Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take six to eight minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 1999 General Conference talk and it is called, Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty" by Elder Robert D. Hales. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Hales mentioned the following; The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path. Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents, children, extended family members, leaders, teachers, and individual members of the Church.

The importance of spiritually strengthening families is taught clearly in the scriptures. Father Adam and Mother Eve taught their sons and daughters the gospel. The sacrifices of Abel were accepted by the Lord, whom he loved. Cain, on the other hand, “loved Satan more than God” and committed serious sins. ...

We must understand that each of our children comes with varying gifts and talents. Some, like Abel, seem to be given gifts of faith at birth. Others struggle with every decision they make. As parents, we should never let the searching and struggling of our children make us waver or lose our faith in the Lord.

... In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says that parents are to teach their children “to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old. …

“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:25, 28). As we teach our children the gospel through word and example, our families are spiritually strengthened and fortified.

The words of living prophets are clear regarding our sacred duty to strengthen our families spiritually. In 1995 the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles issued a proclamation to the world, declaring that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. … Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. … Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, [and] to observe the commandments of God” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102; Liahona, June 1996, 10–11).

In February of this year, the First Presidency issued a call to all parents “to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility.”

... With the help of the Lord and His doctrine, all the hurtful effects from challenges a family may meet can be understood and overcome. Whatever the needs of family members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets.

The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path. Countless things can be done within the walls of our homes to strengthen the family.

"Put more quality time and effort in strengthening FAMILY
relationships." - Michael John U. Teh.

... Make our homes a safe place where each family member feels love and a sense of belonging. Realize that each child has varying gifts and abilities; each is an individual requiring special love and care. ...

Elder Harold B. Lee gave us wise counsel: “When you raise your voice in anger, the Spirit departs from your home.” We must never, out of anger, lock the door of our home or our heart to our children. Like the prodigal son, our children need to know that when they come to themselves they can turn to us for love and counsel.

Spend individual time with our children, letting them choose the activity and the subject of conversation. Block out distractions. Encourage our children’s private religious behavior, such as personal prayer, personal scripture study, and fasting for specific needs.

Measure their spiritual growth by observing their demeanor, language, and conduct toward others. Pray daily with our children. Read the scriptures together. ... Read the words of the living prophets and other inspiring articles for children, youth, and adults in Church magazines. We can fill our homes with the sound of worthy music as we sing together from the hymnbook and the Children’s Songbook. Hold family home evening every week. ...

Hold family councils to discuss family plans and concerns. Some of the most effective family councils are one on one with each family member. Help our children know their ideas are important. Listen to them and learn from them.

Invite missionaries to teach less-active or nonmember friends in our homes. Show that we sustain and support Church leaders. Eat together when possible, and have meaningful mealtime discussions. Work together as a family, even if it may be faster and easier to do the job ourselves. Talk with our sons and daughters as we work together. ...

Help our children learn how to build good friendships and make their friends feel welcome in our homes. Get to know the parents of the friends of our children. Teach our children by example how to budget time and resources. Help them learn self-reliance and the importance of preparing for the future. Teach our children the history of our ancestors and of our own family history.

Build family traditions. Plan and carry out meaningful vacations together, considering our children’s needs, talents, and abilities. Help them create happy memories, improve their talents, and build their feelings of self-worth. ... By word and example, teach moral values and a commitment to obeying the commandments. ...

Stay Tuned until next time.

Our Precious Families

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on a October 1974 General Conference talk and it is called, "Our Precious Families" by
Loren C. Dunn. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Brother Dunn mentioned the following, " ... I would like to use as the key to my remarks a quote that President Kimball made on a previous occasion and a theme that he returned to this morning. He said, “The nation is built upon the foundation of its homes and the home upon its families.”

The family - mother and father and the children - is the oldest of all our institutions and stands at the very foundation of our civilization. There can be nothing more precious or enduring than the family. It is obvious that the need exists, however, for the upgrading of the role of parents in the family setting.

... Although we live in an era of transition and change, I believe parents are as anxious and concerned about their children as they have ever been. If the family, then, is the foundation unit in society, perhaps there is need to reaffirm some basic principles.

First, is that parents recognize they have the right to structure the attitudes and conduct of their children - not only the right but the responsibility.

Second, that the principle of work, the work ethic if you please, be taught by the parents in the family setting. Where else is the dignity of work to be taught if not in the home?

And, third, parents have a right to establish the moral and spiritual tone in the family to help family members to realize the importance of living divine principles as a means of accomplishment and of peace of mind.

"each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and
each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our
souls." - David A Bednar.

First, then, the right of parents to structure the attitudes and conduct of their children. Fundamentally this is divine right. God says of Abraham that he “shall surely become a great and mighty nation, …" There are some in the world who might say that such parental influence is repressive and robs the child of its freedom, but quite the opposite is true.

In a New York Times Magazine article, later condensed in Reader’s Digest, William V. Shannon makes the following points: “… Many parents are in conflict as to what their own values are. Others think they know, but lack the confidence to impose discipline in behalf of their values. …”

What is lacking, he says, is not more information on child development, but conviction. Although heredity plays some role in the development of a child, the greater influence “depends on whether parents care enough about their children to assert and defend the necessary values.” The author also says that both mother and father need to put family and home responsibilities first. “Rearing our children is by far the most important task that most of us will ever undertake.”

... The greatest principle to be learned in the family setting is love. If parents will influence and direct and persevere with love, then members of the family will also make that principle a part of all they do. The principle of love can overcome many parental mistakes in the raising of their children. But love should not be confused with lack of conviction.

Secondly, that the principle of work be taught in the family and home setting. There is evidence to support that at least in the United States the problems of stress and tension might be linked to a gradually decreasing average number of hours worked by the labor force. The suggestion is that free time, not work, might be a major cause of stress and tension in individuals.

... Certainly in every home all family members can be given responsibilities that will fall within their ability to accomplish and, at the same time, teach them the satisfaction and dignity of work.

The third point is that parents have the right to teach moral and spiritual principles to their children. In that regard let me quote the following from modern scripture:

“And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.” (D&C 68:25.)

.. These are but three of many principles that should be emphasized in the setting of family and home. The next question is, How do parents get this accomplished?

For members of the Church, the point at which training and communication begin in the family is family home evening. Monday night is set aside for the family and nothing interferes. The father takes the lead but also has other members of the family make preparation and participate. What is said and done depends on the needs of that particular family. The Church publishes some guidelines to help parents teach moral and religious principles to the family and to make them apply in everyday life.

To the nonmember parent who is interested in establishing some kind of similar activity the Church also offers some special help. Living near you are both full-time and part-time missionaries who have been trained in how to hold a family home evening. They will be happy to demonstrate this program in your home at no obligation.

... Of course, these young missionaries are also prepared to teach your family the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in subsequent visits. But if you do not want to continue, that will be your decision. At least you will be left with a program that many outside this Church have already adopted as being beneficial for the family and the home. ..."

If you would like to read this whole talk either now or in your time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1974/10/our-precious-families

Stay Tuned until next time.

Have You EVER Remembered to Forgive Someone in the Past?

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Have you ever remembered to forgive someone in the past ...?

Feel free to ask yourself the following questions now, and then feel free to answer those following questions either now or in your own time. These following questions are focuses on forgiveness in the past.

In the past;

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who misunderstood of something that you have said?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who stopped believing in you for following your dreams?
~ Have you remembered to forgive your friends of their mistakes that has affected several of your choices?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who has bullied you during your childhood years?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who has stopped you from pursuing your righteous desires?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who has bullied you during your youth years?
~ Have you remembered to forgive all or one of the past unhealthy relationships that you had?
~ Have you remembered to forgive your immediate relatives' mistakes that has affected several of your choices?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who didn't kept their promises with you?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who stopped showing their support for you anymore?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who didn't reached your expectations for close friendships?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who didn't reached your expectations for friendships?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who didn't reached your expectations for education?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who didn't reached your expectations for employment?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who has said hurtful words to you?

~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who stopped caring about your accomplishments in life?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who stopped caring about your wellbeing?
~ Have you remembered to forgive someone who has wasted your time?

"We are to be forgiving even when it seems others may not warrant
our forgiveness." - Larry J. Echo Hawk.

Throughout our lives;

~ We may or may not have remembered to forgive certain people who has been in our lives. 

~ We have faced some difficulties when we went ahead to forgive certain people in our lives. 

~ Sometimes we tend to choose to forget about most mistakes that we have made. 

We have a choice to make; whether we choose to forgive or not:

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the people who didn't understand of something that we have said. 

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the people who stopped believing in us for following our dreams.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the friends' mistakes that has affected several of our choices. 

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the people who has bullied us throughout our childhood years.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the people who has stopped us from pursuing our righteous desires. 

~ We may or may not choose to forgive the people who bullied us during our youth years.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive all or one unhealthy past relationships that we had.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive our immediate relatives' mistakes that has affected several of our choices.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who didn't keep their promises with us.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who stopped showing their support for us anymore.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who didn't reached our expectations for our close friendships.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who didn't reached our expectations for friendships.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who didn't reached our expectations for education.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who didn't reached our expectations for employment.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who has said hurtful words to us.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who stopped caring about our accomplishments in life. 

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who stopped caring about our wellbeing.

~ We may or may not choose to forgive someone who wasted our time.

I know that there is a lot more that we could think of reasons why to forgive someone, it is simply our choice to forgive someone, and when we don't forgive someone, we may still feel the emotional hurt of what has been caused. We also need to be forgiving ourselves for our mistakes that we have done wrong if we haven't already. If you cause an emotional hurt to anyone and if you haven't forgiven yourself for it, you can forgive yourself, you can apologize to that individual. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Divine Forgiveness ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Does it matter for us to apply "Divine Forgiveness" while we shall live for the remaining of our lives?

Why do we have "Divine Forgiveness" in our lives? Does someone else knows the purpose of why we have it?

This post focuses on a October 1993 General Conference talk and it is called, 'Divine Forgiveness" by Ronald E. Poelman. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the whole talk. 

Brother Poelman mentioned the following;
"Throughout, we pray for our Father’s forgiveness, for strength to resist temptation, and for inspiration to fill our lives with that which is good and pleasing to the Lord. We seek the forgiveness of individuals whom we may have wronged and attempt restitution to the extent possible.

If our past behavior is such as to affect our standing in the Church, we confess to appropriate Church authorities and, if necessary, submit to Church discipline, which is not for the purpose of punishment only but is intended to heal and renew.

Throughout the repentance process we have feelings of regret, remorse, and guilt, which cause us to suffer. However, our individual suffering does not satisfy the demands of justice which follow disobedience to divine law. We cannot pay the price for our sins.

The resurrected Christ has said, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent” (D&C 19:16). ...

"WE CAN FORGIVE and we can be free." - Kevin R. Duncan.

The Lord’s gift of forgiveness, however, is not complete until it is accepted. True and complete repentance is a process by which we may become reconciled with God and accept the divine gift of forgiveness.

... The effect of the infinite, atoning sacrifice was twofold: First, resurrection and immortality for all, unconditionally granted. Second, eternal life for each one who fulfills the prescribed conditions, which are faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer, followed by repentance.

Then we must qualify for and receive the saving and exalting ordinances of the gospel with their associated covenants, continuously striving to keep those covenants and obey the commandments of God.

Being mortal, and despite our resolve and efforts, we will continue to fall short of perfection. However, with Nephi of old, conscious of our weaknesses, temptations, and past mistakes, we may say, “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted” (2 Nephi 4:19). ...

Essential to receiving divine forgiveness are personal, individual recognition and acceptance of our Father’s mercy, made available to us by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and a renewed covenant to obey the principles of the gospel.

... “[And] the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ” (Mosiah 4:2–3). Each of us may ask, “How may I know that I am forgiven?”

Having completed the steps of repentance, relying upon the grace and mercy of God, it is natural for us to testify of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice and to strive to be an example of the believers.

From Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, we receive these comforting words:
“The relationship between the bearing of testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost and the forgiveness of sins illustrates a glorious gospel truth. It is that whenever faithful saints gain the companionship of the Holy Spirit, they are clean and pure before the Lord, for the Spirit will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Hence, they thereby receive a remission of those sins committed after baptism” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1980, 3:40–41, n. 1).

The central core of the gospel is the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior, which satisfies divine justice and makes operative God’s mercy, resulting in a universal, unconditional resurrection and the possibility of eternal life for each one who accepts Jesus Christ as Redeemer and obeys the principles, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel. ..."

You may or may not like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time. Here's the link to the whole talk below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/divine-forgiveness

Stay Tuned until next time.

Divine Forgiveness ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

What is your definition and understanding of "Divine Forgiveness" ? 

What would "Divine Forgiveness" means to an immediate family member?

What would "Divine Forgiveness" means to a friend?

This post focuses on a October 1993 General Conference talk and it is called, 'Divine Forgiveness" by Ronald E. Poelman. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the whole talk. 

Brother Poelman mentioned the following; 

"The Savior of the world, the Redeemer of all God’s children, Jesus of Nazareth, has power to forgive sins. His own witness of such power is recorded in the New Testament. His Apostles Peter and Paul testified of this truth, as did also the prophets of the Book of Mormon and of modern times.

Through the centuries, many have received great joy and peace of mind through understanding and accepting the Lord’s forgiveness. Yet, many others apparently continue to bear the burden of guilt, remorse, and self-doubt because of an incomplete understanding and testimony of the doctrine of Christ.

... The underlying assumption seemed to be that divine forgiveness is obtained through those steps of repentance limited to changing one’s behavior. 

... Others, to my knowledge, are burdened by past mistakes, large and small, because of an incomplete or incorrect understanding of our Father’s plan of redemption and mercy. Those so burdened may unnecessarily struggle through life without the joy and peace of mind which are the intended result of true repentance and divine forgiveness.

One who assumes that he can or must pay the price for his sins and thereby earn divine forgiveness will not feel free to continue progress toward realizing his divine potential, that is, eternal life. The fact is we cannot save ourselves.

The best source through which a correct understanding of how forgiveness may be obtained is the Book of Mormon. Let us consider some examples of its teachings.

"We all fall short and have need of GRACE, MERCY, AND
FORGIVENESS." - Kevin R. Duncan.

... Father Lehi teaches us that the divine purpose of our mortal probation requires us to experience opposition in all things and, knowing good from evil, to exercise our moral agency, make choices, and be accountable for the consequences (see 2 Nephi. 2).

We learn from the prophet Alma that we are subject to divine law, which all have transgressed in some respect, making us subject to the demands of justice (see Alma 42:14, 18). 

God’s justice is based upon divine laws, under which we receive what we deserve according to our disobedience or obedience to the law.

Justice affords no forgiveness for transgressors but imposes penalties (see D&C 82:4). 

None is exempt (see D&C 107:84). After all we can do to repent, we are still subject to the demands of justice and its penalties, which we cannot satisfy.

However, we learn from Alma of our Father’s plan of mercy, whereby the Son of God would atone for the sins of the world and “appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (Alma 42:15).

The Savior’s vicarious sacrifice satisfies the justice of God. Therefore, God extends his mercy, whereby we may receive forgiveness of our personal transgressions through faith in the Redeemer, followed by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Father Lehi taught his son Jacob: 

“Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. “Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (2 Nephi. 2:6–7).

The beginning and completion of repentance leading to forgiveness is faith in Jesus Christ, who is the “author and the finisher of [our] faith” (Moroni. 6:4). Our faith in him as Savior and Redeemer engenders in us godly sorrow for our transgressions, a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and a sense of personal accountability. There follows a change in attitude and a turning toward God.

We resolve to forsake disobedience, even carelessness, and strive better to know and love our Father in Heaven and to obey his laws and commandments."

Stay Tuned until next time.

“Of You It Is Required to Forgive”

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on October 1980 General Conference talk and it is called, "Of You It Is Required to Forgive" by Gordon B. Hinckley. I would like to share with you some highlights of what I liked while I was reading the talk. 

Brother Hinckley mentioned the following; 

"... Now in 1980, as we draw the curtain on 150 years of our history, it becomes us as a grateful people to reach out with a spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and compassion toward those whom we have felt may have wronged us.

We have need of this. The whole world has need of it. It is of the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught it. He exemplified it as none other has exemplified it. In the time of his agony on the cross of Calvary, with vile and hateful accusers before him, they who had brought him to this terrible crucifixion, he cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

None of us is called on to forgive so generously, but each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy. .. “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

“I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. 

.... In that first year of the organization of the Church, when the Prophet Joseph Smith was repeatedly arrested and tried on false charges by those who sought to injure him, the Lord said to him through revelation, “Whosoever shall go to law with thee shall be cursed by the law” (D&C 24:17). I have seen that in our time among some of those who have vindictively pursued their nurtured grudges. Even among some of those who win their contests there appears to be little peace of mind, and while they may have gained dollars, they have lost something more precious.

... With variations of characters and circumstances that story could be repeated many times over in our own day. How difficult it is for any of us to forgive those who have injured us. We are all prone to brood on the evil done us. That brooding becomes as a gnawing and destructive canker. Is there a virtue more in need of application in our time than the virtue of forgiving and forgetting? There are those who would look upon this as a sign of weakness. Is it? I submit that it takes neither strength nor intelligence to brood in anger over wrongs suffered, to go through life with a spirit of vindictiveness, to dissipate one’s abilities in planning retribution. There is no peace in the nursing of a grudge. There is no happiness in living for the day when you can “get even.”

... Not long ago I listened at length to a couple who sat across the desk from me. There was bitterness between them. I know that at one time their love was deep and true. But each had developed a habit of speaking of the faults of the other. Unwilling to forgive the kind of mistakes we all make, and unwilling to forget them and live above them with forbearance, they had carped at one another until the love they once knew had been smothered. It had turned to ashes with the decree of a so-called no fault divorce. Now there is only loneliness and recrimination. I am satisfied that had there been even a small measure of repentance and forgiveness, they would still be together, enjoying the companionship that had so richly blessed their earlier years.

"Seek forgiveness accomplishes miracles that can happen
in no other way." - Gordon B. Hinckley.

If there be any within the sound of my voice who nurture in their hearts the poisonous brew of enmity toward another, I plead with you to ask the Lord for strength to forgive. This expression of desire will be of the very substance of your repentance. It may not be easy, and it may not come quickly. But if you will seek it with sincerity and cultivate it, it will come. And even though he whom you have forgiven continues to pursue and threaten you, you will know you have done what you could to effect a reconciliation. There will come into your heart a peace otherwise unattainable. 

... I know of no more beautiful story in all literature than that found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. It is the story of a repentant son and a forgiving father. ... I ask you to read that story. Every parent ought to read it again and again. 

It is large enough to encompass every household, and enough larger than that to encompass all mankind, for are we not all prodigal sons and daughters who need to repent and partake of the forgiving mercy of our Heavenly Father and then follow his example?

His Beloved Son, our Redeemer, reaches out to us in forgiveness and mercy, but in so doing he commands repentance. A true and magnanimous spirit of forgiveness will become an expression of that required repentance. ... “Therefore, I command you to repent ..." “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I: “Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit. … Such is the commandment, and such is the promise of him who in his great exemplary prayer, pleaded, “Father, … forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (see Matt. 6:9, 12).

... We all have a little of this spirit of revenge in us. Fortunately we all have the power to rise above it, if we will “clothe [ourselves] with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace” (D&C 88:125).

... There is no peace in harboring old grudges. There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness. This is the sweet peace of the Christ, who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9)."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1980/10/of-you-it-is-required-to-forgive

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Great Things Required of Their Fathers ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take six to eight minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 1981 General Conference talk and it is called, "Great Things Required of Their Fathers," by Ezra Taft Benson. This post is post two and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

President Benson mentioned the following; "Fathers, what is the spirit in your homes?

Second,

teach your children to understand principles of truth. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph, the Lord directed fathers to bring up their children in light and truth. He rebuked several because of their failure to do so. ...

In this revelation the Lord states that Satan “cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.” (D&C 93:39.) ...

We must remember this world is a telestial environment. Our children grow up in this environment. ... They are barraged with slogans and advertising designed to induce them to practices that rob them of spirituality. 

... Too often television and movie screens shape our children’s values. We should not assume that public schools always reinforce teachings given in the home concerning ethical and moral conduct. We have seen introduced into many school systems false ideas about the theory of man’s development from lower forms of life, teachings that there are no absolute moral values, repudiation of all beliefs regarded as supernatural, permissiveness about sexual freedom that gives sanction to immoral behavior and “alternative life-styles” such as lesbianism, homosexuality, and other perverse practices.

Such teachings not only tend to undermine the faith and morals of our young people, but they deny the existence of God, who gave absolute laws, and the divinity of Jesus Christ. ...

There is a solution, and it is that the Lord expects great things from the fathers of Israel. Fathers must take time to find out what their children are being taught and then take steps to correct false information and teaching.

I know fathers who inquire of their children each evening to determine firsthand what their children are being taught in school and what needs to be corrected. Then, if necessary, they instruct them in what the Lord has revealed. This is application of the principle that “light and truth forsake that evil one.” (D&C 93:37.)

The new consolidated Sunday meeting schedule has been implemented to give fathers more time on the Sabbath to teach their children. This is a golden opportunity for families to study the scriptures and receive instruction from their parents. Blessed is the household that does this on a consistent basis.

"There is no other relationship quite like that which can
and should exist between a boy and hi dad."
- Elder M. Russell Ballard.

What should we teach? The Lord has revealed the specific curriculum that parents should teach. Hear His words: “Teach … unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence.” (Moses 6:57.)

... Brethren, we are to teach the fundamental doctrines of the Church in such a way that our children may understand. Some fathers teach, but their children do not understand. This places responsibility on fathers to study and learn the gospel.

With few exceptions, righteous sons and daughters who have attained eternal blessings are not just physically begotten by their fathers. They are spiritually regenerated by the examples and teachings of their fathers."

Great fathers lead their children to Christ.

Third, 

set in order your own household. Such was the Lord’s counsel to fathers in early Church history, and such is His timely counsel to us today!

Setting your home in order is keeping the commandments of God. This brings harmony and love in the home between you and your companion and between you and your children. It is daily family prayer. It is teaching your family to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is each family member keeping the commandments of God. It is you and your companion being worthy to receive a temple recommend, all family members receiving the ordinances of exaltation, and your family being sealed together for eternity. It is being free from excessive debt, with family members paying honest tithes and offerings.

Fathers, are your homes in order?

In a revelation given to President John Taylor, the Lord directed this message to the priesthood: “I call upon the heads of families to put their houses in order according to the law of God, … and to purify themselves before me, and to purge out iniquity from their households. And I will bless and be with you, saith the Lord, and ye shall gather together in your holy places wherein ye assemble to call upon me, and ye shall ask for such things as are right, and I will hear your prayers, and my Spirit and power shall be with you, and my blessing shall rest upon you, upon your families, your dwellings and your households, ... upon all that pertains to you; ...” (Revelation given through President John Taylor, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, October 13th, 1882, typeset ms. in Church Historical Department Archives, pp. 2–3.)

Yes, these times require great things from fathers, and so does the Lord. Three requirements are: create a home where love and the Spirit of the Lord may abide; bring up children in light and truth; and set your homes in order.

The sacred title of “father” is shared with the Almighty. In the Church men are called and released. Did you ever hear of a mortal father being released?

... Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters.

I know of one family who has as its goal that each member of the family and posterity will arrive in their heavenly home the celestial kingdom with no vacant chairs. That is their objective. They review it at every family reunion and mention it frequently as they mingle together between reunions. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers

Happy Father's Day for upcoming Sunday to all the Fathers around the world.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Great Things Required of Their Fathers ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on a April 1981 General Conference talk and it is called, "Great Things Required of Their Fathers," by Ezra Taft Benson. This post is post one and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

President Benson mentioned the following; "When the Lord declared that “power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable,” He revealed that this period of childhood and unaccountability was given to children so that “great things may be required at the hand of their fathers.” (See D&C 29:47–48.)

“That great things may be required at the hand of their fathers”! What confidence the Lord has in fathers, and what a responsibility He has placed on fathers! Great things are required of fathers today.

When I think of fathers, I think of Adam progenitor of us all who faithfully taught his posterity in the ways of righteousness. ...

I wish to speak on this occasion to you fathers about three particular things that the Lord requires of us. These are things that every father with an ordinary amount of diligence may do. If we will do them, our homes will be blessed with peace, our names will be proudly borne by our descendants, and our association with our family may be eternal.

Fathers, what great things does the Lord require of us?

First, 

provide a home where love and the Spirit of the Lord may abide. Children are born innocent, not evil. They are not sent to earth, however, to neutral environments. They are sent to homes that, for good or evil, influence their ideas, emotions, thoughts, and standards, by which future choices will be made.

One great thing the Lord requires of each of us is to provide a home where a happy, positive influence for good exists. ... It will greatly matter whether there was happiness and laughter, or bickering and contention.

I am convinced that before a child can be influenced for good by his or her parents, there must be a demonstration of respect and love.

President Joseph F. Smith said: “Fathers, if you wish your children to be taught in the principles of the gospel, … if you wish them to be obedient to and united with you, love them! and prove to them that you do love them by your every word or act to them. For your own sake, for the love that should exist between you and your boys—however wayward they might be, … when you speak or talk to them, do it not in anger; do it not harshly, in a condemning spirit. Speak to them kindly; get down and weep with them, if necessary, and get them to shed tears with you if possible. Soften their hearts; get them to feel tenderly towards you. Use no lash and no violence, but … approach them with reason, with persuasion and love unfeigned. With this means, if you cannot gain your boys and your girls, … there will be no means left in the world by which you can win them to yourselves.” (Liahona, The Elders’ Journal, 17 Oct. 1911, pp. 260–61.)

Many suggestions could be enumerated as to what we can and should do to make our homes places of refuge and happiness. ...
Once you determine that a high priority in your life is to see that your wife and your children are happy, then you will do all in your power to do so. I am not just speaking of satisfying material desires, but of filling other vital needs such as appreciation, compliments, comforting, encouraging, listening, and giving love and affection.

If with pleasure you are viewing; Anything your child is doing, If you like him, if you love him, Let him know. Don’t withhold appreciation Until others give expression—If he wins your commendation, Tell him so. ...

So if you think some praise is due him, Now’s the time to give it to him; Tie him close with loving language, From his dad. Your supreme opportunity in life is fatherhood! ...



“When one puts businesses or pleasure, or the earning of additional income, above his home, he that moment starts on the downgrade to soul weakness. When the club becomes more attractive to any man than his home, it is time for him to confess in bitter shame that he has failed to measure up to the supreme opportunity of his life, and flunked in the final test of true manhood.

... "In such a home God can work miracles, and will work miracles. Pure hearts in a pure home are always in whispering distance of Heaven.”

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Role of Fathers

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take six to eight minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a October 1973 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Role of Fathers" by

A. Theodore Tuttle. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Tuttle mentioned the following, "... In reality, each family is a dominion within itself. ... Properly organized in the Church, the father is the patriarch of an eternal family unit. Heaven, to us, will be simply an extension of an ideal home. ...

A worthy father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood should be encouraged to name and bless his children. He should administer to the sick in his home. The father may baptize, confirm, and ordain his children, at the invitation of his file leader in the Church. He may give a father’s blessing. President Joseph Fielding Smith has said:

“A faithful father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood may bless his own children, and that would be a patriarchal (father’s) blessing. Such blessing could be recorded in the family records, but it would not be preserved in the archives of the Church. … in addition, children may receive a blessing by an ordained patriarch. A father blessing his own child could, if he received the inspiration to do so, declare the lineage of the child. As the Patriarch of his home, a father is also a revelator to his family … and, … in this sense stands in line to receive the revelations from the Lord for the good and blessing of that family.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:172.)

The father exercises his spiritual leadership in the home by calling his family to prayer each morning and evening. Weekly family home evening, likewise, is called and presided over by the father, though all others participate.

The father is the protector of the home. He guards it against the intrusion of evil from without. ... It is not an easy thing to protect one’s family against intrusions of evil into the minds and spirits of family members. These influences can and do flow freely into the home. ... Fathers, you will have to live close to the Lord. Develop a sensitivity to the impressions of the Spirit.

There is yet another intrusion into the home that needs to be mentioned. It is an unwise father who carries to his family his daily business cares. They disturb the peace existing there. He should leave his worries at the office and enter his home with the spirit of peace in his heart and with the love of God burning within him. If there is friction, his presence should soothe it. If there is turmoil, he should resolve it.

... Fathers, draw close to your children. Learn to communicate. Learn to listen. This means giving a father’s most valuable commodity time! Only good results occur when a father interviews his sons and daughters regularly. He can know their problems and their hopes. He can align himself with them as their unconditional friend. To the extent we become friends with our children in unconditional love, to that extent we become like our Heavenly Father.

... God help us to be real companions. A father is a teacher. The Lord has commanded sons and daughters to honor their parents and to give heed to their counsel. The words that open that great volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, ought to be our guide as fathers: “… having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father.” (1 Ne. 1:1.)

... Have you fathers noticed that the present Melchizedek Priesthood lessons are like father-training lessons? I cite an example:

“One father and son have an agreement that the son will be in at a specified time. Before the parents retire they set the alarm for that time with the understanding that the son is to turn the alarm off before it rings when he comes home. If it does go off, the son knows that his parents will be waiting for him and further, he will not have the privilege of going out for two weeks. Follow-through on the agreement between them is the key that creates better understanding.” (“The Savior, the Priesthood, and You,” Melchizedek Priesthood quorums’ course of study for 1973–74, p. 237.)

"THE FAMILY RELATIONSHIP is fraught with much challenge
and some adversity. It is, nevertheless, blessed with that supreme
JOY that can come only to a FATHER." - A Theodore Tuttle.

.. Discipline is part of the process of governing children. The Lord has told us how:

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.” (D&C 121:43.)

There has been no better statement of a father-child relationship. When a father wisely corrects his son, it proves his love. Only the unwise foolishly indulge their sons and withhold proper discipline.

And finally, the father is to be an example of the highest Christian virtues. To walk uprightly in the admonition of the Lord requires not only patience and forebearance, but an exercise in constant practice of all the Christian virtues by each family member. Perhaps the Lord knew this when he instituted the family. A man needs the responsibility of a wife and family. He needs the responsibility of being an example of righteousness. There is wisdom in this requirement. This kind of gentle persuasion is needed to keep a father “on course” and gently guide him toward perfection.

... I am grateful indeed to see the emphasis given by the Church leaders today on the place and position of fathers. There has never been a time in the history of the Church when the importance and place of the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums have been emphasized more and where the activity of fathers has been stressed so much. I know that this is inspired direction by our leaders today. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1973/10/the-role-of-fathers

Stay Tuned until next time.

Happiness Is Having a Father Who Cares ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on a October 1973 General Conference talk and it is called, "Happiness Is Having a Father Who Cares" by James E. Faust. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Faust mentioned the following;

"... In this Church we have another father like relationship with our bishops who are the spiritual fathers of the wards. ... The exalted position of a father was well stated by General Douglas MacArthur who said, “By profession, I am a soldier and take pride in that fact, but I am prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build. A father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me, not for the battle, but in the home repeating with him, our simple, daily prayer, ‘Our Father Who art in Heaven.’” (Emerson Roy West, Vital Quotations, Bookcraft, Inc., 1968.)

It is important to remember that in this Church, the husbands and fathers, and members of the family through them, enjoy a power and influence in their lives, far beyond the natural gifts of intellect and character of the father. I refer to the priesthood of God, which every worthy man and boy over 12 years of age enjoys.

... It is through the power of the priesthood that marriage and the family unit can extend into and continue throughout all eternity. The conscientious women of this Church wish to have such a righteous influence in abundance in their homes.

"A family needs a father to anchor it." - L. Tom Perry.

... Until you honored the priesthood, the greatest blessings of eternity would not open up for us. Now they have. We all love you very much and we thank you with all our hearts for what you have made possible for us.”

... Elder Richard L. Evans gave the proper dimension for all fathers in this faith when he said, “First of all, fathers are for giving a name and a heritage to their children—clean and honorable. Fathers are for long, hard work. Mostly their own kind of work. For not being home so much as mothers; for seeming to be pretty busy; and for trying to give their children the things their fathers never had.


Fathers are for talking with, for encouraging; for putting arms around; for understanding mistakes, but not condoning them; for disciplining when needed, then loving all the more; for being strong and forceful, and for being tender and gentle.” (Emerson Roy West, Vital Quotations.)

It is always appropriate in all family relationships to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Having turned to the scriptures for the answer to this question, President [Marion G.] Romney testifies, “There in the gospel as recorded by St. John, I found the clear and certain answer: Jesus would always do the will of his Father. ‘For I do always those things that please him.’” (John 8:29.)

God bless you children to have listening ears and understanding hearts. God bless you mothers for the endless dimension of your love and for all of the help you give the fathers of your children. God bless you fathers to be equal to your overwhelming responsibilities and to have a father’s special caring for each one under your protective arms. ..."

You may would like to or may not read the whole talk now or in your own time. Here's the link to the whole talk below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1973/10/happiness-is-having-a-father-who-cares

Stay Tuned until next time.

Happiness Is Having a Father Who Cares ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

First and foremost; if any of my immediate relatives, extended relatives and Australian friends are reading the post title, and were wondering why. Well over here in US - Father's Day is celebrated on upcoming Sunday. This week's topic would focuses on Fathers. A week prior to Father's Day for Australia this year, I would be doing the same topic that focuses on Fathers again.

This post focuses on a October 1973 General Conference talk and it is called, "Happiness Is Having a Father Who Cares" by James E. Faust. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Faust mentioned the following;
"Recently a father of a family of six children, who has had the sole responsibility for raising the family, beginning when the youngest was in diapers, told of the struggles in raising the family alone. One night he came home from work, faced with the problems of being both father and mother and felt unusually burdened with his responsibilities. One of his appreciative little girls, age 12 years, approached him eagerly, after having laid a rock on his dresser, which she had painted at school. On the flat portion of the rock she had written, “Happiness is having a dad who cares.” This painted rock and its sublime message instantly and permanently lightened the burden of this father.

... President Richards continued: “For generations in the Church, we have been endeavoring to do just what the judge advocates, to put and keep the father at the head of the family, and with all our might, we have been trying to make him fit for that high and heavy responsibility.” Since the primary purpose of the Church is to help the family and its members, how well the father functions in his responsibility is of utmost importance.

In urging that the fathers be put back at the head of their homes, we wish to take nothing away from mothers. In all the world, there is no higher or greater honor or responsibility than motherhood. It is to be hoped that they too will have their powerful influence extended to even a greater degree within the home and beyond the home.

"A Father's duty is to make his home a place of Happiness
and Joy." - Ezra Taft Benson.

In order to strengthen the father in his position, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts.

There are some voices in our society who would demean some of the attributes of masculinity. ... Let every mother understand that if she does anything to diminish her children’s father or the father’s image in the eyes of the children, it may injure and do irreparable damage to the self-esteem and personal security of the children themselves. How infinitely more productive and satisfying it is for a woman to build up her husband rather than tear him down. ...



In terms of giving to fathers love and understanding, it should be remembered that fathers also have times of insecurity and doubt. Everyone knows fathers make mistakes especially they themselves. Fathers are in need of all the help they can get; mostly they need love, support, and understanding from their own.

President Harold B. Lee has said, “Most men do not set priorities to guide them in allocating their time and most men forget that the first priority should be to maintain their own spiritual and physical strength; then comes their family; then the Church and then their professions, and all need time.”

In giving time to his children, a father should be able to demonstrate that he has enough love for his children to command as well as discipline them. Children want and need discipline. ... Wise discipline reinforces the dimensions of eternal love. This reinforcement will bring great security and stability into their lives."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Count Your Blessings NOT Your Problems

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Throughout our lives, we all receive blessings, and we all experience problems.

Blessings

How often did you counted your past blessings? How did you received some of those past blessings?
Does receiving blessings really matters to us in our lives? In what type of ways do you think you can receive more blessings in the near future and in the future? Why do we receive blessings throughout our lives?

Sometimes our lives is filled with distractions that stops us from finding some spare time to ourselves to think about, reflect on and write down some of the blessings that we have received throughout our lives. I know that my immediate family members, my husband, my in-laws, my friends and past experiences has been the biggest blessings in my life. Past experiences has helped me to overcome them, and I have been able to learn so much from them.

My immediate family members has been mostly there for me when I needed them to. Their support, their love, their sacrifices and their appreciations to me has made me feel so grateful that they are my immediate family. I do my best to show my support, love, making sacrifices and sharing appreciations to my immediate family members.

My husband's support, his love, his sacrifices, and his appreciations to me has made me feel so grateful that he is my husband. I often do my best to show my support, love, making sacrifices and sharing appreciations to my husband.

Count your blessings, NOT your problems.

Problems

Why do you think that we have problems throughout our lives? How often did you counted your past problems? Do you remember how you have faced some of those past problems? Does problems really matters to us in our lives? What type of problems do you think that you would face in the near future and in the future?

I try not to think about some of the problems that I have faced in the past. Whenever I do think about those problems, I considered them as learning lessons. Most of those past problems has helped me to build confidence for me to do better, and become a better person each day. I know that I don't want to face the same problem twice or multiple times.

It has been so strange for me to not make so many friends roughly the same age as me and my husband while I have been living over here in US than I did made many friends in Australia. I am still grateful for the friends that I already have met and made, and do my best to stay in touch with several true closest friends.

Remember to acknowledge, count and appreciate the blessings that you do receive, even if it is a massive blessing or a small blessing. If you have a journal, you can write down the date of the day and write down the blessings that you have received throughout the day. Just being alive is certainly a blessing - I mean like waking up in the morning is a blessing too.

We do face distractions in our lives, and it doesn't stop us from facing problems throughout our lives. I would like to encourage you to do your best to see the positive side of the next problem that you do face. Remember that you aren't facing problems alone.

Stay Tuned until next time.

From Whom All Blessings Flow

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on April 1997 General Conference talk and it is called, “From Whom All Blessings Flow” by Neal A. Maxwell. I would like to share some of the highlights that I have read throughout the talk. 

Brother Maxwell mentioned the following: "... Brothers and sisters, if I have any entitlement to the blessings of God, it has long since been settled in the court of small claims by His generous bestowals over a lifetime.

... Uncertainty as to our longevity is one of life’s basic realities for all of us. Hence, you and I should importune in faith for the blessings we deeply desire, but then be “content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto [us]”. Clearly our individual exit routes from this life vary; so does the timing.

There are many who suffer so much more than the rest of us: some go agonizingly; some go quickly; some are healed; some are given more time; some seem to linger. There are variations in our trials but no immunities. Thus, the scriptures cite the fiery furnace and fiery trials. ... Even so, brothers and sisters, such emerging individuals do not rush to line up in front of another fiery furnace in order to get an extra turn! 

... The redeeming presence of our loving Father-God in the universe is the grand fact pertaining to the human condition. It is the supernal truth which, along with His plan of happiness, reigns preeminent and imperial over all other realities. Other truths, by comparison, are merely fleeting factoids about which we may be “ever learning” without coming to a knowledge of the grand truths.

"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should
also make our blessings count." - Neal A. Maxwell.

Mortal experience points evermore to the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the central act of all human history. ... When we take Jesus’ yoke upon us, this admits us eventually to what Paul called the “fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings”.

Whether illness or aloneness, injustice or rejection, etc., our comparatively small-scale sufferings, if we are meek, will sink into the very marrow of the soul. We then better appreciate not only Jesus’ sufferings for us, but also His matchless character, moving us to greater adoration and even emulation.

                                                                                                                  Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has already borne our griefs and sicknesses. He knows them firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement remains the rescuing and reassuring reality.

No wonder, of all the things for which we might praise Jesus when He comes again in majesty and power, we will praise Him for His “loving kindness” and His “goodness”; moreover, we will go on praising Him for ever and ever! We will never need to be coaxed.

... Finally, my humble praise today flows not only to God the Father for His loving plan of salvation and to Jesus, the Lord of the universe, for His marvelous and remarkable Atonement, but also to the Holy Ghost, about whom we speak less. ...."

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

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1997/04/from-whom-all-blessings-flow

Stay Tuned until next time.

Consider The Blessings ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post may seem short and sweet. This post focuses on October 2012 General Conference and it is called, "Consider The Blessings" by President Thomas S. Monson. This post is part two and I would like to share some highlights from what I have read.

President Monson mentioned the following;
"I have learned, as I have mentioned in previous messages, never to postpone a prompting. On one occasion many years ago, I was swimming laps at the old Deseret Gym in Salt Lake City when I felt the inspiration to go to the University Hospital to visit a good friend of mine who had lost the use of his lower limbs because of a malignancy and the surgery which followed. I immediately left the pool, dressed, and was soon on my way to see this good man.

When I arrived at his room, I found that it was empty. Upon inquiry I learned I would probably find him in the swimming pool area of the hospital, an area which was used for physical therapy. Such turned out to be the case. He had guided himself there in his wheelchair and was the only occupant of the room. He was on the far side of the pool, near the deep end. I called to him, and he maneuvered his wheelchair over to greet me. We had an enjoyable visit, and I accompanied him back to his hospital room, where I gave him a blessing.

I learned later from my friend that he had been utterly despondent that day and had been contemplating taking his own life. He had prayed for relief but began to feel that his prayers had gone unanswered. He went to the pool with the thought that this would be a way to end his misery—by guiding his wheelchair into the deep end of the pool. I had arrived at a critical moment, in response to what I know was inspiration from on high.

My friend was able to live many more years - years filled with happiness and gratitude. How pleased I am to have been an instrument in the Lord’s hands on that critical day at the swimming pool. ...

"The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that
continually surround us." - James E. Faust.

The opportunity to be a blessing in the life of another often comes unexpectedly. ... Again, my brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives. ...

My brothers and sisters, the Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us. May we be aware of His blessings in our lives, ..."

If you would like to read this whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2012/10/consider-the-blessings

Stay Tuned until next time.

Consider The Blessings ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Have you considered some of the past blessings was for your own good?
What did you learn from receiving some of your past blessings?

This post may seem short and sweet. This post focuses on October 2012 General Conference and it is called, "Consider The Blessings" by President Thomas S. Monson. This post is part one and I would like to share some highlights from what I have read.

President Monson mentioned the following,
"My beloved brothers and sisters, this conference marks 49 years since I was sustained, on October 4, 1963, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Forty-nine years is a long time. In many ways, however, the time seems very short since I stood at the pulpit in the Tabernacle and gave my very first general conference address.

Much has changed since October 4, 1963. We live in a unique time in the world’s history. We are blessed with so very much. And yet it is sometimes difficult to view the problems and permissiveness around us and not become discouraged. I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness.

As I have reviewed the past 49 years, I have made some discoveries. One is that countless experiences I have had were not necessarily those one would consider extraordinary. In fact, at the time they transpired, they often seemed unremarkable and even ordinary. And yet, in retrospect, they enriched and blessed lives not the least of which was my own. I would recommend this same exercise to you namely, that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received.

... I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered and by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness. Hasn’t He promised us, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers”?

"Take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the BLESSINGS, large and
small, you have received." - President Thomas S. Monson. October 7, 2012.

... My brothers and sisters, the Lord’s purposes are often accomplished as we pay heed to the guidance of the Spirit. I believe that the more we act upon the inspiration and impressions which come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us His errands.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Abound with Blessings

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

What is your definition and understanding of "Abound with Blessings"? 

This post focuses on a April 2019 General Conference talk and it is called, "Abound with Blessings" by Elder Dale G. Renlund. I would like to share with you some highlights what I have learned throughout this post. 

Elder Renlund mentioned the following, "My dear brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to bless each of us. ... Some contend that blessings are completely earned; we receive them only through our works. Others argue that God has already chosen who He will bless and how and that these determinations are unchangeable. ... Restored truth reveals that blessings are never earned, but faith-inspired actions on our part, both initial and ongoing, are essential.

... most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part - action based on our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and of power. First we act in faith; then the power comes according to God’s will and timing. The sequence is crucial. The required action, though, is always tiny when compared to the blessings we ultimately receive. 

... The principle of activating blessings that flow from God is eternal. ... God has revealed that “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” ... In fact, it can be seen in heaven because small acts of faith are required to ignite God’s promises.

"Faithfully activate Heavenly power to receive specific blessings
from God." - Dale G. Renlund.

To receive a desired blessing from God, act with faith, striking the metaphorical match on which the heavenly blessing is contingent. For example, one of the objects of prayer is to secure blessings that God is willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking. 

... Often, the activation energy needed for blessings requires more than just looking or asking; ongoing, repeated, faith-filled actions are required. ..

... Small actions fuel our ability to walk along the covenant path and lead to the greatest blessings God can offer. But oxygen flows only if we figuratively keep moving our feet.

... And sometimes we need to “be still and know that [God is] God” and trust in His timing.

When you receive any blessing from God, you can conclude that you have complied with an eternal law governing reception of that blessing. But remember that the “irrevocably decreed” law is time insensitive, meaning blessings come on God’s timetable. 

.. If a desired blessing from God has not been received yet you do not need to go crazy, wondering what more you need to do. Instead, heed Joseph Smith’s counsel to “cheerfully do all things that lie in [your] power; and then … stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the … arm [of God] … revealed.”25 Some blessings are reserved for later, even for the most valiant of God’s children.26

Six months ago a home-centered, Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and fortify individuals and families was introduced. President Russell M. Nelson promised that the changes can help us survive spiritually, increase our gospel joy, and deepen our conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.27 But it is up to us to claim these blessings. We are each responsible to open and study Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, along with the scriptures and other Come, Follow Me material.28 

... I invite you to faithfully activate heavenly power to receive specific blessings from God. Exercise the faith to strike the match and light the fire. Supply the needed oxygen while you patiently wait on the Lord. .."

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

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/41renlund

Stay Tuned until next time.