Slight Haitus

So. My laptop died for 2 weeks and I haven't been able to type notes.

Staring now (well, today-ish) I'm going to focus on typing up my journals (I have about six right now). From there I'll occasionally post an entry of notes for you to read through and comment on.

Comments are welcomed! Let's discuss something - especially if you have a question!

I hope your Sunday was as relaxful as mine was. It was rather peaceful - considering it went from being chilly to hot!

April 17, 2013 Wednesday – Institute

7 Seals

1) White horse, person (?) with bow, crown, conquered – Enoch

Doctrine & Covenants 77

White, red, black, pale

Revelations 4:6, to Doctrine & Covenants 77:1-2

4 beasts: heaven, paradise of God, happiness of man, creeping things

  Doctrine & Covenants 77:4 Eyes: knowledge

  Sea of glass

  Revelations 21: 22-24

     - we will bring our glory to it

Twenty and Four Elders

Book of 7 seals

  - Earth will be for 7 thousand years after the Fall

In all things we have to have faith

6 days to work 1 to rest

  - 6 thousand years the earth worked, the last it will rest

7 seals

2) War, red horse, Flood (book p. 458 55-7)

3) Famine, Abraham, Joseph in Egypt

4) Death, hell, war, Famine, 1,000 BC to death of Lord

5) Lord’s birth to 1,000 AD

6) 1,000 – 2,000(ish)

    Rev. 7:1 to Doctrine & Covenants 77:9

       Elias (a tittle) – a forerunner

       Rev. 7:4-8 to Doctrine & Covenants 77:11

   Rev. 8:1-3, 6-12, 13 to Doctrine & Covenants 77:12

The Calm before the storm

Ch. 12 – The War in Heaven

(“The Screwtape Letters” – C.S. Lewis)

  Rev. 9 to Doctrine & Covenants 77:13

      Rev. 9:11

      Beginning of the 7^th seal

Rev. 10: book to Doctrine & Covenants 77:14

What did John restore? Keys

Rev. 11 to Doctrine & Covenants 77:15

    2 witnesses

      v. 7-10, 11

Manuel page 461 (55-23)

    - Savior comes in Red: how he came out of the tomb

Rev. 16:20

    - Earth will be as it once was

        - Pangea/Paleag (Genesis)

Manuel page 469 (56-12)

     - Earth passes through stages of change

     - The Earth obeys its laws

     - Rev. 21:1

Page 470 (56-20)

    - Saints should be optimists

October 1981 Elder Maxwell’s first talk

Rev. 22:20

Be hopeful and excited of this

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Institute

1 Nephi 19 – 2 Nephi 3

19:18

 18 And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would ^aremember the Lord their Redeemer.

Have the plates so that they could remember the Lord their redeemer

We remember the Lord when we gather together to read the scriptures

We learn better by hearing stories and example rather than having it given to us directly

Scriptures show us how to live the principles

Scripture stories teach us better

Much like the parables – they were taught for people to understand better

19:23

 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the ^abooks of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet ^bIsaiah; for I did ^cliken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our ^dprofit and learning.

What are some ways we can liken the scriptures to ourselves?

Try and put yourself in the position – how would you react, what would you feel?

When we’re put out of our comfort zone that is when we improve and respond as we truly are

If you’re not paddling, you’re going backwards – we have to be constantly moving

    Service can help you get out of your comfort zone

    Going on a mission

    Trying something new

    Going to school

    Marriage

    Moving out

“You’ll never learn if you never leave the nest”

    Helping with missionary work

    Be ready to answer questions

“Read the scripture as if the Lord were speaking to us in a personal manner.”

P. 43 Manuel – questions

    What significance does this particular event or principle have for me today?

Isaish is hard for anyone to understand – we have to try

1 Nephi 20:10

 10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of ^aaffliction.

A lot of people fall when they meet a trial

    EX: addictions, drugs, illnesses, financial, school, death

Refined – place metal through fire, then beat out the impurities

Furnace of affliction – the fire burns off all the impurities and the pure stuff sinks to the bottom

We get many chances if we don’t make it through the trial the first time

We have a God of many chances – he doesn’t give up on us

P. 45 – Elder Hales

    ‘Constant, intense pain is a great consecrating purifier that humbles us and draws us closer to God’s Spirit.’

    “What dost Thou want me to learn from these experiences?”

    ‘[The] purifying process of testing [is] to be endured in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s own way.’

Most of our trials were chosen for us – which is comforting

       – some we inflict on ourselves

Your eyes change when you’re in pain

1 Nephi 19:23

1 Nephi 21: 6-13 – Symbls that represent the Savior’s love for us

6 And he said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the ^atribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a ^blight to the ^cGentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.

 7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful.

 8 Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee ^amy servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

 9 That thou mayest say to the ^aprisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in ^bdarkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their ^cpastures shall be in all high places.

 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

 11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my ^ahighwaysshall be exalted.

 12 And then, O house of Israel, behold, ^athese shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.

 13 ^aSing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and ^bbreak forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his^cafflicted.

    - Give thee for a light

    - Mercy upon his afflicted

    -

V. 14-17

14 But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not.

 15 For can a ^awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not have ^bcompassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may ^cforget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the ^apalms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

 17 Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers; and they that made thee ^awaste shall go forth of thee.

    - we are in graven upon the palms of his hands

22: 1-2 How can we understand the words of Isais? By the voice of the spirit

22:3 should these propiechies be considered temporal or spiritual? Both

22: ? Where will Israel be scattered? All over

22: 5 Why will Israel be scattered? They harden their hearts against the Holy one of Israels

22: 6-8, 12 What does he mean when he prophesizes that Israel will someday be nursed by the Gentiles? ‘will bring them out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together’

22:14 what will happen to those who fight against Israel? ‘All that fight against Zion [Israel] shall be destroyed’

22: 13, 16 How will the great and abominable church be destroyed? ‘They shall war among themselves and suffer the wrath of God’

The Great and abominable church is all others

22:17 How will the Lord ensure that the righteous do not parish because of the wicked? ‘He will preserve the righteous by His power,  … even unto the destruction of their enemies’

22:20-21 Who is the prophet like unto Moses who would be raised up by the Lord? ‘The Holy One of Israel’

22:24-26 How will Satan be bound during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ? ‘Because of the righteousness of His people, Satan has no power … and the Holy One of Israel reigneth’

“When Satan is bound in a single home, the millennium has begun in that home” (Teaching of Spencer W. 

Kimball, 172

Chapter 7

2 Nephi 1

Book “1776”

Book “The 7 or 8 miracles that saved America”

Book “Bulletproof Washington”

The American Revolution

2 Nephi 2

      The Creation, The Fall, The Atonement

God plans everything ahead of time

Why was the Fall necessary for the Plan?

     We wouldn’t be here

     We had to know good from evil

     To multiply and replenish the earth

There was one plan presented – not two – and an alternate proposal

Lucifer and Michael (separate sides)

Jehova – unchanging

The Fall was good

After the Fall came the Atonement

       The problem solver for everything

The Fall – the 2/3ds vrs the 1/3

Page 51 – underlined Atonement

What do we to do to take full advantage of the atonement?

      It is INFINITE

      “I came not into the world to condemn man, but to save it” – scripture John 3:16 – 17

Things to act and things to be acted upon

2 Nephi 2: 26-27 – act yourself

Don’t let people make decisions for you

If you’re just sitting in the water, the water is acting for you

Christ is there with you every step of the way when things get hard

When we’re in the depths of despair the Lord comes and carries you

   ‘Eat; The journey is too hard for you,’

We are to act, not just be acted upon

We have the power to act and to choose on how to react to specific situations

Be grateful for people when they teach you

People can’t make us feel a certain way – it’s up to us to choose what we feel

No one can make you anything – angry, offended, sad – you choose to be those things

You can choose what to do with the emotion

You can choose how you deal with things

Acted upon usually have negative outcomes – you have to act to have an happy outcome

How can you be someone who acts, instead of being acted upon?

    ‘What would Jesus do?’

    Get out of yourself

    Try and get out and help others

    Make decisions before you get into situation

Find something good about everybody around you

Try and be more like the Savior

Assignment

For my Religious class this week I had to find my favorite talk from the most recent General Conference. At first I was loathe to do it - how could I pick my favorite talk? It seemed impossible. Then, earlier this evening, while at Institute, my teacher (Sister Stacey) let me look through her Ensign, where all the talks are published. I picked one from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. The talk that I chose was random. However, as I sat here, typing up my paper tonight, I realized how close to home it was. While writing it I realized what an impact it's message has had on me and my own life. I would strongly recommend reading the talk before continuing to read my own paper on it. The paper had to be at least 500 words - I manged 1,184 in less than 45 minutes.


(Quick Notes: sorry for the last paragraph. I know it's long, but it's a story.)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light

The title of the talk is, "The Hope of God's Light".

The talk that I chose from last General Conference was President Uchtdorf’s talk, “The Hope Of God”. It was the first talk in the fourth session on Sunday morning. In it he outlines that while life may be dark and have many trials it is our goal to overcome those times. We are here to overcome the doubt and fear that might arise in our lives during moments of trial or weakness. He also talks about how we need to feel that we are not alone in this world to faces its many challenges alone. There are always people there to help us on our way; likewise, we are here to help others to make it through their own dark, frightening tunnels and back into the light. Most importantly, we are here to feel loved. We need to know that there are people who love us in this life, those who will be there for us when things go astray or wrong. Feeling loved is one of the biggest points that he outlines in his talk.

In his talk, President Uchtdorf divides it into sections; the first one is labeled “A Room Filled with Darkness”. I think that this applies to everyone’s life. We all have rooms hidden away in our lives that are full of all the hurt and suffering that we’ve been through. It also holds all the disappointments that we’ve faced; the doubts we may have had about ourselves and the fears that once held us in dark rapture. We need to know that those dark rooms can be filled with light and love again. Those are only brief, passing moments in our lives. How we choose to cope and learn from them is how we brighten the room and banish the darkness from our lives. The gospel of the church gives us that hope, love, joy and understanding. It’s the brightest light we can fill our rooms with. When we begin to fill our room with light we need to keep that light burning bright. This often means forgiving those who were once unforgivable. In order for us to move on, we need to let go of the grip the past may have on our lives and move forward. When we do this we add another bright light to our room’s arsenal. We need to know that the darkness is still out there – that it does exist, but we do not have to dwell there. We know that the light exists and that is where we should choose to dwell. He talks of how the healing process begins when we move away from the darkness and towards the light, the hope of something brighter in our lives.

The next section in his talk is entitled “Light Cleaveth Unto Light”. In it he describes how only good things can come from good things, or as he put it, “Light unto light”. No darkness can seep in when we have our lights burning brightly before us. He tells us that, if we are in the dark, we must actively search out the light and come to know it. Sitting around, “waiting for someone to flip a switch”, rarely happens. If we want our lives to change, we have to actively seek out that change and embrace it. He then outlines a plan to help us open our eyes to the hope of God’s light.

“Light Overcomes Darkness,” is the next section outlined. He speaks about how we all makes mistakes, forget things, falter in our paths and stumble. When these things begin to happen we need to turn towards the light and rely on its guidance to bring us out of the dark. No matter what happens, the light will always overcome the darkness. No matter how deep things might be, or how hurt and angry we are, if we place our faith and trust in the Lord we will overcome that darkness and live in the light.

The final section in his talk, “Come to the Light” is just what it is. While we might feel, and even be enveloped in darkness we need to know that the light is always there. He invites us to seek openly for the Lord and His light. When we find him, through study and prayer, we will have a warm and brilliant light that will continually surround us.

What I learned from this is that we need to continually overcome the darkness and the burdens that might leave us breathless in our trials. Those trials are fleeting moments in our lives. When we overcome them and enter into the light we will be able to live in the light and love of our Heavenly Father.

In my own life I’ve faced many struggles and trials. Each day I pray to Heavenly Father to help me endure and make it through. Last month I was visiting Salt Lake City for the first time. I arrived Saturday evening at midnight. I was feeling sick already, but I prayed to Heavenly Father that, if I had to be extremely sick, let me be sick on Monday. I had an interview on Wednesday and needed at least Tuesday to try and find the location of the interview. But most importantly, I prayed to be sick on Monday because I needed to be at church on Sunday. I had to make it through the three-hour block and back to my hotel without getting sick. If he would let me make it through my plane ride and through church on Sunday, I would gladly be sick on Monday. I made it safely to Salt Lake on Saturday. Sunday morning I was feeling ill, but I got into the city. I was able to walk around Temple Square on a perfect Easter Sunday and take pictures of the Temple. I was able to find my sister and we were able to go to church together. That night, I thanked Heavenly Father for letting me attend my meetings, and especially to see and visit the Temple. I went to sleep, content that the day had gone well. I woke up Monday morning at eight a.m., feeling sick to my stomach! My prayers had been answered. I was able to make it to Utah, make it to church, and get sick, then have time to recover before my interview. Through the trial of Monday I prayed that Heavenly Father would keep me close as I endured the pain I was in. Later on, while visiting the Temple Bookstore I found a card with the poem, “The Footprints” written on one side and a picture of the Savior on the other. It stunned me, because each time I face a trial, I think of how the Lord is holding me in his arms while walking down the road. I know that each time I feel like the darkness is winning, all I have to do is remember that this isn’t a time of darkness. This is a time when the Lord is holding me in his arms, safe from the raging storm around me.

General Conference April 6, 2013 – Second Session

Conducting: Henry B. Eyring

Conductor Music: Ronald Stasly

Music By: BYU Choir

Song: “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee”

Prayer: Russell. T. Oslethorpe

Have a desire to serve

Join the missionaries

Song: “Did You Think to Pray”

1^st Speaker: Deiter F Uchtdorf - Sustaining

2^nd Speaker: Robert W. Cantwell – Annual Report

D&C 120 – church funds

3^rd Speaker: Brook P. Hales – secretary to 1^st presidency – stastics report

Stakes: 3,003

347 Missions

14million 182 thousand

4 Temples dedicated

Kansas

Brazil

Brigahm

Calgery

2 Redicated Temples

140 Operational Temples

As of 12-31-12

4^th speaker: Richard G. Scott

We each need a place of refuge to reenergize for furture pressures

    Ideal place is within our homes

    Make Jesus Christ the center piece

Center your home and life on the Lord Jesus Christ

Make certain every decision you make is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do

Parents should teach children how their actions effect each member of the home

Grow to become trustworthy citizens in the Kingdom of God

Daily personal and Family Prayer

Daily personal and Family Scriptures

Weekly Family Home Evening

Don’t rationalize future happiness by taking shortcuts

Small things lead to big things

Simple, consistant good habits lead to bountiful blessings

Satan is no match for the Savior

    he has already lost

Don’t let him exploit your weaknesses

Stay on the Lord’s side and you will win every time

Technology

    Can be used as a blessing

    Can also be a deterrent

   Use it with discipline

   Don’t let it become a habit to continually use

  Be wise in how you use technology

  Study as often as you text

Do all you can to invite the Holy Ghost into our homes

Act obediently on those promptings

Couple your efforts to be obedient to those serving around you

Use your talents to bless the lives of those around you

Selfishnesses is the root of evil

Focus your life outward in service to others

Service brings power of God – Unselfishness service brings this

Be an example to your friends

We can provide a Christ centered home as an example to those in our community

Do all you can to have a Christ-centered Home

Be that kind of a friend

Home should not be used as something to gain a personal advantage

Welcome others who need to be strengthened by this experience

Trust in the Lord and in His timing

Remember that some things must be left to the Lord

He wants us to lay our burdans at his feet

We are in the watch care of the Savior

Recognize the good things in others NOT the stains

Build on his/her virtues

That thin thread of home is a massive link that can lift you, comfort you when you fear

Place your [comfort] in the Lord

A time and season in all things

We can learn and grow and become like him

Live an obedient life, firmly rooted in the gospel of Christ

In the midst of turmoil we can enjoy eternal peace

5^th Speaker: Quentin L. Cook

Events often occur that rob of us peace

The Stakes of Zion are a place of refuge of wrath

World Peace and Inner Peace

“Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will towards Man”

Matthew 10 – The Lord’s mission would not attain world peace in his time

V. 34

He who Endures to the end shall be saved

D&C Preface

“There never came to the world . . . that peace . . . ” President Wilford Smith (?)

D&C “But learn that he . . . shall receive  . . . . peace in this world . . .”

“His peace will ease our suffering . . . a love of fellow men . . .” (?)

“The Savoir’s peace can block out our hate” (?)

Peace comes from knowing our Savior knows who we are

“My son, peace be unto thy soul . . . but a moment . . . ” Savior to Joseph Smith in jail

The Lord is a lord of peace, not confusion

Savior’s atonement would overcome

“To believe in God is to know the rules will all be fair and there will be wonderful surprises”

Peace is not found by wealth . . . pleasure . . . this cannot obtain everlasting peace

“Where can I turn for Peace?” (song)

      The Savior

How do we stay close to the Savior?

Repentance and living righteously

“I’ll drop by burden at his feet, and bear a song away” (song)

The church is a refuge where we can obtain peace

Temples where many of these ordinances occur

Temple grounds are where we can feel peace

The Savior is the source of True peace

Righteous living will be rewarded with peace

Blessed with the comforteror (Holy Ghost)

“Peace be unto you, peace I leave you . . . that in me ye might have peace . . . be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

“Life up your hearts in praise to God” (?)

Song Choir/Congregation: “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

6^th Speaker: Stanley G. Ellis

Be direct

Be on time

Stick to the basics

The first Article of Faith

The Holy Ghost is our: revelator, teacher, comforteror

We are not alone

We can learn from our parents

The Lord has shown us The way

   To help’ 

  To love, to lead, to raise children, share the gospel

True to the Faith

For the Strength of the Youth

Proverbs, “Be not wise in your own eyes . . . lean not to your own understanding”

Doing things the Lord’s way we receive blessings and his promise, when we don’t we lose them

Samuel – finding a new King

“The Lord seeth not as man seeth, man looketh on the outward appearance, the Lord looketh on the heart”

Promote self-relieance

    Things should be done for a person’s self – we need to be able to do things

Missionary Work

    Preach My Gospel

Love

    Authorized way and time to express that love

Bloom where we are planted

What happens in the home is far more important than what happens outside

The Lord will guide us if we seek his confirmation

Ask which ward needs a good family, not which is the best ward?

Do all we do in His way

In the gift of His son, he has prepared a good way

Alma, “Oh that I were an Angel!  . . . might not be more sorrow upon the face of the whole earth.”

Heavenly Father knows us and wants to help

7^th Speaker: John B. Dickson

Acts 1 – ministered 40 days after His resurrection

Matthew – take the gospel to all the nations

Acts 10-11

    Process and pattern of the expansion of the church

Cornelius – centurian

Paul – formerly Saul

Take the Gospel to the world

1830, the church has moved steadily since then

1978, Spencer W. Kimball, Priesthood – all worthy males could receive it

Have little of what matters least and have a lot of what matters most

8^th Speaker: David A Bednar

Why is the law of Chastity so important?

All human beings are created in the image of God

All lived as spirit children with the Lord before coming to Earth

Bodies present a: Breadth, depth and intensity of experience

We can experience things through the bodies we have: sorrow, pleasure, pain, ache, etc.

Adam and Eve

    “Neither the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man”

Marriage between a man and a woman

Fidelity between husband and wife after marriage

Agents blessed with moral agency

“The natural man is the earthy man – rude animal passions that overshadow the spiritual”

The natural man (in the church) is spiritual

We have inherited diving principles from the Lord

Our spiritual body is subject to the fall

The test: “Will I respond to the enticings of the natural man, or will I put them off and be [like unto the Lord]?”

Natural man may be overcome by the Atonement of Chirst

The Lord wants: To Be together in the light and full of hope

The Father of Lies wants us to be alone, in the dark and without hope

Damned: stopped of progression – stopped of becoming like unto the Lord

The very tool the Adversay doesn’t have (a body) is the one thing that he continuall attacks: he wants us to defile it and cause it harm

Look beyond mortality and into Eternity

Alma’s counsel to his son Shiblom

Curb the natural man in each of us

Love increases though righteous restraint, decreases through indulgences

“. . . the pure in heart shall see God . . . let virture garnish thy thoughts unceasingly . . . God”

Pursue the path of chastity

Walk in the light with hope

The Lord: the Great Physician

Consider sin as a physical pain

The Atonement has the healing salve

    Only applied through faith, obedience, [?]

Bishop or Branch President is the physician to you

Serious spiritual wounds require time to heal fully

Obedience to the law of chastity will make us happy

Chasisity and virture are now

     Most dear and precious of all things

9^th Speaker: Russell M. Nelson

Missionary Work – enthuesiam

Now is your time to prepare to teach others

YM/YW circulutiom is important

Apply to colleges before going on a mission – you can be accepted, then take the time to go on a mission

Live exemplary lives

Be prepared to answer questions from friends

     Respond by saying, “Let’s ask the missionaries!”

     Be by their side as they teach

Catch the wave

“Pinching pennies from piggybanks becomes your practice”

Contribute to the General Missionary Fund

Catch the wave with faith and enthuesiam

Other people not of our faith can catch the wave too

Through God’s eternal plan, families can be together forever

193 years ago, “This is my beloved son, hear him.”

Our living God is a loving God

He wants his children to gain glory and eternal life

Book of Mormon in fully harmony with the Bible

The Restoration of the Gospel

BOM is the centerpiece of the Restoration

Doctrine and Covenants contains more revelation

Catch the wave and spread the gospel to the entire world

Song: “More Holiness Give Me”

Closing Prayer: Elder J. Debin Cornish – of 70

General Conference - April 6, 2013, First Session

April 6, 2013 – First Session

Conducting: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Conductor Music: Mack Wilberg, Ryan Murphy

Music By: Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Introduction (Song): “Redeemer of Israel”

Song: “In Hymns of Praise”

Prayer: Randall K Bennet of 70

1^st Speaker: President Thomas S. Monson

Temples: 2 new ones

  - Ceder City Utah

  - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Missionary work has April 4, 65,634 full time missionaries serving

20,000 more received calls

6,000 more in interview processes

58 new missions opened

The General Missionary fund of the church

Song: “Hear all ye nations”

2^nd Speaker: Boyd K. Packer

“I had a thought . . . content to move ahead . . . is what I’d understand . . . age has brought those precious truths that make the gospel grow . . . we’re meant to age, with it comes the knowledge of the truth . . . great spiritual gains . . . I know I will see him again at the end of my life’s story . . . ” (poem)

“We will not always be safe from the Adversary’s influence, not even in our own homes”

The Family is under attack from forces seen and unseen

It’s to cause injury

Injuring Family is the Adversary’s goal

Find safety and security in honoring the covenants of simple obedience

“The work of the righteous shall be peace . . . forever” Isaiah

“If you’re prepared, ye need not fear”

Faith is a real power, not just an expression of belief

Few things more powerful than a righteous prayer of a faithful mother

You will do No greater work than within the walls of your home

We are free to make and choose our choices, but we are not free to choose the consequences

Alma taught that the Lord cannot look upon sin

“Go and sin no more”

Be careful of the tolerance path

All are born with the light of Christ

We can recognize right from wrong – it’s how we choose we use that gift

Spirit of Christ given to every man

The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds

3^rd Speaker: Dean M Davies

Earthquakes

Build upon a sure foundation

Sandy and muddy foundations will wither away and fall

“Remember, remember” – Mosiah (my sons . . .)

Be aware of where you build your foundations – build on sturdy ground and use good materials to frame your life to be sure and unshaken

Faith, repentance, baptism, enduring to the end – blocks to help us stayed moored to the gospel and the Lord

Prayer, reading the scriptures, taking the sacrament

Provide for an appropriate balance in your daily lives of the previous things

Apply Temple ordinances as well

Paul to Ephesians “In whom all the building . . . fit together in the Temple of the Lord”

Prayer is a big character – express love, care

Avenue to follow

Alma, “Counsel in the Lord [for all thy doings] . . . let thy heart be full of thanks unto God . . . lifted up at the last day”

Include the Lord in your daily prayers

Search the scriptures on a daily basis – let it be the same as eating each day

“Feast upon the words of Christ . . . tell [what ye shall do]”

Worthily partake of the sacrament each week

The Spirit acts as a kind of mortar for our lives

Taking the sacrament strengthens our lives

The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

Be like the wise man and hearken unto the words of the Lord

Build your lives on a safe and sure foundation

Be better prepared to live our lives

4^th Speaker: Elaine S Dalton

The Young Woman Theme

“What e’re thou art, act well thy part”

We are each unique in our experience and our trials

We matter

“We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us”

Insist on a college education

Be a contributing member of society as well as in your home

“I the Lord am bound by what I say . . .”

Understand who you are, and whose you are

“Never lose sight of the strength of the women . . . their influence is paramount, creators of life . . . indispensable companions . . .” Gordon B Hinckley

Young Women need mothers and mentors

Your example is important

Act well

Spouses are partners

Return to virtue

Chastity

“We are daughters of our Heavenly Father”

Mosiah 18:9

   - “Stand as a witness”

Act well your part

Be grateful for righteous men who hold the power of the priesthood

Song – Choir/Congregation: “Let Us All Press On”

5^th Speaker: Craig A Cardon

The son of man forgives sins

The man who was lowered in on a bed

He does not excuse us in our sins

His redeeming power sanctifies us

70 X 7 times forgive

Doctrine and Covenants

1830 – 1843 – told Joseph, “Thy sins are forgiven thee”

The Lord does not limit forgiveness

“Overcome the world” (scripture, “wherefore overcome the world . . .”)

The Lord knows our weakness

The Savior wants to forgive

He allows for [improvement] over time

He forgives again and again

Know that the Lord will recognize our righteous efforts

Rationalized false faith does not [rationalize] sin

His compassion and grace are how we overcome

The Lord looks upon our hearts and our actions

Be [able] to overcome yourself

Don’t be discouraged with those who struggle – show patience and [courage]

“Bear in mind that people can change . . . develop capacity to see men how they may become” Thomas S. Monson, Oct. General Conference

“I will be merciful unto your weakness”

The Lord knows what we’re facing

Pray always to not enter into temptation

Repentance is not easy

“Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding your sins, . . . I will not utterly cast you off . . . in the day of wrath I will remember mercy - ”

“Gently Raise the Sacred Strain”

    4^th verse, “Holy, holy is his word . . .”

6^th Speaker: M. Russell Ballard

The stars at night

Pearl of Great Price, “And worlds without number have I created . . . for mine own purpose . . . which is mine only begotten”

Hubble telescope confirms what the Lord said

So large, so vast are the Lord’s creations

Bind in Heave that which is bound in Earth

Power of priesthood comes when those are worthy act on the Lord’s will

“Only tap the [power of the Lord] . . . worthy”

Men and women have different, equally important roles

Procreative and priesthood power are shared through man and wife

Moses 1:39

D & C 81 Power of priesthood used to succor the weak . . . help those in need

We have unlimited divine potential

Don’t become like the wilted tomato plant

A tomato plant needs light and water to survive and produce more tomatoes

Take part in the light and living waters of the gospel

Don’t wilt spiritually

Take part of the essential spiritual nutrients

“Strengthening the family and the [?] Through the priesthood” – video my M. Russell Ballard

Be partakers of the blessings of the priesthood

Video at lds.org or downloadable

“If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink . . . springing up into eternal life . . .  I am the light of the world . . . the light of life . . .”

“Priesthood is an everlasting principle . . . God has freely given his power to those who accept . . . leads to immortality and eternal life . . .” Joseph Smith

May we be wise and seek to strengthen our lives, the lives of our families

Song: “Faith”

7^th Speaker: Henry B. Eyring

“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you . . . knock and it shall be opened unto you . . .”

In our service to him, he comes to us

Simple acts of obedience through the covenants

    Going to sacrament meeting

“Abide with me, ‘tis even tide”

    “O Savior, stay this night with me”

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?”

We are witnesses of these things

“Stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things and in all places”

We are under covenant to life up those in need

Be faithful to those in need

“In [those that receive you] there will I be also, on your left and on your right . . . angels to bear you up”

Give devoted service to him

Depend on the Lord to come close to them [those in your family who’ve strayed] and to comfort them and bring them back

“In me there is all power”

Your prayers, and the prayers of others, will help send the Lord’s messengers to help those who you are praying for

Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah

The Savior will draw close to you with what is best

Reach our your arms in giving service to others – offer the cleansing atonement to those in need

“Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion . . . which gift is the greatest . . . and their works shall follow them . . . which I have prepared for them”

We can follow the invitation of the Father, “This is my son, hear him.”

All will have the opportunity to hear His gospel

Serve others for him

Find joy in being drawn closer to Him

A time of joy for those who have drawn closer to Him in this life

Song: “My Redeemer Lives”

Closing Prayer: Gene Stevens