Sacrament meeting- honesty and integrity 5/18/14

Exodus 12:15-16
When you are honest you feel strength of character, and peace of mind. You will be trusted by The Lord. Dishonesty harms you and others as well. If you lie, steak, shoplift or cheat, you damage your relationship with others. Do not rationalize that being dishonest is acceptable. Think and do what is right at all times no matter what the consequence is; love by your standards, even when no one is watching, live in harmony with the gospel = integrity. Now ask yourself, am I honest in EVERYTHING I do and say EVERYWHERE I am? Mosiah 3:19 always listen to the Holy Ghost, and he will guide you and give you strength in times of hardship. Honesty and integrity go hand in hand. Do what is right, let the consequence follow. No test= no testimony. Do what is right no matter what the outcome is. Look for the good in the bad. Do what is right, honesty n integrity, no matter what the consequence is. If not, you are only cheating yourself! Hymn 237 - do what is right. Angels above are silently note taking, so do what is right. You might be able to fool those around you, but you can't fool Heavenly Father! If you do what is right, no matter what the consequence is, Heavenly Father will bless you and you will be able to help others. 

Fireside with elder Christopherson May 17, 2014

Sister susie bailey-Hellman 5:12 when Christ is your foundation, you can get through anything. 
Alma 32:37If you put the important things first, you will be blessed.

Elder rasband- 3 nephi 11:15 the savior took time with every one.
17:9 Not just the dick n the blind- but afflicted in any manner. He healed ALL of them.
21 - one by one.
25- size of multitude was mentioned= 2, 500 souls, and he still took time one on one with them. When Christ comes again, he'll minister unto you, and unto me, one by one. God knows us each, one by one. 

Elder D. Todd christopherson- some people say they don't need a religion; for their a spiritual person, but don't need an organized religion. Well, apparently Christ thinks you need one; for he created one when he was on the earth. That's pretty selfish when you say you don't need religion. The Lord will provide what you cannot. Our God is a God of high expectations. God does love us as we are, but he wants us to progress; have all he has n be as happy as he is. So, he gives us commandments which are the ladder to climb closer to him.They're there to build your freedom. He loves you, yes; so you need to be better. It's better to be trusted than to be loved. We're all loved by God, which is wonderful! But, while he loves us all, how many of us can he trust? Count on to do his work? To turn to him n seek n do his will? This is the essence of discipleship. You can repent! Change now! Be a true disciple of Jesus Christ now! Forgiving is a way of lightening our load; sometimes a heavy burden we didn't know we were carrying. Don't ever think you're beyond redemption; one that God can't repair. You can! Everyone can change for the better, no matter what's happened in the past. High expectations, and wants to help us reach them. When you pray, you're no stranger. He knows you so perfectly well. And if you could see him right now, you'd know him perfectly well; for you lived with him for a while. So pray earnestly and frequently. No one need doubt. Look to him, and live your life according to His hopes and desires for you. Make it your wish to do his will. That's where you'll fulfill your mission. Don't be afraid to turn your life over to Heavenly Father. He directs this church = The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Institute 9 doctrines of the gospel 5/13/14

Act in doctrine - elder bednard - book he wrote.

There are 9 basic doctrines of the church that we MUST know: 1.Godhead, 2. plan of salvation, 3. atonement, 4. apostasy / restoration, 5. prophets/revelation, 6. priesthood/priesthood keys, 7. ordinances/ covenants, 8. marriage/family, 9. commandments / obedience. 

Mother's Day church meetings 5/11/14

Sacrament meeting:Successful mothers are not without struggles. Successful mothers are those who endure and work through the trials. One cannot remember God and forget mom. One cannot remember mom and forget God. Respect, honor, serve and love your mom! Especially today on Mother's Day. The call to nurture is not limited to our flesh and blood. Do you men, you fathers have respect, reverence and love for mothers? The best thing you can do for your children is love your wife. Motherhood is a holy calling. Turn to The Lord in faith and you will know what to do and how to do it. Don't turn to substance abuse.

Sunday school:How you feel and think about yourself affects the way you react with others. When others are not being nice to you, don't go back at them, or drop them as a friend. "Kill them with kindness" why do we keep God's commandments?  mosiah 2:22. Because we love God and we seek the promised blessings. Real obedience - our will being set aside and allowing God's will to become our own. 

Relief Society:It doesn't matter how many times you read the Book of Mormon, you haven't read it enough. You can always get something new out of it. Moroni 10:3-5. The bible and the Book of Mormon go hand in hand. Ezekiel 37:16. They are one in our hand. God loves all of his children. In the mouth of two or three witnesses all truth is established. Abinidi quoted Isaiah to back him up as a second witness to whet he was saying. You can read, ponder and study the Book of Mormon, but unless you have real intent it won't mean a thing. God tells you what you need to know when you need to hear it. The Lord speaks to us in different ways; it's just like a parent knows the way they need to talk to each of their children in different ways, that's how God is with us. 

Women conference 3/29/14

Primary general president - sister wixom - We walk on God's  light. Life up thy head and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants. 

Sister ocarson - dont compare yourself to others. Luke 1  Work together. 

Sister burton - Relief Society General president - lay aside the things of the world, cleave into Christ. Move forward along the covenant path. Allow God to help you. Read your scriptures, pray continuously, attend church, and church activities. Use your gifts and talents to be a disciple of Christ. What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Christ sends out a 'Help Wanted'. Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Help find those who have lost their way. "Here am I. Send me!" Offer your willing hearts and helping hands. 

Pres. Eyering - nurture others for Christ. The price has been paid (atonement) how are you going to act now?

March 16, 2014 - sacrament meeting

Friends - Matt 25:40Everyone needs good friends. They will help is become a better person, and will help us live the gospel- will help you live higher standards. To have good friends, you need to be a good friend. Refrain from judging and criticizing n bullying. Make an effort to those who are shy, have special needs or do not feel included. Stand up for them, even if you may stand alone. 

Make a friend of your Heavenly Father. His wisdom never fails.Make a friend of your bishop. He's been called of God by prophecy, by the laying on of hands. Get to know your bishop. He's entitled to giving you counsel and guidance.

John 15:14-15 ye are my friends, not servants. Real friends, share the gospel. Living and loving it.

D&c 84:87. We become his friend, as we serve others for him. Others happiness is His happiness. He feels everyone's feelings.

Mosiah 18:8 

"I'm trying to be like Jesus." Lyrics. Love one another as Jesus loves you Learning to serve my friends Try to show kindness in all that you do

Scriptures and the Holy Ghost-Joshua 1:5 God will not abandon you. Have faith. Come to the scriptures with questions, and God will put thoughts in our heads that we have never thought before or have forgotten. Through the Book of Mormon, The Lord can teach us about serving people. Don't let your busy schedule crowd out scripture study. You can control when you get up and when you go to sleep. It is by faith that we over obstacles.John 14:26 listen to the still small voice. 

May 6 2014 - institute

Moroni 1:1 vs Mormon 8Didn't plan on writing more, but did. Moroni 1:2 any believer, they'll kill. He won't deny the Christ. 3 - genocide. Not only are they killing off the nephites, but they're killing off themselves too. Love of bloodshed - they just could not be content. Vs 3 - I can. Optimistic. 4- I'm still gonna write for their benefit. How can you relate these verses to your day? My friends sometimes betray me, but I still try to be the example and be nice hoping it will effect them. Also, I feel that many are trying to tare our beliefs down with no mercy; yet we still put forth out faith and example, even through blogs or fb etc. hoping to reach out to someone. We have work to do, don't let someone make you back down. Be proactive on the gospel. Everyday satan tempts us to deny Christ. Sometimes we become lamanites when we deny Christ, but we can repent because of the atonement, become a nephite. Am I a nephite or a lamanite today? Sometimes you may loose friends because they want you to "deny Christ" while you're with them. Faith, hope, charity = pure love of Christ, patience, the solution to get through a trial, parents love for a child. Faith is a principal of action. Faith-> do because of belief. Pair up faith with obedience 1 nephi 3:7Moroni 7:40-48Watch elder uchdorfHope is critical. Hope braces us. The stronger out hope, the purer our charity. You can't untangle the three. Satan is going to go after your faith through your hope. Hope is an anchor of our hope and charity. Moroni 7:33, 40-48We NEED to have hope, or we're not living. Charity IS the savior. The description of charity in these verses are descriptions of who the savior. First start by humbling yourself. 48 become! Do what God wants me to do; BE LIKE CHRIST! 43- be meek n lowly of heart = charity Now read 40-43 again, keeping all we just discussed in mind. The antidote is to love. Put off that anger and frustration. 10:20 -22 we loose hope from transgressions. When you mess up, hope deminishes. You can always have because of the atonement - you can repent and retract your wrong. You can ALWAYS use the atonement. Don't let satan make you think your sin is too much for the atonement. Turn to God. Ask for help both from him, and from those around you. Seek spiritual help. Stop! Stop the transgression! 32-34 Moroni's last words. Come unto Christ, put aside the things of the world. How do you come unto Christ? Try reading the Book of Mormon. Read the whole book. At least once a day. 

April 29 2014 - institute

Isaiah 27:5 laws of randomization. Take hold if His strength. Strength - atonement = enabling power. Break this verse into a math formula - 1. strength + willingness + action + savior's strength (grace)  = peace 2. Atonement (Christ love ) - sin = forgiveness (peace) If you love me, keep my commandments, even if that means to repent. 3. Lords strength + my faith = peace (comfort in trial ) 4. Christ strength =/> my peace / strength Christ's strength / courage Ether 12:27Have the courage to act on what The Lord asks of you. Humbling yourself is a sign of strength. D&c 88:63The Lord has full control over it- he gave us / showing us our weaknesses. God is giving us something to learn a lesson. God makes us weaker than God so we can turn to him for help. Weakness is singular not plural. Moses 1 Weakness - mortality, sin, agency (muscle) natural man -> put off the natural man to become saints, because he is an enemy to God. Enemy to strength. 2 nephi 2 tune your agency to be strong  like a muscle. The more you work out, the stronger it gets. Align with GodEther 12:27 replace weakness with Misalignment Humble/ask- submit/ have faith - act / be gratefulRepent!!! Acknowledge you're misaligned. Change your desires. Make the effort to change. Mosiah 28:19, mormon 8:7-12Alma 37:21-26Ether 1:2, 2:8When you read the stories in Ether, they all have the same plan - align with God - put off the natural man. Ether 2:13 they've stopped. Had a destination, but stopped doing what The Lord wanted them to do. They felt comfortable. "We'll eventually get there" satan wants us to believe we don't need to progress. That we're fine where we're at. 14 The Lord waited until the end when they finally turned back to The Lord. The Lord talked with him for three hours. The vision occurred for three hours, then continued starting to chasten him for not turning to The Lord. When The Lord chastened you, how do you feel? He didn't chasten for the whole three hours. It was just for a short time, then teaches him. ( ,and  /  With)Immediately, don't wait. Did not call upon The Lord = passive prayers - repetitious. 15 he got realigned. Repenting for not praying with real intent - for not allowing God to help him progress. How many prayers are you giving a day? You go find out what to do with that problem, then come back to me and tell me what you have come up with. Ch 3 he finally learned the lesson, and was able create such amazing miracles. Pray with a submissive attribute. Align with God and you will be converted. 

April 22 2014 - institute the hard things in life

Hard things ppl go through:
1. Self judgement/ self deprecatory
2. Broken homes
3. Money- no desire to work 
4. Pride-God/man
5. Addictions 
6. Death of loved one 
7. Physical, mental, emotional handicaps/limitationsInjuries- mental/ physical Spiritual death of loved oneBad agencyJealousy.
How many of the above have you experienced?
Mormon 8:1-3 discouragement 4-major depression. Giving up. Hit rock bottom. Out for the count. What matters is gone. 5-depression to the point of only do what I have to. Mormon 1:1 had no intentions of writing more. He grew up in the hunger games - warfare. 7-8, 11-12 the point of why he is writing 13- DONE 14- yet continues- he's back. He had his the record between vs 13 n 14. Revelation occurred. More optimistic. Just introduced a future. At first was going through own personal struggle. God calls the weak. When you're low that's when you want to come closer to God. You are able to climb out of your challenges, no matter how many there are if you turn to God. 14- 16- talking about Joseph smith. Put Joseph smith when he says 'he' 35-as a seer and revelator he has seen our day.36- talking to us. Apostasy in our day. 26, 28, 30-32, 38, 40 - what he saw for our day.Ch 9 of Mormon talks specifically to those who do not believe in Christ. We should study ether and Moroni with great intent. Make the Book of Mormon our main focus of study, for it was written for our day. Ask your questions as you read / study / ponder the Book of Mormon:What lesson can I learn? Why did God want him to write this? 

April 16 2014 - institute

John 1 - think of it instead of the gospel of St. John more as the testimony of St. John. Each man lived the same story, but will explain it slightly differently. 20:31 three different thoughts after reading this scripture: If I believe in The Lord then ill have peace and comfort. If I read and sincerely pray then I will receive a testimony of Jesus Christ. If I believe in Christ I will do his will. John 1:1-14Christ:We were with God premortally; Creator / teacher; Light of the worldWord; Only begotten of the father;perfect/grace and truthGenesis 1:1Vs 4 sticks out to me because if the light of Christ is in all men, I'm worth something and have the ability to use that light to help others. 26-34 johns testimony of Jesus Christ: sacrifice, he's here, righteous / perfect, all through Christ, godhead, divinity of Christ. He is the lamb of God. What does that mean to you? To me it means that he is so perfect, so humble that I need to make my life like his, become more like him. All prophets went up to the mountain to talk with God, when Christ went downwards for his baptism. That's really symbolic for what he was going to do. (Got baptized in the Dead Sea- he came to redeem the dead. Lol)You are the only one that can make yourself not receive all the father has; God will not not want to give you all of it, for he loves you!John 2 what was the first miracle? Water into wine. 2:1-4 woman is a form of respect. Vs 5-10 do it. Christ respects his mother. He never goes half way. He always does his best. You should do the same. Do all you can do in the best way that you can. Christ is simple and powerful. Doesn't look for the fan fair. What he provided was better than what was there before. We do our best, then Christ can help us make it better. Is showing that he has power over the elements showing that he has done this before in the creation of the earth. Through the savior we can have eternal salvation. When I understand the teachings of Christ, and you understand the teachings of Christ, we understand each other. 

April 15 2014- institute

Mormon 1-3Mormon is a righteous army captain. He got the records when he was ten. 3 nephi 5:13Mormon 1:1-5 be quick to observe. Isaiah 42:20. You must observe. Obey D&C 54:6 hear, look/see/notice, feel, obey/apply, keep, rememberYou should always have dignity and humility when you pray. Will you sit when you communicate with your Heavenly Father? Ponder what gifts if the spirit you have and how you can use it to help others. Pray to have the power of discernment. Spiritual gifts can be learned and be trained. Perceive/ask. Don't give up when times get rough, endure to the end; you could influence others. The more you respond to promptings of the spirit, the more God will trust you with them, so the more you will get. Opposition will come as you work harder on your spiritual gifts, but as you endure and stick to the righteous decisions, the stronger you will become and the closer to God you will become. 'August 2013 ensign - sarcasm' vs being sober. Mormon 2:195:1 - don't give up. Have the intent to help. Allow the atonement to continually help and purify and change you. 8:36Mormon's life was really really hard. What's your happy place? That you can just let the world crumble around you and you can just fell more at peace. Mine is the piano. What spiritual gift /talent do you feel you have been given? How can you train that gift? 5:1 it's good to humble yourself and recognize what you did wrong; but don't beat yourself up for it. 

April 8 2014 - institute

Some topics from GC- gratitude, be of good courage, purify NOW, obedience, love one another, be an example, live one life, 2nd coming prep, etc. What are you going to do because of an impression you received during GC (general conference)? How are you going to measure what the spirit has implied for you to do? What is the blessing you would like to receive from doing this? / what do you hope to achieve? HG-->act-->measure-->achievement/goal Reflect on it, then turn to The Lord and ask if you're doing it right / if you're going about it the right way. Create a schedule, and stick to it. Involve others- have them follow up. Set up a visual symbol to remind I.e - image (pic), music, parable, vs/phrase/words from a scripture, jewelry/outfit/trinket, bookmarks, etc. listen after you talk in your prayers. Notice how you feel and what you think. Stop and listen. LISTEN!

April 2 2014- institute

Luke 10:25-29 tempted - trying to trick him. Love God, and thy neighbor. If you can keep these two, you've got it. Vs 29- justifying. Who is my neighbor? Looking for a loop hole. Vs 30Christ tells the story about the Good Samaritan. First observe then serve. Came and saw; compassion; went to him; found wounds; oil and wine; own beast; took to inn; cared for him; paid for him; employed someone to watch over him; went the full extent. Compare these qualities of the Good Samaritan to Christ. Everyone is your neighbor. Even your enemies.  Vs 36-37Lost thingsLuke 15:1 tax collectors and sinners. 2 Pharisees and scribesChrist is socializing with sinners tells parables: 3-4 sheep are dumb and wander off. Easily distracted. 5-7 rejoice and joy Isaiah 53:6Luke 15:8 woman= church. Coin = member of the church. A coin can't just walk away. Carelessness. 9-10 rejoicing and joyProdigal son: who would you call prodigal in this story: 11-12 you don't get inheritance until father dies. Son basically saying you're already dead to me. I just want your money. 13 blows it all off. Willfully rebelling. 14-15 pig-unclean. Not only works with them, but practically lives with them. Lowest you can get. Like eating out of the garbage. 16-17 he came to himself. Willing to go as a servant back home. 18-20 - forgiving, compassionate, has been watching for him. Didn't  go searching for him. Be patient and wait. 21-24 rejoicing and joy25-28 no joy. He's ticked. But dad comes out to him and talks with him. 29-30 me vs him disowning his brother. 31-32 he forgot. He lacked compassion and mercy. This is not a rivalry returning; it is his brother. It was one that was lost, and now was found. Break out of the prison of yourself. Push away the green monster of jealousy. Vs 20 father had compassion, which is: Understand and love, sympathy and empathy, happy for others success, what can I do, how can I helpJude 1:20-25 talking to us. Make a difference. Changes our view. Compassion is good for all of us. Look at the father as the prodigal. Our Heavenly Father is prodigal with us. Most caring, the most lavishing. Has much compassion. 

April 1 2014-institute

 _____ makes me really happy. Fill in the blank. 4th nephi 1:16 (what makes them really happy? They were one with Christ, giving them pure joy. The love of God dwelt in their hearts. Vs 1-2 Vs 2-5, 7, 10-13, 15-18When we have a covenant people, we're getting closer to a perfected and righteous people. Keeping the covenants can bring us joy, even in hard times. Have you receive His image in your countenance? When you're living the way you should, you'll always be happy. Make goals, then do what you can to reach them one at a time. Vs 20 - revolted against the church. Powerful. Didn't just drift away. Help people, address their struggles when they're beginning before they Explode. Don't turn against each other and the church. When you do, destruction follows. 2 nephi 28:20 -1 - vision of our day. Satan uses each of us to turn against each other. It's the simple little things that he uses against us. He makes us comfortable with where we at, not wanting progression, which will eventually lead to digression. It rages on in the heart. (George Albert smith, improvement era may 1935 pg 278)Are you choosing the uplifting or digressing side? There is no middle line. Experiment with righteousness.

March 25 2014 - institute

3 nephi 11 vs 17Teaches basics one day, other time is more in depthThe beatitudes are guidelines for obtaining happiness. 12:13 the salt of the earth-salt preserves. Help and love others in a no judgmental way. Feast after righteousness. 12:14-1613:21,2215:1218:16, 24-29Matt 5:16Light- put yourselves out there. God expects us to be the light. Not that you can be, but that you are. Without you, they have no light. By being his disciple you are a light, and by bring a light you are his disciple.  The atonement applies differently than it applies to you, but that doesn't mean we can't help others come closer to Christ. Put yourself in their shoes. 3 nephi 19-24 no man can serve two masters. Don't justify! Font over analyze. Sometimes we over think the don't judge people to the not judging the sin. You can't wear the worlds Jersey them suit up when church time rolls around. There are individuals who try to serve The Lord without offending the devil. Good, vs better, vs best! There's a difference between busy and productive. BeingUnderSatan's Yolk13:114:2115:1, 9-1018:6, 10-12, 3327:22Hear and do. Endure! D&c 58:26+Christ is out advocate with the father - 3 nephi 19:15-23.   D&c 45:3-5. What gift / talent have you been given, and how can you use that this week to help others? 3 nephi 27You can't learn more without asking. Ask and it shall be given unto you.Write down what you learn. Write down promptings of the spirit no matter what situation you're in. Write it down or you might forget. Do you want to make God happy? Alma 41:10"Do these things that ye have seen me do" ~Christ

March 18 2014-institute

3 nephi 1 stay optimistic. Ground yourself on commandments and standards. Think about the eternal perspective. Vs 8 no doubt, font give up. The people who do not believe are making fun of them. If they say the sign needs to happen by this date or you will be killed, what would you do? How much faith do you have in God? You can pray to God to help you have the faith needed. You should try to do do your best because you WANT to be like Christ. It's your choice to choose how to look at the lesson being taught. Vs 11-14 God wants us to believe and trust in God. God doesn't want us to fear or be sad, he's telling us to be happy and promises what he says will happen, will happen. God is showing his tender mercy. Fear not, be of good cheer. 2 nephi 31:20-21 do this and ye shall have eternal life. Doctrine of Christ - doctrine if the Father- of eternal life. Submit your will to God. Be one with God. 3 nephi 1:22as soon as its given satan works his hardest to ruin it. Vs23 - many others!! Vs24 others want to get ahead of the prophet. They're close to being right. They pulled the trigger too quick. Look back to your intent. 3 nephi 8 heading many people died through various options of destruction. Vs2 time frame. Year it ended. Vs 19- 3 hours, some say more. Darkness! 1.Christ died 2.The earth groaned 3. 3 hours of destruction 4. 3 days of darkness vs 20-215. Ch 9 Christ 1st XVs14 -16, 19-21 NOW the law of Moses has been fulfilled. Have faith and repent. Come home- come back to me - change your ways. An invitation no matter where you are in life. 6. 10:1 silence Vs 9 finished. Vs 18 Mormon's commentary / he's speaking. Cleaning up and building up started to occur. 11:1  gathered at the temple for a specific feast. Compare to the Passover. The law of Moses is not just the Ten Commandments. Aaronic and melchezidik law. The Passover is when the temple laws were given (A&M). Afterwards is the Pentecost. That's what they're doing in bountiful at the temple. (Acts 1- stayed after resurrection and taught for 40 days. )Custom to go to the temple. Vs 3 did not understand the voice the first time. 4-5Ch 11- Look at howChrist introduces himself and how he reacts to the people at the temple, and what he teaches the peopleCh 17- sends them home, tell families, come back the next day.