Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Testimony of the Prophet of God

We live in a time when we are surrounded by much that is intended to entice us into paths which may lead to our destruction.  To avoid such paths requires determination and courage.

None within the sound of my voice should be in any doubt concerning what is moral and what is not, nor should any be in doubt about what is expected of us.

We have been and continue to be taught God’s laws.  Despite what you may see or hear elsewhere, these laws are unchanging.

Full talk: Dare to Stand Alone


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Testimony of the Purpose of Life

     Today was fast and testimony Sunday at church.  The following individual bore his testimony of the purpose of life here on this earth.  He told how he had been asked this question and only had a few seconds to answer.  Alma 34:32 states, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."  The following is an address he gave at the last General Conference: The Opportunity of a Lifetime



Monday, March 19, 2012

God Will Lift Us Up

Rather than focusing on trials, Brittany finds comfort in serving others and trusting in the Lord.


For more about facing trials with faith, read, watch, or listen to “Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done” by Elder Robert D. Hales.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

I Thank Thee for the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ

"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together." 
The Sermon on the Mount, by Carl Heinrich Bloch

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Moses and the Brass Serpent

Moses and the Brass Serpent, by Judith Mehr © IRI


Moses and the Brass Serpent

Numbers 20:17Numbers 20:21Numbers 21:4-9John 3:14-151 Nephi 17:41Alma 33:19-20Helaman 8:14-15
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.Numbers 21:9
After the prophet Moses led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, they journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time the Lord blessed the Israelites in many ways, including taking care of their physical needs.
The Israelites were nearing the end of their travels and were close to the borders of Canaan—the promised land. But when they asked the king of Edom if they could pass through his land, which would have been a short journey into Canaan, he told them no (see Numbers 20:17Numbers 20:21). As a result, they had to travel a long way to find a different route into the country (see Numbers 21:4).
The Israelites became discouraged during this journey and "spake against God, and against Moses." They complained about the very things they should have been thankful for: God's help in freeing them from bondage and the manna He had provided for them in the wilderness. (See Numbers 21:5.)
Because of the ingratitude of the Israelites, "the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died" (Numbers 21:6).
When the children of Israel saw family members and friends dying, they realized they had sinned in complaining against God. They asked Moses to pray to the Lord to take away the serpents. (See Numbers 21:7.)
Moses prayed, and in response the Lord told him to make a brass serpent, put it on a pole, and place it where the people could see it. The Lord promised that everyone who had been bitten would live if they looked at the serpent. (See Numbers 21:8-9.)
Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, explained that many Israelites did look at the serpent and live, "but few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them" (see Alma 33:19-20; see also 1 Nephi 17:41).
Part of what the Israelites did not understand, because of the hardness of their hearts, was that the brass serpent was a symbol of Jesus Christ being lifted up on the cross and bringing eternal life:
"Yea, did [Moses] not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.
"And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal" (Helaman 8:14-15).
Jesus Christ Himself taught that the account of the brass serpent is a lesson for us about the importance of looking to the Savior and His atoning sacrifice: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15).

Summary

After the Lord helped free the children of Israel from bondage, Moses led them in the wilderness for 40 years. The Lord provided for all their needs. When the people complained and were not grateful for all Heavenly Father had done, the Lord sent serpents among them, which bit some of the people. The people knew they had sinned for not being grateful. Moses prayed for them. The Lord told Moses to make a brass serpent and set it on a pole for the people to see. The brass serpent represented the Savior's sacrifice. The Lord promised that everyone who had been bitten would live if they looked at the brass serpent.
Artist, Judith Mehr
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Key to Happiness: Repentance

Who said happiness was easy?
The Divine Gift of Repentance by D. Todd Christofferson

1.       The invitation to repent is an expression of love.
2.       Repentance means striving to change.
3.       Repentance means committing to obedience.
4.       Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere.
5.       Remember, whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness.

The complete talk and transcript can be found at the following link:   http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-divine-gift-of-repentance?lang=eng

The anguish resulting from sin can be overcome through repentance, resulting in joy through obedience.  Depression, anxiety, fear, and anger can be changed into joy and peace.  Every day is a gift from God.  

Be Humble
Be Honest
Call on God
Call on Others

Have a Sincere Heart

Focus on Christ's Atonement

Receive Power from on High

Overcome Sin

"Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" --John 8:32

Monday, March 5, 2012

Rise above the Blues

I can do all things through Christ
 which strengtheneth me!
-- Philippians 4:13

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Dayton's Legs


Out of love, 13-year-old Spencer Zimmerman served with his friend Dayton Hayward who has cerebral palsy.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

I Thank Thee God for Family


Family. The Bible is family oriented. The first man and woman—Adam and Eve—were a family. When they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam ate his bread by the sweat of his brow; and Eve, his wife, labored with him (Moses 5:1). All the early recorded events in the life of Adam and Eve show them doing things together (see, for example, Moses 4 and 5). The history of Israel begins with the family of Abraham. He is highly esteemed of the Lord as a father and teaches his children properly (Gen. 18:17–19). Family life is safeguarded with such divine commandments as Ex. 20:12, 14–1721:15–17. The frequent genealogical lists in the scriptures give evidence of the importance that is placed on family. The book of Proverbs offers many instructions directed toward the family, such as Prov. 13:1, 2215:5, 2019:13, 26.
Jesus’ teachings were directed to a family type of life, as in Matt. 5:4510:2113:5719:3–9Mark 10:2–9Luke 6:3615:31John 19:27. The Lord frequently referred to his Father, and emphasized the “Fatherliness” of God. Paul and Peter gave much counsel about the duties of husbands and wives, parents and children (Eph. 6:1–4Col. 3:18–211 Pet. 3:1–7).
Latter-day revelation confirms all that the Bible teaches about the family and adds the most important truth that through the gospel of Jesus Christ the family can be sealed together in a permanent relationship for time and all eternity (D&C 132).


THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinkley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.