Institute - follow God's commandments March 11, 2014

That covenant you make with God is the qualifier, and the promise God gives you is the sanctifier. You qualify for the promise, and he sanctifies your efforts. Christ is the mediator and you can't get to the father without going through Christ. Obedience to the commandments qualifies us. They're God's laws. They're never changing. Gov laws change. 
Helamen 15:1-3, 17. 4-62
nephi 2
Mosiah 2:36-37 AFTER you have known! Went from alma 4 to anti Christ behavior - enemy of God (the natural man) 
D&C 82:2-3 precept upon precept line upon line. Don't sin at all, but when you do, stop and repent.  The more knowledge you have the more you have been given, the more accountable you are.
Article of faith 2 
I The Lord am bound when you do what i say, but when ye do not what I say, I The Lord have no promise. If you don't feel the spirit in your life, stop what you're doing and do better. Christ will be with you every step of the way 
John 14: 15-18 Baptismal covenant. Christ is telling us: Don't give up, keep trying, ill always be with you. 
Helamen 15:5, 7 it creates a desire to become better. There's not just a repentance of becoming bad to good, but also from good to better. Do you have traditions that need to be changed? The spirit will guide you. Don't try to work on ALL of your weaknesses at once, take one step at a time.  
Vs 17 IF!!!! It is YOUR choice. Christ will never give up on you!

Relief society Feb 23, 2014

Are you looking back or looking forward? 

Lots wife - genesis 19:17, 26. Knowing they should have their primary residence in Zion but wanting to keep their summer cottage in Babylon. Do you doubt Gods plan and commandments for you? Don't be so focused on your past that you can't move forward.

Apostle Paul- Philippians 3:13-14 (7-14).  You've got to let go, keep moving forward, and put your faith in God. When you're mowing the lawn, do you look behind you at the work you've done, or ahead at the work you'll be able to accomplish. Faith is always pointed towards the future. Just glance behind. Leave the ashes. You're not growing if you're looking backwards. Faith is an active forward thing building on the past. Sometimes you just have to trust The Lord instead of our own understanding. Faith is an action word. Faith as the assurance of things unseen which are true. Faith as the evidence of things not seen. Step into the darkness with assurance and hope. Assurance, action and evidence back each other up. Inter related and circle upward. Face forward to an uncertain future with assurance that God will lead you, taking that faith onto action, ending up with evidence. Compare to science - hypothesis, experiment, conclusion. Spiral effect. Faith leads to Christ. Faith without works is dead. Be doers of the work and not hearers only. Faith is the principle of action. D&C 58:20.

Faith is exercising our agency. God knows when you are ready for the trial. Trust him. Learn to draw upon The Lord, and he will guide you. Let us all have a strong common goal of building the kingdom of God and bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men. Be an example, serve, visit teach, home teach, fulfill your callings, missionary work, be a friend, etc.

Stake conference Feb 2014

Sis Massey- why do you think simple acts of service have the power to bring us closer to heaven? We are keeping our baptismal covenants, and coming closer to God! Simple service can make someone's day! What simple acts if service or kindness have people done for you that just made your day? What about things you gave fine for others that just made their day? What can you do to help? Share, give, smile, listen, help, etc! Be upright, just, and merciful. Cultivate a quality of charity. WWJD! We are all children of God, so we are all brothers and sisters! Just like a big brother would look after his little sister, we should look after everyone as if we were their big brother. Act towards everyone as a big brother to his younger sister! Visit teach! God may choose you to be an instrument in his hands to help another one of his children. Then maybe one day he'll have someone else be an instrument to help you. Serving brings happiness in our lives because its keeping  us selfless like Jesus. When you're helping you're happy. Take it from being inward and project it outward! We are held accountable for all our choices. Defy the natural man and become more like God. James 2:10. 1  nephi  21:10.  Isaiah 53:4-5Repentance means to change for good. You'll find your way to the scriptures for the future. From our mistakes we receive feedback - we learn from our mistakes. Turn yourself around and go the right way. Be humble enough to learn new tricks. What direction are you going in? Let the spirit guide you. The spirit gives you hints. The Holy Ghost is your gps. We my miss a lot of turns, but it always recalculates. Eventually if we get way off the road, it will yell you to just get to this one spot, then it will guide you from there. Stop talking, stop coming up with excuses, etc... Zip it and listen. Listen to what the spirit has to say. You'll get the sense. He'll warn you in times of danger. He'll tell you which way to go. He'll help us know what we should do. He can also being you peace. Build in your hearts the love of Christ. He is not a punishing God. May the peace of Christ be with you. Everyone feels and recognizes the spirit differently. Deut. 4:29 God hears our prayers as we seek him. D&c 93:1. Mormon 9:9. 2 nephi26:13. Psalms 2:7. Be aware and willing and ready to engage.

Sacrament meeting

Bro amatangelo- Moroni said through the Holy Ghost we can learn the wisdom of all things. 'Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom' talked on tithing. How one young student didn't have enough money to pay for both tithing and college tuition. She decided to pay her tithing. Then later that week someone came up to her and ended up telling her they would pay for all her college tuition. God blesses us when we follow the commandments. 

Bro. Louis- fsoy-D&C 78:19 may ensign 'thanks be to God' our spirits control our bodies, not the other way around. We are judged spiritually. Our responsibility once we receive and have the gospel is to share it.  It's the spirit that teaches, it doesn't matter what we say. (But yet it does) how many no's can you get? It is your choice to accept God and the Holy Ghost in your life! The most important duty is to preach the gospel! All members pray for a baptism or a friend to come to church or take the lessons. 

Bro. Simpson- D&C 107:1-4 ( how we got the name for the Melchizedek priesthood) Aaronic priesthood -lesser priesthood and outward appearance. Helps you learn how to become more mature, etc to help you prepare for the more higher and spiritual priesthood. Aaronic - physical. Melchizedek - spiritual. Order of authority:Christ -> prophet -> 1st presidency   -> 12 apostles -> quorum  and are of 70s -> stake president (oversees 8 wards) -> bishops -> ward-> Melchizedek priesthood (give blessings with the laying on of hands, can marry others, can serve a mission, can become one of the order in authority listed above, ) -> Aaronic priesthood ( pass n bless the sacrament, baptize, teach, collect fast offerings, help church members live the commandments (home teachers) prepare bread n water for sacrament service, baptize, etc. layers of this priesthood are: deacon, teacher,the priest. Bishop presides over the priests,as well as the ward) )

Institute - with Christ in our lives

Feb 11, 2014What council would you give a future child how to deal with mortality in just 4 sentences?Even in the hardest times, turn to God and he'll always be there. Don't let the natural man overtake what you know is right. Be patient, have courage, and believe in yourself. Keep the words of God refreshed in your mind daily. Alma 36:1-3 trust God, keep the commandments. You will then be blessed with knowing where you stand, self confidence, aka temporally and spiritually. It's the whole key that will unlock anything else.  12-15 we are held accountable if we spiritually murder someone else.  Recognize your sin. You might feel worthless, dirty, low, empty, and wish you never existed. 17-18 Christ's atonement has been given to us to help us gain some hope and become a better person. Remember what you've done do you don't do it, but recognize that God forgives you. Don't dwell on it. You can teach others. Even in your darkest times, and you've lost the spirit of Christ, right when you're about to completely give up, the spirit will remind you that the atonement is still there for you to use. It's ok to cry. Get on your knees and pray. God is waiting for you to turn to him. He will help you. Remember - hope. There's always a choice. We do fall, we do fail, we we can always try again! Starts out bitter, then after you've turned to God after your trials, revelation comes. 12-15 = bitter, nasty17-18= the hinge, revelation of truth, what to do / your next step. Confess. It takes a lot of integrity to right your wrong. The bishop will NEVER look down on you. The adversary is trying to stop you from partaking of the atonement. Now not everything ends up seeing the bishop. But when in doubt, see the bishop. You'll sleep better. 19-21 the atonement will work as soon as you let it. The pain can go away immediately. Your joy will be as strong as your pain if not more. FORGIVE YOURSELF!!!! You are your own worst enemy. Don't call God a liar. That his atonement isn't great enough for you. You cannot hide your crimes from God. Learn from your mistakes. Become a better person. Alma 42:4,13-23. (Watch video) 29.  May it trouble you no more. Turn to the Keys who have the ability to help us. Only worry about the things you haven't repented of yet. 

Institute - it's all a seed

Exact obedience brings long term blessings and happiness. Alma 31:15-16 humility that leads to repentance. 22 - faith leading to action. God desires YOU to have a testimony. God wants you to know all things. He wants you to have your own knowledge. 23, 24 - have the desire to know. Need to Have the word of God = have the spirit of Christ in your life. Repetition is important to keep it fresh and alive. Keep the testimony of the basics. What's basics have increased throughout the years?  EVERYONE is invited to have a testimony.  27- experiment. Act. Test your own faith. Faith is a principle of action. Seek learning/understanding/testimony by faith/action/experience. Have the hope to start your journey. You can ALWAYS strengthen your testimony no matter how much you know. Faith is not a perfect knowledge but a hope for things unseen. Faith as the assurance of things unseen which are true. Faith as the evidence of things not seen. Step into the darkness with assurance and hope. Assurance, action and evidence back each other up. Inter related and circle upward. Face forward to an uncertain future with assurance that God will lead you, taking that faith onto action, ending up with evidence. Compare to science - hypothesis, experiment, conclusion. Spiral effect. Faith leads to Christ. Faith without works is dead. Be doers of the work and not hearers only. Faith is the principle of action. D&C 58:20. Faith is exercising our agency. Certain principles of man change, when the principles of Christ are perfect and never changing. You can have a perfect knowledge of the gospel / the principles of Christ, when you can't have a perfect knowledge of the principles of men. Alma 32 : 26-28 faith is conditional. 29-32 you're not going to plant an apple seed and out grows an orange tree. The seed will be consistent in what it's genetics are. Start out small then continue to grow. Just start out reading one verse a day. I dare you to just try to read at least just one scripture, one verse a day. You will see the blessings and will start reading / wanting more. What goes around comes around. Wickedness NEVER was happiness. There is no middle ground. Each different testimony is its own seed. Testimony of modesty, that's a seed. Tithing, that's a seed. Etc. we have many seeds to take care of. Take one seed at a time. SwellingEnlargesEnlightensDelicious - you love it and want more. If this testimony has ended up with this seed, it is a good seed. Alma 32:33-34 God commanded us to be perfect. It's a process we can become perfect in one thing. Seed by seed step. God wants us to become like him. 35-36 will only start your full experience. Your perfect knowledge is not the end of your growth. 37- 40 the tree of life. Everlasting growth. Christ and HF don't stop their growth. They might have a perfect knowledge, but they continue to tend the works. If you don't continue to act, it will weaken. Once it's first rooted, it's always there. You might cut it down, but you can rebuild it. (Compare to planting sugar canes). You're not told to read the scriptures once. You continuously read it, for you learn something different each time. 41-43 Alma 32:43 READ!!! VERY IMPORTANT!! Don't let Satan's doubts get to you. Ask yourself what you know right now. Recognize whet you don't now yet and strive to learn. God may not want you to learn that subject right then. He might have you learn that in maybe five years. That's where patience comes in. What does God want you to know right now? What's important for you right now? Look at the basics. Figure out what you know. You can't your car, if you don't know what parts need to be fixed. Listen to the spirit, then act upon your answer. Your answer will come. Be patient. Don't listen to the doubt. Hasten your efforts once you gain the perfect knowledge. 

Happy Mother's day Mom! I LOVE YOU!

To start off my talk, I would like to read a poem I wrote,

Don't touch this, and don't touch that
Children of young age just love that
Ooh look some paint. Ooh look, a wall
Watch out parents this won't be small

Where you going? And who with?

Mom, stop crowding...his name is Biff.
Ten o'clock tonight, midnight the next
Watch out child, here comes the shot gun with dad the T-Rex

Next thing you know it's all goodbyes
College and missions, bring tears to the eyes
Where have the years gone, Hands clasp hands as then said,
Everything will be ok mom. Just hang on.

Letters are sent, as homesickness arrives
Mom sits at home watching for the mail, wondering if she'll survive
Prayers are said in hope and love
Watching the days snail on by, mom finally gets back to her life...sort of

It's time It's time, mom cries
Mom decided to give a welcome home surprise
Running in slow motion as two come together
Mother I've missed you, Child, you too.

Home for a time, but life moves on
A new life has begun, so much to get done
Being in a family that’s so big and loud
Moments alone are few and rare
But when they arrive, they are treated with care

Down on one knee a proposal is made
Down on two knees, a prayer is made
One in a tux, another in a dress and veil
With God's help, this marriage will not fail

Grandchildren have come, and it starts all over
It's a boy! His name is pronounced as Rover.
Even though she is now a grandma, one thing will never change
A mom is a mom, with a love no one can exchange

Mother I love you
Mother I do
Mother there isn’t anything I’d change about you
Happy Mothers day Mom

 

          Motherhood starts when she find out she has someone growing inside of her. She realizes she is now accountable for someone other than just her. At that moment when she looks  down at her firstborn folded in her arms after 9 months of anticipating, and her finger is grasped by that small and gentle hand, she knows she would do anything for that child. There may be many amazing and little miracles that brighten the day, but there are many challenges are placed their way. Maybe the child had a disability that the parents are confused how to help.  She may find herself chasing her baby across the house trying screaming not to run with scissors; or eat Elmer's Glue. She may run around franticly trying to find her toddler in a big clothing store, just to find her baby behind a clothing's rack in front of a three way mirror singing and dancing to the intercom music. She then may find herself on her knees praying for her teenager, hoping she'll make the right decisions with the dates she's going on. She'll realize that she can't leave her kids at the table by themselves doing homework, or else it will never get done.  But at the end of the day, as she tucks in her 9 month dream, no obstacles they had during the day, no fights that could have gotten in their way, could replace the love of a mother's hug and kiss goodnight.

          My mom has been a mother 19 years and 6 months.  I would have to say she's done a phenomenal job. When I was around 6 years old, I was in the backseat of the car with my parents in the front seat. As I was sitting with my sleeveless sundress I started crying. My mom looked back and asked what was wrong. I then cried, "I'm not modest!" My mom realized that I was old enough to realize modesty was important, and we went straight home and changed. When I was the age of 8, my mom told me that I needed to get a testimony of mine own that this is the true church. After much scripture study and prayer, I came to a knowledge that I knew it was the right thing to get baptized. My mom knew it was the right decision to make it my choice to join this church, and that it would start my own testimony.  When I was in 5th grade  I needed crutches since I had really bad growing pains in my knees. On our way out of the grocery store, I was in a wheel chair, and getting stuff loaded into our van. There was an impatient car that couldn't get around us, and started going up on the curb and nearly hit me. My mom grabbed my crutches and slammed it on the hood of her car. I know I can always count on my mom to watch my back. At 12 years old, I joined Young Women. At that time, my mom was a councilor in there. I was able to enjoy my first night of mutual with her. She helped me meet the girls and feel welcomed.  When she got called to another calling, I was devastated, but I knew that the Lord knew where she was needed most. When I was sixteen, my mom threw me an amazing sweet sixteen birthday party, and helped me set up my first group dates. My senior year of high school, she put up through my rebellious stage of life and forgave me for whatever mistakes I've made. She spent many hours helping me look for my prom dress and accessories. Thanks

to my mom and dad helping me study for my tests, I graduated high school. Now thanks to general conference in October of 2012, I can serve a mission. My mom has took more time out of her day than she ever has to prepare me for my mission. She is continuously looking for blouses, skirts, dresses, shoes, accessories, bathroom and daily needs, backpacks, water bottle filters, and so on. And that's just the beginning. not only are there materials I need; but there are many medical needs that need to be taken care of before I head off to Brazil. My mom has been there with me through every back doctor I've been through, and we finally found one that's really making a difference. She has guided me through every dental procedure I've gone through. I know that my mom really cares about what I go through; because whenever I'm in pain, or scared, or have something that could really impact me, she takes it into her hands to make it the best she can and make me feel better.

          As President Monson stated, "Who can measure a mother’s grief? Who can probe a mother’s love? Who can comprehend in its total the lofty role of a mother? With perfect trust in God, she walks, her hand in his, into the valley of the shadow of death that you and I might come forth unto life."

Our mother's love is a true example of the love of our Savior.

          Heavenly Father has put mothers in our lives to guide us through our trials, lift us when we're down, and laugh with us when we say the cheesiest jokes. Mothers are known as the nurturing ones. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Their role is to help their family grow mentally and spiritually strong along the side of her husband. Through this great responsibility and opportunity, they are then given the chance to learn how to become more like our Heavenly Parents.  I am not yet a mom, but I know by watching my mom that not everything comes easily; and sometimes it would just be easier to give up. But my mom knows how important it is to stay strong and be that example for us. She turns to the Lord in times of heart ache and trial and shows us that with the Lord's help, anything is possible. As I watch her, it makes me want to be just like her, and have a strong marriage like she does, and be the mother she is and always has been to me. I want to be there for my kids that I will one day have, like she has been there for me. I want to hug and kiss them so they'll always know I love them, as she has always done to me. I want to have a strong marriage, so that my kids will look for that same kind of marriage as my parents have shown me.

          As we look back to the story that is well known on mother's day, The two thousand stripling warriors; we recognize how big of an influence their mothers had on them.  Their mothers taught that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. I know that God has placed us in families with mothers, so that we too might know that we have no reason to doubt. Our mothers love us, and if we do not doubt in the miracles and blessings of God, anything is possible.

          There is a little bump in the road that might push my mission date back; but I know that if I do not doubt the power of God, everything will be ok. I know I am truly blessed and I have a mom who loves me and has a strong testimony that Jesus Christ lives today, and that we do have a true and living prophet known as President Thomas S. Monson. Something she told me when I was having a hard day was a scripture that came to her mind, "be still, and know that I am God."

          I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church, and that mothers are a blessing in our lives, if we just heed the teachings they give us, we will go far; for they are the examples Heavenly Father put in our lives so that we might learn how to forgive, and love even though it may not come easy. Our mothers have the closest thing to charity that we can come by. Their love for their children is like the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has for us, their children and family. Our mothers put their love for us above everything else, so that we might have a happy and spiritually strong life. I will really miss my mom's home cooked meals every night, and her gentle yet firm hugs while I'm on my mission. I will miss her beautiful and warming smile I get whenever I do something good. I'll miss that loving voice when I'm lying on the couch sick as dog and can't get up, telling me she loves me, and she's right there for me. I will miss that heart whelming assurance that everything will be ok when I feel I can't go on. But I know that wherever I go, and whatever I do, my mom will always be there for me no matter how far apart we are. I love my mom, because she cares about me, even when I start heading down the wrong path. I love my mom, because she loves my dad, even if they have an argument. I love my mom, because she has supported me in every decision I've made. And I love my mom...because she is the most amazing, beautiful, supportive, spiritual, and meaningful person, who I'm so grateful Heavenly Father put in my life! I'm very grateful for my mom and everything she has done for me. She has helped me become the woman I am today. My mom cries when she sees me cry. She laughs when she hears me laugh. She gets angry when others hurt me. She cuddles with me when I feel lonely. And she tells me I'll do a great job and she has full confidence that I'll change the world...when she too is nervous about me leaving.

          Heavenly Father has a plan, and without mom's...none of it would be possible. They bring us into the world, and they make us who we are today. I know motherhood is important, and I just hope I can even come close to the woman my mother is. I know Heavenly Father is proud of her, and of you mothers who have worked hard in your families. The kids might not know how to express their gratitude for everything you have done for them, but know that they are appreciative for everything you do. Thank you to all the moms out there who have taken the time in raising us. For the patience in our rebellious stages, and for telling us you love us; because that's all we really want. Is to be loved. And mom, I just want you to know...I love you. And thank you for everything you have done for me. You will always be in my heart wherever I may be. As a song sings, " You'll be in my heart, from this day on, now and forever more." Mom, you're a winner for a lifetime.  If you have seized that one moment in time. You have been more than you thought you could be. You have lived to be the very best! You dedicated the song, "One Moment in Time." By Whitney Houston to me, because I was your first born, and I want to tell you...you did a pretty good job. I love you mom. And I love this gospel, because it has sealed me to the best mom in the world.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.