Institute on March 3rd, 2011

1. What's wrong with being GOOD? --nothing.
2. Is there power in being GOOD? Why or why not? --Yes, the more obedient or "good" you are, the more the Lord will bless you with the Spirit. The Spirit is power.

OBEDIENCE = BLESSINGS = HAPPY :)

• D&C 93:6 "And John saw and bore record of the fullness of my glory, and the fullness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed."
• D&C 130: 20-21 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
• D&C 89: 18-21 "And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." and great treasures
• D&C 130:19 "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." 

Devotional February 10, 2009

• John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
• He provided the sacrifice, for He will stand at the gates; "keeper of the gate"
• He is untouched of sins
• We tend to compare our weak points with others strengths-don't do this, it's Satan's way of bringing us down.
• We must be honest with ourselves
• D&C 8:10 "Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith, Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not"
• "Where Can I Turn for Peace" (Hymn #129)

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."

D&C 9..and more..

"...you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.

"...you must study it out in your mind..ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that is is right.

"But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought...

"Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.

"Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you...and you shall be lifted up at the last day."

(v. 7-9, 13-14)

And I just want to share with you some of my favorite scriptures..I might have already done this previously, but that is alright..

Alma 37:35-37

"O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

"Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yes, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

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.)

Teaching the Gospel in the Home

Teaching children with kindness and love

The Lord has commanded parents to teach the gospel to their children. He said:

“Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

“For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

“And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:25-28).

Parents should teach with kindness and love, remembering the Apostle Paul’s counsel to “bring [their children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

(LDS.org)

"I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation." (L.Tom Perry)

I do believe that these things are very important to know and understand right now. I have been hearing a lot about the importance of teaching within the home from articles in the Ensign (like the quote from L. Tom Perry), and from Stake Conference just a couple weeks ago, and I believe that Satan is really focusing on the family at this time. We need to hear what the Prophet and Apostles are saying and live by what they are teaching us as best as we can. The things that they say are the words of God, and I know this to be true. Listen and follow the things that they have to say and have been saying for years and years and years and you will be blessed. I know that the things they are saying are important, and they (i.e. the things of the world--like pornography, drugs, the unimportance of teaching in your own home-especially the gospel, etc..) will only get worse if we don't listen.

Please, please, please, remember that you can always go to the Lord for guidance in this life...he is there.

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 )

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;"

The Path of the Peacemaker

Elder Kim B. Clark

President, BYU-Idaho

"This is the great latter-day work of bringing people to Christ. It is the work of peace."

"'Prophets have long known that the Abrahamic covenant was to be fulfilled only 'in the latter days.' That's our day! We are those covenant people!'" (Elder Russell M. Nelson)

"You are the children of the covenant, the children of promise; and you are heirs to all the blessings and all the commitments and responsibilities of Abraham."

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers...and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace..."

"A prince of peace (or a princess of peace) is a peacemaker. When you hear the word 'peacemaker,' it is natural, and very important, to think of a mediator, someone who calms troubled waters and helps people resolve conflicts and disputes."

"You may have already discovered that helping others resolve conflict depends on the application of gospel principles like love, kindness, forgiveness, and service. If you are faithful and prayerful in this work, the Holy Ghost will guide and strengthen you in applying these principles, and the Lord will work through you to bless the lives of His children."

"He has prepared for His children a deeper peace, the 'peace of God, which passeth all understanding.'"

"It is peace of conscience and peace of mind-a positive, deep, uplifting sense of well-being. It is a sweet, powerful feeling of total harmony with Heavenly Father, with our true spiritual identity, and with your brothers and sisters."

"Such peace is one of the sweet gifts of the Spirit."

"Heavenly Father wants you to walk in peace. He wants you to establish peace. He wants you to be peacemakers."

"'The consequences of conflict are so devastating that we yearn for guidance--even a way to ensure our success as we seek the path to peace...May I suggest three ideas to prompt our thinking and guide our footsteps:

1. Search inward
2. Reach outward; and
3. Look heavenward

("framework given to us by President Monson")

"The beginning of our study of the path of the peacemaker is our relationship with God the Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ."

 

 LOOK HEAVENWARD

D&C 19:23 "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me"

"Study carefully and to follow what He taught in verse 13 and 15-20 [D&C 19]"

"Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received...lest...your sufferings be sore--how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

"For behold, I God have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

"But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--

"Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

"Wherefore, I command you again to repent..."

"The path of the peacemaker is the path of faith in Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. It is the path of sincere repentance and whole-hearted obedience. It is the path of baptism for hte remission of sins, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and spiritual rebirth."

"Sin and wickedness and all the emotions that flow from them--are like a cancer in our spirit. There is no peace for the soul wounded by sin..the miracle of the Atonement is that we can repent and be healed. We can be completely rid of the cancer of sin, and we can find peace."

 "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?" (The Savior)

"Through the power of the Atonement of Christ, we can be reborn of the Spirit, '[put] off hte natural man and [become] a saint,' 'humble,...submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering.' This is what it means to 'walk in the meekness of my Spirit.'"

"You shall have peace in me."

"'God wants each of His children to enjoy the transcendent blessing of peace of conscience...It provides a foundation for happiness...Peace of conscience can come only from God through a righteous, obedient life.'" (Elder Richard G. Scott)

SEARCH INWARD

"Peacemakers must also learn to 'search inward' to find peace of mind...Though we may have peace of conscience, those storms may rob us of peace of mind and hurt our ability to be peacemakers. But we can learn to 'search inward' and with the help of the Savior restore peace of mind."

"We keep the commandments and make progress in our journey of peace. But we encounter storms of life that bring uncertainty, anxiety, and stress."

"'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'" (The Savior)

"We know that things will happen to disrupt our peace of mind. We live in a fallen world, and things happen to everyone...We have learned that we have to choose to look into the mirror of Christ. It requires an act of both faith in the Lord the Lord jesus Christ and personal determination...We can choose hope and say, 'I am not going to look into the mirror of fear. I am going to fix my eyes on the mirror of Christ, trust the Lord, and act in faith."

"If you choose the mirror of Christ you authorize the Holy Ghost to minister to you. He will 'show unto you all things what ye should do.'"

REACH OUTWARD

"We cannot be at peace ourselves and we cannot be peacemakers unless we 'reach outward' to bring peace to others."

"'For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit to contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stireth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

"Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;'" (The Savior)

"I know it is not too hard for the Lord to help you be the Lord's peacemakers in the latter-days--even when the challenge may seem daunting."

"It is Satan who 'stir[s] up the hearts of men with anger,' and it is Christ the Lord whose doctrine it is 'that such things should be done away.'"

"The duty of the peacemaker is clear: do not start the ripple of scorn and ridicule; do not propagate it if you hear it; do not retaliate when people attack; help people resolve their differences and stop the network of contention and anger dead in its tracks. Stop it with acts of kindness and respect. Stop it with gentle humor or sweet reason. Stop it with love and prayer. Stop it with whatever means the Spirit of the Lord directs. But stop it; and then act in faith to help others find the deeper peace of God."

"'May our conversations with others always be marked by the fruits of the Spirit--'love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23) To...all who seek to know how we should respond to our accusers, I replu, we love them. Whatever their race, creed, religion, or political persuasion...we must...help them,...be an example for them...[and]pay the price of discipleship by answering [them] with Christian courage.'" (Elder Robert D. Hales)

"This is our calling. This is what the children of the covenant, the children of Abraham are and what they do: they reach outward to their brothers and sisters to bring peace that goes down deeper and deeper into the soul. There are different levels of peace, and peacemakers work at every level: they calm troubled waters, stop the network of anger and contention, and help their brothers and sister resolve conflicts; they bring love, hope and peace to people in need with kind words, a helping hand, and acts of service that lift and strengthen; and they help their brothers and sister find peace at its deepest level in the Lord Jesus Christ."

"President Monson has set for us a marvelous example of the peacemaker, and he has called us to be peacemakers...'Come back. We reach out to you in the pure love of Christ and express our desire to assist you and to welcome you into full fellowship. To those who are wounded in spirit our who are struggling and fearful, we say, Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears.'" (President Monson)

"When we do...we will bring the Spirit of the Lord into the lives we touch. We will help them come unto Christ...the only way to find the deep peace of God is through the Atonement of Christ...you can reach outward and help them find the deep peace of God by sharing with them the plan of salvation and the principles of the gospel. And you can extend that opportunity to people on the other side of the veil when you serve in the temples of the Lord...If they choose to listen and obey, they, too, will find the 'peace of God, which passeth all understanding.' This is the path of the peacemaker."

"This is the path we are called to walk:

• Look Heavenward: Act with faith in Christ to repent and keep His commandments.
• Search Inward: When storms come, look to the future in the mirror of Christ, choose hope and go forward in faith.
• Reach Outward: Stop the network of anger and contention, help people in conflict find common ground, lift and strengthen them with love and service, share the gospel, and help them come unto Christ.

"If you walk this path, you will be the peacemakers the Lord will use to gather scattered Israel, established Zion, and prepare the earth for His return."

"Through your faithfulness you will walk in peace with the Prince of Peace and you will become a peacemaker in His holy hands."

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

"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other...In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.' (D&C 81:5) So often our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks--but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds" ("There Is Purpose in Life")

~President Spencer W. Kimball~

"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

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

Sunday School June 8th, 2008

• With baptism we come closer to Christ
• After we are baptized, we need to take the sacrament to remember those covenants that we made
• Mosiah 18-24
• What blessings have you seen in your life as a result of baptism?
• Try to remember your baptismal day and continue to remember it--write down your thoughts and feelings you have when you think about your baptismal day
• Write down all your feelings that you have when you have a spiritual moment so that you can read back and remember those feelings.
• What do you remember about your baptism that made it all special?
• Moroni 8:14 "Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell"
• A covenant is like a contract that you have made with your Heavenly Father
• Mosiah 18:8-9 "And it came to pass that he said unto them; Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yeah, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yeah, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--"
• Focus not on your needs, but on others and the things that they may need help with
• Mosiah 18:11-14 "And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may be grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit."
• When do we have that desire to change?
• When we have a change of heart we have a desire to reach out further [to others] and try to find ways to help others.

• 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?'"
• John 12:24-25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
• We are always blessed when we sacrifice something in our lives for God.
• Charity will come to us when we serve others.
• A medicine for self pity is to help others in their lives.
• Magnify your calling, it's as simple as that.
• Serve willingly with love and compassion
• Temple work is one of the greatest ways you can serve
• D&C 58: 27-28 "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."
• We must lose ourselves in service
• Be an example.
• 3 Nephi--Christ coming to the America's, "Come unto me, I will heal you"
• 3 Nephi 12:14-16 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hit. Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
• D&C 20:16 "For the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on high, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
• Some of the important things in your life are based on your desires and choices--friends play a big part.
• What are the "walking sticks" in your life? What are the things in your life that hold you up and keep you strong?
• We need to walk with God
• He wants all of us to return to His presence, which is determined by us and how we make our life decisions.

The Great Plan of Happiness

I had lost a couple people in my life a couple years ago, and I was struggling with it. I needed some comfort and guidance, and this is what I came across.

Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy
"Just like a fish needs water, you need the gospel and the companionship of the Holy Ghost to be truly, deeply happy."

"When I was a deacon like many of you young men, my father and I hiked to a mountain stream to fish for trout. As my dad attached the bait to the hook on the end of my fishing line, he told me that I would need to set the hook in the fish’s mouth when it tried to take the bait, or it would get away. I did not understand what it meant to set the hook, so he explained to me that the hook needed to be embedded in the fish’s mouth when it struck at the bait so it could not shake the hook loose and that the hook would be set if I quickly pulled back on the pole when the fish tried to take the bait. Now, I really wanted to catch a fish, so I stood on the bank of that mountain stream like a coiled spring, every muscle taut, waiting for the telltale movement at the end of my pole which would signal that the fish was trying to take the bait. After a few minutes I noticed movement at the end of my pole, and in that instant I jerked back on the pole with all of my strength, expecting a big fight with the fish. To my surprise, I watched as that poor trout—with the hook now set very firmly in his mouth—was launched from the water into the air over my head and landed on the ground flopping behind me.
I have two observations from that experience: First, a fish out of water is miserable. Although its gills, fins, and tail work very well in water, they are all but useless on land. Second, the unfortunate fish I caught that day perished because it was deceived into treating something very dangerous—even fatal—as worthwhile or at least as sufficiently intriguing to warrant a closer look and perhaps a nibble.
My dear brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood, there are a couple of lessons to be learned from this: First, a basic purpose of your life, as Lehi taught, is “[to] have joy” (A). In order to have joy, you need to understand that, as a child of your Heavenly Father, you inherited divine traits and spiritual needs—and just like a fish needs water, you need the gospel and the companionship of the Holy Ghost to be truly, deeply happy. Because you are the offspring of God (B), it is incompatible with your eternal nature to do wrong and feel right. It cannot be done. It is part of your spiritual DNA, as it were, that peace, joy, and happiness will be yours only to the degree you live the gospel.
In contrast, to the degree that you choose not to live the gospel, you will be as miserable as a fish out of water (C). As Alma stated to his son Corianton:
“Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
“And now, my son, all men that are … in a carnal state … are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness” (D).
Note that to be without God in the world—in other words, to refuse to live His gospel and therefore lack the companionship of the Spirit—is to be in a state contrary to the nature of happiness. The gospel of Jesus Christ is, in fact, the—note that this is singular, meaning it is the only—“great plan of happiness” (E). If you opt for any other way of life or try to live only the parts of the gospel that seem convenient, such a choice will cheat you of the full, resplendent joy and happiness for which you were designed by our loving Father in Heaven and His Son.
Now to the second lesson from my fishing experience: just as a fish in a mountain stream must be careful of the lures placed in its path to avoid being pulled away from the water, so must you and I be wise in order to avoid being pulled away from a happy, gospel-centered life. Remember that, as Lehi observed, the devil “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” and obtains “power to captivate” (F) us when we involve ourselves in unclean and evil things. Thus, do not be deceived into even nibbling at unworthy things, for Satan stands ready to set the hook. It was the very real risk of the hook being set subtly or suddenly that led the ancient prophet Moroni—who actually saw our day (G)—to pointedly warn you and me to “touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing” (H; emphasis added).
There is much that is evil and unclean in music, the Internet, movies, magazines, and in alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. As to any evil and unclean thing, my young friends, do not even touch it! Disguised in such things is a hook that sets subtly and much more suddenly than you dare think—and it can be an excruciatingly painful process to extract the hook. Alma described that for him the process of repentance was “nigh unto death” (I); indeed, he stated that “nothing [could be] so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains” (J).
There may be some of you who have been involved with that which is evil or unclean. Take hope in the doctrinal and historical fact that Alma’s faith in the Lord led him to repent, and as a direct result of his repentance he experienced such happiness through the power of the Atonement of Christ that, in his words, “there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy” (J). Such will be your experience as you seek the Lord through repentance.
Each of us needs to repent to some degree or another. To repent means to make the real changes in your life the Savior desires you to make for your happiness. Repentance is the great enabling principle of the gospel: when your faith in the Lord causes personal change, such action on your part, as Helaman states, “bringeth [you] unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of [your] souls” (K). As you seek to change, remember that our loving Savior, as Alma states, has “all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance” (L). This is powerful, liberating, hope-filled doctrine!
The Prophet Joseph Smith learned from firsthand experience that the Lord expects us to avoid misery by living His gospel and wants us to understand that we can repent. When he lost the 116 pages of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon translation by giving in to the persuasions of men, Joseph was miserable. The Lord told him: “You should have been faithful; and [God] would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble” (M). Such is the case for each of you young men: be faithful, and you will be supported by the hand of God. The Prophet was then reminded that—as with each of us—he would be forgiven if he repented. Imagine what joy he felt when he heard the Lord state, “But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen” (N).
My invitation to each of you tonight is to live the gospel to be truly happy, avoid evil and the misery it brings, and if you have become involved with the evil or unclean thing, make the changes the Lord desires of you for your own happiness—and I witness that He will enable you to succeed through His matchless power.
As you accept this invitation, you will reap lasting happiness and build the foundation of your life upon “the rock of our Redeemer,” such that when the shafts of the evil one and the storms of the world assail you, they will, as Helaman taught, have “no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (O; emphasis added). Of the Lord Jesus Christ I bear my ardent witness: He is the Rock, the one sure foundation for happiness and healing. He lives, has all power in heaven and earth, knows your name, and He loves you. In the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

A: 2 Nephi 2:25
B: Acts 17:28
C: Mosiah 4:30
D: Alma 41: 10-11
E: Alma 42:8
F: 2 Nephi 2:27, 29
G: Mormon 8:35
H: Moroni 10:30
I: Mosiah 27:28
J: Alma 36:21
K: Helaman 5:11
L: Alma 12:15
M: Doctrine & Covenants 3:8
N: Doctrine & Covenants 3:10
O: Helaman 5:12

Visiting Teaching Message; March 2009

Why Must I Defend the Doctrine of the Family?

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity"


Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general presidents: "As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in this Church is given the responsibility for upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. And as a covenant-keeping Latter-day Saint woman, you know that raising your voice in defense of the doctrine of the family is critical to the strength of families the world over"

How Can I Defend the Family?

D&C 88:119; "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"

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985): "Home is a haven against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home and gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Sirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle"

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to [the family] proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni's 'title of liberty,' and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts...
"In today's world, where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us"

Elder Robert S. Wood of the Seventy: "For too many, responsibility seems to end with hand-wringing and exclamations of dismay. Yet talk without action accomplishes little. We need to be vigorously engaged in the world. If our schools are inadequate or destructive of moral values, we must work with fellow members of the community to bring about change. If our neighborhoods are unsafe of unhealthy, we must join with the civic-minded to devise solutions. If our cities and towns are polluted, not only with noxious gases but soul destroying addictions and smut, we must labor to find legitimate ways to eliminate such filth...We have the responsibility to be a blessing to others, to our nation, to the world"