Trials

• It is through the toughest trials that we obtain our greatest blessings.
• Has there ever been a time there was something you didn't want to do - but you did it anyways? Were you fighting against the Spirit? Or did you fully submit your will to the Father's? 
• Alma 7:11-13
• What have you accomplished that was very difficult? How do you feel about that?
• Try to keep an eternal perspective! Don't compare! 
• Know your partner well enough to know how to address a situation

Behold the Man!

           "Behold the Man" - Elder Uchtdorf.

          We all die. Our friends and family will mourn over us; but, no matter what they can't bring us back. Because of Jesus Christ our death is only temporary. We will one day have our bodies reunited with our spirits in perfect form for eternity! "Do you Love Me?" - Christ. How have you shown that love for Him? What's your relationship with Christ? Study the titles of Christ in the Book of Mormon.
          No unclean thing can be in the presence of God. No unchanged thing will want to. The Lord invests in us through the atonement to help us change for the better. We have someone that powerful on our side and has complete faith in us. He knows what decisions we're going to make - yet still has full faith in us!
          How can you better behold the man? At the end of the day, point out a time you saw the hand of the Lord in that day.

Listen to Celine Dion's song, "Call the Man" - it intertwines with this thought of beholding the man.

Rated R Films

          As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we have standards that we hold firm to our beliefs. One of them is to not watch rated R films. Why would that be? Many of us say that it's because the prophet told us not to (We have a modern day prophet in the world today - like Moses was - the current prophet is President Russell M. Nelson - who resides in Utah).
          Though there are many people who fight against this, saying that it's just a personal choice and not a commandment, it is true that it is a modern day commandment given by a prophet of the Lord. I love how Elizabeth Summers explains it in her article, "R-Rated Movies:What Have the Prophets Actually Said?"

          I highly recommend reading this article all the way through so you can understand the meaning behind it and what it entails. This article will also explain which Prophet brought this forth and what his exact words are.

Click here to read the article:

http://www.ldsliving.com/R-Rated-Movies-What-Have-the-Prophets-Actually-Said/s/82659?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email

Religious Freedom - Institute

Let your religious view dictate your political views as you take it to prayer. 

The Book of Mormon teaches how to be a free people.

When you want to protect your religious beliefs follow FREE:

Find common ground

Respectfully listen to the other party

Express your own opinion

Exit where both parties have learned something

Elder Robert Hales seminaries and institute teaches and doctrines of Book of Mormon. Defending religious freedom. Background reading:

1.       Freedom to believe – No one should be criticized, persecuted or attacked by individuals or governments either for what he / she believes about God.

2.       Freedom to share our faith and beliefs with others – The Lord commands us, “Go ye into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” It’s our freedom and our duty.

3.       Freedom to form a religious organization – A church…to worship peacefully with others.

4.       Freedom to live our faith – Free to exercise our faith – not just in the home and chapel but also in public places.

The war for free agency is still going on! Russia, China and many other places don’t want free thinking!

The Lord commands us to not only pray properly but also to go forth and “let our light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Some are offended when we bring our religion into the public square yet the same people who insist that their viewpoints and actions be tolerated in society are often very slow to give them that same tolerance to religious believers.

Don’t be afraid to advocate what you believe in!

D&C 134:1-2 – You can’t live in a free country if you don’t respect the ability to share your beliefs.

We all have to be involved! Not only vote for people that live these ways but you have to go out and support them. It will be a fight. Don’t fall back and say the Lord would never let this happen. The Lord will let it happen if you let it happen.

In a marriage you’ll learn to compromise. Peace is importance. Politics is kind of like religion. If you’re not on the same page, it’s going to cause more stress and trials.

People who want power go after the church. Why? Misery wants company – they’re unhappy. 11^th article of faith – Freedom of religion. Work together. “Defend religious freedom in any way you can,“ – Quentin L. Cook. Defend the beliefs of your neighbor, even if they don’t agree with your own.

Dallin H. Oaks – Truthand Tolerance – BYU talk – Absolute truths – Principle that’s truth forever. Unchanging. When truth changes, that’s called moral relativism – mortal (man) standards change. That certain commandments don’t apply to you. There’s truth and there’s your opinion. Christ teaches what truth is. Christ is truth. If you study His life and the words of the prophets you’ll know what truth is. Our society is always changing. Life is becoming more relativism (I.E – sexual behavior outside of marriage).

Tolerate others beliefs – let them have their agency. Accept and love but don’t force. Tolerate doesn’t mean you’re supporting them. Remember FREE. We’re all brothers and sisters under God. Don’t run away or argue when someone believes and lives differently than you. Even if someone starts arguing with you, think, “Would Christ argue with them?” You can listen.

We all fight for the same cause. All men are created equal under God. Don’t focus on diversity focus on unity. Focus on something you agree on. Build on that. It can be peaceful or it can be argumental and not get anywhere. We can’t abandon our truths and covenants that we’ve made. Explain why you feel a certain way. Be honest. Don’t abandon the moment things get rough. Don’t condemn their beliefs. Speak on principles rather than on personalities.

Lds.org/religious-freedom – (One of the first searches on the web when you’ve searched religious freedoms). Why Religious Freedoms Matter – What’s at Risk? There are many risks that may / will happen sometime in your life. Don’t let anyone bully you to do something you don’t believe. Stand firm in your beliefs. Even if it has a huge consequence. Trust that by doing what God wants you to do, you’ll be blessed. With school a parent could ask, “What did you learn at school?......Ok, now what do we believe? How does this relate to what we believe?”

There’s a difference between being in the world and of the world. There’s a difference between that and alienating the world.

What can I do about it? – Get involved. 10 things we can do:

1.       Study up on the issues – Be aware of our rights.

2.       Speak up with courage and civility.

3.       Get involved in the political process.

4.       Get to know people of other faiths.

5.       Volunteer for a charity – serve – get to know your neighbors.

6.       Get involved in education – PTA, etc.

7.       Be part of a club, business group, or professional association.

8.       Extend the reach of your faith – corporation between church groups and community organizations help build mutual trust and focuses resources on helping those in need.

9.      Make it a family matter and a matter of prayer – take your kids to a speech or conference on religious freedom. Pray that your freedoms will be preserved. Pray as you can understand what you need to know and do.

10.   Enlarge your voice through social media – blog, write an o-ped, or submita letter to the editor.

Be an educated voter. Your vote counts! Don’t focus on the cultural war.

Taught by Brother and Sister Hire and David Wray

Prophets - Prepare for General Conference

•  Today's Prophet is President Russel M. Nelson (17th / Current Prophet) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
• We as children of God can receive direct communication from our Heavenly Father (personal revelation). The Prophet (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) receives direct communication about the church as a whole. 
• Each prophet is the prophet during the time that they are called for a reason. What each prophet is able to offer is for the specific time he is called. It's what / who we need at the specific time.
• There's a reason why each person is / was called as a prophet. 
• We should be proud of who we are and be proud to be different. Don't be scared to be criticized for what you believe in because it's true. Stand tall! If Joseph Smith would have backed down because he was scared of being criticized the church wouldn't have been able to be restored through him.
• It's not a democracy - we don't vote on who will be the next prophet. It's all through order and revelation. Yes we sustain - but we don't vote.
• Trust in God - not in the arm of flesh. Trust God that he'll call the prophet that we need today and whom will lead us in righteousness. If concerned, pray and ask.
• When we have the opportunity to sustain the prophet, we're given the chance to show our faith and testimony that he is called of God to be the prophet - which gives the Holy Ghost the opening to testify to you of it's truth. 
• You don't need to follow by blind faith. Ask God in prayer to be guided to the truth. 
• Trust and walk in faith.
• We have the chance to listen to the Prophet and apostles October 6 & 7, 2018. how can we prepare for that? 
• Prepare your schedule to listen
• Attend the temple with a question in mind.
• Write down 3 questions.
• Listen for that revelation and with an open heart & mind.
• If you don't have a question ask, "What lack I yet?" and address it with a humble heart. 
• Will you be able to say that you...
• Listened to him?
• Believed him?
• Studied his words with patience and faith?
• Prayed for him?
• Are humble to enough to follow him?
• Loved him?

Picture from here

Gospel Doctrine - The Prophet JOB

           God is praising Job to Satan. Satan claims it's he's always amazing because of all the things he owns and all the family he has. (Job 1:2-3). So God said okay and took away all of that (Job1:13-21). Yet in the end, he STILL praises God. Satan said, “Well, it's cause he still has good health.” So God took away his health (Job 2:7-9). Yet Job STILL praised God. By this point his wife turns to him and practically tells him to curse God and die. Job turned to his wife and basically exclaimed that God could kill him and he'd STILL praise God. What do you need to do to gain such a strong testimony and love of / for God?
           “I am God. I have great power. If you trust in me, I can take care of you. (Job 38:2-3) Suck it up and have trust and faith in God. Endure with Faith. (1 Kings 2:2)
           Job's mission was to endure with faith and to be an example – to have and keep faith. Who do you look up to? Do you feel that because of their example you're given strength in your times of trial? We are meant to see their example and apply it in our own lives. The ultimate goal is for us to be like Christ. Sometimes we may be overwhelmed with how much we need to change to be like Him. We are given people in our lives that are a great example (those whom we look up to) – in which have attributes that are achievable. So we are given opportunities to become more like Christ through the examples of those around us in a less intimidating way. One step at a time.
           Just as someone might be this example for you, you can be the same for someone else. You can bless people without talking or addressing someone. Be an example in word and conversation. Have charity (pure love of Christ – service). Be an example in Spirit (kindness, forgiveness and goodwill). Be an example of faith (Trust in God's word). Stand out from the crowd! We cam be better examples! It's tough to be an example during trials; but, that's when eyes are most on us.
           We can get through trials because of HOPE! Sometimes hope is all we have. Is it enough for you? If nothing else, have hope in the atonement. Job suffered a lot; but, he didn't suffer everything. Christ suffered everything so we wouldn't have to.
           Light heartedness (cheerful, positive attitude) is good. Light mindness (Taking lightly the commandments or that which is important) is bad. Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time. One will overpower the other. Our minds should be filled with uplifting things and people.
           A young lady who had cancer and was going through chemo attended church every Sunday. Everyone was confused on why she either didn't stay home or at the hospital to rest. Her reply astounded and made a huge impact on me, “I know my life is in the Lord's hands, so I'm going to do everything in my power to show my faith and trust in Him.”

Picture from here

Fast and Testimony Sunday

           This past Sunday in church, people in the congregation went up onto the podium and bore their testimonies on the Gospel. Here are some pointers that stood out to me.

• Heavenly Father knows our goals and desires
• The Lord will always be there for you!
• Keep missionary work a priority
• Did you worry the Lord? Did you give Him reason to worry? Heavenly Father wants you to turn to Him with your burdens and worries along with the good. 
• Even if we don't understand everything, it doesn't change the fact that what we knew was true before - it remains true today.
• The lord will multiply everything you don't have. If not now, then in the eternities! (Matt 19:27,29)
• "Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do"
• Everyone has struggles and trials - it's up to us to overcome them and helps others overcome them. 
• The atonement allows us to change for the better and experience a change of heart.
• If you're struggling, know that you're not alone - that you have someone behind you at all times.
• If we keep an eternal perspective, we'll be able to make it through this mortal experience
• Our self worth is priceless! If Christ would suffer all that for you, that shows your worth!
• Heavenly Father is patiently waiting for you. Though we may play the "not yet" game, He's still there for you.  

Picture from here