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

I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home

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

Choose to Believe

Sailor Gutzler

“For every one that asketh, receiveth; 

and he that seeketh, findeth; 

and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

Video highlight

Complete talk

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

Continuing Revelation

Human judgment and logical thinking 
will not be enough to get answers to 
the questions that matter most in life. 

We need the continuing blessing of communication with God.

Personal revelation ... does not come easily, nor does it come simply for the asking. The Lord gave this standard for the capacity to receive such witnesses from God. It is a guide for anyone seeking personal revelation, as we all must.

“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven ... The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”

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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

But Ye Are a Chosen Generation

But ye are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, 

an holy nation, 

a peculiar people; 

that ye should shew forth 

the praises of him 

who hath called you out of darkness 

into his marvellous light:

                                                                                           --1 Peter 2:9


Be Helpful

Not Hurtful

Let Your Light So Shine

“Every person who lives in this world radiates light, which affects and influences every other person in the world. Our choices in life determine what we really are. The radiance of the light that emanates from our countenance is determined by the choices we make, and is a powerful force in human relationships. And every person is the recipient of that radiation. The Savior was conscious of that reality; and to a degree so are we.

Whenever Jesus came into the presence of an individual He was conscious of a light emanating from that person’s soul, and which was mirrored in his countenance. He knew the behavior and conduct, and the choices a person had made because that behavior and those choices were reflected by the radiating light in one’s countenance. My dear brothers and sisters, we must make nobler choices. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. Every moment of life we are affecting, to a degree, the life of every other person with whom we may come in contact, and who comes within the sphere of our influence.

Every person is affecting every other person who lives. We cannot for one moment escape this emanation, this radiation of light that emanates from our countenance. Life is a constant state of radiation and absorption of light. To exist is to radiate light; to exist is to be the recipient of light. And we choose the qualities we permit to be radiated by the light within us, determined by our behavior, and by the choices we make.”  [The Prayer of Adam and Eve by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw (A. F. Segal, Paul, p. 152. President David O. McKay)]

Spirit of Revelation

Patterns of Light, Part III

Based on a talk entitled "The Spirit of Revelation"

Sister CHERYL A. ESPLIN taught the following in Teaching Our Children to Understand:

     In a latter-day revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord instructs parents to teach their children to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Notice the Lord doesn’t just say we are to “teach the doctrine”; His instructions are to teach our children to “understand the doctrine.” (See D&C 68:25, 28; emphasis added.)

     In Psalms we read, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34).

     Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives.

     Nephi taught that the role of the Holy Ghost is to carry the truth “unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Our role as parents is to do all we can to create an atmosphere where our children can feel the influence of the Spirit and then help them recognize what they are feeling.

     President Harold B. Lee taught, “Without experiencing a gospel principle in action, it is … more difficult to believe in that principle” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000], 121).

     I first learned to pray by kneeling with my family in family prayer. I was taught the language of prayer as I listened to my parents pray and as they helped me say my first prayers. I learned that I could talk to Heavenly Father and ask for guidance.

     Every morning without fail, my mother and father gathered us around the kitchen table before breakfast, and we knelt in family prayer. We prayed at every meal. In the evening before bed, we knelt together in the living room and closed the day with family prayer.

     Although there was much I didn’t understand about prayer as a child, it became such a part of my life that it stayed with me. I still continue to learn, and my understanding of the power of prayer still continues to grow.

     Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “We all understand that the success of the gospel message depends upon its being taught and then understood and then lived in such a way that its promise of happiness and salvation can be realized” (“Teaching and Learning in the Church” [worldwide leadership training meeting, Feb. 10, 2007], Liahona, June 2007, 57;Ensign, June 2007, 89).

     Learning to fully understand the doctrines of the gospel is a process of a lifetime and comes “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). 

The Light of Christ

Patterns of Light, Part I

     

     I love patterns.  They help me see things in a better perspective and assist me in putting my life in order.  I read the following pattern this morning on Connie Firmin's blog: 

      "One promise I stumbled upon this morning is found in James 4:8 (the first part):  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”  If you don’t eat, you get hungry, right?  Same way with our spiritual lives.  When we do not take the time to “come close to God”, emptiness sets in, hunger takes over, and we begin to look for anything to fill up on.  We start trying to satisfy our emptiness with junk instead of healthy options.  This is where trouble can come right in the front door of our lives.

So in summary, if you are hungry, go eat!  Share your journey with other trustworthy friends in your life so they can pray for you and walk with you.  Sometimes just being honest with those around you can help.  Dig in and load up on God’s Word.  It’s full of promises that will fill the bare places inside.  Lastly, but most importantly, if you find yourself empty, talk with God about it.  As you draw near to Him, you will begin to hear His soothing whisper, and you’ll be full in no time."

Thankful for the Light of Christ

Light /līt/ to provide with illumination.

Light of Christ:  The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moroni 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1:4; 8:12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost, and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

     The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2; John 1:9). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88:6–13, 41). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (cf. Moro. 7:12–19).

     The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who “hearkeneth to the voice” to find the true gospel and the true Church and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84:46–48). Additional references are Alma 19:6; 26:3; D&C 20:27.

John 3

Nicodemus Comes to Jesus

     As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He who believeth on him is not condemned: but he who believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God, which was before preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testified of Christ.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.  For every one who doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he who loveth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.  And he who obeyeth the truth, the works which he doeth they are of God.

Allegory of the Intense and the Gradual Light

Consider two experiences most of us have had with light.

The first experience occurred as we entered a dark room and turned on a light switch. Remember how in an instant a bright flood of illumination filled the room and caused the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light.

The second experience took place as we watched night turn into morning. Do you recall the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon? In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun did not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun did dawn over the skyline. But the visual evidence of the sun’s impending arrival was apparent hours before the sun actually appeared over the horizon. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light.

From these two ordinary experiences with light, we can learn much about ... the spirit of revelation and basic patterns whereby revelation is received...

Some revelations are received immediately and intensely; some are recognized gradually and subtly. The two experiences with light I described help us to better understand these two basic patterns of revelation.

A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common.

The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept." Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation...

Another common experience with light helps us learn an additional truth about the “line upon line, precept upon precept” pattern of revelation. Sometimes the sun rises on a morning that is cloudy or foggy. Because of the overcast conditions, perceiving the light is more difficult, and identifying the precise moment when the sun rises over the horizon is not possible. But on such a morning we nonetheless have sufficient light to recognize a new day and to conduct our affairs.

In a similar way, we many times receive revelation without recognizing precisely how or when we are receiving revelation...

As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will “walk in the light of the Lord." Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family.  -- David A. Bednar

Link to full talk: http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng

Endurance

One never knows when he will be at the end of his rope.  Knowing that all is never lost, and that hope springs eternal, one can faithfully expect, look for and accept assistance when it reveals itself from its hiding place.  We are divine creatures having a mortal experience.  God lives, Jesus is the Christ, and light disperses darkness.