Strength of the Spirit

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

The post focuses on April 1974 General Conference talk, and it is called "Strength of the Spirit" by Elder Joseph Anderson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk, and I hope that you would be able to learn something new while reading through this post. 

Elder Anderson has mentioned the following; "... It would seem of the utmost importance that thinking people everywhere should conscientiously reflect upon their spiritual assets. Man is a dual being, spiritual and physical. Whether it be an individual or a nation, he or it cannot achieve permanent success or happiness without spirituality. 

Paul said: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6.) There is a constant battle between the things of the flesh and the things of God the desire for peace and the attractions of the flesh. It is also a well-known fact that in times of prosperity man is often tempted to forget God, but in days of trial and sorrow he prays unto the Lord that his countenance may smile upon him and that the Lord will remember him in the days of his affliction. 

... We need to return to a faith in God and a determination to serve him. ... We are living in an important time in the history of mankind and in the history of the Church. People are confused. There was a time when they were willing to accept the word of their ministers and religious advisers, but that time is changing. 

... We are living in a time of unrest, or fear, in many respects. Men with money are in doubt as to how they should invest it so that it may be safe. Parents of children are concerned as to where their children are and what they are thinking and doing. 

Men and women of religious faith are seeking a church, a doctrine that will satisfy their longing and their desire to find a religion that will satisfy their yearning. ... We cannot expect permanent peace, nor will it come until such time as the hearts of men are turned to peace, and men will not have peace in their hearts until they no longer permit selfishness to be their ruling power. 

... Man must love God and his neighbor as himself. Man the world o’er must recognize that we are all the children of God, truly brothers and sisters, before peace in the true sense will prevail upon the earth. The following is an excerpt from President McKay’s remarks at the Christmas program in the Church Office Building, December 22, 1961: 

“Jesus taught that God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, it is a natural result of continued effort and right thinking, the effect of long cherished association with God-like thoughts. … That man is not at peace who is untrue to the whisperings of Christ and the promptings of his conscience. 

He cannot be at peace when he is untrue to his better self, when he transgresses the law of righteousness in any way, either in dealing with himself or indulging his passions, his appetites, yielding in any way to the temptations of the flesh, or whether he is untrue to a trust imposed upon him, transgressing the law of righteousness in dealing with his fellowmen. 

... Peace is to the individual that he may be at peace with his God, perfect harmony existing between himself and law, the righteous laws to which he is subject and from which he can never escape. … Life is a struggle, really a struggle to gain mastery over these tendencies, ...”

"being deeply loved gives you STRENGTH;
loving deeply gives you COURAGE." - Lao Tzu 

No one can have complete peace in his heart who shuts out of his heart and soul, by harboring immoral thoughts or indulging in improper conduct, those thoughts and actions that pertain to a godlike life. 

... The commandments which have been given by the Lord to his prophets in this dispensation pertain to eternal truth and set forth the mind and will of the Lord to his people in this day and age, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times, preparing a people to be worthy to meet the Lord when he shall come again in power and in glory. 

There are those who would desire to destroy this great nation and its liberties for which our forefathers struggled and fought and bled, ... They seriously question God’s revealed word and seem to have no desire for or interest in matters pertaining to the Spirit, which are of an eternal nature.

The Lord has revealed to us in our time a life-shaping purpose in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is given to us to bless mankind. It is our responsibility to carry its message, the message of salvation and exaltation, the message of freedom and happiness, to all mankind, that none may be left without excuse. 

... While it is only natural and proper that we should desire and seek those things of a temporal nature that tend to make mortal life wholesome and pleasurable, it is of the utmost importance that we keep in mind the great purpose of life, which is to prepare us for eternal life - the salvation and exaltation of the souls of God’s children.

... There is no greater service in which we can be engaged than that of helping our fellowmen and ourselves to attain the glorious salvation which is dependent upon obedience to the principles of righteousness which he has revealed.

... Our lives consist of this act and that act, this experience and that, one accomplishment after another. But if we are to accomplish the great purpose of our earth life, we must have power to resist the forces of the evil one; we must overcome the weaknesses of the flesh; we must distinguish between the physical desires and the spiritual strength, which latter provides the cement that makes possible the accomplishment of life’s purposes and goal.

And what is that life-giving purpose, that goal toward which we should all be striving? ... It is, of course, necessary that we have the physical necessities of life. It is natural that we should want the things that make life, physical life, desirable and pleasurable. 

But if in obtaining such things we neglect those things that are of eternal worth, the spiritual part of life, ... We have failed to recognize the eternal purpose of our existence. We have neglected the cement which is necessary if we are to build a life that will make our calling and election sure—yes, eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Again may I say it is of the utmost importance that people everywhere reflect upon their spiritual assets and spiritual strength, thus preparing themselves for eternal life in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1974/04/strength-of-the-spirit

Stay Tuned until next time.

Developing Inner Strength

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 2002 General Conference talk, and it is called "Developing Inner Strength" by Sister Ellen W. Smoot. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk, and I hope that you would able to learn something new. 

Sister Smoot has mentioned the following; " ... In the blessing President Gordon B. Hinckley gave me when I was set apart, he spoke of the service the Relief Society can render. He said, “This is a tremendous organization, perhaps the largest and oldest of its kind in all the world. 

Its mission is to do good and to help those in distress and need, to bring about the processes of education, good homemaking, and other skills, into the lives of women throughout the world.” We have as our guides the Relief Society declaration; home, family, and personal enrichment meetings; and the visiting teaching program.

These tools have been carefully evaluated and are now in place to help sisters expand their inner strength through service and unity. ... How do you and I become so converted to the truth, so full of faith, so dependent on God that we are able to meet trials and even be strengthened by them?

It does not take much living to find out that life almost never turns out the way you planned it. Adversity and affliction come to everyone. Do you know anyone who would not like to change something about themselves or their circumstances? 

And yet I am sure you know many who go forward with faith. You are drawn to those people, inspired by them, and even strengthened by their examples. ... The declaration reminds us of who we really are and why we do the things we do. The more we live by its precepts, the more inner strength we will have. 

... Fasting, prayer, and scripture study impact our relationship with the Savior. I would like to highlight two more ways we can develop inner strength:

"Your inner strength is your outer
foundation." - Alan Rufus.

Service

When we are truly converted, our focus shifts from self to others. We can find inner strength through service. Nothing would please the adversary more than for us to be distracted by selfish concerns and appetites. But we know better. Service will help us to stay on course.

... Sisters, take a close look at the suggested topics for home, family, and personal enrichment meeting and find ways to build spiritual strength, develop personal skills, strengthen the home and family, and provide gospel service. By so doing, we will become less preoccupied with our problems and more dependent on God.

Unity

Another way we can develop inner strength is by striving for unity in our families, stakes, wards, and presidencies. The Lord Himself taught, “If ye are not one ye are not mine.” Unity of purpose, thought, and feeling are exalting qualities. 

When we can put aside our differences and value each others’ strengths, great things happen. The Prophet Joseph Smith admonished, “Don’t be limited in your views with regard to your neighbor’s virtue. … ” Such generosity of spirit invites greater unity. I have visited stakes and wards that are united. 

The auxiliary presidencies are supporting each other and coordinating their efforts; they are sustaining their priesthood leaders and together striving to bring families to Christ. As the kingdom of God rolls forth, we must unite our efforts in saving souls. As a Relief Society general presidency we are grateful for the new emphasis in visiting teaching. 

The new messages invite sisters to read from their scriptures and from the teachings of the First Presidency and other General Authorities about a principle of the gospel. Sisters are then encouraged to share insights and experiences about how living the principle has blessed their lives.

Sisters, if you will follow this format, you will feel more unity with your companion and with those you teach. You will be strengthened spiritually. No matter our circumstances, who of us can afford to waste our life in front of the mirrors of self-pity and discouragement? 

Yes, as the Apostle Paul admonished, we all need to “examine ourselves” from time to time. We all need to repent, to recognize weaknesses, and more fully come unto Christ. ... But as we do, we will discover God-given strengths that we may not have otherwise known.

President Joseph F. Smith spoke with great feeling of the inner strength of pioneer women. He said: “Death was nothing to them. Hardship was nothing. Cold or rain, or heat, was nothing to them. ... the truth that the Lord had given to them.” ... I am here today to witness to you that such women are all around the world in the Relief Societies of the Church. 

I am grateful beyond measure for the opportunity that is mine to see these women in our time who have “waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth.” With all my heart, I know that the Lord can “make weak things become strong.”... I know that each of us can mirror the Savior by the way we choose to live our lives."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/04/developing-inner-strength

Stay Tuned until next time.

A Season for Strength

  Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on October 1983 General Conference talk, and it is called "A Season for Strength" by Sister Barbara B. Smith. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Sister Smith has mentioned the following; 

"... Although our ages, and stages in life, and circumstances create different challenges, the scriptural words of the beautiful hymn the choir has just sung should be the statement for all of us young and older “The Lord is the strength of my life.” (Ps. 27:1.)

I hope that through this message we will have manifested and affirmed in our hearts the reality that the principles of the gospel are timeless and timely and that eternal truths supply precise answers for our present need. Such needs are notable in their diversity and demanding in their urgency, but in groping for answers we sometimes overlook the evident. 

... When the Lord restored the gospel to the earth in its fulness and purity, he also organized the Church as a means to turn precepts into living principles, to help believers become Saints. And become Saints they did when, as converts, they were drawn by their compelling faith to put precept to the test; and in the strength of the Lord they saw goals achieved, hopes realized, and their own strength grow. 

... While the demands made upon women in pioneer days may seem to be of more heroic proportions than those commonly faced by women today, in a sense we share the whole range of problems - disease, divorce, drugs, death, immorality, economic insecurity, abuse, loneliness, depression, single parenthood and on and on problems with which women have always struggled and with which they must now contend.

We are in a time when the swift changes of our social structure are thrusting enormous challenges upon us. We must remember that the work of women is important and still must be done. The spirit children of God must have the experience of mortality, and that means babies must be wanted, nurtured, loved, and cared for. The Lord has given women a primary responsibility in the establishment of good homes and well-cared-for families. No matter what the challenges are, we must find ways to accomplish this life-giving and eternal work. “Good family life is never an accident; it is always an achievement.”

"With the new day comes NEW STRENGTH and
new thoughts." - Eleanor Roosevelt.

... Our lives require discipline, coping without compromise, conversion of precepts into living principles that will make us saintly. We can see examples about us today. ... Even as the Lord organized the Church, we who have the gospel need to organize our lives to do what has to be done, to become “doers of the word” (James 1:22), and in the doing to come to know strength in the Lord. 

That strength comes when we prepare for his blessings, recognize them, and use his gifts to make his ways our ways. ... By looking closely, we can find in that single incident in Church history some of the gifts God has given to strengthen Latter-day Saint women: revealed truth, priesthood leadership, individual talents, and opportunities for service. 

These are available to every woman and can give us the power to triumph over the most difficult circumstances and move forward in strength. ... In a very real sense, when Joseph Smith knelt in the Sacred Grove and asked his question, it was for each of us. The answer he received provides a sure foundation of fundamental truths upon which we should structure our lives. He also demonstrated that through personal prayer eternal truths answer individual needs. 

Heavenly power can help us understand and relate the timeless to our immediate concerns. Whatever your circumstances, this can be your season of strength, because one of the most compelling concepts in the gospel is that the Savior will come again. ... We must live with constant anticipation of his coming. 

Being ready to receive him is the position of our greatest strength. ... Let it cause us to read the Savior’s words, to search our hearts, and to try to live every principle of righteousness he taught. This will require us to love as he loves. Then, we are told, when he comes we shall know him, for we shall be like him. (See 1 Jn. 3:2.) ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1983/10/a-season-for-strength

Stay Tuned until next time.