Alma 5:14-15 "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?"
Have you received his image in your countenance?
The only sacrifice we can give is a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Lord and the sacrifice of service to our fellow men.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
True Repentance
"Repentance is the turning away from that which is low and the striving for that which is higher."
"Does Christ really believe that you won't do it again?"
"Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure? Take this rule: now note - whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself."
"Does Christ really believe that you won't do it again?"
"Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure? Take this rule: now note - whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself."
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Giving Thanks
Do you ever find yourself lacking in gratitude?
Confess the Lord's hand in all things.
If you ever complain, you're taking the Lord and your blessings for granted.
The happiest people in the world embark on Thanksgiving daily.
1) Open your eyes
2) Open your heart
3) Open your arms
The one thing no one can take away from you is your thoughts and attitudes.
Give thanks in all circumstances, and in all things.
Everyday is an empty canvas we can paint with good works and thanksgiving.
Confess the Lord's hand in all things.
If you ever complain, you're taking the Lord and your blessings for granted.
The happiest people in the world embark on Thanksgiving daily.
1) Open your eyes
2) Open your heart
3) Open your arms
The one thing no one can take away from you is your thoughts and attitudes.
Give thanks in all circumstances, and in all things.
Everyday is an empty canvas we can paint with good works and thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Growing a Testimony
The Book of Mormon is full of examples of missionary work, for example, the partaking of the fruit of the tree of life.
Our goal is to have the desire to share with those we love.
There are three phases of testimonies:
1) Hope
2) Belief
3) Knowledge
Alma 32:41 "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, lookin forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."
We can be in any of these phases to be able to share our testimony.
Alma 32:35 "O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?" (No)
*Never lay aside your faith
*Bear your testimony to help it grow
*Tend to it day by day by day.
"Be not ashamed of the testimony of our God"
Satan gives us fear [to share].
Our goal is to have the desire to share with those we love.
There are three phases of testimonies:
1) Hope
2) Belief
3) Knowledge
Alma 32:41 "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, lookin forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."
We can be in any of these phases to be able to share our testimony.
Alma 32:35 "O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?" (No)
*Never lay aside your faith
*Bear your testimony to help it grow
*Tend to it day by day by day.
"Be not ashamed of the testimony of our God"
Satan gives us fear [to share].
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Strengthen Your Defenses
Alma 34:32 "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."
How do we prepare to meet God?
-By strengthening our testimonies
Once you are truly converted, you will always be a missionary.
We need to become worthy of the temple, celestial kingdom and of an eternal companion.
We all need to be prepared everyday because the second coming could come anyday.
We also need to be prepared against our enemies.
D&C 27:15-18 "Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your lins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen"
Four major defenses:
1) Loins girded with truth
2) Breastplate of righteousness over heart
3) Feet shod with gospel of peace
4) Head guarded with helmet of salvation
also... the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit
1 Nephi 15:24 "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destraction."
How do we prepare to meet God?
-By strengthening our testimonies
Once you are truly converted, you will always be a missionary.
We need to become worthy of the temple, celestial kingdom and of an eternal companion.
We all need to be prepared everyday because the second coming could come anyday.
We also need to be prepared against our enemies.
D&C 27:15-18 "Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your lins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen"
Four major defenses:
1) Loins girded with truth
2) Breastplate of righteousness over heart
3) Feet shod with gospel of peace
4) Head guarded with helmet of salvation
also... the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit
1 Nephi 15:24 "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destraction."
The Steps of Repentence
Fact: We all sin
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
D&C 1:31 "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance."
How then can we please God?
That's why Christ died for us - so that we can repent and return to our Father in Heaven.
We are commanded to repent, below is a 5-step process:
1) Admit and acknowledge the sin
2) Feel godly sorrow
3) Correct harm done
4) Confess and pray ernestly to God for forgiveness
5) Resolve to never do it again.
Repentence doesn't work without the atonement.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
D&C 1:31 "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance."
How then can we please God?
That's why Christ died for us - so that we can repent and return to our Father in Heaven.
We are commanded to repent, below is a 5-step process:
1) Admit and acknowledge the sin
2) Feel godly sorrow
3) Correct harm done
4) Confess and pray ernestly to God for forgiveness
5) Resolve to never do it again.
Repentence doesn't work without the atonement.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Why Must We Endure Trials?
What does it mean to "Be of Good Cheer"?
-Be positive, laugh, help others, be like Christ, joyfully look for the good in life and in peope, do not get discouraged.
What kinds of trials are out there for everyone?
-finances
-fear
-stress
-rude people
-work
-love
-cars
*Everything happens for a reason
*Life goal: to be like Jesus Christ
* We go through trials because it's to see if we can handle something great to come.
*"Action is a cure for fear"
*"We don't go through life, we grow through it"
*"Whether or not you know it, the trials you are going through now are preparing you for the road ahead. They may not seem important at the time, but they are shaping the future you."
-Be positive, laugh, help others, be like Christ, joyfully look for the good in life and in peope, do not get discouraged.
What kinds of trials are out there for everyone?
-finances
-fear
-stress
-rude people
-work
-love
-cars
*Everything happens for a reason
*Life goal: to be like Jesus Christ
* We go through trials because it's to see if we can handle something great to come.
*"Action is a cure for fear"
*"We don't go through life, we grow through it"
*"Whether or not you know it, the trials you are going through now are preparing you for the road ahead. They may not seem important at the time, but they are shaping the future you."
Being Self-Reliant
What does this mean?
-having a strong testimony
A lot of things are going to try to shake our faith, for example, in raising a family.
D&C 38:30 "treasure up wisdom", "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"
*You may not see others around, but angels in heaven are silent notes taking of every action.
Something that helps is the concept that practice makes permanent, not perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
*When it gets hard, endure to the end, see the big picture, and remember you're never alone.
*Establish yourself as a person - growing and learning and challenging yourself.
*Establish a habit of prayer before and after sleep, like blessing your meals.
D&C 42:42 "Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer."
D&C 56:17 "Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with yor own hands!"
If we're not self-reliant, we can't help others or give our services.
-having a strong testimony
A lot of things are going to try to shake our faith, for example, in raising a family.
D&C 38:30 "treasure up wisdom", "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"
*You may not see others around, but angels in heaven are silent notes taking of every action.
Something that helps is the concept that practice makes permanent, not perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
*When it gets hard, endure to the end, see the big picture, and remember you're never alone.
*Establish yourself as a person - growing and learning and challenging yourself.
*Establish a habit of prayer before and after sleep, like blessing your meals.
D&C 42:42 "Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer."
D&C 56:17 "Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with yor own hands!"
If we're not self-reliant, we can't help others or give our services.
What's in a Name?
"I shall give this people a name..." (Mosiah 1:11)
What is a nickname? What is the purpose of a nickname?
- identification, personality, or to hide a real name
What is a title?
- for position, and shows a different perspective of identity, "to be distinguished above all other people" because they are obedient.
King Benjamin gave the name of Jesus Christ to his people.
Mosiah 5:7 "ye shall be called the children of Christ"
Mosiah 5:8 "no other name whereby we can be saved"
*We take upon us the name of Christ, we should therefore reflect the obvious characteristics of that name.
*We are His sons and daughters, as well as His friends, and called as such, we should uphold that title with the greatest dignity.
What is a nickname? What is the purpose of a nickname?
- identification, personality, or to hide a real name
What is a title?
- for position, and shows a different perspective of identity, "to be distinguished above all other people" because they are obedient.
King Benjamin gave the name of Jesus Christ to his people.
Mosiah 5:7 "ye shall be called the children of Christ"
Mosiah 5:8 "no other name whereby we can be saved"
*We take upon us the name of Christ, we should therefore reflect the obvious characteristics of that name.
*We are His sons and daughters, as well as His friends, and called as such, we should uphold that title with the greatest dignity.
How to Pray
A prayer does not have to be anything fancy or comparable. Simply talk to your Father.
D&C 9:7-9 "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
Q: What if my prayers aren't being answered?
A: Are you performing the right steps?
1) Pray for guidance
2) Make a decision
3) Get confirmation for that decision
*Remember that the Lord is going to answer in His own time.
*You can pray so you can listen better
*Have faith
D&C 8:1-2 "... assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."
D&C 9:7-9 "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
Q: What if my prayers aren't being answered?
A: Are you performing the right steps?
1) Pray for guidance
2) Make a decision
3) Get confirmation for that decision
*Remember that the Lord is going to answer in His own time.
*You can pray so you can listen better
*Have faith
D&C 8:1-2 "... assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."
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