Heavenly Father Has Guided Me to Two Other Righteous Desires ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

How has Heavenly Father blessed you with having righteous desires?
How has Heavenly Father blessed your immediate family and extended relatives with having righteous desires?
How has Heavenly Father blessed your friends with having righteous desires?

This post is part one. Sometime after I landed back to Brisbane from living in Perth for short-term in mid 2015; I fasted and prayed about if Heavenly Father would like me to go and serve a full-time mission. I felt a great impression enough for me to gain a strong desire to serve a full-time mission. I was so excited.

I remembered talking to the bishop at the time and he has given me privileged access to fill the full-time mission papers online and I still remembered when I was filling out the mission papers online. I remembered having my Dad by my side to help me with answering some questions, I remembered when I saw my GP doctor for medical examination of my mission papers and it costed FREE.

I remembered getting my dental work done, I had 4 fillings to be done, and x-rays. Unfortunately, I had to pay 40% from the total cost and thanks to my dental insurance at the time paid the remaining 60% of the the total cost. Total ended up costing about less than $100 US dollars. I was able to see my bishop again to give him the medical examination printed copy and the dental work has been completed printed copy as well.

"Desires dictate OUR PRIORITIES Priorities shape our choices
and choices determine OUR ACTIONS" - Dallin H. Oaks.

I had to see him for an interview of my worthiness to serve a full-time mission; he was able to submit approval at his end and referring me to see stake president at the time (who's still stake president today). I was looking forward to the next stage of the full-time mission papers.

I had to see stake president for an interview of my worthiness to serve a full-time mission about a few weeks or so after seeing my bishop. The stake president has requested for me to come in again for another interview, I came in for another interview, then he delayed about submitting my mission papers because he knew that there would be stake boundaries changes was coming up.


                                                                            Eventually, he mentioned about my mission papers has been submitted to Salt Lake City Church Headquarters. I was so excited. During the process of waiting for the mission call of the full-time mission to arrive; I have given updates of where the mission papers was, and he thinks that I might be called to serve in New Zealand. The stake president even followed up with me if I still had a desire to serve a full-time mission. Of course, I knew that I still had a strong desire to serve a full-time mission. I had nothing to stop me from serving a full-time mission.

After such a long wait, I followed up with the stake president and he mentioned about my full-time mission call was on its way back to Australia and I still didn't get the mission call. I decided to get a priesthood blessing and it mentioned that I would be able to find employment before end of the year. I asked the stake president if I can receive my endowments prior to my sister Emma's sealing and he has mentioned, "no." Emma and I did temple preparations classes together. I was disappointed that I can't receive my endowments prior to Emma's sealing, and he wouldn't allow me to become a Temple Ordinance Worker.

I remembered when I kept applying for jobs, even jobs that was about thirty-five minutes ish drive one way from my family's home at the time. I eventually found successful into employment. I moved away from my family's home. I don't even remember too much about meeting and greeting with the new stake president that I moved into a new stake. I know that he's such a great stake president.

I have spoken to a self-reliance missionary couple about my strong desire to serve a full-time mission, and he mentioned about that I get called to serve. I got called to serve as a Self-Reliance Missionary in Brisbane Australia Mission. I wasn't upset, I just thought it was strange. I remembered to pray to Heavenly Father to express to him that it was okay for me not going on a full-time mission and a part-time mision, it would be good to meet a temple worthy priesthood holder to seal me in the Temple one day.

By the time when I followed up about my mission call, the couple mentioned to me that the mission isn't going ahead. I went ahead with seeing my new bishop and stake president at the time for an interview of my worthiness to receive my endowments. Somehow towards end of that year, I was blessed to meet my husband on LDS Singles and then somehow found him on Facebook. I remembered first time messaging my husband on Facebook messenger and I wasn't so sure if he was ever going to reply.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning of You Can

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Did you know that sometimes we may forget about certain things and how to achieve those things when we don't feel like doing anything about it? 

You can accomplish a lot of things even when you don't feel like achieving anything at all. You can accomplish a lot of things when you put some time and effort into it. You can accomplish things that requires a lot of planning and organizing. I know that there are still going to be some people who would stop us from doing certain things. Remember to be strong, even when certain things takes longer to accomplish than expected.

"you can"

Can you make wise choices? Yes, you can make wise choices even when you don't feel like it at times. 

Can you make wise decisions? Yes, you can make wise decisions even when you don't feel like it at times.. 

Can you be friendly and kind to someone? Yes, you can even when you don't feel like it at times.

Can you make mistakes and still be forgiven? Yes, you can make mistakes and still be forgiven. Can you make someone feel appreciative? Yes, you can make someone feel appreciative even when you aren't able to find ways to help someone to feel that way. Can you make someone smile and laugh? Yes, you can make someone smile and laugh even when you don't think you are trying to do so.

It's always a great to offer your help towards your immediate family members, your living extended relatives, your close friends, your friends, your neighbours and so forth.  There are many activities that you can do, there are many sports that you can do, there are many options of courses for what you can study, there are many options of places where you can work, and so forth.

Some Activities that you can do;

You can do arts and crafts including scrapbooking, you can do blogging, you can go camping, you can go groceries shopping, you can do family history, you can read books, you can spend some time with your immediate family members, you can spend some time with your living extended relatives, you can spend some time with your close friends, you can spend some time with your friends, you can go on walks, and so forth.

Some Sports that you can do; 

You can play basketball, you can go bike riding, you can do bowling, you can play football, you can play golf, you can play field hockey, you can play netball, you can go skiing, you can play soccer, you can go swimming, you can play table tennis, you can tennis, you can play volleyball and so forth. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning of Positives and Negatives

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post is short and sweet.
What are your true definitions and understandings of the following words, "Positive" and "Negative"?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your immediate family members and extended relatives?

What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your work colleagues if you're currently employed?

What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your fellow students if you're currently studying?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your neighbours if you have neighbours?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your close friends and your friends?

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to follow positive influences or negative influences. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to express our positive feelings or our negative feelings. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to think about the positive thoughts
or the negative thoughts.

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to show our positive actions or our negative actions. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to speak positive words or negative words.

"Positive anything is better than negative nothing."
- Elbert Hubbard.

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to listen to positive songs or negative songs. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to view to positive shows and movies or negative shows and movies.

I know that I constantly do my best to follow most positive influences more than I do with negative influences.
I know that I constantly do my best to express most positive feelings more than I do with expressing negative feelings.

I know that I constantly do my best to think most positive thoughts more than I do with thinking about negative thoughts.

I know that I constantly do my best to show most of my positive actions more than I do with showing negative actions. I know that I constantly do my best to speak most positive words more than I do with speaking negative words.

I know that I constantly do my best to listen most positive songs more than I do with listening to negative songs. I know that I constantly do my best to viewing most positive shows and movies more than I do with viewing negative shows and movies.

Does it matter for us to experience positives and negatives throughout our lives? Should we be more positive than negative throughout our lives? Why do we experience positives and negatives throughout our lives?

I strongly believe it should definitely matter for us to experience positives and negatives throughout our lives. I strongly think that we should be more positive than negative throughout our lives. I think we experience positives and negatives throughout our lives to help us to make wiser decisions and choices.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Emotions and Feelings

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

What are your true definitions and understandings of the following words, "Emotions" and "Feelings"? 

What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your immediate relatives and your extended relatives?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your work colleagues if you're currently employed?

What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your fellow students if you're currently studying?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your neighbours if you have neighbours?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your close friends and your friends?

In the past; I know that each of us had opportunities when we were able to expressed emotions and feelings. I know that there has been times when we felt happiness, when we felt sadness, when we felt fear, when we felt anticipation, when we felt loneliness, and so forth. At this present time, tomorrow, days that turns into weeks, weeks that turns into months, and months that turns into years; we would continue expressing emotion. I know that we would have plenty of opportunities to continue expressing emotions for the remaining of our lives

Have you ever acknowledged when you expressed emotions and feelings in the past? 

What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed happiness in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed sadness in the past?

What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed fear in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed anticipation in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed loneliness in the past?

"You'll become happy when you stop reacting
and start controlling your emotions."

I am sure that you have been able to acknowledge all those times when you have expressed happiness in the past, when you have expressed sadness in the past, when you have expressed fear in the past, when you have expressed anticipation in the past, when you have expressed loneliness in the past and so forth. I know at times throughout our lives when we feel two different emotions at the same time.

Have you ever understood or knew reasons why you expressed emotions and feelings in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed happiness in the past? How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed sadness in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed fear in the past? How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed anticipation in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed loneliness in the past?

I am sure that you must have understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed happiness, you expressed, you expressed fear, you expressed anticipation, you expressed loneliness, and so forth.

In the past, I knew that I had emotions and feelings for variety of reasons;

I know that I have felt happiness whenever I was available to spend some time with my immediate family members, whenever I was available to spend some time with my extended relatives, whenever I was available to spend some time with my close friends, whenever I was available to spend some time with my friends, whenever I have accomplished something that I thought I wouldn't ever been able to do and so forth. 

I know that I have felt sadness sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my immediate family members - I know that I have strong hope for me to be able to see them again some day, sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my extended relatives - I know that I have strong hope for me to able to see them again some day, sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my friends - I know that I have strong hope for me to be able to see them again some day and so forth.

I know that I have felt fear most times whenever it was heavy raining while I was driving to go to places, I felt fear when I flew in the plane for the first time - I was so scared of heights, I know that I have felt fear when I hear thunderstorms - I still feel fear about thunderstorms, and so forth.

I know that I have felt anticipation just days prior to going to my K1 visa interview. I had a strong hope that I would be able to be confident of what to say during my K1 visa interview. I also know that I have felt anticipation to when reality sinks in on my last shift of being employed in Australia.

I know that I have felt loneliness at times when reality sinks in and reminded myself when I was living on my own. I know that I would be all good.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Timing

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 "Timing"? What does "Timing" means to your immediate family and extended relatives? What does "Timing" means to your friends?

Each of us have twenty-four hours for a full day including the evenings. Each of us have one hundred and sixty-eight hours for a full week. We often use our time on eating - indeed snacking counts, sleeping - napping counts, doing the house chores - indeed doing laundry counts, drinking, sleeping, and so forth.

How can we use our time wisely?

We can do house chores such as deep cleaning the bathroom/s, mopping the floors, sweeping the floors, doing loads of laundry, and so forth. We can write letters to our immediate family members, extended relatives and in-laws {if we're married}. We can write letters to our closest friends. We can exercise such as going on walks, bike riding, and so forth. 

We can working towards a project whether it's massive or small - for an example, printing old photos and placed them into photo albums books, help someone who needs help with a lift to go groceries shopping, we can be a babysitter to someone to watch over their children for them while that person and her spouse can go out on a date, we can do family history, we can go out and do our own groceries shopping, we can read books, we can help our new neighbour who needs help moving into their new home, we can do blogging, we can do vlogging, and so forth. 

How do we waste our time?

Sometimes we can get caught up and waste our time on playing the games that we have on our mobile devices and computers/laptops .Sometimes we can get caught up and waste our time on playing our video games whether it is played on Playstation 3 or Playstation 4 or Xbox 360. 

We can get caught up and waste our time on watching TV - Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, any catch up of more than five missed episodes for shows that we like to watch. We can be napping throughout the daytime when we could've been awake and using our time wisely, and so forth.

"Timing is everything." - Buck Brannaman.

Do you consider and think that timing is everything? 

Well I know for myself that I honestly believe that timing is everything. Twenty-hours may not seem much to us but in reality we can accomplish many things throughout the daytime and nighttime when we wake up about 6am and then we won't go to sleep until after 9pm.

Whatever things that we weren't able to accomplish throughout the daytime and evening, there's always the next twenty-four hours to accomplish those things. If we didn't accomplished those things today and tomorrow, there's still remaining of the week to accomplish those things. 

I know that people who has employment or hired into more than one employment; uses their time on working. Sometimes expected long shifts can be ended shorter than expected, and sometimes expected short shifts can be extended longer than expected. 

Everywhere for employment has its quiet days and quiet evenings, everywhere for employment has its busy days and busy evenings, everywhere for employment has its quiet days and busy evenings, everywhere for employment has its busy days and quiet evenings.

I know that a lot of people would always wanted extra hours, more than twenty-two hours in a day including the evening because they just aren't able to accomplish everything that they want to do throughout that time-frame. I know that people who has been enrolled into courses or any form of education; uses their time on studying, learning something new, studying for their exams, studying for their assignments and so forth.

Do you think if we had extra hours throughout a day including the evening would help us to accomplish more things? Do you think we had extra hours throughout a day including the evening would get us to have more time for us to procrastinate and waste time to put things and priorities to the last minute?

I remembered when I used to refuse and procrastinate from doing house chores before I moved out of  my family's home in January 2017. I didn't like doing the laundry without listening to any songs - taking the clothes off the clothes line, cleaning my own bedroom without listening to any songs - it seems to be no fun and enjoyable and so forth.

I do know that it can be massive responsibility to keep a house/apartment/granny flat in order to ensure that the people who lives in any form of homing would have clean clothes to wear each day, has clean dishes to eat out of, their place is free from dust, free from clutter and so forth.

When I moved out of my family's home in January 2017 and all of the homes that I was living at; I had responsibilities for me to do. I had to my own laundry, washing up my own dishes after using them, I had to always clean my own bedroom, and so forth.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Education

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

What is your definition and understanding for "Education"? What does "Education" means to your immediate family members and extended relatives? What does "Education" means to your friends?

There are some people may think and consider that "Education" is a massive topic to talk about, and I know that they just doesn't like "Education." They may think that "Education" is way too boring for them, sometimes they refuse to learn some new things, not engaging into starting and completing the tasks that is required of them to get grades, they often procrastinate until the last minute and they just doesn't want to be involved with the class discussions.

There are some other people may think and consider that "Education" isn't a massive topic to talk about, and I know that they just like "Education." They may think that "Education" is useful and handy for them. They are doing "Education" to learn many new things, properly engaging into starting and completing the tasks that is required of them to get grades, they prioritize their time wisely to make sure that they put in a huge effort into their "Education" and they always enjoy to be involved with the class discussions.

What are some types of "Education" have you seen throughout your life? Do you think and believe in "Education" is essential for us having to do in our lives?

From Preschool age to Senior, there's an option of homeschooling and mostly preferred Schooling from Primary School to Senior - 17 years of going to school or 18 years of going to school. Some people have the option to study a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a vocational certificate - Certificate I to Certificate IV, a short three months basic course, either online or on campus for going to classes in person.

Those options would come available for colleges, universities, tafes, and so forth. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints religion; we have been taught that most things to be taught and learned in the family homes.

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs
to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X.

I know that we would be able to learn some life skills such as how to cook for a family, how to do fold clean laundry, how to wash the dishes clean and properly, so forth in the home.

We have recently have the opportunity for the parents to teach their children how to prepare for a full-time mission, and how to help them to feel worthy, be spiritually, mentally and physical ready to receive their endowments through temple preparations.

There are many useful resources that we can have access to whether it is online or in textbooks that we were able to keep from school. If you are currently enrolled with schooling, learn as much as you can and write down or take many notes if you can as well. It would be handy.

I do think and believe in "Education" is essential for us having to do in our lives, there are plenty of things to learn. As we learn something new in "Education," we can do our best to share with our families, our friends, our extended relatives and our future children - there are generations to come forth.

"Education" has given me the knowledge of what I do need to know, and I am still constantly learning something new. The more "Education" that we have succeed in, helps us to have better skills for appropriate job or jobs that we have applied for.

I also know that it helps for the employer or the management team to know that we have took the time and effort for having an "Education," and it gives them a reason why they should hire you more than the chance of someone who dropped out of school.

While I was in high school; I often saw myself taking notes while the teacher was teaching the class and sometimes people may think that was a silly idea while others think it was a great idea. It has helped me to learn quicker, it has helped me to review my notes after school hours, it has helped me to keep myself awake despite how tired I would be, and so forth.

Some "Education" helps us to be prepared for the future. I remembered when I was in high school; I had the opportunity to learn some idea of the costs that I would be expected to pay for after I graduated senior and when I have some form of employment. Those examples was somewhat idea of the costs to be expected for paying to run and maintain a vehicle to be constantly roadworthy, another example was of somewhat idea of the costs to be expected for when building a house on some land, and so forth.

I know that keeping a vehicle to run and maintain for it to be constantly roadworthy can be pricey, it consist of wheel alignment, new battery, new bulbs, and so forth. I also know that building a house can be pricey too, it consist of electrical work to be done it, the doors inside the house, the shower, the countertops, etc.

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of the Family ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on a April 2003 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Importance of the Family" by Elder L. Tom Perry. This post is part two and I hope you would enjoy reading and would be able to learn something new from this post. I would like to share with you some highlights while I reading the talk. 

Elder Perry mentioned the following; "Children and youth are shown, through prophetic words and through living examples, the importance of loving and honoring their parents. Parents are taught ways of building and maintaining close family ties, both in good times and in difficult times. The good spirit in these magazines will help fill your homes with warmth, love, and the strength of the gospel. ...

We hope that by flooding the Church with family-oriented media, members of the Church will be assisted and encouraged to build stronger and better families.  ... At least by seeing family issues mentioned so often, we all will be reminded to focus our attention on the most important organization the Lord has established here on earth."

From the very beginning the Lord has established the importance of the family organization for us. Soon after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, the Lord spoke to them: ... 

“[Then] in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: [If it were] not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

“And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters." “President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents.”

"Families are the treasure of heaven." - Neil L. Anderson.

The Church has established two special times for families to be together. The first is centered around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This is the time we are to attend our regular meetings together, study the life and teachings of the Savior and of the prophets. “Other appropriate Sunday activities include (1) writing personal and family journals, (2) holding family councils, (3) establishing and maintaining family organizations for the immediate and extended family, (4) personal interviews between parents and children, (5) writing to relatives and missionaries, (6) genealogy, (7) visiting relatives and those who are ill or lonely, (8) missionary work, (9) reading stories to children, and (10) singing Church hymns.”

The second time is Monday night. We are to teach our children in a well-organized, regular family home evening. No other activities should involve our family members on Monday night. This designated time is to be with our families.

We hope all of you have noticed the special emphasis the First Presidency has put on family home evenings. The First Presidency letter of October 4, 1999, was recently repeated in the magazines:

“To: Members of the Church throughout the World

“Dear Brothers and Sisters:

“Monday nights are reserved throughout the Church for family home evenings. We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes.

“Earlier this year we called on 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. We also counseled parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities.

“We urge members, where possible, to avoid holding receptions or other similar activities on Monday evenings. ... May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. Let us again remember the promises and instructions from the Lord to His children:

“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. “Light and truth forsake that evil one. …“But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.” ..."

You may or may not would like to read the whole talk in your own time, here's the link to the whole talk below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/the-importance-of-the-family

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of The Family ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

What is your true definition and understanding for "The Importance of the Family" ? 

What were some of the things that you considered important in families? 

What are some of the things that you consider is important in families now? 

Did your family mean important to you in the past? Does your family means important to you now? 

Did your family cared about you in the past? Does your family cares about you now? 

Did your family supported you in the past? Does your family supports you now? 

_________________________________________________________________________

This post focuses on a April 2003 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Importance of the Family" by Elder L. Tom Perry. This post is part one and I hope you would enjoy reading and would be able to learn something new from this post. I would like to share with you some highlights while I reading the talk. 

Elder Perry mentioned the following;

May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families:

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). 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, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”1

... We will use all of the resources we have to encourage greater harmony, greater love, and greater influence in the Lord’s special designated unit - the family. We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes. ... Oh, what impact advertising, television programs, the Internet, and the other media are having on our family units!

Helps and reminders will come from the Church Internet site and television channels, as well as through priesthood and auxiliary leadership to assist you as we strive to fulfill our family responsibilities. In some of the zones of the world, we have an alternative to commercial television networks and some of their anti family programming.

We have BYU Television, which presents family-oriented programs. In addition to programs that bring gospel teaching, there are programs directed to parent instruction and family entertainment. We will also be striving to increase the quality and frequency of our family-centered Home Front public service spots.

... The page includes thoughts from the scriptures and Church leaders to strengthen the family. It also includes ideas for family activities. A new home and family section provides: ... Ideas for family activities. Family home evening quick tips to help you have meaningful and enjoyable family home evenings.

"Family is the support you will never have to pay for because come
rain, or shine, they will be there to cheer you on with every of your
life goals."

Featured articles on topics such as making family home evenings more successful, strengthening the relationship between husband and wife, and ideas for feeling closer as family members. ... 

We do have one media source, however, that reaches the entire Church - it is our wonderful Church magazines. These magazines come into our homes regularly and are another way of delivering information to help strengthen the family. Perhaps you noticed in the March Ensign and Liahona - the international magazine - a message from President Gordon B. Hinckley on family home evenings:

“‘We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world’ (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).”

Following President Hinckley’s encouragement for us to hold family home evenings, the next article in the Ensign was entitled “The Calling I Didn’t Know I Had”:

“Family home evening was challenging when our children were young. ... “Just then a thought came to mind: ‘Family home evening is one of your callings. In fact, it is part of your most important calling - motherhood!’ I reflected on that insight. ... 

... In addition, throughout the year there will be issues of the Liahona, Ensign, New Era, and Friend containing materials for teaching in the home. There will be wonderful suggestions for family home evenings and ideas for everyday teaching moments. The articles are written so they can easily be adapted for lessons for your family."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five 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 two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Hales mentioned the following; "Teach our children the significance of baptism and confirmation, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, partaking of the sacrament, honoring the priesthood, and making and keeping temple covenants. They need to know the importance of living worthy of a temple recommend and preparing for a temple marriage.

If you have not yet been sealed in the temple to your spouse or children, work as a family to receive temple blessings. Set temple goals as a family. Be worthy of the priesthood which you hold, brethren, and use it to bless the lives of your family. Through the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood, dedicate our homes. ... Talk to our children’s teachers, coaches, counselors, advisers, and Church leaders about our concerns and the needs of our children.

Know what our children are doing in their spare time. Influence their choice of movies, television programs, and videos. If they are on the Internet, know what they are doing. ... Encourage worthwhile school activities. Know what our children are studying. Help them with their homework. Help them realize the importance of education and of preparing for employment and self-sufficiency.

Young women: 

Attend Relief Society when you reach your 18th birthday. ... You may fear that you won’t fit in. ... There is much in Relief Society for you. It can be a blessing to you throughout your life.

Young men: 

Honor the Aaronic Priesthood. It is the preparatory priesthood, preparing you for the Melchizedek Priesthood. Become fully active in the elders quorum when you are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. The brotherhood, the quorum instruction, and the opportunities to serve others will bless you and your family throughout your life.

FAMILIES 
Families are the Lord's workshop on earth to help us learn and
live the gospel." - Cheryl A. Esplin.

Every family can be strengthened in one way or another if the Spirit of the Lord is brought into our homes and we teach by His example. Act with faith; don’t react with fear. ...

This is the time for added love and support and to reinforce your teachings on how to make choices.

 It is frightening to allow our children to learn from the mistakes they may make, but their willingness to choose the Lord’s way and family values is greater when the choice comes from within than when we attempt to force those values upon them.

The Lord’s way of love and acceptance is better than Satan’s way of force and coercion, especially in rearing teenagers.


... While we may despair when, after all we can do, some of our children stray from the path of righteousness, the words of Orson F. Whitney can comfort us: “... Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving [mother’s and] father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for [our] careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with [our] faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).

What if you are single or have not been blessed with children? Do you need to be concerned about the counsel regarding families? Yes. It is something we all need to learn in earth life. Unmarried adult members can often lend a special kind of strength to the family, becoming a tremendous source of support, acceptance, and love to their families and the families of those around them.

Many adult members of the extended family do much parenting in their own right. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members can have great impact on the family. ... Sometimes extended family members can say things parents cannot say without starting an argument. ...

Knowing that we are in mortality to learn and to develop our faith, we should understand that there must be opposition in all things. During a family council in my own home, my wife said, “When you may think that someone has a perfect family, you just do not know them well enough.”

Brothers and sisters, as parents let us heed the admonition, even the rebuke, given by the Lord to Joseph Smith and the leaders of the Church in 1833 to “set in order [our] own house” (D&C 93:43). “I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (D&C 93:40). “Set in order [our] family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place” (D&C 93:50).

The prophets of our day have given a similar admonition and warning to parents to set in order our families. May we be blessed with the inspiration and love to meet opposition with faith within our families. We will then know that our trials are to draw us closer to the Lord and to one another. ... The family is strengthened as we draw near to the Lord, and each member of the family is strengthened as we lift and strengthen and love and care for one another. “Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together” (Quaker proverb). ..."

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/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty

Stay Tuned until next time.

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.