The Miracle of Repentance ~ 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 June 2013 BYU Devotional, and it is called "The Miracle of Repentance" by D. Kelly Ogden." This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. I hope that you would be able to learn something whilst reading through this post. 

Brother Ogden has mentioned "Even Joseph Smith confessed that during his youth he struggled, as he wrote, with all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. [JS—H 1:28]

... When you have fully repented of your sins and are converted to the Lord, you are born again—you become a new person. You don’t have to be concerned about your old sins because that old person who committed those sins is buried away. That is not you. You have become a new person who would not commit such sins. Therefore you can forgive yourself, forsake those sins, and forget your past.

... Jesus helps you become a new and different person who has learned the divine principles of forgiving and forgetting. The Hebrew word for atonement is kippur (as in Yom Kippur: the day of atonement), and the basic meaning of kippur is to cover up. The Savior has suffered for, and covered up, the sins of us all—pending our complete repentance.

The Good News of Repentance

The scriptures not only teach that there are awful consequences of not repenting but also that there are extraordinary rewards for repenting. ... The word gospel means “good news”; therefore it is the good news of repentance. We sometimes look upon repentance as a punishment—as a distasteful, negative thing. It does involve some pain, of course, but genuine repentance is a blessing—a happy, positive thing.

Two questions are often asked:
1. How can I know if I have been forgiven of my sins? .. (Mosiah 4:3). By that peace and the Spirit you will know.

2. If the Lord says He will forgive and forget, why can’t I forget? ... The Lord leaves the memory in your mind as an early warning system; it is protection against going back to the old ways, the old sins. Alma didn’t say he could remember his sins no more; he said he could remember his pain no more.

He could remember his sins all right, but he was not harrowed up by the memory of those sins because he had repented of them. When you fully repent you are born again and become a new person (see Mosiah 27:24–29), and the cloud of darkness that once overshadowed you is removed (see Helaman 5:11, 41).

Whatever your past has been, your future is spotless, so tie yourself to your potential, not to your past. One of the most beautiful truths of the plan of happiness is that the Lord ­forgives and forgets (see D&C 58:42). He chooses what He will remember. 

... Unless you have murdered someone (premeditated murder) or committed the sin against the Holy Ghost (as very few have), you can be totally forgiven of all your sins. That is indeed good news. But you must ask! The Lord said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee, according to thy petition” (D&C 90:1; emphasis added).

A Complete Cleansing Is Needed

... In Santiago, Chile, there are at least four ambulance companies in that city of more than six million people. One of the companies is called Rescate Total (“Total Rescue”), and every time I saw one of the ambulances driving by, I thought, “No, I know where total rescue comes from. His name is Jesus Christ.” And His is the only name under heaven whereby salvation comes, from whom a complete cleanse can come—again, because He is the One who paid the price. He can take away all our transgressions.

The Baptism of Repentance

Sometimes we look with envy on the new convert stepping out of the baptismal font; we feel almost jealous of the fact that there goes the cleanest, purest person on earth. ... If we go to sacrament meeting each week, and we go there having thoroughly repented of all our sins and then worthily eat that little piece of bread and drink that little cup of water, we may leave that meeting totally void of sin. We can literally be clean and pure as we walk out of sacrament meeting each week. We experience again and again the baptism of repentance.

True Repentance Requires More Than a Cleansing

Actually, the whole process of repentance requires more than just a cleansing, and we need to do more than just repair all damage done. ... So it is with repentance: we must cleanse ourselves of all that is wrong inside, repair the damage that has been done, and continually strengthen ourselves to become more and more resistant to sin and more and more capable of sustaining light and truth from Him who is our strength. 

It is through daily diligence to prayer and scriptures, along with exact obedience to all other commandments, and serving others and worshiping in the temple that we keep ourselves strong and avoid the sinning. Each of us will stand before our Father and look into His divine eyes and report on what we have done with this brief moment of time. 

We will all have photographic memories (and instant recall!), a perfect recollection of all we’ve done on earth and that perfect awareness will either send us into deep despair and remorse or fill us with happiness and gratitude. It is up to us. We will all live forever no exceptions. And we are determining each day exactly where and with whom we will live forever. 

Whatever has gone wrong in our lives that has tainted or darkened our souls can be erased, cleansed, removed, and purified by the power of sincere repentance. It is a miracle. Any evil words and deeds continue to reverberate through the universe until we pay the price of godly sorrow and total repentance; then they are completely obliterated. They are not there anymore, and we become a new person, full of light. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional in your own time, here's the link below.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-kelly-ogden/the-miracle-of-repentance/

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Miracle of Repentance ~ 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 June 2013 BYU Devotional, and it is called "The Miracle of Repentance" by D. Kelly Ogden." This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. I hope that you would be able to learn something whilst reading through this post. 

Brother Ogden has mentioned the following; "There is no principle of the gospel more important than repentance. ... Driven by faith, repentance is the single most important principle to live in order to make the Savior’s Atonement effective and meaningful in our lives. 

Repentance is not just feeling guilty for having sinned, nor is it mere “forgetfulness,” pushing the sin way back in our mind to conveniently not be reminded of it. ... We repent not only of sins but also of sinning, and we are willing to do whatever is necessary to remove the stain and the pain. We turn to the Savior. He is the only one who can take away our sins because He paid the price for them.

Godly Sorrow and Suffering Are Necessary

In true repentance, godly sorrow and suffering are necessary. ... We have all been through the anguish. ... We hurt inside. And it is not just guilt for being caught or feeling the embarrassment for having to confess. It is godly sorrow we are feeling.

... Alma said, “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance” (Alma 42:29). Be glad to suffer the godly sorrow now so you won’t have to suffer the full effects of your sins later.

Confession Is Necessary

President Spencer W. Kimball taught: No one can ever be forgiven of any transgression until there is repentance, and one has not repented until he has bared his soul and admitted his intentions and weaknesses without excuses or rationalizations. He must admit to himself that he has grievously sinned. 

When he has confessed to himself without the slightest minimizing of the offense, or rationalizing its seriousness, or soft-pedaling its gravity, and admits it is as big as it really is, then he is ready to begin his repentance. [“Love Versus Lust,” BYU devotional address, 5 January 1965; ...] We have a worry these days. 

... But Elder Richard G. Scott warned, “The thought of intentionally committing serious sin now and repenting later is perilously wrong. . . . Premeditated sin has greater penalties and is harder to overcome” (“Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, November 1994, 38–39). We must confess and forsake our sins now and not put off our repentance. 

Alma warned us not to procrastinate the day of our repentance. As the old rabbis used to say: You cannot repent the day before you die, because you don’t know what day you will die. ... The fact is, none of us knows exactly when we will be departing this mortal sphere, so we should be ready always never procrastinating the day of 

our repentance but repenting daily and keeping ourselves prepared to meet God.

Don’t wait until the pressure situations of mission and marriage arrive to do your repenting. If the announcements and invitations have already been sent out and you have the interview with the bishop and a member of the stake presidency, and then you realize together that you are not ready for the sacred covenant-making in the house of the Lord then what do you do? 

It could be pretty embarrassing, couldn’t it? The embarrassment doesn’t matter; you don’t ever want to enter the holy temple if you are not worthy. To take upon yourself the most sacred covenants and make the most binding promises of your whole life when you are not spiritually prepared or worthy to do so would bring upon you serious condemnation.

Before going to the temple, before going to sacrament meeting, even before kneeling to pray, be reconciled to Heavenly Father and to the Savior and if there is any conflict or friction between you and any other person, get it resolved now.

REPENTANCE is both our path to FORGIVENESS
and the response that blooms from it."

Forsaking Our Sins Is Necessary

The scriptures teach that forsaking our sins is necessary. ... To forsake means to give up, abandon. Indeed, we must abandon all sin as soon as we can and it might require a lengthy and mighty struggle to rid ourselves of our toughest and most perplexing weaknesses. 

It is essential, as soon as possible, to expel sin from our lives. That is forsaking. ... Although the great majority of the missionaries were prepared and worthy to be there learning to represent the Lord Jesus Christ—I noticed that even among them there were some who caught themselves agonizing over past sins. 

They had fully repented, but they still had a bright recollection of their recent (and sometimes distant) sins, and they became depressed as they remembered the gross sins of their past. 

... Sometimes people will sincerely desire to repent and secure Heavenly Father’s complete forgiveness ... When you have totally repented, you must forsake those sins, forget about them, bury them away, and not bring them up again. ... In other words, when you have planted your life in a more spiritual furrow, keep your eyes straight ahead and don’t look back to the old sins, the old people, the old places. 

Someone has suggested that when Satan reminds you of your past, just remind him of his future! Keep your eyes looking ahead and on the Savior. ... Everyone has problems growing up some worse than others but it is imperative that we forget the shame of our youth. Repent, put it behind you, and move on. "

Stay Tuned until next time.

Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

  Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

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

I would like to encourage you to ask yourself, think about, and answer the following question either now or in your own time; "what does let's not take the wrong way means to you?" This post is based on a April 2014 General Conference talk and it is called "Let’s Not Take the Wrong Way" by Elder Claudio D. Zivic. 

I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. Elder Zivic mentioned, "There are some mistakes that may be serious, and if we do not correct them in time, they can permanently lead us off the right path. 

If we repent and accept correction, these experiences will allow us to humble ourselves, change our actions, and once again draw closer to our Heavenly Father. I want to give an example of this concept by making reference to one of the most dramatic moments that the Prophet Joseph Smith experienced. 

Through this experience, the Savior has given us invaluable teachings regarding principles that we ought to keep in mind throughout our lives. It happened when Martin Harris lost the 116 translated pages of the first part of the Book of Mormon. After repenting for not following God’s counsel, the Prophet received the revelation that is found in section 3 of the Doctrine and Covenants. 

From what is written in verses 1 to 10, I wish to highlight three principles that we should always remember:

1. The works and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated.
2. We must not fear man more than God.
3. There is a need of constant repentance.

In verse 13, the Lord teaches us four actions that we should never do:
1. Set at naught the counsels of God.
2. Break the most sacred promises made before God.
3. Depend upon our own judgment.
4. Boast in our own wisdom.

"I pray that we will not lose sight of the way, so
that we may ALWAYS be connected with the 
heavens." - Claudio D. Zivic.

If any one of you reaches the point of abandoning the Lord’s way at any point along that way with great remorse you will feel the bitterness of having set at naught the counsels of God, of having broken the most sacred promises made before God, of having trusted in your own judgment, or of having boasted in your own wisdom.

If this is the case, I exhort you to repent and come back to the right way. During childhood and youth, people think they will never become old; the idea of death never takes root that is for very, very old people and reaching that point is still an eternity away. 

As time goes on, months and seasons go by until the wrinkles begin to appear, energy is reduced, the need for doctor visits becomes more frequent, and so on.

The day will come in which we shall again meet up with our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. I plead that on that sacred and sublime occasion we can recognize Him because of the knowledge we have of Him and because of having followed His teachings. He will show us the marks in His hands and feet, and we will join together in a lasting embrace, weeping for joy at having followed His way."

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time and here is the link to the talk below.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/lets-not-take-the-wrong-way

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness ~ Part Two

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

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

This post focuses on a October 1995 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. This post is part two.I would like to share with you some highlights

while I was reading the talk.

Elder Packer has mentioned; 

"It is easy to understand how helpless and hopeless you then feel and why you might want to give up, just as Alma did. The thought that rescued Alma, when he acted upon it, is this: Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ.

When your desire is firm and you are willing to pay the “uttermost farthing,” the law of restitution is suspended. Your obligation is transferred to the Lord. He will settle your accounts. I repeat, save for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ. 

How all can be repaired, we do not know. It may not all be accomplished in this life. We know from visions and visitations that the servants of the Lord continue the work of redemption beyond the veil.

"Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself."
- Suzanne Somers.

 This knowledge should be as comforting to the innocent as it is to the guilty. I am thinking of parents who suffer unbearably for the mistakes of their wayward children and are losing hope.

... In the most tender of sermons in the revelations on kindness and long-suffering, on meekness, gentleness, on love unfeigned, the Lord instructs us to reprove “betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then [show] forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved.”

The Lord provides ways to pay our debts to Him. In one sense we ourselves may participate in an atonement. When we are willing to restore to others that which we have not taken, or heal wounds that we did not inflict, or pay a debt that we did not incur, we are emulating His part in the Atonement.

So many live with accusing guilt when relief is ever at hand. ... Do not give up if at first you fail. Often the most difficult part of repentance is to forgive yourself. Discouragement is part of that test. Do not give up. That brilliant morning will come. Then “the peace of God, which passeth … understanding” comes into your life once again. Then you, like Him, will remember your sins no more. How will you know? You will know!

... “‘Jesus had not finished his work when his body was slain, neither did he finish it after his resurrection from the dead; although he had accomplished the purpose for which he then came to the earth, he had not fulfilled all his work. And when will he? 

Not until he has redeemed and saved every son and daughter of our father Adam that have been or ever will be born upon this earth to the end of time, except the sons of perdition. That is his mission. We will not finish our work until we have saved ourselves, and then not until we shall have saved all depending upon us; for we are to become saviors upon Mount Zion, as well as Christ. We are called to this mission.’”

“There is never a time,” the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “when the spirit is too old to approach God. All are within the reach of pardoning mercy, who have not committed the unpardonable sin.” And so we pray, and we fast, and we plead, and we implore. We love those who wander, and we never give up hope. ...."

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

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/the-brilliant-morning-of-forgiveness

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This week's topics for this blog is "Forgive, Forgiveness, and Repentance." This post focuses on a October 1995 General Conference talk, and it is called "The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk. 

Elder Packer mentioned the following; "...The gospel teaches us that relief from torment and guilt can be earned through repentance. Save for those few who defect to perdition after having known a fullness, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. 

... Even that grace of God promised in the scriptures comes only “after all we can do.” You may tell yourself that your transgressions are not spiritually illegal. That will not work; neither will rebellion, nor anger, nor joking about them. You cannot do that. 

And you don’t have to do it. There is a way back. It will not help if, out of tender regard for your feelings, I avoid telling you about the hard part. ... Most mistakes can be settled between us and the Lord, and that should be done speedily. It requires a confession to Him, and whatever obvious repairs need to be made.

With sincere repentance as a pattern in our lives, measured by our willingness to “confess them and forsake them,” the Lord has promised that we may “always retain a remission of [our] sins.” ... The punishment may, for the most part, consist of the torment we inflict upon ourselves. It may be the loss of privilege or progress. 

We are punished by our sins, if not for them. There are some transgressions which require a discipline which will bring about the relief that comes with the morning of forgiveness. If your mistakes have been grievous ones, go to your bishop. Like the rescuers who brought John Breen down from the mountaintops, bishops can guide you through the steps required to obtain forgiveness insofar as the Church is concerned.

"When you FORGIVE, you don't change
the PAST, but you do change the
FUTURE."

Each one of us must work out individually forgiveness from the Lord. To earn forgiveness, one must make restitution. That means you give back what you have taken or ease the pain of those you have injured. 

But sometimes you cannot give back what you have taken because you don’t have it to give. ... There are times you cannot mend that which you have broken. 

Perhaps the damage was so severe that you cannot fix it no matter how desperately you want to. .. Your repentance cannot be accepted unless there is a restitution. If you cannot undo what you have done, you are trapped. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Zion Is the Pure in Heart ~ Part Three

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 
this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

I wasn't going to do a part three of the same Devotional, but I just don't think anyone would feel up to reading seven minutes of a long blog post, so here's part three of the Devotional. This post focuses on a BYU Devotional, and it is called "Zion Is the Pure in Heart" by Sister Elaine S. Dalton. This post is part three. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Dalton has mentioned; "Third, enter a program of strict training. ... We are in the run of our life, and there must be a strict training plan. The success components of this plan include things we will do every single day, without fail, in order to invite the Spirit’s companionship into our life. They will be different for each of us but will always include daily prayer. 

Our Heavenly Father hears our prayers, and He will answer them. I testify that that is true. Our challenge is to be in a place where we can hear and recognize the answers. ... The Book of Mormon will increase your faith in Jesus Christ, and it is through your faith that you will be able to withstand temptation. ... Reading just five minutes every single day will change your life. ... Think of the change in five years if every one of us would commit to do this even for just five minutes every single day.

Lastly, smile! And when you smile, remember who you are. You are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. He knows you. He knows your name. He trusts you, and He loves you. So, smile! ...

Press Forward—Don’t Get Discouraged!

Let me add just one more suggestion to this list: “Press forward with . . . a perfect brightness of hope” (2 Nephi 31:20). Don’t get discouraged! Your journey will be challenging at times, and it will not always be easy. ... The Lord will prepare you, and He will prepare a way for you! Sometimes I think we totally underestimate the great blessings we might have and the knowledge we might gain if we were willing to move out of our comfort zones. 

... Do not be just a spectator or a critic. You didn’t do that in the premortal realm. You weren’t neutral then. You stood firm. Do not allow the very voices who cry for tolerance to not tolerate you or your view. ... Do not get tired or distracted or disqualified! Be willing to step out of your comfort zones and “press forward with . . . a perfect brightness of hope” (2 Nephi 31:20).

"The Prophet Joseph Smith stated, WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE BUILDING UP of
Zion as our greatest object." WE BUILD UP ZION through unity, godliness, and charity." 
- D. Todd Christofferson.

Unfurl Your Banner of Virtue

All over the world young Latter-day Saint women are declaring their commitment to remain pure and chaste. ...

You are the banner! Your lives of purity and virtue are the banner that will cause the nations of the earth to look up to come to the temple. As you remain virtuous, you will be led by the Holy Ghost, and your personal virtue will qualify you to go to the temple often. 

If you don’t have a recommend, now is the time to become worthy to receive one. This is your work. The temple will be a strength and a protection to you in an ever-darkening world, and it will become an ensign not only to you but to the nations. A return to virtue is a return to the temple, and a return to the temple is a return to the Savior.

Virtue Brings the Blessings of Eternity

Forty-one years ago I knelt at an altar in the Salt Lake Temple and there entered into a covenant relationship with this wonderful man on the stand beside me. That decision has made all the difference in the decades that have followed. I guess what I am trying to tell you is to be there! Don’t get distracted now! Don’t forget who you are! 

And don’t allow anything to disqualify you for the blessings that await you in the Lord’s holy temple. ... When we are virtuous, we are promised we shall confidently stand in His presence holy and like Him. We are promised priesthood power, the very power of godliness, because we are virtuous! We are promised the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, who testifies, directs, warns, comforts, and sanctifies. 

And finally, we are promised that we shall have eternal life, the greatest of all God’s gifts. We will be gods, living a godlike life, when we are virtuous. We will be like Him pure even as He is pure. The journey to Zion the pure in heart will take everything you and I have. .."

Here's the link below if you would like to read the Devotional either now or in your own time.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/elaine-s-dalton/zion-pure-in-heart/

Stay Tuned until next time.

Zion Is the Pure in Heart ~ 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 BYU Devotional, and it is called "Zion Is the Pure in Heart" by Sister Elaine S. Dalton. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Dalton has mentioned; "Return to Virtue Could Save a Nation

... Faith without virtue would soon languish and die because without virtue there is no purity. Without virtue there is no strength. And without virtue there is no spirituality. It is clear that once you really understand who you are, you must be pure because purity precedes spiritual power. ... The power and strength of which I am speaking has everything to do with virtue, which is chastity and sexual purity. 

We live in a world that is concerned about cleanliness and purity the cleanliness of our air and the cleanliness of our environment, our water, and even our food. ... Yet society tolerates moral pollution in the form of pornography on billboards, television, and the Internet and in entertainment and other media. ... I believe that the lack of virtue in our society is directly responsible for many of our social, financial, and governmental ills. ... And I believe that a return to virtue could save an entire nation.

... What will your generation be known for? Will you be known as the tolerant generation, the consumer generation, Generation X or Y? Will you be known as the generation who was seduced into living your lives virtually instead of virtuously? Or will you, could you, be known for your purity and virtue and for your courage and strength in leading the rest of the world in a return to virtue a return so stunning that the very purity of your lives and the strength of your conviction change the course of society and change the world?

You are preparing for the Savior’s return. You must abhor sin. You must position and prepare yourselves now to be “more fit for the kingdom.” ...

Be Guardians of Virtue

In order to do this, each of us must be guardians of virtue. Young women, guard your personal virtue. ... You are daughters of God. You carry within yourselves the sacred power to create mortal life and to become mothers of Heavenly Father’s choice and pure spirits. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to His precious daughters. Safeguard that power by living the standards, dressing and acting modestly, and remaining virtuous. 

Safeguard your power through purity of thought and action. Do not allow anyone to tamper with your God-given gifts. By so doing, you, your family, and the generations that follow will be strengthened and blessed. Young men, you too are guardians of virtue. You hold priesthood power - the power to bless and to act for God here on the earth. 

The Lord has said to all priesthood holders, “Practise virtue and holiness before me” (D&C 38:24). Guard your personal virtue, your thoughts, what you view, what you say, and your actions. Do not allow pornography to diminish your personal power. Remain pure so that you can exercise the power of the priesthood with which God has entrusted you. ... Young men, priesthood men, keep yourselves pure so that you may be able to use your priesthood power at a moment’s notice.

"The WORK OF ZION commences in the heart OF
EACH person." - Brigham Young.

Remain Virtuous in a Toxic World

I truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the Spirit, can change the world! But before we can change the world, we must change ourselves. 

President Boyd K. Packer said we live in an environment that “is becoming toxic, poisonous to the spirit.” So what are some of the things that we can do right now in order to remain virtuous in a toxic world?

First, repent. I am very aware that there are some listening tonight who don’t feel virtuous or who have made mistakes. That is why a return to virtue is so important. You must know that you can return. You can change. ... A return is always possible because of the Savior’s Atonement. 

President Monson has said to each of us who have made mistakes: If any of you has slipped along the way, there are those who will help you to once again become clean and worthy. Your bishop or branch president is anxious and willing to help and will, with understanding and compassion, do all within his power to assist you in the repentance process, that you may once again stand in righteousness before the Lord.

... The Savior suffered not only for our sins and imperfections, but He also took upon Himself our sorrows (see Alma 7:11). Through His infinite Atonement He will heal you and give you peace. ... Because of our Savior’s Atonement, God the Father will hear your prayers. He will answer through the Holy Ghost and others who will be placed in your path.

Second, be careful about your choice of friends. In today’s technological society, we may spend more time with nonhuman companions than we do with our peers. While we may be very careful about our human companions, sometimes we give little thought to the other companions that we allow to influence us. ... We have all been given three precious gifts for our mortal experience. These include our body, our agency, and our time. 

... Seek the companionship of virtuous friends, not virtual friends. Remember, “virtue loveth virtue [and] light cleaveth unto light” (D&C 88:40). ... In your pursuit of friendships and an eternal marriage partner, you cannot just make a list of all the qualities you are looking for in another or in an eternal companion. You must be your list at all times and in all things and in all places.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Happy 18th Birthday Bek

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

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

My youngest sister Rebekah turns eighteen years old today therefore it is her birthday today. I can hardly believe that she is considered as an adult as of today. I felt that there has been days when time goes slow and other days when time goes fast. I remembered video chatting with Bek on her previous birthday last year, she was able to receive her birthday presents from my husband and I through my Mum. 

I miss having opportunities of spending some time with Bek. If it was between Bek or Sam (my brother) to spend some time with me, Bek always choose to spend some time with me and Sam would normally refuses to spend some time with me for going to places that wasn't staying at home. 

I remembered when I was living away from my family whilst living in Australia; Bek had multiple opportunities to spend some time with me prior to when I leave home to go to work. I remembered that I would make homemade dinner meals for both of us that would last for several days for duration of her stays and I remembered one time for one particular evening after I come home from work, I was surprised that she finished more than one dinner meal whilst I was working. 

I was okay with that because at least I know it wasn't going to waste although a manager that I had was able to allow me to have FREE food at work which was good especially during long shifts. I missed having conversations with Bek. I wouldn't have a clue to remember much about what we would talk about in the car as I was driving to places, what we would talk about at home, and so forth. I am grateful for Bek for having confidence and allowed me to give opportunities to take photos of her which helped me to build my photography portfolio.

I know that there has been multiple times when I do my best to be there for Bek, especially at times when she relied on me for picking her up from wherever she may be to take her home. Indeed I remembered one time when I would just finish work, and she would contact me to come and pick her up, and take her home which was such a good timing because I was heading home. 

I remembered during my teen years; Bek and I was having a conversation about we can be in Young Single Adults (YSA) together if I was still single. I have been so blessed to not be in YSA no more ever since I've gotten married to my husband last year. Although I strongly hope that Bek can return back to church, become a strong active church member, and I hope she would be able to go to YSA activities, YSA dances, YSA devotionals, and so forth. 

I know that she would have a blast in YSA. I remembered having many great memories in during my time in YSA prior to meeting my husband, I learned so much in YSA, I have taken many notes during Devotional Evenings amongst other YSAs, I have made many friends in YSA, I had an opportunity to graduate institute while I was in YSA, and so forth. 

I don't have much else to say, although I am on progress of making a vlog for Bek's birthday. Well if Bek has the opportunity to read this post, I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday and I hope you had a great day. I look forward to talking to you sometime today.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Zion Is the Pure in Heart ~ Part One

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 BYU Devotional, and it is called "Zion Is the Pure in Heart" by Sister Elaine S. Dalton. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Dalton has mentioned; "... I have a unique and special connection with the young women because of the years in which I have served as a member of the Young Women general presidency. We have essentially gone through the Young Women years together. We’ve earned our Young Women medallions together. We have stood every week and repeated the words of the Young Women theme together: “We are daughters. . . . We will ‘stand.’ ... We believe . . . , we will be prepared.” 

I think of you as my young women. And I have seen many of you young men as you have received and advanced in the priesthood, honored your covenants and priesthood power, and prepared for and served missions throughout the world. I have met many of you in your mission fields. You are my heroes! You are amazing in your strength and courage and desire for righteousness.

The Lord Will Help You Make Important Decisions

Each one of you has embarked on a journey as a Latter-day Saint, and you are in the most critical time of life. This is the time for you to form eternal habits and make lasting decisions. ... You have been reserved “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). You will be presented with opportunities that far surpass your greatest expectations, and you will be blessed, as I was, with defining moments that will influence and affect this decade of decisions.

... I learned: As you exercise your faith through prayer, the Lord will help you make defining decisions in defining moments. He will hear and answer your prayers through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. You will not be left alone. You have been given the blessing to be able to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 

In Doctrine and Covenants section 8, the Lord promises each of us, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart” ... I bear witness that the Lord hears and answers our prayers and that He will guide and direct us as we seek to do His will and keep His commandments. This is the process of receiving personal revelation. ... I pray that this message will take root in your heart and that it will become very personal to you. 

I pray that the Holy Ghost will impress upon you the importance of this simple message so that you might be able to incorporate it into the important decisions that you will make during the defining moments of your life.

Lead the World in a Return to Virtue

The message I bring this evening is a clarion call for you, the young adults of this chosen generation, to lead the world in a return to virtue. What is virtue? Why is it important? And how can each of us join together in this noble and sacred cause?

... Each of you is on a journey to Zion, ... what the Lord has said applies: “Awake, and arise, ... come forth, and [do] not tarry” (D&C 117:2), for Zion is not only a place Zion is “the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21). And purity of heart must be your goal in order to reach that final destination! Never before has there been a generation quite like yours. 

You are better prepared and better equipped. You have what it takes, and now is the time for the run of your life your run to Zion! President Thomas S. Monson and those before him have shown us the way. The path is clearly marked, and the pace is steady and strong. .. You may not have to give up all your earthly possessions, but the journey to Zion requires that you give up all of your sins so that you may come to know Him the true and living Christ. 

You may even be asked to run to the point of exhaustion, but by doing so, the warmth of the Lord’s love will preserve you for the great work yet to come. What you are being asked to do is the same thing the Lord asked when He named His Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

... Zion was then, and is now, the goal. It is the cause of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. And now is the time, as Mormon and Moroni exhorted, to “be faithful in Christ” (Moroni 9:25) and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing” (Moroni 10:30). ... Now is the time to return to virtue!

A Return to Virtue Is a Return to Purity

Virtue means purity. It begins in the heart and in the mind. “It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.” At the very core of virtue is chastity meaning sexual purity. Virtue and chastity are inseparably connected. You cannot have one without the other. A return to virtue is a return to purity. Some have said that virtue means being kind or honest or having integrity. 

But the center of a virtuous life is chastity, and one simply cannot be honest or possess integrity in the absence of sexual purity. It is impossible. One cannot tamper with the divine spirit and precious body the eternal soul of another and be deemed as possessing any kind of virtue or be virtuous. To do this compromises the very agency we fought for in our premortal life. ... Thus virtue does not just apply to women but to all.

... As Elder Russell M. Nelson taught, the temple is really the reason for everything we do in the Church: “Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church points to the Lord and His holy house.” ... We must be worthy to enter the Lord’s holy temple and make and keep sacred covenants and to do the work we have been prepared and foreordained to do. No unclean thing can enter into His house. 

“Ye Are a Chosen Generation”

Each of you has a great work to do. What you do and what you decide matters because you matter. You are “choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work, including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein” (D&C 138:53–54).

No wonder Satan has increased the intensity of his attacks. If you can be distracted, delayed, or disqualified from entering into the temples and doing the very work you have been prepared and reserved to do, he wins. What becomes clear is that you must be pure and worthy in order to receive the promptings from the Holy Ghost that you need for the decisions you are making now. What also becomes clear is that you must remain worthy to enter the Lord’s holy temples.

All the sacrifice and work of all the prior generations have led to this moment. ... Peter said of you, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). Never before has so much been expected. Never before has so much been given: prophets, scriptures, priesthood, ordinances and covenants, temples, the Book of Mormon, and the gospel in its fulness. You have been prepared, called, and chosen. 

This is your time. ... To accomplish the tasks you have been foreordained to do, your faith must be firmly centered on our Savior, Jesus Christ. You must remember that faith is not only a principle of power but of action. You must act on the faith you already possess. ... Young men, you were prepared to receive the priesthood, which would enable you to exercise the power of God while here on the earth. 

Young women, you were given the noble gift and responsibility to nurture others and become mothers to other choice spirits. You were entrusted with the very powers of godliness to create a mortal life. Virtuous people are committed to the sanctity of life. They respect God’s counsel on how life is to be conceived, protected, and nurtured. There is no strength that is greater than the strength of virtue nor any confidence that is more sure 

than the confidence of a virtuous life.

In the premortal realm you participated in a war. You fought with your faith and testimony to accept and sustain the plan that was presented by God the Father. You knew it was right, and you knew that the Savior would do what He said He would do because you knew Him! There were no neutral spirits in the War in Heaven, and there can be no neutral positions now where choices between right and wrong are to be made. 

The Lord Himself said, “He that is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). You stood with Him! You were eager for your assignment. You knew what was going to be required of you. You knew how difficult it would be, and yet you were confident you could not only accomplish your divine mission but that you could make a difference. 

As one prophet said of you and your day: For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. ... God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God.

All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it you are a marked generation."

Stay Tuned until next time.

You Matter to Him ~ 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 2011 General Conference talk, and it is called "You Matter to Him" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This post is part two. I would like to share with you sme highlights whilst I was reading the talk, and I hope that you would be able to learn something new while reading through this post. 

Elder Uchtdorf has mentioned; "The Last Shall Be First

The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use in His own way and for His holy purposes those who incline their hearts to Him.

God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good. ...

"You matter to him." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

You Matter to Him

My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember you matter to Him! 

If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles: First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Second, the Lord entrusts “the fulness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.” He has chosen “the weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones” and to put to shame “the things which are mighty.”

Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. ...

Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. 

Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed. Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season. He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him. May we ever believe, trust, and align our lives so that we will understand our true eternal worth and potential. May we be worthy of the precious blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us ..."

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/2011/10/you-matter-to-him

Stay Tuned until next time.

You Matter to Him ~ 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 October 2011 General Conference talk, and it is called "You Matter to Him" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This post is part one. I would like to share with you sme highlights whilst I was reading the talk, and I hope that you would be able to learn something new while reading through this post. 

Elder Uchtdorf has mentioned; "... We Are Less Than We Suppose

The more we learn about the universe, the more we understand at least in a small part what Moses knew. The universe is so large, mysterious, and glorious that it is incomprehensible to the human mind. “Worlds without number have I created,” God said to Moses. The wonders of the night sky are a beautiful testimony of that 

truth. ...

We Are Greater Than We Suppose

But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! 

His work and glory the purpose for this magnificent universe is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.

This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation worlds without end within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.

"It may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the UNIVERSE. 
At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember you matter
to HIM." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf. 

The Folly of Pride

The great deceiver knows that one of his most effective tools in leading the children of God astray is to appeal to the extremes of the paradox of man. To some, he appeals to their prideful tendencies, puffing them up and encouraging them to believe in the fantasy of their own self-importance and invincibility. ... He leads them to conclude that they are therefore not subject to anyone else’s rules and not to be bothered by anyone else’s problems.

... Disciples of Jesus Christ understand that compared to eternity, our existence in this mortal sphere is only “a small moment” in space and time. They know that a person’s true value has little to do with what the world holds in high esteem. They know you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.

Those who will “inherit the kingdom of God” are those who become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love.” ... Such disciples understand also “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

We Are Not Forgotten

Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten especially by God.

Let me share with you a personal experience that may be of some help to those who feel insignificant, forgotten, or alone.

Many years ago I attended pilot training in the United States Air Force. I was far away from my home, a young West German soldier, born in Czechoslovakia, who had grown up in East Germany and spoke English only with great difficulty. I clearly remember my journey to our training base in Texas. I was on a plane, sitting next to a passenger who spoke with a heavy Southern accent. 

I could scarcely understand a word he said. I actually wondered if I had been taught the wrong language all along. I was terrified by the thought that I had to compete for the coveted top spots in pilot training against students who were native English speakers.

When I arrived on the air base in the small town of Big Spring, Texas, I looked for and found the Latter-day Saint branch, which consisted of a handful of wonderful members who were meeting in rented rooms on the air base itself. The members were in the process of building a small meetinghouse that would serve as a permanent place for the Church. Back in those days members provided much of the labor on new buildings.

Day after day I attended my pilot training and studied as hard as I could and then spent most of my spare time working on the new meetinghouse. ... I spent so much time working on the meetinghouse that the branch president who also happened to be one of our flight instructors expressed concern that I perhaps should spend more time studying.

My friends and fellow student pilots engaged themselves in free-time activities as well, although I think it’s safe to say that some of those activities would not have been in alignment with today’s For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. For my part, I enjoyed being an active part of this tiny west Texas branch, practicing my newly acquired carpentry skills, and improving my English as I fulfilled my callings to teach in the elders quorum and in Sunday School.

At the time, Big Spring, despite its name, was a small, insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself insignificant, unknown, and quite alone. Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there. 

I knew that it didn’t matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was. What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well. And all was well." 

Stay Tuned until next time.

On Being Worthy ~ 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 1989 General Conference talk, and it is called "On Being Worthy" by Elder Marvin J. Ashton. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk. 

Elder Ashton has mentioned; "... President N. Eldon Tanner gave us some wise counsel: “With all this evil present in the world today, it is most important that those who are responsible conduct proper interviews. “Let us always remember that our main purpose, assignment, and responsibility is to save souls. “It is important that those we interview realize that they are spirit children of God and that we love them, and let them know that we love them and are interested in their welfare and in helping them succeed in life. 

“It is a great responsibility for a bishop or stake president to conduct a worthiness interview. There is equal responsibility, however, upon the member who is interviewed. Careful, searching interviews need to be conducted always individually and privately. ... “Let [the member] know that if there is something amiss in his life, there are ways to straighten it out. ere is a great cleansing power of repentance.

... “You bishops and stake presidents might approach an interview for a temple recommend something like this: 

“‘You have come to me for a recommend to enter the temple. I have the responsibility of representing the Lord in interviewing you. At the conclusion of the interview there is provision for me to sign your recommend; but mine is not the only important signature on your recommend. Before the recommend is valid, you must sign it yourself.’ 

"To be WORTHY does not mean to be
PERFECT." - Gerrit W. Gong.

... “And so it is. The Lord gives the privilege to members of the Church to respond to those questions in such interviews. en if there is something amiss, the member can get his life in order so that he may qualify for the priesthood advancement, for a mission, or for a temple recommend.” (Ensign, Nov. 1978, pp. 41–42.) 

... Sometimes there is a great need for us to be chastised, disciplined, and corrected in a spirit of love, help, and hope. Guidance and suggestions should be offered in a loving way, but most of us have a tendency to rebel or be dismayed when someone suggests that our conduct is less than it should be. 

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “ Those things that hurt, instruct. It is for this reason that wise people learn not to dread but welcome problems.” 

... It is up to us to look for that assistance so we can understand the rules and strengthen ourselves as we receive direction from the sources available. ... When we dwell on our own weaknesses, it is easy to dwell on the feelings that we are unworthy. Somehow we need to bridge the gap between continually striving to improve and yet not feeling defeated when our actions aren’t perfect all the time. 

We need to remove unworthy from our vocabulary and replace it with hope and work. ... It is my hope and prayer that we will learn individually and collectively the importance of the process of becoming worthy. We are entitled to the help of others not only in assessing our worthiness but also in making the classi cation of “worthy” available to each of us. 

As we measure our worthiness, let us no longer put limitations upon ourselves. Rather, let us use those strengths and powers that are available to make us worthy to gain great heights in personal development. Thus we will reap the joy that comes to those who desire to improve and move forward with determination and eðectiveness as they practice self-discipline and refuse to judge themselves as unworthy. ..." 

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/1989/04/on-being-worthy

Stay Tuned until next time.

On Being Worthy ~ 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 1989 General Conference talk, and it is called "On Being Worthy" by Elder Marvin J. Ashton. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk. 

Elder Ashton has mentioned; 

"... We do not have to be hindered by self-judgment. All of us have the benefit and added wisdom of a bishop and a stake president to help us determine our worthiness and, if necessary, to assist us to begin the process of becoming worthy to accomplish whatever goal we wish to achieve. When we take it upon ourselves to pass self-judgment and simply declare, “I am not worthy,” we build a barrier to progress and erect blockades that prevent our moving forward. 

We are not being fair when we judge ourselves. A second and third opinion will always be helpful and proper. It occurs to me that there are probably hundreds or even thousands who do not understand what worthiness is. Worthiness is a process, and perfection is an eternal trek. We can be worthy to enjoy certain privileges without being perfect. Perhaps it is reasonable to conclude that personal measurement or judgment often times may be severe and inaccurate. 

... All of us are particularly aware of our shortcomings and weaknesses. Therefore, it is easy for us to feel that we are unworthy of blessings we desire and that we are not as worthy to hold an office or calling as someone next door. All through life we meet some people who tell of their weaknesses with great enthusiasm and unreasonable prejudice. They may not report untruths, but they may leave out truths or they may not be fair with themselves. Misjudgments can be made. To move forward wisely and think clearly, all sides of the story must be reviewed. 

When we feel inadequate, capable and loving friends can help us realize our strengths and potential. ... Worthy and lasting changes can only be made when actions are based upon the light of truth. Very often, people become comfortable in their self-declared unworthiness status. Possibly the hardest guidelines for us to follow are those we set for ourselves. To analyze our fears, our dreams, our goals, our motives can be soul-wrenching. We need others to help us. We may nd that we fear failure so much that we won’t take a risk. 

Often our self-esteem is bruised by criticism. Many other facts about ourselves can be brought to light if we really want to know. Perhaps we all live under some misconceptions when we look at each other on Sundays as we attend our meetings. Everyone is neatly dressed and greets each other with a smile. It is natural to assume that everyone else has his life under control and doesn’t have to deal with dark little weaknesses and imperfections. 

ere is a natural, probably a mortal, tendency to compare ourselves with others. Unfortunately, when we make these comparisons, we tend to compare our weakest attributes with someone else’s strongest. 

... We need to come to terms with our desire to reach perfection and our frustration when our accomplishments or behaviors are less than perfect. ... Elder Joseph Fielding Smith oðers this counsel: “Salvation does not come all at once; we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave, and it will be there that the faithful will overcome all things, and receive all things, even the fulness of the Father’s glory. 

“I believe the Lord meant just what he said: that we should be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. at will not come all at once, but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God.” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56, 2:18–19.) 

I am also convinced of the fact that the speed with which we head along the straight and narrow path isn’t as important as the direction in which we are traveling. at direction, if it is leading toward eternal goals, is the all-important factor. ... As we said in the beginning, it is a wonderful strength and a needful process to be able to go to a bishop or a stake president and discuss our worthiness."

Stay Tuned until next time.

A Virtuous Life - Step by Step ~ 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 2009 General Conference talk, and it is called "A Virtuous Life - Step by Step" by Sister Mary N Cook. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk and I hope that you would be able to learn something new while reading through this post. 

Sister Cook has mentioned; "They were ashamed and caved into peer pressure. ... Young women, we must be united in righteousness so that we may stand strong when others mock our actions and beliefs. One way we can withstand the pressures of the world is to “stand … in holy places, and be not moved” (D&C 87:8). Stay away from situations where you are likely to be tempted, mocked, and scorned. 

A commitment to remain virtuous will give you strength to withstand peer pressure. As we’re advised in For the Strength of Youth: “Have the courage to walk out of a movie or video party, turn off a computer or television, change a radio station, or put down a magazine if what is being presented does not meet Heavenly Father’s standards” ([2001], 19).

"Virtue is the fount whence honour springs." 
- Christopher Marlowe.

... What will help you to press forward and continually hold fast to the iron rod? Center your life on the Savior and develop daily habits of righteous living. Come to know the Savior and all He has done for you. 

... Remember, it is the cleansing power of the Atonement that makes it possible for us to be virtuous. We all make mistakes, but “because the Savior loves you and has given His life for you, you can repent. Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ. … The Savior’s atoning sacrifice has made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins. 

... Determine to partake worthily of the sacrament each week and fill your life with virtuous activities that will bring spiritual power. As you do this, you will grow stronger in your ability to resist temptation, keep the commandments [remain clean], and become more like Jesus Christ” (Young Women Personal Progress [insert, 2009], 3). 

Daily habits of righteous behavior will also help you to continually hold fast to the rod. ... to develop three daily habits: First, pray to your Father in Heaven, morning and night, every day.

Second, read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes every day.

And third, smile! Why? We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings us true happiness.

Now, you must remember that you are not alone on this journey. When you were baptized and confirmed, you were given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide you in all aspects of your life. You will need that guidance. Virtuous living “at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) qualifies us for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Sometimes you may feel that you are the only one who is walking this path. Just as loved ones surrounded you when you came into this world, there are many around you now who can influence you for good - your parents, brothers and sisters, Young Women leaders, priesthood leaders, wholesome friends, and even “angels [will be] round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).

... These are your examples of the believers. Learn from them, and, young women, you can be an example of the believers to them and others. ... We must unite and help one another fill our lives with those things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report” (Articles of Faith 1:13).  ..."

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/2009/04/a-virtuous-life-step-by-step

Stay Tuned until next time.

A Virtuous Life - Step by Step ~ Part One

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 2009 General Conference talk, and it is called "A Virtuous Life - Step by Step" by Sister Mary N Cook. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk and I hope that you would be able to learn something new while reading through this post. 

Sister Cook has mentioned; "... Now you must establish patterns of virtue that will keep you on this path throughout your life. Seek out “example[s] of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12) who can be at your side to support and help you live a life of virtue. ... Virtue brings peace, strength of character, and happiness in this life. 

Our Heavenly Father knew that we would be faced with many choices and challenges, and virtuous living would prepare us to succeed. For many of you, the day you were blessed was a first step on your journey of a virtuous life. Your choice to be baptized, confirmed, and given the gift of the Holy Ghost and your efforts to worthily partake of the sacrament and renew your baptismal covenant each week are critical forward steps in living a life of virtue. 

Your next step on this journey is to prepare yourself to be worthy to enter the temple, where you will make additional sacred covenants and receive sacred temple ordinances, including that of celestial marriage. This will require you to be virtuous. ... we are reminded of the difficulty of staying on the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Father Lehi described to his sons the challenges facing different groups of people seeking the tree of life, “whose fruit was desirable to make one happy” (v. 10). This tree represented the love of God (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22).

The first group started along the strait and narrow path, but they did not take hold of the iron rod that would keep them on the path, and they got lost in the mists of darkness (see 1 Nephi 8:21–23). Some of these mists of darkness, or temptations that Satan uses to obscure the path to eternal life, are specifically directed at women. 

He makes chastity and moral purity appear old-fashioned. He has made motherhood seem less important. He has been successful in confusing women about their roles in the Lord’s divine plan. To navigate through these mists of darkness we need the iron rod, which represents the word of God (see 1 Nephi 15:23–24). We must study and understand the truths and commandments found in the scriptures. 

"Try the virtue of the word of God." - Alma 31:5

We must listen carefully to the words of our latter-day prophets, whose teachings will give us guidance, direction, and protection. And we must hold to the standards found in For the Strength of Youth. Those in the second group of people Lehi saw were clinging to the iron rod. 

They continued in the right direction, and they were able to partake of the fruit of the tree. They tasted true happiness, but unfortunately their happiness did not last long because as they looked around, they saw those who were making fun of them. (See 1 Nephi 8:24–27.) 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts

  Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This week focuses on two topics; the first topic is Virtue, and the second topic is Worthiness. 

Have you ever heard the saying "Let virtue garnish your thoughts" before?

This post focuses on a October 2009 General Conference talk and it is called "Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts" by H. David Burton. I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the talk. Presiding Bishop Burton has mentioned, "... “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45). 

... “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).

... I wish to speak about personal traits we call virtues. Virtuous traits form the foundation of a Christian life and are the outward manifestation of the inner man. The spelling in English of many individual virtues concludes with the letters ity: integrity, humility, charity, spirituality, accountability, civility, fidelity, and the list goes on and on. ...  We need only look around us to see what is taking place in our communities to realize that personal traits of virtue are in a steep decline. 

Reflect on the behavior of drivers on crowded highways; road rage happens all too often. Civility is all but absent in our political discourse. As countries around the world face financial and economic challenges, fidelity and honesty seem to have been replaced with greed and graft. A visit to a high school will often subject you to crude language and immodest dress.

... On occasion our generosity in support of good causes wanes as our appetite to acquire more than we need prevails. ... If we follow the world in abandoning Christian-centered virtues, the consequences may be disastrous. Individual faith and fidelity, which have eternal consequences, will diminish. Family solidarity and spirituality will be adversely impacted. Religious influence in society will be lessened, and the rule of law will be challenged and perhaps even set aside.

... We need to stand tall and be firmly fixed in perpetuating Christlike virtues, even the “ity” virtues, in our everyday lives. Teaching virtuous traits begins in the home with parents who care and set the example. A good parental example encourages emulation; a poor example gives license to the children to disregard the parents’ teachings and even expand the poor example. A hypocritical example destroys credibility.

"Virtue is its own rewards."

President James E. Faust suggested that integrity is the mother of many virtues. ... He also suggested that “integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us” (“Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues,” in Speaking Out on Moral Issues [1998], ..). 

It is difficult for a person to display virtuous traits if he or she lacks integrity. Without integrity, honesty is often forgotten. If integrity is absent, civility is impaired. If integrity is not important, spirituality is difficult to maintain. ...

President Thomas S. Monson reminded us a few years ago that “most people will not commit desperate acts if they have been taught that dignity, honesty and integrity are more important than revenge or rage; if they understand that respect and kindness ultimately give one a better chance at success” (“Family Values in a Violent Society,” Deseret News, Jan. 16, 1994, A12).

... Virtuous traits, especially the “ity” virtues, must never be forgotten or set aside. If forgotten or set aside, they will inevitably become the “lost virtues.” If virtues are lost, families will be measurably weakened, individual faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will soften, and important eternal relationships may be jeopardized. Traits of virtue broadly practiced can loosen Satan’s firm grip on society and derail his insidious plan to capture the hearts, minds, and spirits of mortal men.

Now is the time for us to join in rescuing and preserving that which is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits in our personal lives, our communities and institutions will be improved, our children and families will be strengthened, and faith and integrity will bless individual lives. ..."

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/2009/10/let-virtue-garnish-your-thoughts

Stay Tuned until next time.