Fourth Floor, Last Door

God “rewards those who earnestly seek him,” 

so we need to keep knocking.

Complete talk
More information: http://www.mormon.org

On Being Genuine

"The Savior would want to know how you and I 

grow closer to Him and to our Heavenly Father."

"Here in the Church of Jesus Christ 

you can mature spiritually and 

draw closer to the Savior 

by applying gospel principles day by day."

"The Church is not an automobile showroom—a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. 

It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair 

come for maintenance and rehabilitation."

Video highlight

Complete talk

More information: http://www.mormon.org

“Lord, Is It I?”

Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci

It was our beloved Savior’s final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all mankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. “One of you shall betray me,” He told them.

The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?”

Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

"We must approach our Eternal Father with broken hearts and teachable minds. We must be willing to learn and to change. And, oh, how much we gain by committing to live the life our Heavenly Father intends for us."

Video highlight

Complete talk

More information: http://www.mormon.org

Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth

"Spiritual light is within the reach of every child of God. 

It will enlighten your mind and 

bring healing to your heart and 

joy to your days."

Complete Talk

Video Highlight

Preventing and Overcoming Addiction

     I love Dieter F. Uchtdorf's recent talk Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?  He warns of three common problems in the world we live in: Selfishness, Addiction, and Competing Priorities.  I have reviewed this talk over a dozen times and receive new insight every time.  For example, my wife and I watched Maleficent the evening before last, and then I read the talk again yesterday morning; the parts where Maleficent falls asleep, loses her wings, and eventually overcomes her problems were still fresh in my mind when I read President Uchtdorf's words, "closes his eyes for a moment.., We are designed to soar freely through the heavens..." and "What is the remedy" repeated three times.  

     He states, ”Addictions often begin subtly. Addictions are thin threads of repeated action that weave themselves into thick bonds of habit.  Negative habits have the potential to become consuming addictions.”  He then goes on to list ten common addictions, the last two being the Internet and virtual reality.  He closes his talk with, “A call to awaken.  The Apostle Paul wrote ‘Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’… Let us awake…”

     I testify that that there is always hope!  I continually receive help from my wife, my priesthood leaders, my psychiatric counselor at the V.A. and my church's addiction recovery program.  As President Uchtdorf said in his talk, "The most important thing is to keep trying."  One day at a time! -- johnblogwalker

A Thankful Heart Is the Parent of All Virtues - Cicero

Stuck In The Middle With You - And Thankful For It

     I have so much to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my work, for my afflictions, for those I am able to serve, and especially for my family.  Here is a great link about being in the middle:

Always in the Middle

Infinite Power of Hope

Living Far Beneath Our Privileges

 Parable of the Man on a Cruise   

     

     There once was a man whose lifelong dream was to board a cruise ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea. He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome, Athens, and Istanbul. He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage. Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

     He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship—working out in the gym, playing miniature golf, and swimming in the pool. He envied those who went to movies, shows, and cultural presentations. And, oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing food he saw on the ship—every meal appeared to be a feast! But the man wanted to spend so very little money that he didn’t participate in any of these. He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his cabin and ate only his humble food.

     On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which of the farewell parties he would be attending. It was then that the man learned that not only the farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise ship—the food, the entertainment, all the activities—had been included in the price of his ticket. Too late the man realized that he had been living far beneath his privileges.

-- Dieter F Uchtdorf