community who could benefit from your attention and love.

Presidency Message-Sept 2010

Henry B. Eyring

All of us feel, in our best moments, a desire to return home to live with God. He gave us the gift of His Beloved Son as our Savior to provide the path and to teach us how to follow it. He gave us prophets to point the way. The Prophet Joseph Smith was inspired to translate the record of prophets that is the Book of Mormon. It is our sure guide on the way home to God.

Joseph Smith said of that precious book, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

The precepts of the Book of Mormon are the commandments of God we find in it. Some are direct commands from the Savior through His prophets as to what we are to do and what we are to become. The Book of Mormon gives us the Savior’s example to increase our faith and determination to obey His command to follow Him. The book is filled with the doctrine of Christ to guide us. Here is an example from 2 Nephi:

 “[Jesus] said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

“And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son”

(2 Nephi 31:10-11)

The book makes plain that we must receive the Holy Ghost as a baptism of fire to help us stay on the strait and narrow path. We are taught that we must pray always in the name of Christ, not fainting, and that if we do, we have this promise: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life”

(2 Nephi 31:20).

The Book of Mormon makes plain in the marvelous sermon of King Benjamin what it means to have a love of God and of all men. When our natures are changed by the power of the Atonement and through our faithful obedience to the commandments, we will be filled with the love of God (see Mosiah 4:1-12)

The Book of Mormon also gives us confidence that we can become so purified in this life that we have no more desire to do evil (see Mosiah 5:2). This hope gives us courage and comfort as Satan tries to tempt and discourage us on our way.

Each time I read even a few lines in the Book of Mormon, I feel my testimony strengthened that the book is true, that Jesus is the Christ, that we can follow Him home, and that we can take those we love home with us. It has been for me the book of books. It is the word of God.

I pray that we and all those we love will drink deeply and daily from it. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that it is a true guide.

Teaching From This Message

  

“When we use the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets as the source of all our teaching, we invite the Spirit to bear witness. This brings to our teaching ‘the power of God unto the convincing of men’ (D&C 11:21)” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 51). Consider reading highlights from President Eyring’s message, including Joseph Smith’s statement about the Book of Mormon. Invite family members to share how living the teachings found in the Book of Mormon helps them draw nearer to God.

“When learners discuss principles from the scriptures, they develop skills they need for their personal scripture study” (Teaching, No Greater Call, 54). Consider reading the scriptures referred to in this message and looking for and discussing the principles they teach.

Christ in the Land Bountiful, by Simon Dewey © 2003 IRI

YOUTH

A Guide to Help Us Get Home 

By Hillary Holbrook

Hillary Holbrook, “My Own Book of Mormon,” Liahona, Sept. 2010, 6

In August 2005, when President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) issued a challenge to Church members to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, I promised myself I would read the entire book. I was familiar with stories in the Book of Mormon but had never read it all the way through. Now I meant to keep my promise.

I had been taught to apply the scriptures to my life and make them my very own. So as I read, I wrote in the margins of the page what I thought the main idea of the passage was. I also underlined repeated words and phrases to show emphasis.

I placed my name next to names in the scriptures to help me remember that the word of God spoken to others can also be the word spoken to me. For example, in 2 Nephi 2:28 I wrote my name: “And now, [Hillary], I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments.” The more I made the Book of Mormon my own, the more excited I became about reading it every day.

As I read daily, my prayers became heartfelt and personal. I was also able to focus on my classes and follow promptings of the Spirit to befriend others. On the last night of the year, I finished the Book of Mormon.

I then understood the importance of reading the whole Book of Mormon, along with other scriptures, and want to do so many more times in my life.

Left: photo illustration by Craig Dimond

CHILDREN

A Guide to Help Us Get Home

“A Guide to Help Us Get Home,” Liahona, Sept. 2010, 6

How would you feel if you were lost and didn’t know the way to get home to your family? Would you be happy if you could follow someone who could show you the way? President Eyring says the Book of Mormon is like a guide that helps us get back home to Heavenly Father.

Look at the pictures of some things the Book of Mormon tells us we need to do to get back home. Read 2 Nephi 31:10, 11, 20. Below each picture, write the correct verse from the Book of Mormon. You will need to use one of the verses twice.

Repent and be baptized.

Have bright hope.

Love God and all people.

Follow Jesus.

The "Sunday Message"-Stake Conference

For Stake Conference, we had a "Young Adult" broadcast (for both married and single). This is the website where you can listen to the talks: http://lds.org/broadcast/ces/0,7341,538-1-61-1961,00.html

Here are my notes from it:

Elder Snow

•  We go to the temple to remember our covenants.
• When we take the sacrament, that is also a way to remember our covenants and also Christ.
• Remembering our spiritual experiences gives us courage to keep moving on.
• Alma 5:26 "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
• Our testimony needs to be "fed" continually-we need to continually "renew" it.
• Mosiah 27
• Alma 5: 45-46 "And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."
•  The Holy Ghost helps us to become pure

Sister Julie B. Beck

• The only thing that will strengthen us is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• If our life wasn't so hard, we wouldn't have come so close to the Lord and there wouldn't be any need for the Holy Ghost.
• All you need is faith in the Lord knowing that He will help you.
• Pray always so that we may not enter into temptation.

Jeffrey R. Holland

•  Nurture your own physical strength.
• Pray a little more.
• Study [the scriptures] a little more.
• Search your soul and search your testimony.
• When you have your own faith, then you are ready to bless your family.
• We must have faith in this work...faith in our Father...we will be safe and secure.
• He will pour out blessings to you for your faithfulness.

Boyd K. Packer

• "Pray to the Father always in my name" (Referring to a scripture)
• A Father is someone that you can always call upon and receive an answer from.
• The devil cannot make you do it (or anything for that matter)--you have power over your own self.
• The Adversary has his limits, you can always tell him to depart. He has no power to make you do anything.
• The 6 word sermon: "What if [it] (he/she) was your child?"
• You are in charge of your own life. Go to the Father and tell Him that you want to do it His way--follow what the Lord has in store for you and you will be blessed.
• Faith is the most important thing to have.

Becoming Self Reliant

"'Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.' Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur...How do we become self-reliant? We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president

"As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others. It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished bythe level of our self-reliance."

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"Self-Reliance is a product of our work and under-girds all other welfare practices. It is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being. Regarding this principle, President Marion G. Romney [1897-1988] has said: 'Let us work for what we need. Let us be self-reliant and independent. Salvation can be obtained on no other principle. Salvation is an individual matter, and we must work out our own salvation in temporal as well as in spiritual things.'...President Spencer W. Kimball [1895-1985] further taught concerning self-reliance: 'The responsibility for each person's social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economis well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof."

President Thomas S. Monson

Genesis 3:19 "In the sweat of thy face salt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

D&C 82:18-19; 109:8 "And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even as hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church--Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God."

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"

"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.

"And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.

"And I, Mormon, pray to God that they [the plates] may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved."

Words of Mormon 1:7-8 & 11

I just want to take a moment to tell each of you that I do know that these things are true. I know that the scriptures are true and that Joseph Smith translated them through revelation. To have the Gospel in my life is a true blessing. And most of all, it is such a great blessing to know that Heavenly Father really is there to help us through this life, and to comfort us when we need it most. I know that these scriptures are here for us to guide and direct us through this life, and these words in the scriptures are of God.

Thank you all for reading the things that I have posted. I hope you may know the truthfulness of this Gospel as I do now.

December 2009 Visiting Teaching Message

"Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ."

Moroni 7:48

"Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion...In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even grater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers"

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

"We need to rescue 'all that is finest down deep inside of [us]' so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, 'If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.' Let us bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and thus keep the covenants we have made [see Mosiah 18:8-10]"

Barbara Thompson, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

"Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

Doctrine and Covenants 81:5

"The Good Shepherd said, 'Feed my lambs.' (John 21:15) So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted. The Lord said, 'My work and my glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses 1:39) So His devoted daughter-disciple may truly say, 'My work and my glory is to help my loved ones reach that heavenly goal.' To help another human being reach one's celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting"

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"The Lord has blessed women with divine attributes of love, compassion, kindness, and charity. Through our monthly visits as visiting teachers, we have the power to bless each sister as we extend our arms of love and kindness and give the gifts of compassion and charity...It is my prayer that we will pledge an increased commitment to extend our arms of love and compassion to bless, help, and strengthen each other as we go about doing our visiting teaching with a willing and joyful heart"

Silvia H. Allred, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

"Not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection"

JST Hebrews 6:1

Paul's phrase above-the "Principles of the Doctrine of Christ"-refers to grounding principles as in the 100% for 100 days" program. We are "not leaving" these "holy habits and righteous routines" behind; they should be so innate that we are now living them "100% Forevermore" (see Moses 5:8)

Daily Goals:

Individual and family prayer and scripture study

Magnify your calling

Acts of love and compassion for spouse and family

Weekly Goals:

Communication-filled date with spouse

Family Home Evening

Sabbath holiness including service at ward of record

Monthly Goals:

Tithing

Temple attendance

Home and Visiting Teaching

Paul's phrase above, "Let us go on to perfection," suggests that we consciously seek for, receive, and act under the sanctifying fire of the Spirit to realize our heavenly inherited "diving nature." As we are true and faithful to our temple covenants, we will learn and live more deeply their meaning, while we "wait upon the Lord" knowing that in His own time and way we will qualify for His precious promises.

(The "100% for 100 Days" was a goal in my ward this past year)

"For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them..." 

-2 Nephi 4:15

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for remission of their sins." 

-2 Nephi 25:26

Bishopric Message for Sept 2010

My message this month is based on a talk by Elder Wirthlin a couple years back on charity.  In it he quotes the scriptures where the Pharisees ask Christ which is the great commandment.  Of course Christ's answer was "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and all thy mind."  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  And from this I discovered what I think are three different types of true love:
First is the love that we have towards our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  As children looking for guidance from their earthly father, we must trust and come to know our Heavenly Father.  Let me make a comparison with getting to know a friend.  We can get to know a person in many different ways--talking face to face, being with them and doing things together, phone calls, or through emails or letter.  While coming to know our Heavenly Father and Savior better, we are unfortunately unable to use most of these methods.  If it's not too much of a stretch, imagine the scriptures as emails or letters we receive from Heavenly Father to guide us and to teach us about him and to help us to come closer to him.  By reading the scriptures and coming unto him, we show our love for him and get to know him better.
The Savior set the perfect example of love for our Father by setting His own will aside and letting the Father's direct His actions.  Mosiah chapter 15 verse 7 says that "even so shall he be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father."  I've felt this love and am grateful for it, not only the love Christ showed by performing the Atonement for us, but also for being an example of true love and for teaching it to us.  One place I really like in the scriptures where Christ teaches this love to us is in John chapter 21 verse 15.  "So when they had dines, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."  The fish gave their lives under the Savior's command.  Would I do the same?
This leads me to the second type of love. Second is the love that we are asked to give to our neighbor, or each other, as ourselves.  Enos is a perfect example of this.  After obtaining forgiveness of his sins he immediately desired that his brethren (the Lamanites) could be forgiven as well.  The Savior also taught this principle to us in Matthew chapter 25 verse 37 through 40 by explaining that when we show love to others we show it to Christ as well.  Understanding better what I call the first type of love, or love for our Heavenly Father, I think better helps us to understand love for our fellow man.  As we look to President Monson as our new and dear prophet, it's very hard to overlook the great service for others he has done throughout his life.  One of his many stories of service, to summarize, was when he was inspired to visit a sister in the ward on the way home from work.  She was so glad to see him because no one else had remembered her birthday, but she was grateful that he was there.  In order to achieve this kind of love for our fellow man, we must follow Mormon's invitation, quoted by Moroni, to pray for charity with all the energy of our hearts.
The last type of true love that we should strive to have is love for our spouse.  Elder Holland has taught that "true love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves."  Elizabeth has definitely demonstrated this to me by taking such good care of me when I've had bad migraines in the past.  She is so gentle and unserstanding and often says that she wishes she could suffer the headache on my behalf.  What a great example she is to me by showing more concern for me than for her own self.
Let me leave you with the following quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith:  "If a man and his wife were earnestly and faithfully observing all the ordinances and principles of the gospel, there could not arise any cause for divorce.  The joy and happiness pertaining to the marriage relationship would grow sweeter, and husband and wife would become more and more attached to each other as the days go by, not only would the husband love the wife and the wife the husband, but children born to them would live in an atmosphere of love and harmony.  The love of each for the others would not be impaired, and moreover the love of all towards our Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ would be more firmly rooted in their souls."

Church on September 5th, 2010

 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"

~John 15:13

"Even so shall he be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father."

~Mosiah 15:7

I hope to have more posted later today..Have a great Labor Day!

"And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit"

By Julie B. Beck

Personal Revelation

"Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord's Spirit with us. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power..."

"...Reading the scriptures...are an aid to revelation. Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. Daily prayer is also essential."

"...Earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study..."

"Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed."

"Mothers...can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. Being in the right places allows us to receive guidance."

"Personal revelation gives us the understanding of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek those who need our help."

"Personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength."

"To do justly to walk humbly, to judge righteously...[the] Spirit will enlighten our minds, fill our souls with joy, and help us to know all things we should do."

"Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith..."

Relief Society--Teaching, Inspiring, and Strengthening

"[Relief Society] has at its very core the responsibility to help sisters increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need."

"It is sacred trust, a guiding light, and a system of watchcare that teaches and inspires women to be strong and immovable...'Charity never faileth'"

"'We can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves...Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time...the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities'" --Eliza R. Snow of The second general Relief Society President

Measuring Success

"We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit."

"We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly."

"'...The women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world...Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days.'" --President Spencer W. Kimball

"The Lord depends on His daughters"

"As [we] seek and qualify for personal revelation, the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids in these latter days."

Notes

Jacob 2:17

Mosiah 4:26

D&C 38:35; 44:6

D&C 20:77

2 Nephi 32:3

3 Nephi 19:24-33

D&C 11:12-14

1 Corinthians 13:8

Joel 2:28-29

Elder L. Tom Perry - The Message of the Restoration

Visiting Teaching Message, March 2010

Strengthening Faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ through Personal Scripture Study

"When I was a new bride,...I was invited to a lunch for all of the Relief Society sisters in my ward who had read either the Book of Mormon or a short Church history book. I had become casual in my scripture reading, so I qualified to attend the luncheon by reading the short book because it was easier and took less time. As I was eating my lunch, I had a powerful feeling that though the history book was a good one, I should have read the Book of Mormon. The Holy Ghost was prompting me to change my scripture reading habits. That very day I began to read the Book of Mormon, and I have never stopped...Because I started reading the scriptures daily, I have learned about my Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and what I need to do to be like Them...

"...Every woman can be a gospel doctrine instructor in her home, and every sister in the Church needs gospel knowledge as a leader and teacher. If you have not already developed the habit of daily scripture study, start now and keep studying in order to be prepared for your responsibilities in this life and in the eternities."

        -- Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president

"A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them."

         --President Thomas S. Monson

"We want our sisters to be scholar of the scriptures...You need an acquaintanceship with his eternal truths for your own well being, and for the purposes of teaching your own children and all others who come within your influence.

"We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians--whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family...Become scholars of the scriptures--not to put others down, but to lift them up!"

          --President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985)

John 5:39

2 Timothy 3: 14-17

2 Nephi 9:50-51; 31:20; 32:3-5

D&C 138:1-11