Many believe prophets were a thing of the past; a biblical figure that no longer exists. Through the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we were so blessed to have all the keys of the Priesthood restored to the earth. Along with those keys came the real power and proper authority to call one man to be the mouthpiece for the Lord. Today we definitely "Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet". What a tremendous gift and blessing it is to have a living prophet on the earth.
Amos 3:7 states "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Heavenly Father would not leave his children to fend for themselves in this ever increasingly wicked world. There is one man on the earth who holds all the keys of priesthood authority. He is chosen by God and "called through proper priesthood authority." He is assisted by his counselors and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve "who are also prophets, seers, and revelators".
Knowing this man receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit, makes it paramount that we listen to his counsel.
If we follow the prophet the Lord promises, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory " (D&C 21:6).
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Happily Ever After
Aundrea Ristine gave the Presidency lesson in May. She used President Uchtdorf's talk given to the Young Women this past March.
President Uchtdorf states that in almost all the languages of the world there is a magical phrase, "Once Upon a Time". Elder Uchtdorf said, “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”
We are all striving for our own "happily ever after", which ultimately is eternal life. Our lives are the pages between "Once Upon a Time" and "Happily Ever After". We can have the faith and courage to overcome the trials and tribulations that inevitably happen in each chapter of our lives.
President Uchtdorf tells the young women, "Isn't it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of 'once upon a time,' complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own 'happily ever after.'
President Uchtdorf states that in almost all the languages of the world there is a magical phrase, "Once Upon a Time". Elder Uchtdorf said, “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”
We are all striving for our own "happily ever after", which ultimately is eternal life. Our lives are the pages between "Once Upon a Time" and "Happily Ever After". We can have the faith and courage to overcome the trials and tribulations that inevitably happen in each chapter of our lives.
President Uchtdorf tells the young women, "Isn't it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of 'once upon a time,' complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own 'happily ever after.'
Are You Somebody or Nobody?
Deborah Haynie's lesson came from President Monson's Talk "What Have I Done For Someone Today?"
All President Monson wanted for his birthday was to hear stories of people doing something nice for someone else. He calls them "warm fuzzies". Deborah had on display a huge jar full of fuzzy balls to represent the hundreds of letters President Monson received.
Service is truly President Monson's "theme". It is through us the Lord helps feed the sick, clothe the naked, strengthen the weak, comfort the poor in spirit.
This little poem reminds us to step up to the plate.
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
All President Monson wanted for his birthday was to hear stories of people doing something nice for someone else. He calls them "warm fuzzies". Deborah had on display a huge jar full of fuzzy balls to represent the hundreds of letters President Monson received.
Service is truly President Monson's "theme". It is through us the Lord helps feed the sick, clothe the naked, strengthen the weak, comfort the poor in spirit.
This little poem reminds us to step up to the plate.
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
Chapter 8 - Praying to our Heavenly Father
One of the greatest blessings we have been given is the ability to communicate with Heavenly Father. We can offer up our heart's sincere desires and if we listen, He will guide us.
Even from the time of Adam and Eve, we have been told to pray. We are to pray to Heavenly Father and no one or nothing else. We pray to the Father in the name of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Advocate with the Father. We are not worthy to be in His presence, except by way of Jesus of Christ. This is why we start our prayers by addressing Heavenly Father and close our prayers in the name of Jesus of Christ.
We should pray for strength to resist the temptations of Satan. Our prayers should not become meaningless repitition of words. We are in a "live chat" and should speak from our hearts and give thanks daily. As parents we know it is a little bit easier to give to those children whom we know are grateful. Before we ask Heavenly Father for blessings, we should thank Him for what we already have. We should be meek and humble, asking for His will to be done.
We have been counseled to pray on our own at least morning and night. We should be gathering our families for prayer morning and night as well.
Our sincere prayers are always answered. The answer may not be what we want but when we exercise our faith in a loving Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us, the best will come.
It is good to remember that sometimes the Father answers our prayers through other people. Sometimes He gives us the power to answer our own prayers through actions we must take.
Jesus taught "Ye must pray unto the Father in my name" (3Ne 18:19). Thankfully we can.
Even from the time of Adam and Eve, we have been told to pray. We are to pray to Heavenly Father and no one or nothing else. We pray to the Father in the name of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Advocate with the Father. We are not worthy to be in His presence, except by way of Jesus of Christ. This is why we start our prayers by addressing Heavenly Father and close our prayers in the name of Jesus of Christ.
We should pray for strength to resist the temptations of Satan. Our prayers should not become meaningless repitition of words. We are in a "live chat" and should speak from our hearts and give thanks daily. As parents we know it is a little bit easier to give to those children whom we know are grateful. Before we ask Heavenly Father for blessings, we should thank Him for what we already have. We should be meek and humble, asking for His will to be done.
We have been counseled to pray on our own at least morning and night. We should be gathering our families for prayer morning and night as well.
Our sincere prayers are always answered. The answer may not be what we want but when we exercise our faith in a loving Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us, the best will come.
It is good to remember that sometimes the Father answers our prayers through other people. Sometimes He gives us the power to answer our own prayers through actions we must take.
Jesus taught "Ye must pray unto the Father in my name" (3Ne 18:19). Thankfully we can.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Fall of Adam and Eve
When Adam and Eve were in the garden of Eden they were not mortal. Even though they had physical bodies, they did not know pleasure or pain, good or evil and were not subject to death.
They had been given a commandment not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because if they did, they would die. Eve knew that this would be the only way for them to progress. Satan wanted to tempt them to break the law but he did not know how that would fit into God's plan.
Some Bibles refer to the Fall as "shameful". As Latter-Day Saints, we know better. It was necessary. Dallin H. Oaks explains the difference between transgressing a law and committing a sin. Sins are inherently wrong. Murder is a sin. Operating without a license is wrong because it is against the law but it is not a sin. Eve transgressed the law but did not commit sin.
Because Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, they were cast out of the garden and thus their bodies experienced a change. They became mortal. Only then were they capable of procreating. They opened the portal by which all mankind would come into mortality and experience earth life. If it wasn't for their transgression of that one law, none of us would be here.
They had been given a commandment not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because if they did, they would die. Eve knew that this would be the only way for them to progress. Satan wanted to tempt them to break the law but he did not know how that would fit into God's plan.
Some Bibles refer to the Fall as "shameful". As Latter-Day Saints, we know better. It was necessary. Dallin H. Oaks explains the difference between transgressing a law and committing a sin. Sins are inherently wrong. Murder is a sin. Operating without a license is wrong because it is against the law but it is not a sin. Eve transgressed the law but did not commit sin.
Because Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, they were cast out of the garden and thus their bodies experienced a change. They became mortal. Only then were they capable of procreating. They opened the portal by which all mankind would come into mortality and experience earth life. If it wasn't for their transgression of that one law, none of us would be here.
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