tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19887519240870214272024-03-05T06:13:05.423-08:00Rejoice in ChristChristianity as explained by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsDelirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.comBlogger851125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-21870003853164313012015-01-28T19:24:00.000-08:002015-01-28T19:24:43.028-08:00Church Views on: LGBT Rights, Religious Discrimination, and Same Gender AttractionThe Church recently had a press conference to discuss LGBT rights, and religious discrimination. I thought this was a GREAT press conference. If you would like to see it, <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620479/LDS-Church-announces-10-am-news-conference-watch-live.html?pg=all#iozybv35zvl2O5lH.01" target="_blank">click this link</a> <br />
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In addition, here is a wonderful interview with Elder Oaks and Elder Wickman about Same-Gender attraction. It's a little lengthy, but very thorough, and well presented. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elder Lance B. Wickman: “Same-Gender Attraction”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">The</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/interview-oaks-wickman-same-gender-attraction#" id="_GPLITA_0" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzg0NTc6NDpjb250aW51ZTpjZTk5YjQ4NDI3ZWJjM2I4ZDVhOGY0NDI2ZWZmNzYzYzp6LTE1MTEtMTA2NzE4OTp3d3cubW9ybW9ubmV3c3Jvb20ub3JnOjIzMjMyNjoxYmZjNDIzOGEwOTI5OGNmNzg0YTZlMzdmNTUxZWNiZTozMGM5ZDdjMTk3MGE0NWM1OGM3ODNmYmFlN2U0ZDg5MTowOmRhdGFfc3MsNzM4eDEzNjY7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NDQyMDc4MA&subid=g-1067189-4d9af4cf3e71425ab9bc6269aabed290-&data_ss=738x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #a50101; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by Quiknowledge">CONTINUING<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 640px; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">public debate over same-gender marriage has prompted many questions from the news media, the general public and Church members in relation to the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the marriage issue specifically and on homosexuality in general.</span></div>
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The following interview was conducted in 2006 with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, and Elder Lance B. Wickman, a member of the Seventy. These senior Church leaders responded to questions from two members of the Church’s Public Affairs staff. The transcript of the interview appears below in order to help clarify the Church’s stand on these important, complex and sensitive issues.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: At the outset, can you explain why this whole issue of homosexuality and same-gender marriage is important to the Church?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Let’s say my 17-year-old son comes to talk to me and, after a great deal of difficulty trying to get it out, tells me that he believes that he’s attracted to men — that he has no interest and never has had any interest in girls. He believes he’s probably gay. He says that he’s tried to suppress these feelings. He’s remained celibate, but he realizes that his feelings are going to be devastating to the family because we’ve always talked about his Church mission, about his temple marriage and all those kinds of things. He just feels he can’t live what he thinks is a lie any longer, and so he comes in this very upset and depressed manner. What do I tell him as a parent?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: You’re my son. You will always be my son, and I’ll always be there to help you.</div>
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The distinction between feelings or inclinations on the one hand, and behavior on the other hand, is very clear. It’s no sin to have inclinations that if yielded to would produce behavior that would be a transgression. The sin is in yielding to temptation. Temptation is not unique. Even the Savior was tempted.</div>
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The New Testament affirms that God has given us commandments that are difficult to keep. It is in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”</div>
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I think it’s important for you to understand that homosexuality, which you’ve spoken of, is not a noun that describes a condition. It’s an adjective that describes feelings or behavior. I encourage you, as you struggle with these challenges, not to think of yourself as a ‘something’ or ‘another,’ except that you’re a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you’re my son, and that you’re struggling with challenges.</div>
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Everyone has some challenges they have to struggle with. You’ve described a particular kind of challenge that is very vexing. It is common in our society and it has also become politicized. But it’s only one of a host of challenges men and women have to struggle with, and I just encourage you to seek the help of the Savior to resist temptation and to refrain from behavior that would cause you to have to repent or to have your Church membership called into question.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: If somebody has a very powerful heterosexual drive, there is the opportunity for marriage. If a young man thinks he’s gay, what we’re really saying to him is that there is simply no other way to go but to be celibate for the rest of his life if he doesn’t feel any attraction to women?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: That is exactly the same thing we say to the many members who don’t have the opportunity to marry. We expect celibacy of any person that is not married.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: We live in a society which is so saturated with sexuality that it perhaps is more troublesome now, because of that fact, for a person to look beyond their gender orientation to other aspects of who they are. I think I would say to your son or anyone that was so afflicted to strive to expand your horizons beyond simply gender orientation. Find fulfillment in the many other facets of your character and your personality and your nature that extend beyond that. There’s no denial that one’s gender orientation is certainly a core characteristic of any person, but it’s not the only one.</div>
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What’s more, merely having inclinations does not disqualify one for any aspect of Church participation or membership, except possibly marriage as has already been talked about. But even that, in the fullness of life as we understand it through the doctrines of the restored gospel, eventually can become possible.</div>
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In this life, such things as service in the Church, including missionary service, all of this is available to anyone who is true to covenants and commandments.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: So you are saying that homosexual feelings are controllable?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: Yes, homosexual feelings are controllable. Perhaps there is an inclination or susceptibility to such feelings that is a reality for some and not a reality for others. But out of such susceptibilities come feelings, and feelings are controllable. If we cater to the feelings, they increase the power of the temptation. If we yield to the temptation, we have committed sinful behavior. That pattern is the same for a person that covets someone else’s property and has a strong temptation to steal. It’s the same for a person that develops a taste for alcohol. It’s the same for a person that is born with a ‘short fuse,’ as we would say of a susceptibility to anger. If they let that susceptibility remain uncontrolled, it becomes a feeling of anger, and a feeling of anger can yield to behavior that is sinful and illegal.</div>
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We’re not talking about a unique challenge here. We’re talking about a common condition of mortality. We don’t understand exactly the ‘why,’ or the extent to which there are inclinations or susceptibilities and so on. But what we do know is that feelings can be controlled and behavior can be controlled. The line of sin is between the feelings and the behavior. The line of prudence is between the susceptibility and the feelings. We need to lay hold on the feelings and try to control them to keep us from getting into a circumstance that leads to sinful behavior.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: One of the great sophistries of our age, I think, is that merely because one has an inclination to do something, that therefore acting in accordance with that inclination is inevitable. That’s contrary to our very nature as the Lord has revealed to us. We do have the power to control our behavior.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: If we were to look back at someone who had a ‘short fuse,’ and we were to look at their parents who might have had a short fuse, some might identify a genetic influence in that.</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: No, we do not accept the fact that conditions that prevent people from attaining their eternal destiny were born into them without any ability to control. That is contrary to the Plan of Salvation, and it is contrary to the justice and mercy of God. It’s contrary to the whole teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which expresses the truth that by or through the power and mercy of Jesus Christ we will have the strength to do all things. That includes resisting temptation. That includes dealing with things that we’re born with, including disfigurements, or mental or physical incapacities. None of these stand in the way of our attaining our eternal destiny. The same may be said of a susceptibility or inclination to one behavior or another which if yielded to would prevent us from achieving our eternal destiny.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: You’re saying the Church doesn’t necessarily have a position on ‘nurture or nature’</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: That’s where our doctrine comes into play. The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction. Those are scientific questions — whether nature or nurture — those are things the Church doesn’t have a position on.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: Whether it is nature or nurture really begs the important question, and a preoccupation with nature or nurture can, it seems to me, lead someone astray from the principles that Elder Oaks has been describing here. Why somebody has a same-gender attraction… who can say? But what matters is the fact that we know we can control how we behave, and it is behavior which is important.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Is therapy of any kind a legitimate course of action if we’re talking about controlling behavior? If a young man says, “Look, I really want these feelings to go away… I would do anything for these feelings to go away,” is it legitimate to look at clinical therapy of some sort that would address those issues?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: Well, it may be appropriate for that person to seek therapy. Certainly the Church doesn’t counsel against that kind of therapy. But from the standpoint of a parent counseling a person, or a Church leader counseling a person, or a person looking at his or her same-gender attraction from the standpoint of ‘What can I do about it here that’s in keeping with gospel teachings?’ the clinical side of it is not what matters most. What matters most is recognition that ‘I have my own will. I have my own agency. I have the power within myself to control what I do.’</div>
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Now, that’s not to say it’s not appropriate for somebody with that affliction to seek appropriate clinical help to examine whether in his or her case there’s something that can be done about it. This is an issue that those in psychiatry, in the psychology professions have debated. Case studies I believe have shown that in some cases there has been progress made in helping someone to change that orientation; in other cases not. From the Church’s standpoint, from our standpoint of concern for people, that’s not where we place our principal focus. It’s on these other matters.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: Amen to that. Let me just add one more thought. The Church rarely takes a position on which treatment techniques are appropriate, for medical doctors or for psychiatrists or psychologists and so on.</div>
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The second point is that there are abusive practices that have been used in connection with various mental attitudes or feelings. Over-medication in respect to depression is an example that comes to mind. The aversive therapies that have been used in connection with same-sex attraction have contained some serious abuses that have been recognized over time within the professions. While we have no position about what the medical doctors do (except in very, very rare cases — abortion would be such an example), we are conscious that there are abuses and we don’t accept responsibility for those abuses. Even though they are addressed at helping people we would like to see helped, we can’t endorse every kind of technique that’s been used.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: We are sometimes asked about whether marriage is a remedy for these feelings that we have been talking about. President Hinckley, faced with the fact that apparently some had believed it to be a remedy, and perhaps that some Church leaders had even counseled marriage as the remedy for these feelings, made this statement: “Marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices.” To me that means that we are not going to stand still to put at risk daughters of God who would enter into such marriages under false pretenses or under a cloud unknown to them. Persons who have this kind of challenge that they cannot control could not enter marriage in good faith.</div>
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On the other hand, persons who have cleansed themselves of any transgression and who have shown their ability to deal with these feelings or inclinations and put them in the background, and feel a great attraction for a daughter of God and therefore desire to enter marriage and have children and enjoy the blessings of eternity — that’s a situation when marriage would be appropriate.</div>
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President Hinckley said that marriage is not a therapeutic step to solve problems.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: One question that might be asked by somebody who is struggling with same-gender attraction is, “Is this something I’m stuck with forever? What bearing does this have on eternal life? If I can somehow make it through this life, when I appear on the other side, what will I be like?”</div>
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Gratefully, the answer is that same-gender attraction did not exist in the pre-earth life and neither will it exist in the next life. It is a circumstance that for whatever reason or reasons seems to apply right now in mortality, in this nano-second of our eternal existence.</div>
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The good news for somebody who is struggling with same-gender attraction is this: 1) It is that ‘I’m not stuck with it forever.’ It’s just now. Admittedly, for each one of us, it’s hard to look beyond the ‘now’ sometimes. But nonetheless, if you see mortality as now, it’s only during this season. 2) If I can keep myself worthy here, if I can be true to gospel commandments, if I can keep covenants that I have made, the blessings of exaltation and eternal life that Heavenly Father holds out to all of His children apply to me. Every blessing — including eternal marriage — is and will be mine in due course.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: Let me just add a thought to that. There is no fullness of joy in the next life without a family unit, including a husband, a wife, and posterity. Further, men are that they might have joy. In the eternal perspective, same-gender activity will only bring sorrow and grief and the loss of eternal opportunities.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: A little earlier, Elder Oaks, you talked about the same standard of morality for heterosexuals and homosexuals. How would you address someone who said to you, ‘I understand it’s the same standard, but aren’t we asking a little more of someone who has same-gender attraction?’ Obviously there are heterosexual people who won’t get married, but would you accept that they at least have hope that ‘tomorrow I could meet the person of my dreams.’ There’s always the hope that that could happen at any point in their life. Someone with same-gender attraction wouldn’t necessarily have that same hope.</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: There are differences, of course, but the contrast is not unique. There are people with physical disabilities that prevent them from having any hope — in some cases any actual hope and in other cases any practical hope — of marriage. The circumstance of being currently unable to marry, while tragic, is not unique.</div>
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It is sometimes said that God could not discriminate against individuals in this circumstance. But life is full of physical infirmities that some might see as discriminations — total paralysis or serious mental impairment being two that are relevant to marriage. If we believe in God and believe in His mercy and His justice, it won’t do to say that these are discriminations because God wouldn’t discriminate. We are in no condition to judge what discrimination is. We rest on our faith in God and our utmost assurance of His mercy and His love for all of His children.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: There’s really no question that there is an anguish associated with the inability to marry in this life. We feel for someone that has that anguish. I feel for somebody that has that anguish. But it’s not limited to someone who has same-gender attraction.</div>
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We live in a very self-absorbed age. I guess it’s naturally human to think about my own problems as somehow greater than someone else’s. I think when any one of us begins to think that way, it might be well to look beyond ourselves. Who am I to say that I am more handicapped, or suffering more, than someone else?</div>
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I happen to have a handicapped daughter. She’s a beautiful girl. She’ll be 27 next week. Her name is Courtney. Courtney will never marry in this life, yet she looks wistfully upon those who do. She will stand at the window of my office which overlooks the Salt Lake Temple and look at the brides and their new husbands as they’re having their pictures taken. She’s at once captivated by it and saddened because Courtney understands that will not be her experience here. Courtney didn’t ask for the circumstances into which she was born in this life, any more than somebody with same-gender attraction did. So there are lots of kinds of anguish people can have, even associated with just this matter of marriage. What we look forward to, and the great promise of the gospel, is that whatever our inclinations are here, whatever our shortcomings are here, whatever the hindrances to our enjoying a fullness of joy here, we have the Lord’s assurance for every one of us that those in due course will be removed. We just need to remain faithful.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Elder Wickman, when you referred earlier to missionary service, you held that out as a possibility for someone who felt same-gender attraction but didn’t act on it. President Hinckley has said that if people are faithful, they can essentially go forward as anyone else in the Church and have full fellowship. What does that really mean? Does it mean missionary service? Does it mean that someone can go to the temple, at least for those sacraments that don’t involve marriage? Does it really mean that someone with same-gender attraction so long as they’re faithful, has every opportunity to participate, to be called to service, to do all those kinds of things that anyone else can?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: I think the short answer to that is yes! I’d look to Elder Oaks to elaborate on that.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: President Hinckley has helped us on that subject with a clear statement that answers all questions of that nature. He said, “We love them (referring to people who have same-sex attractions) as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church.”</div>
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To me that means that a person with these inclinations, where they’re kept under control, or, if yielded to are appropriately repented of, is eligible to do anything in the Church that can be done by any member of the Church who is single. Occasionally, there’s an office, like the office of bishop, where a person must be married. But that’s rather the exception in the Church. Every teaching position, every missionary position can be held by single people. We welcome to that kind of service people who are struggling with any kind of temptation when the struggle is a good struggle and they are living so as to be appropriate teachers, or missionaries, or whatever the calling may be.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: Isn’t it really the significance of the Atonement in a person’s life? Doesn’t the Atonement really begin to mean something to a person when he or she is trying to face down the challenges of living, whether they be temptations or limitations? The willingness to turn to the Savior, the opportunity of going to sacrament service on a Sunday, and really participating in the ordinance of the sacrament… listening to the prayers, partaking of those sacred emblems. Those are opportunities that really help us to come within the ambit of the Savior’s Atonement. Viewed that way, then any opportunity to serve in the Church is a blessing. As has been mentioned, there is a relatively tiny handful of callings within the Church that require marriage.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: There is another point to add here, and this comes from a recent statement of the First Presidency, which is a wonderful description of our attitude in this matter: “We of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reach out with understanding and respect for individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender. We realize there may be great loneliness in their lives, but there must also be recognition of what is right before the Lord.”</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: What would you say to those members in society, members of the Church, who may look at same-gender attraction as different than other temptations, than any other struggle that people face? First of all, do you think it’s a fair assessment that some people have that feeling? What would you say to them?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: I think it is an accurate statement to say that some people consider feelings of same-gender attraction to be the defining fact of their existence. There are also people who consider the defining fact of their existence that they are from Texas or that they were in the United States Marines. Or they are red-headed, or they are the best basketball player that ever played for such-and-such a high school. People can adopt a characteristic as the defining example of their existence and often those characteristics are physical.</div>
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We have the agency to choose which characteristics will define us; those choices are not thrust upon us.</div>
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The ultimate defining fact for all of us is that we are children of Heavenly Parents, born on this earth for a purpose, and born with a divine destiny. Whenever any of those other notions, whatever they may be, gets in the way of that ultimate defining fact, then it is destructive and it leads us down the wrong path.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Both of you have mentioned the issue of compassion and this feeling about needing to be compassionate. Let’s fast-forward the scenario that we used earlier, and assume it’s a couple of years later. My conversations with my son, all our efforts to love our son and keep him in the Church have failed to address what he sees as the central issue — that he can’t help his feelings. He’s now told us that he’s moving out of the home. He plans to live with a gay friend. He’s adamant about it. What should be the proper response of a Latter-day Saint parent in that situation?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: It seems to me that a Latter-day Saint parent has a responsibility in love and gentleness to affirm the teaching of the Lord through His prophets that the course of action he is about to embark upon is sinful. While affirming our continued love for him, and affirming that the family continues to have its arms open to him, I think it would be well to review with him something like the following, which is a statement of the First Presidency in 1991: “The Lord’s law of moral conduct is abstinence outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between husband and wife, appropriately expressed within the bonds of marriage. Any other sexual conduct, including fornication, adultery, and homosexual and lesbian behavior is sinful. Those who persist in such practices or influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline.”</div>
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My first responsibility as a father is to make sure that he understands that, and then to say to him, “My son, if you choose to deliberately engage in this kind of behavior, you’re still my son. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to reach out and cleanse you if you are repentant and give up your sinful behavior, but I urge you not to embark on that path because repentance is not easy. You’re embarking on a course of action that will weaken you in your ability to repent. It will cloud your perceptions of what is important in life. Finally, it may drag you down so far that you can’t come back. Don’t go that way. But if you choose to go that way, we will always try to help you and get you back on the path of growth.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: One way to read the Book of Mormon is as a book of encounters between fathers and sons. Some of those encounters were very positive and reinforcing on the part of the father of a son. Some were occasions where a father had to tell his son or his sons that the path that they were following was incorrect before the Lord. With all, it needs to be done in the spirit of love and welcoming that, as Elder Oaks mentioned, ‘You’re always my son.’ There’s an old maxim which is really true for every parent and that is, ‘You haven’t failed until you quit trying.’ I think that means both in terms of taking appropriate opportunities to teach one’s children the right way, but at all times making sure they know that over all things you’ll love them.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: At what point does showing that love cross the line into inadvertently endorsing behavior? If the son says, ‘Well, if you love me, can I bring my partner to our home to visit? Can we come for holidays?’ How do you balance that against, for example, concern for other children in the home?’</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: That’s a decision that needs to be made individually by the person responsible, calling upon the Lord for inspiration. I can imagine that in most circumstances the parents would say, ‘Please don’t do that. Don’t put us into that position.’ Surely if there are children in the home who would be influenced by this example, the answer would likely be that. There would also be other factors that would make that the likely answer.</div>
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I can also imagine some circumstances in which it might be possible to say, ‘Yes, come, but don’t expect to stay overnight. Don’t expect to be a lengthy house guest. Don’t expect us to take you out and introduce you to our friends, or to deal with you in a public situation that would imply our approval of your “partnership.”</div>
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There are so many different circumstances, it’s impossible to give one answer that fits all.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: It’s hard to imagine a more difficult circumstance for a parent to face than that one. It is a case by case determination. The only thing that I would add to what Elder Oaks has just said is that I think it’s important as a parent to avoid a potential trap arising out of one’s anguish over this situation.</div>
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I refer to a shift from defending the Lord’s way to defending the errant child’s lifestyle, both with him and with others. It really is true the Lord’s way is to love the sinner while condemning the sin. That is to say we <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/interview-oaks-wickman-same-gender-attraction#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzg0NTc6NDpjb250aW51ZTo4ZTAxNDdiMzI0NWJmOTZkNGZkYmJkZjdjZmJhZGIzZjp6LTE1MTEtMTA2NzE4OTp3d3cubW9ybW9ubmV3c3Jvb20ub3JnOjIzMjMyNjoxYmZjNDIzOGEwOTI5OGNmNzg0YTZlMzdmNTUxZWNiZTo1MTcyNmUwMmUxYWI0ZDM2YTI3MTM3OWMyM2Q5ZTExNToxOmRhdGFfc3MsNzM4eDEzNjY7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NDQyMDc4MA&subid=g-1067189-4d9af4cf3e71425ab9bc6269aabed290-&data_ss=738x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #a50101; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by Quiknowledge">CONTINUE<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 640px; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> to open our homes and our hearts and our arms to our children, but that need not be with approval of their lifestyle. Neither does it mean we need to be constantly telling them that their lifestyle is inappropriate. An even bigger error is now to become defensive of the child, because that neither helps the child nor helps the parent. That course of action, which experience teaches, is almost certainly to lead both away from the Lord’s way.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: The First Presidency made a wonderful statement on this subject in a letter in 1991. Speaking of individuals and families that were struggling with this kind of problem, they said, “We encourage Church leaders and members to reach out with love and understanding to those struggling with these issues.” Surely if we are counseled as a body of Church membership to reach out with love and understanding to those ‘struggling with these issues,’ that obligation rests with particular intensity on parents who have children struggling with these issues… even children who are engaged in sinful behavior associated with these issues.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Is rejection of a child to some degree the natural reaction of some parents whenever their children fall short of expectations? Is it sometimes easier to ‘close the window’ on an issue than deal with it?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: We surely encourage parents not to blame themselves and we encourage Church members not to blame parents in this circumstance. We should remember that none of us is perfect and none of us has children whose behavior is entirely in accord with exactly what we would have them do in all circumstances.</div>
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We feel great compassion for parents whose love and protective instincts for their challenged children have moved them to some positions that are adversary to the Church. I hope the Lord will be merciful to parents whose love for their children has caused them to get into such traps.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Let’s fast-forward again. My son has now stopped coming to church altogether. There seems no prospect of him returning. Now he tells me he’s planning on going to Canada where same-gender marriage is allowed. He insists that he agrees that loving marriage relationships are important. He’s not promiscuous; he has one relationship. He and his partner intend to have that relationship for the rest of their lives. He cannot understand that a lifetime commitment can’t be accepted by the Church when society seems to be moving in that way. Again, if I am a Latter-day Saint father, what would I be expected to tell him?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: For openers, marriage is neither a matter of politics, nor is it a matter of social policy. Marriage is defined by the Lord Himself. It’s the one institution that is ceremoniously performed by priesthood authority in the temple [and] transcends this world. It is of such profound importance… such a core doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of the very purpose of the creation of this earth. One hardly can get past the first page of Genesis without seeing that very clearly. It is not an institution to be tampered with by mankind, and certainly not to be tampered with by those who are doing so simply for their own purposes. There is no such thing in the Lord’s eyes as something called same-gender marriage. Homosexual behavior is and will always remain before the Lord an abominable sin. Calling it something else by virtue of some political definition does not change that reality.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: Another way to say that same thing is that the Parliament in Canada and the Congress in Washington do not have the authority to revoke the commandments of God, or to modify or amend them in any way.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: On some gay web sites there are those who argue that homosexual behavior is not specifically prohibited in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. Some argue that Jesus Christ’s compassion and love for humanity embraces this kind of relationship. What is the Church’s teaching about that?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: For one thing, those who assert that need to read their Bible more carefully. But beyond that, it is comparing apples and oranges to refer to the love that the Savior expressed for all mankind, for every person, for every man and woman and child, with the doctrine related to marriage.</div>
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In fact, the Savior did make a declaration about marriage, albeit in a somewhat different context. Jesus said that “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and they twain shall be one flesh. What God has joined together let no man put asunder.”</div>
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We usually think of that expression in the context of two people, a man and a woman, being married and the inappropriateness of someone trying to separate them. I think it may have a broader meaning in a doctrinal sense. Marriage of a man and a woman is clear in Biblical teaching in the Old Testament as well as in the New [Testament] teaching. Anyone who seeks to put that notion asunder is likewise running counter to what Jesus Himself said. It’s important to keep in mind the difference between Jesus’ love and His definition of doctrine, and the definition of doctrine that has come from apostles and prophets of the Lord Jesus Christ, both anciently and in modern times.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: What of those who might say, “Okay. Latter-day Saints are entitled to believe whatever they like. If you don’t believe in same-gender marriages, then it’s fine for you. But why try to regulate the behavior of other people who have nothing to do with your faith, especially when some nations in Europe have legally sanctioned that kind of marriage? Why not just say, ‘We don’t agree with it doctrinally for our own people’ and leave it at that. Why fight to get a Constitutional amendment [in the United States], for example?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: We’re not trying to regulate people, but this notion that ‘what happens in your house doesn’t affect what happens in my house’ on the subject of the institution of marriage may be the ultimate sophistry of those advocating same-gender marriage.</div>
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Some people promote the idea that there can be two marriages, co-existing side by side, one heterosexual and one homosexual, without any adverse consequences. The hard reality is that, as an institution, marriage like all other institutions can only have one definition without changing the very character of the institution. Hence there can be no coexistence of two marriages. Either there is marriage as it is now defined and as defined by the Lord, or there is what could thus be described as genderless marriage. The latter is abhorrent to God, who, as we’ve been discussing, Himself described what marriage is — between a man and a woman.</div>
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A redefinition of that institution, therefore, redefines it for everyone — not just those who are seeking to have a so-called same gender marriage. It also ignores the definition that the Lord Himself has given.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: There’s another point that can be made on this. Let’s not forget that for thousands of years the institution of marriage has been between a man and a woman. Until quite recently, in a limited number of countries, there has been no such thing as a marriage between persons of the same gender. Suddenly we are faced with the claim that thousands of years of human experience should be set aside because we should not discriminate in relation to the institution of marriage. When that claim is made, the burden of proving that this step will not undo the wisdom and stability of millennia of experience lies on those who would make the change. Yet the question is asked and the matter is put forward as if those who believe in marriage between a man and a woman have the burden of proving that it should not be extended to some other set of conditions.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: There are those who would say that that might have applied better in the 1950s or earlier than in the 21st century. If you look at several nations in Europe, for example, traditional marriage is so rapidly on the decline that it is no longer the norm. If marriage is evolving, ought we to resist those kind of social changes?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: That argument impresses me as something akin to the fact that if we agree that the patient is sick and getting sicker, we should therefore approve a coup de grace. The coup de grace which ends the patient’s life altogether is quite equivalent to the drastic modification in the institution of marriage that would be brought on by same-gender marriage.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: You talked about the harm that could come on society by redefining marriage. What would you say to those people who declare: “I know gay people who are in long-term committed relationships. They’re great people. They love each other. What harm is it going to do my marriage as a heterosexual to allow them that same ‘rite?’</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: Let me say again what I said a moment ago. I believe that that argument is true sophistry, because marriage is a unified institution. Marriage means a committed, legally sanctioned relationship between a man and a woman. That’s what it means. That’s what it means in the revelations. That’s what it means in the secular law. You cannot have that marriage coexisting institutionally with something else called same-gender marriage. It simply is a definitional impossibility. At such point as you now, as an institution, begin to recognize a legally-sanctioned relationship, a committed relationship between two people of the same gender, you have now redefined the institution to being one of genderless marriage.</div>
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As we’ve mentioned in answer to other questions, [genderless marriage] is contrary to God’s law, to revealed Word. Scripture, ancient and modern, could not be clearer on the definition that the Lord and His agents have given to marriage down through the dispensations.</div>
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But it has a profound effect in a very secular way on everybody else. What happens in somebody’s house down the street does in very deed have an effect on what happens in my house and how it’s treated. To suggest that in the face of these millennia of history and the revelations of God and the whole human pattern they have the right to redefine the whole institution for everyone is presumptuous in the extreme and terribly wrong-headed.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: Another point to be made about this is made in a question. If a couple who are cohabiting, happy, and committed to one another want to have their relationship called a marriage, why do they want that? Considering what they say they have, why do they want to add to it the legal status of marriage that has been honored and experienced for thousands of years? What is it that is desired by those who advocate same-gender marriage? If that could be articulated on some basis other than discrimination, which is not a very good argument, it would be easier to answer the question that you have asked, and I think it would reveal the soundness of what we’ve already heard.</div>
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There are certain indicia of marriage — certain legal and social consequences and certain legitimacy — which if given to some relationship other than marriage between a man and a woman tend to degrade if not destroy the institution that’s been honored over so many thousands of years.</div>
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In addition, if people want to legalize a particular relationship, we need to be careful if that kind of relationship has been disapproved for millennia. Suddenly there’s a call to legalize it so they can feel better about themselves. That argument proves a little too much. Suppose a person is making a living in some illegal behavior, but feels uneasy about it. (He may be a professional thief or he may be selling a service that is illegal, or whatever it may be.) Do we go out and legalize his behavior because he’s being discriminated against in his occupational choices or because he doesn’t feel well about what he’s doing and he wants a ‘feel good’ example, or he wants his behavior legitimized in the eyes of society or his family? I think the answer is that we do not legalize behavior for those reasons unless they are very persuasive reasons brought forward to make a change in the current situation.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Would you extend the same argument against same-gender marriage to civil unions or some kind of benefits short of marriage?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: One way to think of marriage is as a bundle of rights associated with what it means for two people to be married. What the First Presidency has done is express its support of marriage and for that bundle of rights belonging to a man and a woman. The First Presidency hasn’t expressed itself concerning any specific right. It really doesn’t matter what you call it. If you have some legally sanctioned relationship with the bundle of legal rights traditionally belonging to marriage and governing authority has slapped a label on it, whether it is civil union or domestic partnership or whatever label it’s given, it is nonetheless tantamount to marriage. That is something to which our doctrine simply requires us to speak out and say, “That is not right. That’s not appropriate.”</div>
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As far as something less than that — as far as relationships that give to some pairs in our society some right but not all of those associated with marriage — as to that, as far as I know, the First Presidency hasn’t expressed itself. There are numbers of different types of partnerships or pairings that may exist in society that aren’t same-gender sexual relationships that provide for some right that we have no objection to. All that said… there may be on occasion some specific rights that we would be concerned about being granted to those in a same-gender relationship. Adoption is one that comes to mind, simply because that is a right which has been historically, doctrinally associated so closely with marriage and family. I cite the example of adoption simply because it has to do with the bearing and the rearing of children. Our teachings, even as expressed most recently in a very complete doctrinal sense in the Family Proclamation by living apostles and prophets, is that children deserve to be reared in a home with a father and a mother.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: On the issue of a Constitutional amendment prohibiting same-gender marriage, there are some Latter-day Saints who are opposed to same-gender marriage, but who are not in favor of addressing this through a Constitutional amendment. Why did the Church feel that it had to step in that direction?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: Law has at least two roles: one is to define and regulate the limits of acceptable behavior. The other is to teach principles for individuals to make individual choices. The law declares unacceptable some things that are simply not enforceable, and there’s no prosecutor who tries to enforce them. We refer to that as the teaching function of the law. The time has come in our society when I see great wisdom and purpose in a United States Constitutional amendment declaring that marriage is between a man and a woman. There is nothing in that proposed amendment that requires a criminal prosecution or that directs the attorneys general to go out and round people up, but it declares a principle and it also creates a defensive barrier against those who would alter that traditional definition of marriage.</div>
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There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I can see a legitimate argument there. I think it’s mistaken, however, because the federal government, through the decisions of life-tenured federal judges, has already taken over that area. This Constitutional amendment is a defensive measure against those who would ignore the will of the states appropriately expressed and require, as a matter of federal law, the recognition of same-gender marriages — or the invalidation of state laws that require that marriage be between a man and a woman. In summary, the First Presidency has come out for an amendment (which may or may not be adopted) in support of the teaching function of the law. Such an amendment would be a very important expression of public policy, which would feed into or should feed into the decisions of judges across the length and breadth of the land.</div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: Let me just add to that, if I may. It’s not the Church that has made the issue of marriage a matter of federal law. Those who are vigorously advocating for something called same-gender marriage have essentially put that potato on the fork. They’re the ones who have created a situation whereby the law of the land, one way or the other, is going to address this issue of marriage. This is not a situation where the Church has elected to take the matter into the legal arena or into the political arena. It’s already there.</div>
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The fact of the matter is that the best way to assure that a definition of marriage as it now stands continues is to put it into the foundational legal document of the United States. That is in the Constitution. That’s where the battle has taken it. Ultimately that’s where the battle is going to be decided. It’s going to be decided as a matter of federal law one way or the other. Consequently it is not a battleground on such an issue that we Latter-day Saints have chosen, but it has been established and we have little choice but to express our views concerning it, which is really all that the Church has done.</div>
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Decisions even for members of the Church as to what they do with respect to this issue must of course rest with each one in their capacity as citizens.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The emphasis that has been placed in this conversation on traditional marriage between a man and a woman has been consistent throughout. Do you see any irony in the fact that the Church is so publicly outspoken on this issue, when in the minds of so many people in the United States and around the world the Church is known for once supporting a very untraditional marriage arrangement — that is, polygamy?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: I see irony in that if one views it without the belief that we affirm in <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/divine-revelation-modern-times" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #a50101; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">divine revelation</a>. The 19th century Mormons, including some of my ancestors, were not eager to practice plural marriage. They followed the example of Brigham Young, who expressed his profound negative feelings when he first had this principle revealed to him. The Mormons of the 19th century who practiced plural marriage, male and female, did so because they felt it was a duty put upon them by God.</div>
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When that duty was lifted, they were directed to conform to the law of the land, which forbade polygamy and which had been held constitutional. When they were told to refrain from plural marriage, there were probably some who were unhappy, but I think the majority were greatly relieved and glad to get back into the mainstream of western civilization, which had been marriage between a man and a woman. In short, if you start with the assumption of continuing revelation, on which this Church is founded, then you can understand that there is no irony in this. But if you don’t start with that assumption, you see a profound irony.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: What about various types of support groups for those with same-gender affliction?</b></div>
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ELDER WICKMAN: I think we neither encourage nor discourage them, but much would depend on the nature of those groups. We certainly discourage people getting involved with any group or organization that foster living a homosexual lifestyle.</div>
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Ultimately, the wisest course for anybody who’s afflicted with same-gender attraction is to strive to extend one’s horizon beyond just one’s sexual orientation, one’s gender orientation, and to try to see the whole person. If I’m one that’s afflicted with same-gender attraction, I should strive to see myself in a much broader context… seeing myself as a child of God with whatever my talents may be, whether intellect, or music, or athletics, or somebody that has a compassion to help people, to see myself in a larger setting and thus to see my life in that setting.</div>
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The more a person can look beyond gender orientation, the happier and more fulfilling life is likely to be. The worst possible thing for any of us — no matter what our temptations, no matter what our mortal inclinations may be — is to become fixated with them, to dwell on them. When we do that, not only do we deny the other things that comprise us, but experience teaches that there will be an increased likelihood that eventually we will simply succumb to the inclination.</div>
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ELDER OAKS: The principle that Elder Wickman has talked about, in a nutshell, is that if you are trying to live with and maintain ascendancy over same-gender attractions, the best way to do that is to have groups that define their members in terms other than same-gender attractions.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: If you had to describe this enormously complex question in a couple of basic principles, what would that be?</b></div>
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ELDER OAKS: God loves all of His children. He has provided a plan for His children to enjoy the choicest blessings that He has to offer in eternity. Those choicest blessings are associated with marriage between a man and a woman by appropriate priesthood authority to bring together a family unit for creation and happiness in this life and in the life to come.</div>
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We urge persons with same-gender attractions to control those and to refrain from acting upon them, which is a sin, just as we urge persons with heterosexual attractions to refrain from acting upon them until they have the opportunity for a marriage recognized by God as well as by the law of the land. That is the way to happiness and eternal life. God has given us no commandment that He will not give us the strength and power to observe. That is the Plan of Salvation for His children, and it is our duty to proclaim that plan, to teach its truth, and to praise God for the mission of His Son Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s atonement that makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and His resurrection that gives us the assurance of immortality and the life to come. It is that life to come that orients our views in mortality and reinforces our determination to live the laws of God so that we can qualify for His blessings in immortality.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Thank you.</b></div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-73533049693713625902014-10-19T20:47:00.004-07:002014-10-19T20:47:49.023-07:00So the LDS Missionaries Show up at Your Door.....Have the LDS missionaries ever come to your door before? Did you let them in? What did you think about their message?<br />
So let's assume that the missionaries have made contact with you. What should you expect from their visits? I thought I would share with you some things you can expect. Here are some questions you might ask:<br />
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1. Do they want me to pay them?<br />
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Missionaries voluntarily serve and don't get any money for their service. Typically they earn money before they go on their mission, and their family supports them with the rest. In some cases, members of the congregation offer to support them. Most missionaries won't say no to a home cooked meal though. ;)<br />
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2. Will they brainwash me?<br />
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Uh...no. Missionaries come to teach. Their job is to teach, and you have the freedom to accept or reject what they teach. If you don't want them to come anymore, just tell them, and they will stop coming. <br />
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3. What will they expect of me?<br />
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Missionaries have great faith and trust that God will reveal truth to you. They will teach you, but they may ask you to read some scriptures and pray about them. They may ask you to pray about what they have taught you. This process is very simple, and very wonderful. They are basically asking you to develop your relationship with God, and ask Him if what they teach is true. They may invite you to attend a church meeting also. If you receive an answer from God that what they taught is true, they will invite you to be baptized. <br />
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4. Why are they called "Elders"? <br />
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The term "Elder" is a term used in the New Testament to refer to a Priesthood office in the church. It does not refer to age, and in fact, most missionaries are quite young. Young men are allowed to serve beginning at age 18. Young women are allowed to serve beginning at age 19. In addition, older couples, usually retired, also serve missions. <br />
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5. Do young missionaries really have any words of wisdom to share with me?<br />
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Missionaries are human, and therefore have faults. For many of them, this is just as much a learning experience for them as it is for you. But through teaching, both parties can be edified together. They are not expert teachers. They are not expert scriptorians. But what they do have working for them is the Holy Spirit. One of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit is that he will testify of truth. If what the missionaries teach you is true, you will feel the quite whisperings of the Spirit telling you that it is true. Pay attention to how you FEEL when the missionaries teach. The discussions they share with you, in addition to the scriptures you read will bring great peace and inspiration to your life.<br />
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I hope that you will take the time to listen to what the missionaries have to say. If you are an honest seeker of truth, God will manifest the truth of their words by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a young missionary, I often felt the Spirit's witness as I taught. I can testify that the Spirit will speak to the honest in heart; those who are truly seeking God's truth.<br />
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If you are interested in having the missionaries come teach you, please leave contact me.<br />
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<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-69290949084982141582014-10-18T08:46:00.000-07:002014-10-18T08:46:00.251-07:00Conference Messages: The Sacrament—a Renewal for the Soul<h1 style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #3c424e; font-family: OFLSortsMillGoudyRegular, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 498.9375px;">
This talk helps us evaluate the meaning of the sacrament in our lives.</h1>
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The Sacrament—a Renewal for the Soul</h1>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/cheryl-a-esplin?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;">BY CHERYL A. ESPLIN</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/cheryl-a-esplin?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;">Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency</span></a></div>
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<img alt="By Cheryl A. Esplin" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/leaders/cheryl-a-esplin-10.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: DistrictThin, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; line-height: 28px;">The Spirit heals and renews our souls. The promised blessing of the sacrament is that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us].”</span></div>
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A group of young women once asked me, “What do you wish you had known when you were our age?” If I were to answer that question now, I would include this thought: “I wish when I was your age I had understood the significance of the sacrament better than I did. I wish I had understood the sacrament in the way that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland described. He said, ‘One of the invitations inherent in the sacramental ordinance is that it be a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for the soul.’<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#1-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1</a></sup>”</div>
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How can the sacrament “be a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for the soul” each week?</div>
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The sacrament becomes a spiritually strengthening experience when we listen to the sacrament prayers and recommit to our covenants. To do this, we must be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="2" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#2-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2</a></sup>Speaking of this promise, President Henry B. Eyring taught: “That means we must see ourselves as His. We will put Him first in our lives. We will want what He wants rather than what we want or what the world teaches us to want.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="3" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#3-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3</a></sup></div>
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When we take the sacrament, we also covenant to “always remember”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="4" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#4-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4</a></sup>Jesus Christ. On the night before He was crucified, Christ gathered His Apostles around Him and instituted the sacrament. He broke bread, blessed it, and said, “Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I give a ransom for you.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="5" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#5-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5</a></sup> Next He took a cup of wine, gave thanks, gave it to His Apostles to drink, and said, “This is in remembrance of my blood … , which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="6" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#6-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</a></sup></div>
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Among the Nephites and again at the Restoration of His Church in the latter days, He repeated that we are to take the sacrament in remembrance of Him.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="7" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#7-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7</a></sup></div>
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As we partake of the sacrament, we witness to God that we will remember His Son always, not just during the brief sacrament ordinance. This means that we will constantly look to the Savior’s example and teachings to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our acts.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="8" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#8-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8</a></sup></div>
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The sacrament prayer also reminds us that we must “keep his commandments.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="9" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#9-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9</a></sup></div>
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Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="10" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#10-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10</a></sup> The sacrament gives us an opportunity for introspection and an opportunity to turn our heart and will to God. Obedience to the commandments brings the power of the gospel into our lives and greater peace and spirituality.</div>
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The sacrament provides a time for a truly spiritual experience as we reflect upon the Savior’s redeeming and enabling power through His Atonement. A Young Women leader recently learned about the strength we receive as we strive to thoughtfully partake of the sacrament. Working to complete a requirement in Personal Progress, she set a goal to focus on the words in the sacrament hymns and prayers.</div>
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Each week, she conducted a self-evaluation during the sacrament. She recalled mistakes she had made, and she committed to be better the next week. She was grateful to be able to make things right and be made clean. Looking back on the experience, she said, “I was acting on the repentance part of the Atonement.”</div>
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One Sunday after her self-evaluation, she began to feel gloomy and pessimistic. She could see that she was making the same errors over and over again, week to week. But then she had a distinct impression that she was neglecting a big part of the Atonement—Christ’s enabling power. She was forgetting all the times the Savior helped her be who she needed to be and serve beyond her own capacity.</div>
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With this in mind, she reflected again on the previous week. She said: “A feeling of joy broke through my melancholy as I noted that He had given me many opportunities and abilities. I noted with gratitude the ability I had to recognize my child’s need when it wasn’t obvious. I noted that on a day when I felt I could not pack in one more thing to do, I was able to offer strengthening words to a friend. I had shown patience in a circumstance that usually elicited the opposite from me.”</div>
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She concluded: “As I thanked God for the Savior’s enabling power in my life, I felt so much more optimistic toward the repentance process I was working through and I looked to the next week with renewed hope.”</div>
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Elder Melvin J. Ballard taught how the sacrament can be a healing and cleansing experience. He said:</div>
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“Who is there among us that does not wound his spirit by word, thought, or deed, from Sabbath to Sabbath? We do things for which we are sorry and desire to be forgiven. … The method to obtain forgiveness is … to repent of our sins, to go to those against whom we have sinned or transgressed and obtain their forgiveness and then repair to the sacrament table where, if we have sincerely repented and put ourselves in proper condition, we shall be forgiven, and spiritual healing will come to our souls. …</div>
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“I am a witness,” Elder Ballard said, “that there is a spirit attending the administration of the sacrament that warms the soul from head to foot; you feel the wounds of the spirit being healed, and the load being lifted. Comfort and happiness come to the soul that is worthy and truly desirous of partaking of this spiritual food.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="11" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#11-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11</a></sup></div>
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Our wounded souls can be healed and renewed not only because the bread and water remind us of the Savior’s sacrifice of His flesh and blood but because the emblems also remind us that He will always be our “bread of life”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="12" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#12-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12</a></sup> and “living water.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="13" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#13-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13</a></sup></div>
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After administering the sacrament to the Nephites, Jesus said:</div>
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“He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled.</div>
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“Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold, they were filled with the Spirit.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="14" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#14-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14</a></sup></div>
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With these words, Christ teaches us that the Spirit heals and renews our souls. The promised blessing of the sacrament is that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us].”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="15" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#15-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15</a></sup></div>
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When I partake of the sacrament, I sometimes picture in my mind a painting that depicts the resurrected Savior with His arms outstretched, as if He is ready to receive us into His loving embrace. I love this painting. When I think about it during the administration of the sacrament, my soul is lifted as I can almost hear the Savior’s words: “Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="16" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#16-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">16</a></sup></div>
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Aaronic Priesthood holders represent the Savior when they prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament. As a priesthood holder extends his arm to offer us the sacred emblems, it is as if the Savior Himself were extending His arm of mercy, inviting each one of us to partake of the precious gifts of love made available through His atoning sacrifice—gifts of repentance, forgiveness, comfort, and hope.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="17" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#17-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">17</a></sup></div>
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The more we ponder the significance of the sacrament, the more sacred and meaningful it becomes to us. This was what a 96-year-old father expressed when his son asked, “Dad, why do you go to church? You can’t see, you can’t hear, it’s hard for you to get around. Why do you go to church?” The father replied, “It’s the sacrament. I go to partake of the sacrament.”</div>
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May each of us come to sacrament meeting prepared to have “a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for [our] soul.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="18" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng#18-10991_000_14esplin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">18</a></sup></div>
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<span class="story" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px;"></span><span class="story" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px;"></span><span class="story" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px;"></span></div>
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I know that our Heavenly Father and our Savior live. I am grateful for the opportunity the sacrament provides to feel of Their love and to partake of the Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-30791357069672147252014-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:002014-10-17T08:42:00.583-07:00Conference Messages: Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence<h1 style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #3c424e; font-family: OFLSortsMillGoudyRegular, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 498.9375px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a great talk that addresses our ownership of the accountability we have for our actions.</span></h1>
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Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence</h1>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/jorg-klebingat?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #3b4b6d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BY ELDER JÖRG KLEBINGAT</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/jorg-klebingat?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #3b4b6d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Of the Seventy</a></div>
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<img alt="By Elder Jörg Klebingat" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/leaders/Klebingat_72dpi_105x131.jpg" /></div>
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On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God? Do you have a personal witness that your current offering as a Latter-day Saint is sufficient to inherit eternal life? Can you say within yourself that Heavenly Father is pleased with you? What thoughts come to mind if you had a personal interview with your Savior one minute from now? Would sins, regrets, and shortcomings dominate your self-image, or would you simply experience joyful anticipation? Would you meet or avoid His gaze? Would you linger by the door or confidently walk up to Him?</div>
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Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving Saints such as you to abandon your belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between you and God. The adversary knows that faith in Christ—the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles—goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right. For that reason he will seek access to your heart to tell you lies—lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same evil theme.</div>
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As long as you allow these voices to chisel away at your soul, you can’t approach the throne of God with real confidence. Whatever you do, whatever you pray for, whatever hopes for a miracle you may have, there will always be just enough self-doubt chipping away at your faith—not only your faith in God but also your confidence in yourself. Living the gospel in this manner is no fun, nor is it very healthy. Above all, it is completely unnecessary! The decision to change is yours—and yours alone.</div>
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I would like to share six practical suggestions that, if heeded, will dissipate these evil voices and restore to you the kind of peaceful assurance and spiritual confidence that is yours to have if you only want it. Regardless of the rating you gave yourself on that 1-to-10 scale, by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can begin increasing your spiritual confidence today if you are willing to listen and act. I will speak boldly, hoping to edify and not to offend.</div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being.</span> Stop blaming others or your circumstances, stop justifying, and stop making excuses for why you may not be fully striving to be obedient. Accept that you are “free according to the flesh” and “free to choose liberty and eternal life” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.27?lang=eng#26" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Nephi 2:27</a>). The Lord knows your circumstances perfectly, but He also knows perfectly well whether you simply choose not to fully live the gospel. If that is the case, be honest enough to admit it, and strive to be perfect within your own sphere of circumstances. <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual confidence increases when you take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ daily.</span></div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being.</span> Your soul consists of your body and spirit (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.15?lang=eng#14" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 88:15</a>). Feeding the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it! Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught that we should “regard our body as a temple of our very own” and that we should “control our diet and exercise for physical fitness” (“We Are Children of God,”<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ensign,</span> Nov. 1998, 87;<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liahona,</span> Jan. 1999, 103).</div>
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President Boyd K. Packer has taught “that our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character” (“The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character” [Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 2, 2003], 2; <a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=180" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">speeches.byu.edu</a>). Therefore, please use good judgment in what and especially how much you eat, and regularly give your body the exercise it needs and deserves. If you are physically able, decide today to be the master of your own house and begin a regular, long-term exercise program, suited to your abilities, combined with a healthier diet. <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual confidence increases when your spirit, with the help of the Savior, is truly in charge of your natural man or woman.</span></div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Embrace voluntary, wholehearted obedience as part of your life.</span>Acknowledge that you cannot love God without also loving His commandments. The Savior’s standard is clear and simple: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.15?lang=eng#14" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">John 14:15</a>). Selective obedience brings selective blessings, and choosing something bad over something worse is still choosing wrong. You can’t watch a bad movie and expect to feel virtuous because you did not watch a <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very</span> bad one. Faithful observance of some commandments doesn’t justify neglecting others. Abraham Lincoln rightly said, “When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad” (in William H. Herndon and Jesse William Weik, <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Herndon’s Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life,</span> 3 vols. [1889], 3:439).</div>
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Also, do the right things for the right reasons. The Lord, who “requireth the heart and a willing mind” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/64.34?lang=eng#33" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 64:34</a>) and who “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/33.1?lang=eng#0" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 33:1</a>), knows why you go to church—whether you are present in body only or truly worshipping. You can’t sing on Sunday, “O Babylon, O Babylon, [I] bid thee farewell” and then seek or tolerate its company again moments later (“Ye Elders of Israel,”<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hymns,</span> no. 319). Remember that casualness in spiritual matters never was happiness. Make the Church and the restored gospel your whole life, not just a part of your outward or social life. Choosing this day whom you will serve is lip service only—until you actually live accordingly (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/josh/24.15?lang=eng#14" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Joshua 24:15</a>). <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual confidence increases when you are truly striving, for the right reasons, to live a consecrated life in spite of your imperfections!</span></div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly.</span> Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out. Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that are to be welcomed and applied daily according to the Great Physician’s orders. Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by making it your lifestyle of choice. In doing so, beware of the temptation to procrastinate, and don’t expect the world to cheer you on. Keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow. <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual confidence increases when you voluntarily and joyfully repent of sins, both small and great, in real time by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Become really, really good at forgiving. </span>“I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/64.10?lang=eng#9" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 64:10</a>). Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life. Don’t hold grudges, don’t be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly, and don’t ever think that you are exempt from this commandment. <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual confidence increases when you know that the Lord knows that you bear no ill feelings toward another soul.</span></div>
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<span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Accept trials, setbacks, and “surprises” as part of your mortal experience.</span> Remember that you are here to be proved and tested, “to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [your] God shall command [you]” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/3.25?lang=eng#24" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Abraham 3:25</a>)—and may I just add, “under all circumstances.” Millions of your brothers and sisters have been or are being thus tested, so why would you be exempt? Some trials come through your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world. When these trials come, the adversary’s minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong, that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you. Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, “I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?” Then partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when you accept that “often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into [your life] because of what [you] are doing right” (Glenn L. Pace, “Crying with the Saints” [Brigham Young University devotional, Dec. 13, 1987], 2; <a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1283" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">speeches.byu.edu</a>).</div>
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While presiding over the Ukraine Kyiv Mission, I once asked one of my most faithful sisters why she was always so hard on herself, why she was always beating herself up over the smallest things. Her answer was a classic example of someone listening to the wrong voice as she replied, “So no one can beat me to it.”</div>
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Brothers and sisters, my counsel to this sister missionary is my counsel to you: acknowledge and face your weaknesses, but don’t be immobilized by them, because some of them will be your companions until you depart this earth life. No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior’s Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, wherever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly “always retain a remission of your sins” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/4.12?lang=eng#11" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mosiah 4:12</a>) every hour of every day, every second of every minute, and thus be fully clean and acceptable before God <span class="emphasis" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all the time.</span></div>
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Yours is the privilege, if you want it, to come to know for yourself, today or soon, that you are pleasing God in spite of your shortcomings. I testify of a loving Savior who expects us to live the commandments. I testify of a loving Savior who is so very anxious to bestow His grace and mercy. I testify of a loving Savior who rejoices when we apply His Atonement daily with the calm and happy assurance that we are facing in the right direction. I testify of a loving Savior who is anxious for your “confidence [to] wax strong in the presence of God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121.45?lang=eng#44" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 121:45</a>). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-6658212006771991302014-10-16T08:39:00.000-07:002014-10-16T08:39:00.019-07:00Conference Messages: Free Forever, to Act for Themselves<h1 style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #3c424e; font-family: OFLSortsMillGoudyRegular, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 48px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 498.9375px;">
Free Forever, to Act for Themselves</h1>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/d-todd-christofferson?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BY ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/d-todd-christofferson?lang=eng" rel="author" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</a></div>
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<img alt="By Elder D. Todd Christofferson" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/leaders/d-todd-christofferson-10.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: DistrictThin, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; line-height: 28px;">It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually.</span></div>
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William Shakespeare’s play <span class="emphasis" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Life of King Henry V</span> includes a nighttime scene in the camp of English soldiers at Agincourt just before their battle with the French army. In the dim light and partially disguised, King Henry wanders unrecognized among his soldiers. He talks with them, trying to gauge the morale of his badly outnumbered troops, and because they do not realize who he is, they are candid in their comments. In one exchange they philosophize about who bears responsibility for what happens to men in battle—the king or each individual soldier.</div>
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At one point King Henry declares, “Methinks I could not die any where so contented as in the king’s company; his cause being just.”</div>
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Michael Williams retorts, “That’s more than we know.”</div>
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His companion agrees, “Ay, or more than we should seek after; for we know enough, if we know we are the king’s subjects: if his cause be wrong, our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us.”</div>
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Williams adds, “If the cause be not good, the king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make.”</div>
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Not surprisingly, King Henry disagrees. “Every subject’s duty is the king’s; but every subject’s soul is his own.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#1-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1</a></sup></div>
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Shakespeare does not attempt to resolve this debate in the play, and in one form or another it is a debate that continues down to our own time—who bears responsibility for what happens in our lives?</div>
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When things turn bad, there is a tendency to blame others or even God. Sometimes a sense of entitlement arises, and individuals or groups try to shift responsibility for their welfare to other people or to governments. In spiritual matters some suppose that men and women need not strive for personal righteousness—because God loves and saves us “just as we are.”</div>
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But God intends that His children should act according to the moral agency He has given them, “that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="2" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#2-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2</a></sup> It is His plan and His will that we have the principal decision-making role in our own life’s drama. God will not live our lives for us nor control us as if we were His puppets, as Lucifer once proposed to do. Nor will His prophets accept the role of “puppet master” in God’s place. Brigham Young stated: “I do not wish any Latter Day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ,—the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied. I wish them to know for themselves and understand for themselves.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="3" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#3-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3</a></sup></div>
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So God does not save us “just as we are,” first, because “just as we are” we are unclean, and “no unclean thing can dwell … in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man [of Holiness].”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="4" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#4-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4</a></sup> And second, God will not act to make us something we do not choose by our actions to become. Truly He loves us, and because He loves us, He neither compels nor abandons us. Rather He helps and guides us. Indeed, the real manifestation of God’s love is His commandments.</div>
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We should (and we do) rejoice in the God-ordained plan that permits us to make choices to act for ourselves and experience the consequences, or as the scriptures express it, to “taste the bitter, that [we] may know to prize the good.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="5" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#5-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5</a></sup> We are forever grateful that the Savior’s Atonement overcame original sin so that we can be born into this world yet not be punished for Adam’s transgression.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="6" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#6-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</a></sup> Having been thus redeemed from the Fall, we begin life innocent before God and “become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="7" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#7-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7</a></sup> We can choose to become the kind of person that we will, and with God’s help, that can be even as He is.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="8" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#8-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8</a></sup></div>
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The gospel of Jesus Christ opens the path to what we may become. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, our failures to live the celestial law perfectly and consistently in mortality can be erased and we are enabled to develop a Christlike character. Justice demands, however, that none of this happen without our willing agreement and participation. It has ever been so. Our very presence on earth as physical beings is the consequence of a choice each of us made to participate in our Father’s plan.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="9" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#9-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9</a></sup> Thus, salvation is certainly not the result of divine whim, but neither does it happen by divine will alone.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="10" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#10-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10</a></sup></div>
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Justice is an essential attribute of God. We can have faith in God because He is perfectly trustworthy. The scriptures teach us that “God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="11" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#11-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11</a></sup> and that “God is no respecter of persons.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="12" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#12-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12</a></sup> We rely on the divine quality of justice for faith, confidence, and hope.</div>
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But as a consequence of being perfectly just, there are some things God cannot do. He cannot be arbitrary in saving some and banishing others. He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="13" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#13-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13</a></sup> He cannot allow mercy to rob justice.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="14" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#14-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14</a></sup></div>
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It is compelling evidence of His justice that God has forged the companion principle of mercy. It is because He is just that He devised the means for mercy to play its indispensable role in our eternal destiny. So now, “justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="15" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#15-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15</a></sup></div>
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We know that it is “the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom [the Father] wast well pleased; … the blood of [His] Son which was shed”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="16" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#16-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">16</a></sup> that satisfies the demands of justice, extends mercy, and redeems us.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="17" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#17-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">17</a></sup> Even so, “<span class="emphasis" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">according to justice,</span> the plan of redemption could not be brought about, <span class="emphasis" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">only on conditions of repentance.</span>”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="18" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#18-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">18</a></sup> It is the requirement of and the opportunity for repentance that permits mercy to perform its labor without trampling justice.</div>
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Christ died not to save indiscriminately but to offer repentance. We rely “wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="19" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#19-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">19</a></sup> in the process of repentance, but acting to repent is a self-willed change. So by making repentance a condition for receiving the gift of grace, God enables us to retain responsibility for ourselves. Repentance respects and sustains our moral agency: “And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="20" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#20-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">20</a></sup></div>
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Misunderstanding God’s justice and mercy is one thing; denying God’s existence or supremacy is another, but either will result in our achieving less—sometimes far less—than our full, divine potential. A God who makes no demands is the functional equivalent of a God who does not exist. A world without God, the living God who establishes moral laws to govern and perfect His children, is also a world without ultimate truth or justice. It is a world where moral relativism reigns supreme.</div>
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Relativism means each person is his or her own highest authority. Of course, it is not just those who deny God that subscribe to this philosophy. Some who believe in God still believe that they themselves, individually, decide what is right and wrong. One young adult expressed it this way: “I don’t think I could say that Hinduism is wrong or Catholicism is wrong or being Episcopalian is wrong—I think it just depends on what you believe. … I don’t think that there’s a right and wrong.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="21" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#21-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">21</a></sup> Another, asked about the basis for his religious beliefs, replied, “Myself—it really comes down to that. I mean, how could there be authority to what you believe?”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="22" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#22-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">22</a></sup></div>
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To those who believe anything or everything could be true, the declaration of objective, fixed, and universal truth feels like coercion—“I shouldn’t be forced to believe something is true that I don’t like.” But that does not change reality. Resenting the law of gravity won’t keep a person from falling if he steps off a cliff. The same is true for eternal law and justice. Freedom comes not from resisting it but from applying it. That is fundamental to God’s own power. If it were not for the reality of fixed and immutable truths, the gift of agency would be meaningless since we would never be able to foresee and intend the consequences of our actions. As Lehi expressed it: “If ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="23" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#23-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">23</a></sup></div>
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In matters both temporal and spiritual, the opportunity to assume personal responsibility is a God-given gift without which we cannot realize our full potential as daughters and sons of God. Personal accountability becomes both a right and a duty that we must constantly defend; it has been under assault since before the Creation. We must defend accountability against persons and programs that would (sometimes with the best of intentions) make us dependent. And we must defend it against our own inclinations to avoid the work that is required to cultivate talents, abilities, and Christlike character.</div>
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The story is told of a man who simply would not work. He wanted to be taken care of in every need. To his way of thinking, the Church or the government, or both, owed him a living because he had paid his taxes and his tithing. He had nothing to eat but refused to work to care for himself. Out of desperation and disgust, those who had tried to help him decided that since he would not lift a finger to sustain himself, they might as well just take him to the cemetery and let him pass on. On the way to the cemetery, one man said, “We can’t do this. I have some corn I will give him.”</div>
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So they explained this to the man, and he asked, “Have the husks been removed?”</div>
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They responded, “No.”</div>
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“Well then,” he said, “drive on.”</div>
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It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.</div>
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I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="24" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#24-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">24</a></sup> And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.</div>
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<span class="story" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px;"></span><span class="story" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px;"></span></div>
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I bear witness that God the Father lives, that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Redeemer, and that the Holy Spirit is present with us. Their desire to help us is undoubted, and Their capacity to do so is infinite. Let us “awake, and arise from the dust, … that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto [us] may be fulfilled.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="25" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng#25-10991_000_16christofferson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25</a></sup> In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
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</h2>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-41965165172869403872014-10-15T08:35:00.003-07:002014-10-15T08:39:26.982-07:00Conference Messages: The Reason for Our Hope<h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em !important; width: 1319.6875px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have ever wondered if <span style="background-color: transparent;">members of the LDS church </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">are Christian, read this talk </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em !important; width: 1319.6875px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and see if it changes your perspective.</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 48px;">The Reason for Our Hope</span></h1>
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President Boyd K. Packer</h2>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;">President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</span></div>
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<img alt="By President Boyd K. Packer" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/leaders/boyd-k-packer-10.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: DistrictThin, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px;">A testimony of the hope of redemption is something which cannot be measured or counted. Jesus Christ is the source of that hope.</span></div>
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Several years ago, Sister Packer and I went to Oxford University. We were looking for the records of my seventh great-grandfather. The head of Christ’s College at Oxford, Dr. Poppelwell, was kind enough to have the college archivist bring the records. There in the year 1583 we found my ancestor’s name, John Packer.</div>
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The following year we returned to Oxford to present a beautifully bound set of the standard works for the library at Christ’s College. It seemed a bit awkward for Dr. Poppelwell. Perhaps he thought we were not really Christians. So he called for the college chaplain to receive the books.</div>
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Before handing the scriptures to the chaplain, I opened the Topical Guide and showed him one subject: 18 pages, very fine print, single-spaced, listing references to the subject of “<a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a>.” It is one of the most comprehensive compilations of scriptural references on the subject of the Savior that has ever been assembled in the history of the world—a testimony from the Old and New Testaments, the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a>, the<a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/doctrine-and-covenants?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Doctrine and Covenants</a>, and the Pearl of Great Price.</div>
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“However you follow these references,” I told him, “side to side, up and down, book to book, subject after subject—you will find that they are a consistent, harmonious witness to the divinity of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ—His birth, His life, His teachings, His Crucifixion, His<a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.lds.org/topics/resurrection?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Resurrection</a>, and His Atonement.”</div>
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After I shared with the chaplain some of the teachings of the Savior, the atmosphere changed, and he gave us a tour of the facility, including a recent excavation revealing murals which dated to Roman days.</div>
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Among the references listed in the Topical Guide is this one from the Book of Mormon: <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Another Testament of Jesus Christ</a>: “We preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25.26?lang=eng#25" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Nephi 25:26</a>).</div>
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In His own words, the Savior has declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.6?lang=eng#5" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">John 14:6</a>).</div>
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And from the Book of Mormon, He declares: “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/3.14?lang=eng#13" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ether 3:14</a>).</div>
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There are many, many other references throughout the standard works which proclaim the divine role of Jesus Christ as <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">the Redeemer</a> of all who have ever been or ever will be born into mortality.</div>
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Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we are all redeemed from the Fall of man, which occurred when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, as stated in 1 Corinthians: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/15.22?lang=eng#21" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Corinthians 15:22</a>).</div>
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The Book of Mormon teaches, “For it is expedient that an atonement should be made … , or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement … an infinite and eternal sacrifice” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34.9-10?lang=eng#8" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 34:9–10</a>).</div>
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We may not live perfect lives, and there are penalties for our mistakes, but before we came to earth, we agreed to be subject to His laws and to accept the punishment for violating those laws.</div>
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“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;</div>
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“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/3.23-24?lang=eng#22" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Romans 3:23–24</a>).</div>
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The Savior wrought the Atonement, which provides a way for us to become clean. Jesus Christ is the resurrected Christ. We worship and recognize Him for the pain He suffered for us collectively and for the pain He endured for each of us individually, both in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. He bore all with great humility and with an eternal understanding of His divine role and purpose.</div>
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Those who will repent and forsake sin will find that His merciful arm is outstretched still. Those who listen to and heed His words and the words of His chosen servants will find peace and understanding even in the midst of great heartache and sorrow. The result of His sacrifice is to free us from the effects of sin, that all may have guilt erased and feel hope.</div>
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Had He not accomplished the Atonement, there would be no redemption. It would be a difficult world to live in if we could never be forgiven for our mistakes, if we could never purify ourselves and move on.</div>
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The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His teachings. His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.</div>
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I recently received a letter from a woman who reported having endured great suffering in her life. A terrible wrong, which she did not identify but alluded to, had been committed against her. She admitted that she struggled with feelings of great bitterness. In her anger, she mentally cried out, “Someone must pay for this terrible wrong.” In this extreme moment of sorrow and questioning, she wrote that there came into her heart an immediate reply: “Someone already has paid.”</div>
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If we are not aware of what the Savior’s sacrifice can do for us, we may go through life carrying regrets that we have done something that was not right or offended someone. The guilt that accompanies mistakes can be washed away. If we seek to understand His Atonement, we will come to a deep reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ, His earthly ministry, and His divine mission as our Savior.</div>
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored to move throughout the world the knowledge of the life and teachings of the Savior. This great conference is being broadcast in 94 languages by satellite to 102 countries but is also available on the Internet to every nation where the Church is present. We have over 3,000 stakes. Our full-time missionary force exceeds 88,000, and total Church membership has passed 15 million. These numbers serve as evidence that the “stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands” continues to roll forth and will eventually fill “the whole earth” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/65.2?lang=eng#1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 65:2</a>).</div>
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But no matter how large the organization of the Church becomes or how many millions of members join our ranks, no matter how many continents and countries our missionaries enter or how many different languages we speak, the true success of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be measured by the spiritual strength of its individual members. We need the strength of conviction that is found in the heart of every loyal disciple of Christ.</div>
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A testimony of the hope of redemption is something which cannot be measured or counted. Jesus Christ is the source of that hope.</div>
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We seek to strengthen the testimonies of the young and old, the married and single. We need to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to men, women, and children, those of every race and nationality, the rich and the poor. We need the recent convert and those among our numbers descended from the pioneers. We need to seek out those who have strayed and assist them to return to the fold. We need everyone’s wisdom and insight and spiritual strength. Each member of this Church as an individual is a critical element of the body of the Church.</div>
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“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.</div>
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“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. …</div>
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“For the body is not one member, but many” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/12.12-14?lang=eng#11" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Corinthians 12:12–14</a>).</div>
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Each member serves as a testimony of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We are at war with the forces of the adversary, and we need each and every one of us if we are going to succeed in the work the Savior has for us to do.</div>
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You might think, “What can I do? I am only one person.”</div>
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Certainly <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith</a> felt very alone at times. He rose to greatness, but he started as a 14-year-old boy who had a question: “Which of all the churches should I join?” (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.10?lang=eng#9" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith–History 1:10</a>). Joseph’s faith and testimony of the Savior grew as ours must grow, “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28.30?lang=eng#29" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Nephi 28:30</a>; see also <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/128.21?lang=eng#20" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 128:21</a>). Joseph knelt to pray, and what marvelous things have come about as a result of that prayer and the First Vision.</div>
<span class="story" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;"></span><span class="story" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
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As one of the Twelve Apostles, I bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lives. He is our Redeemer and our Savior. “Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.3?lang=eng#2" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Articles of Faith 1:3</a>). He presides over this Church. He is no stranger to His servants. As we move into the future with quiet confidence, His Spirit will be with us. There is no end to His power to bless and direct the lives of those who seek truth and righteousness. I bear witness of Him in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-61122244236252806972014-10-15T08:23:00.004-07:002014-10-15T08:23:56.226-07:00Book of Mormon Sampler: Have a you Been Saved?This is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. I've always loved it's message about being spiritually born of God. But this time as I read it, I was struck by its message about what it takes to be saved. I'm including the entire chapter because there is too many great verses that I couldn't leave out. <br />
Alma chapter 5:<br />
<div class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.1">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="1" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">Now it came to pass that Alma began to</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">deliver</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">the word of</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">God unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence throughout all the land.</span><br />
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.2">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="2" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 </span>And these are the words which he spake to the people in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to his own record, saying:</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.3">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3 </span>I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.4">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="4" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4 </span>And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out of the hands of the people of king Noah, by the mercy and power of God.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.5">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="5" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5 </span>And behold, after that, they were brought into bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say unto you, they were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them out of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God throughout this land also.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="6" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6 </span>And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.7">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="7" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">7 </span>Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.8">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="8" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8 </span>And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.9">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="9" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9 </span>And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.10">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="10" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </span>And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.11">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="11" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11 </span>Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.12">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="12" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12 </span>And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.13">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="13" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">13 </span>And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.14">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="14" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14 </span>And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.15">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="15" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">15 </span>Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.16">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="16" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16 </span>I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.17">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="17" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17 </span>Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.18">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="18" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">18 </span>Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.19">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">19 </span>I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.20">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="20" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">20 </span>I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.21">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="21" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">21 </span>I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.22">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="22" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">22 </span>And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.23">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="23" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">23 </span>Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.24">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="24" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">24 </span>Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.25">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="25" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">25 </span>I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.26">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="26" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span>And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the songof redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.27">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="27" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 </span>Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.28">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="28" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">28 </span>Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.29">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="29" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">29 </span>Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.30">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="30" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">30 </span>And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.31">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="31" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">31 </span>Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.32">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="32" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">32 </span>Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.33">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="33" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">33 </span>Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.34">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="34" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">34 </span>Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.35">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="35" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">35 </span>Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire—</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.36">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="36" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">36 </span>For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.37">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="37" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">37 </span>O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.38">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="38" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">38 </span>Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.39">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="39" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">39 </span>And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.40">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="40" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">40 </span>For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.41">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="41" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">41 </span>Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.42">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="42" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">42 </span>And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.43">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="43" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">43 </span>And now, my brethren, I would that ye should hear me, for I speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken unto you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to the commandments of God.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.44">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="44" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">44 </span>For I am called to speak after this manner, according to theholy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.45">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="45" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">45 </span>And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.46">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="46" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">46 </span>Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.47">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="47" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">47 </span>And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.48">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="48" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">48 </span>I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.49">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="49" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">49 </span>And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.50">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="50" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">50 </span>Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.51">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="51" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">51 </span>And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.52">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="52" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">52 </span>And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire. Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.53">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="53" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">53 </span>And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, andtrample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing ofcostly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.54">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="54" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">54 </span>Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having beensanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance—</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.55">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="55" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">55 </span>Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.56">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="56" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">56 </span>And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.57">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="57" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">57 </span>And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.58">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="58" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">58 </span>For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this? I say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of God must be fulfilled.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.59">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="59" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">59 </span>For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.60">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="60" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">60 </span>And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.61">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="61" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">61 </span>And now I, Alma, do command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.62">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="" name="62" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">62 </span>I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.</div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-3454097928139409632014-10-12T09:50:00.000-07:002014-10-12T09:50:00.626-07:00Which Way Do You Face?<div class="clearfix" id="details" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; line-height: 11pt !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative; zoom: 1;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've thought a lot about this talk since I heard it. We need this council today more than ever!</span></h1>
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Which Way Do You Face?</h1>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/lynn-g-robbins?lang=eng" rel="author" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;"><div class="byline">
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By Elder Lynn G. Robbins</div>
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Of the Presidency of the Seventy</div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/lynn-g-robbins?lang=eng" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;"><img alt="By Elder Lynn G. Robbins" class="img-decor" id="talkPhoto" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/leaders/lynn-g-robbins-10.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-image: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; float: left; margin: 0.2em 1.2em 0.3em 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" /></a><div class="kicker" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow: hidden;">
Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments.</div>
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“Which way do you face?” President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. “A Seventy,” he continued, “does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people. Never forget which way you face!” It was a powerful lesson.</div>
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Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">first and second great commandments</span>(see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22.37-39?lang=eng#36" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 22:37–39</a>). It is forgetting which way we face. And yet, we have all made that mistake because of the fear of men. In Isaiah the Lord warns us, “Fear ye not the reproach of men” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/51.7?lang=eng#6" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Isaiah 51:7</a>; see also <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/8.7?lang=eng#6" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">2 Nephi 8:7</a>). In Lehi’s dream, this fear was triggered by the <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">finger of scorn</span> pointed from the great and spacious building, causing many to forget which way they faced and to leave the tree “ashamed” (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.25-28?lang=eng#24" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">1 Nephi 8:25–28</a>).</div>
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This peer <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">pressure</span> tries to change a person’s attitudes, if not behavior, by making one feel guilty for giving offense. We seek respectful coexistence with those who point fingers, but when this fear of men tempts us to condone sin, it becomes a “snare” according to the book of Proverbs (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/prov/29.25?lang=eng#24" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Proverbs 29:25</a>). The snare may be cleverly baited to appeal to our compassionate side to tolerate or even approve of something that has been condemned by God. For the weak of faith, it can be a major stumbling block. For example, some young missionaries carry this fear of men into the mission field and fail to report the flagrant disobedience of a companion to their mission president because they don’t want to offend their wayward companion. Decisions of character are made by remembering the right order of the first and second great commandments (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22.37-39?lang=eng#36" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 22:37–39</a>). When these confused missionaries realize they are accountable to God and not to their companion, it should give them courage to do an <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">about-face.</span></div>
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At the youthful age of 22, even Joseph Smith forgot which way he faced when he repeatedly importuned the Lord to allow Martin Harris to borrow the 116 manuscript pages. Perhaps Joseph wanted to show gratitude to Martin for his support. We know that Joseph was extremely anxious for other eyewitnesses to stand with him against the distressing falsehoods and lies being spread about him.</div>
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Whatever Joseph’s reasons were, or as justified as they may appear, the Lord did not excuse them and sharply rebuked him: “How oft you have transgressed … and have gone on in the persuasions of men. For, behold, you should not have <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">feared</span> man more than God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/3.6-7?lang=eng#5" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">D&C 3:6–7</a>; emphasis added). This poignant experience helped Joseph remember, forever after, which way he faced.</div>
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When people try to <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">save face</span> with men, they can unwittingly <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">lose face</span> with God. Thinking one can please God and at the same time condone the disobedience of men isn’t neutrality but duplicity, or being <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">two-faced</span> or trying to “serve two masters” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/6.24?lang=eng#23" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 6:24</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/13.24?lang=eng#23" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">3 Nephi 13:24</a>).</div>
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While it certainly takes courage to face perils, the true badge of courage is overcoming the fear of men. For example, Daniel’s prayers helped him face lions, but what made him lionhearted was defying King Darius (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/dan/6?lang=eng" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Daniel 6</a>). That kind of courage is a gift of the Spirit to the <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">God-fearing</span> who have said their prayers. Queen Esther’s prayers also gave her that same courage to confront her husband, King Ahasuerus, knowing that she risked her life in doing so (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/esth/4.8-16?lang=eng#7" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Esther 4:8–16</a>).</div>
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Courage is not just one of the cardinal virtues, but as C. S. Lewis observed: “Courage is … the form of every virtue at the testing point. … Pilate was merciful till it became risky.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="1" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng&clang=eng#1-10991_000_13robbins" style="color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none !important;">1</a></sup> King Herod was sorrowful at the request to behead John the Baptist but wanted to please “them which sat with him at meat” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.9?lang=eng#8" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 14:9</a>). King Noah was ready to free Abinadi until peer pressure from his wicked priests caused him to waver (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/17.11-12?lang=eng#10" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Mosiah 17:11–12</a>). King Saul disobeyed the word of the Lord by keeping the spoils of war because he “feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-sam/15.24?lang=eng#23" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">1 Samuel 15:24</a>). To appease rebellious Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai, Aaron crafted a golden calf, forgetting which way he faced (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ex/32?lang=eng" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Exodus 32</a>). Many of the New Testament chief rulers “believed on [the Lord]; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/12.42-43?lang=eng#41" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 12:42–43</a>). The scriptures are full of such examples.</div>
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Now listen to some inspiring examples:</div>
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First, Mormon: “Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">fear not</span> what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/8.16?lang=eng#15" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Moroni 8:16</a>; emphasis added).</div>
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Nephi: “Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/6.5?lang=eng#4" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">1 Nephi 6:5</a>).</div>
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Captain Moroni: “Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/60.36?lang=eng#35" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Alma 60:36</a>).</div>
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Moroni had such great courage in remembering which way he faced that it was said of him, “If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/48.17?lang=eng#16" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Alma 48:17</a>).</div>
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Prophets through the ages have always come under attack by the finger of scorn. Why? According to the scriptures, it is because “the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/16.2?lang=eng#1" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">1 Nephi 16:2</a>), or as President Harold B. Lee observed, “The hit bird flutters!”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="2" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng&clang=eng#2-10991_000_13robbins" style="color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none !important;">2</a></sup> Their scornful reaction is, in reality, guilt trying to reassure itself, just as with Korihor, who finally admitted, “I always knew that there was a God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/30.52?lang=eng#51" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Alma 30:52</a>). Korihor was so convincing in his deception that he came to believe his own lie (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/30.53?lang=eng#52" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Alma 30:53</a>).</div>
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The scornful often accuse prophets of not living in the 21st century or of being bigoted. They attempt to persuade or even pressure the Church into lowering God’s standards to the level of their own inappropriate behavior, which in the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, will “develop self-contentment instead of seeking self-improvement”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="3" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng&clang=eng#3-10991_000_13robbins" style="color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none !important;">3</a></sup> and repentance. Lowering the Lord’s standards to the level of a society’s inappropriate behavior is—apostasy. Many of the churches among the Nephites two centuries after the Savior’s visit to them began to “dumb down” the doctrine, borrowing a phrase from Elder Holland.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="4" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng&clang=eng#4-10991_000_13robbins" style="color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none !important;">4</a></sup></div>
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As you listen to this passage from 4 Nephi, look for parallels in our day: “And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1.27?lang=eng#26" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">4 Nephi 1:27</a>).</div>
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Déjà vu in the latter days! Some members don’t realize they are falling into the same snare when they lobby for acceptance of local or ethnic “tradition[s] of their fathers” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/93.39?lang=eng#38" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">D&C 93:39</a>) that are not in harmony with the gospel culture. Still others, self-deceived and in self-denial, plead or demand that bishops lower the standard on temple recommends, school endorsements, or missionary applications. It isn’t easy being a bishop under that kind of pressure. However, like the Savior who cleansed the temple to defend its sanctity (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/2.15-16?lang=eng#14" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 2:15–16</a>), bishops today are called upon to boldly defend the temple standard. It was the Savior who said, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy … if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/110.7-8?lang=eng#6" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">D&C 110:7–8</a>).</div>
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The Savior, our great Exemplar, always faced His Father. He loved and served His fellowmen but said, “I receive not honour from men” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/5.41?lang=eng#40" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 5:41</a>). He wanted those He taught to follow Him, but He did not court their favor. When He performed an act of charity, such as healing the sick, the gift often came with the request to “tell no man” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/8.4?lang=eng#3" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 8:4</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/7.36?lang=eng#35" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Mark 7:36</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/5.14?lang=eng#13" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Luke 5:14</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/8.56?lang=eng#55" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">8:56</a>). In part, this was to avoid the very fame which followed Him in spite of His efforts to eschew it (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/4.24?lang=eng#23" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 4:24</a>). He condemned the Pharisees for doing good works only to be seen of men (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/6.5?lang=eng#4" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 6:5</a>).</div>
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The Savior, the only perfect being who ever lived, was the most fearless. In His life, He was confronted by scores of accusers but never yielded to their finger of scorn. He is the only person who never once forgot which way He faced: “I do <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">always</span> those things that please [the Father]” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/8.29?lang=eng#28" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 8:29</a>; emphasis added), and “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/5.30?lang=eng#29" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 5:30</a>).</div>
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Between <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">3 Nephi chapter 11</a> and <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/28?lang=eng" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">3 Nephi chapter 28</a>, the Savior used the title <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">Father</span> at least 150 times, making it very clear to the Nephites that He was there representing His Father. And from John chapters 14 through 17, the Savior refers to the Father at least 50 times. In every way possible, He was His Father’s perfect disciple. He was so perfect in representing His Father that to know the Savior was also to know the Father. To see the Son was to see the Father (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.9?lang=eng#8" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 14:9</a>). To hear the Son was to hear the Father (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/5.36?lang=eng#35" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 5:36</a>). He had, in essence, become indistinguishable from His Father. His Father and He were one (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17.21-22?lang=eng#20" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">John 17:21–22</a>). He flawlessly knew which way He faced.</div>
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May His inspiring example strengthen us against the pitfalls of flattery from without or of conceit from within. May it give us courage to never cower or fawn at the feet of intimidation. May it inspire us to go about doing good as anonymously as possible and not “aspire to the honors of men” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121.35?lang=eng#34" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">D&C 121:35</a>). And may His incomparable example help us always remember <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">which</span> is “the first and great commandment” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22.38?lang=eng#37" style="color: black !important; text-decoration: none !important;">Matthew 22:38</a>). When others demand approval in defiance of God’s commandments, may we always remember whose disciples we are, and which way we face, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
<div id="references" style="font-size: 9pt !important; margin-top: 1.3em !important;">
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<span class="label">1.</span> C. S. Lewis, <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">The Screwtape Letters,</span> rev. ed. (1982), 137–38.</div>
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<span class="label">2.</span> Harold B. Lee, in <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">Mine Errand from the Lord: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Boyd K. Packer</span> (2008), 356.</div>
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<li class="footnote " id="3-10991_000_13robbins" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><a href="" name="-10991_000_13robbins"> </a><div style="font-size: 10pt !important; line-height: 16pt !important; margin-bottom: 0.8em !important;">
<span class="label">3.</span> Neal A. Maxwell, “Repentance,” <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">Ensign,</span> Nov. 1991, 32.</div>
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<span class="label">4.</span> Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Call to Be Christlike,” <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">Ensign,</span> June 2014, 33; <span class="emphasis" style="font-style: italic;">Liahona,</span> June 2014, 35.</div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-86323833205224846872014-10-07T12:21:00.000-07:002014-10-07T12:21:00.109-07:00Meet the Mormons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTiFWDN326wP8HFgfGccywHyj-cxcbtKoy5ve2-FAyGntSvlQGKP65U9l6INOxQUmOYNDG7DvLFj_s3xgomAK4T8z7jyxA5W-lXp6AOCcPlQL5nSB69oFsos4E65Avj5JNbrHOzySpjM/s1600/meet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTiFWDN326wP8HFgfGccywHyj-cxcbtKoy5ve2-FAyGntSvlQGKP65U9l6INOxQUmOYNDG7DvLFj_s3xgomAK4T8z7jyxA5W-lXp6AOCcPlQL5nSB69oFsos4E65Avj5JNbrHOzySpjM/s1600/meet.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865611988/Elder-Holland-David-Archuleta-promote-Meet-the-Mormons-through-video-free-download.html?pg=all" target="_blank">Meet the Mormons</a> will be opening in theaters October 10. Are you curious? Search for a theater near you. :)Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-41796367173650671292014-10-05T11:38:00.000-07:002014-10-05T11:38:04.091-07:00The Book of MormonI have been watching a wonderful video about the Book of Mormon. It's called, "New Day for the Book of Mormon". It gives a very accurate account of the coming forth of this book of scripture. If you have ever questioned or wondered about the Book of Mormon, I urge you to watch this. One comment in this video particularly struck me. A woman who had been reading it said that reading it made her feel warm. I urge anyone who reads it to pay close attention to how they feel as they read, for that is how the Spirit communicates with us. <a href="http://www.byutv.org/watch/90be2679-e6eb-4039-afa1-fee5477b0c20/new-day-for-the-book-of-mormon-new-day-for-the-book-of-mormon" target="_blank">Click here</a> to watch the video. Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-11902269662995623642014-09-10T15:31:00.001-07:002014-09-10T15:31:08.753-07:00ReclaimedThis video has such a great message. Together with the video I posted before it, we are reminded that we all can be "reclaimed" if we turn to our Savior for help.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/a7V2ET7p5FA" width="560"></iframe>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-87726951530885550542014-09-10T15:23:00.001-07:002014-09-10T15:25:25.393-07:00It Is Never too Late<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-39888903801705256312014-07-06T06:41:00.001-07:002014-07-06T06:41:16.822-07:00No Man Shall Add to or Take Away<div id="primary" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 45px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;">
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<div class="" id="p1" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p1">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recently a young friend in the mission field wrote a letter to me regarding a question that had been asked of him concerning the concluding verses of the<a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible</a> and how they apply to the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a>. We remember that at the end of the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the author, John, issues a warning and a curse upon any man who adds to or takes away from the book. Specifically, these are the words he wrote:</span></div>
<div class="" id="p2" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:</span></div>
<div class="" id="p3" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p3">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/22.18-19?lang=eng#17" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rev. 22:18–19</a>.)</span></div>
<div class="" id="p4" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p4">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These verses of scripture have been cited repeatedly by those attempting to discredit the Book of Mormon, claiming that God’s revelation to man is closed. Nothing more is to be added and nothing is to be taken away. They assert that the Book of Mormon is an attempt to add to the words of the Bible. These claims were made when the Book of Mormon was first published and have continued to be made, and are made today. Is there any validity to such assertions?</span></div>
<div class="" id="p5" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p5">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The answer to this query is really very simple. A careful reading of the words makes it clear that the warning against adding to or taking away does not refer to the whole Bible or even to the New Testament, but to use John’s words, only to the words of “the book of this prophecy.” That is, the prophecy contained in the book of Revelation. This is substantiated by the fact that some of the books of the New Testament had not yet been written when John wrote the book of Revelation, and even those that had been written and were in existence at that time had not yet been gathered into one compilation.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p6" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p6">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The collection of writings consisting of the sixty-six books we know as the Bible were brought together and compiled into one volume long after John wrote the prophetic book that has been placed at the end of the collection. It is clear, therefore, that the terrible judgments pronounced upon those who add to the book could not possibly apply to the whole of the Bible or even to the New Testament, but only to the book of Revelation.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p7" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p7">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Secondly, the warning uses the words “the prophecy of this book” and also “the words of the book of this prophecy.” The word <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">book</i> in both instances is singular and could only refer to the book of prophecy written by John which is titled, in the King James Version, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine” and is often referred to as the Apocalypse—a Greek word which means revealed. Of necessity the word <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">book</i> would have been in the singular because when written it was not associated with any other book or books, and it was after many years and many ecclesiastical debates that it was added to the collection that became known as the new canon of scripture or the New Testament.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p8" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p8">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is also interesting to note that John himself added to scripture after writing the book of Revelation, which is generally conceded to have been written while he was on the Isle of Patmos. It was long after John left Patmos that he wrote his first epistle. This fact standing alone would be sufficient to defeat the claim that revelation was closed and that man was enjoined from adding to scripture. This adds cumulative evidence that John had reference to the book of Revelation only.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p9" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p9">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the Old Testament also are found similar vigorous denunciations and commands that there shall not be taken away or added to the words that were written. The first is found in Deuteronomy, written at the time <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/ensign/1998/04/moses-witness-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses</a> was exhorting Israel to live the law of the Lord. The Torah was oral law and had not been reduced to writing prior to the time of the codification of the law in Deuteronomy. Now that it had been reduced to writing by Moses prior to his death and assumed to be complete, Moses wrote:</span></div>
<div class="" id="p10" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p10">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/deut/4.2?lang=eng#1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Deut. 4:2</a>.)</span></div>
<div class="" id="p11" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p11">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later in this same book of the law, Moses repeated the admonition in similar words. He said,</span></div>
<div class="" id="p12" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p12">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/deut/12.32?lang=eng#31" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Deut. 12:32</a>.)</span></div>
<div class="" id="p13" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p13">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the minds of some, these admonitions in the Old Testament raise the same question as to the Book of Mormon being an attempted addition to scripture as does the injunction and warning at the end of the book of Revelation. In effect, these passages contain the same injunction as the one at the close of the Apocalypse; and if the same interpretation and argument was applied to them as is applied to the closing verses of the book of Revelation, there would be no scripture after the writings of Moses. Such an absurdity would result in discarding the greater part of the Old Testament and all of the books of the New Testament.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p14" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p14">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A careful reading of each of these admonitions makes it clear that <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">man</i> is not to make changes in the revelations of the Lord: <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">man</i> is not to add to or take from the words of God. There is no indication or intimation that God could not, or would not, add to or take from; nor would any reasonable person with a belief in the divine powers of God consciously believe that God would be so restricted. Without question he would have the right and power to give additional revelation for the guidance of his children in any age and to add additional scripture.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p15" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p15">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A study of the revelations of the Lord in holy writ confirms the fact that it is continuous revelation that guides prophets and the Church in any age. Were it not for continuous revelation, Noah would not have been prepared for the deluge that encompassed the earth. Abraham would not have been guided from Haran to Hebron, the Land of Promise. Continuous revelation led the children of Israel from bondage back to their promised land. Revelation through prophets guided missionary efforts, directed the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple, and denounced the infiltration of pagan practices among the Israelites.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p16" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p16">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Before the ascension of Christ, he promised the remaining eleven apostles, “lo, I am with you alway, Even unto the end of the world.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.20?lang=eng#19" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt. 28:20</a>.) Following his ascension, he guided the Church by revelation until the death of the Apostles and subsequent apostasy of the Church of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a>.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p17" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p17">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A distinctive sign of the last days that will precede the eventual second coming of the Lord was seen in vision by that same Apostle who recorded the book of Revelation. He said:</span></div>
<div class="" id="p18" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p18">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/14.6?lang=eng#5" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rev. 14:6</a>.)</span></div>
<div class="" id="p19" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p19">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The fact that John saw a messenger from God reveal anew a lost gospel negates the argument that further revelation could not be added to the Bible.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p20" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p20">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We testify to all the world that heavenly ministers have already appeared in our age, bringing authority from heaven and restoring truths lost through corrupted teachings and practices. God has spoken anew and continues to provide guidance for all his children through a living prophet today. We declare that he, as promised, is with his servants always and directs the affairs of his Church throughout the world. As in times past, revelation directs missionary labors, the building of temples, the calling of priesthood officers, and warns against the evils of society that may deny salvation to our Father’s children.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p21" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p21">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a revelation to a modern oracle, <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/joseph-smith" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith</a>, the Lord said:</span></div>
<div class="" id="p22" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p22">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p23" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p23">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.35-36?lang=eng#34" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 1:35–36</a>.)</span></div>
<div class="" id="p24" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p24">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Savior is reigning in the midst of the Saints today through continuous revelation. I testify that he is with his servants in this day and will be until the end of the earth.</span></div>
<div class="" id="p25" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1981/04/no-man-shall-add-to-or-take-away.p25">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">May our vision not be so narrow that we would relegate revelation to only the ancients. God is merciful and loves his children in all ages and has revealed himself to this time in history. Of this I solemnly testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</span></div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-43377278124120328392014-06-11T23:34:00.004-07:002014-06-11T23:34:43.697-07:00Excommunication From the Church<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because of recent events, I wanted to write about the topic of excommunication from the church. I'm sure that with other churches things might be done differently, so I wanted to explain what it means in our church. Occasionally someone in the public eye is excommunicated, so the topic gets media coverage. I just want to explain it from the LDS point of view.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First I want to mention that any kind of church action such as this is confidential. If you read about it in the media, it is because the excommunicated person has chosen to make it public. This is not something that is announced in church. Church leaders take this very seriously, and do not broadcast this type of information. In fact, if a church leader were to talk openly about these matters, it is possible that he would be removed from his position.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To understand excommunication, is to first understand what it means to be a member of the church. When we are baptized, we enter in to a covenant with God. We covenant to obey the commandments, and to be called His people. Another part of membership is that we will do nothing to fight against the church, or to teach false doctrine. If we want to be called His people, we must act as He would have us act, and show respect for His name which we bear as Christians. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When a person is guilty of serious sin, the Bishop will council with them to help them to repent. There are varying stages of action the Bishop might take. For example, he might ask them to stop doing the thing, and council them to change. Or he might ask them to not take of the sacrament for a period of time. Each action is designed to help the person think about how they can change for the better. And as I mentioned above, this is all kept in strictest of confidence. No one but the Bishop knows what the person has done, or is being asked to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over time, if the person does not change, the Bishop may ask for a church court to be held. This action is not taken lightly. The purpose of the court is to determine if it might be better for the person to be removed from the covenants they made at baptism. Sin is always wrong, but to make a covenant with God, and then commit grievous sin, is very serious. So removing them from the covenant gives them a chance to overcome the sin without having the full weight of the covenant upon them. In some cases, this might take the form of "disfellowship". In the case of disfellowship, the person remains a member, but is asked to not participate actively in teaching, praying, attending the temple etc, and is asked to refrain from partaking of the sacrament. When the person has changed, and is in a position to change, then another church court is called to determine if they can be accepted in to full fellowship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In some cases, the person is not willing to change, or over time has demonstrated that they are continuing to do what they have been counselled not to do, the church court is convened, and it may be determined that excommunication is the best course of action. This does not mean that they can never be a member again. It just means that they have been removed from under the covenant of baptism, and their name has been removed from the church membership. Elder M. Russell Ballard in his article, "<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #3c424e; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px;">A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings" </span> said, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;">When members need to have certain blessings withheld, the Lord’s object is to </span><span class="emphasis" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teach</span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"> as well as to discipline. So probation, disfellowshipment, and excommunication, when they become necessary, are ideally accompanied by eventual reinstatement and restoration of blessings.</span> "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An overall direction to church leaders is that all of these affairs should be done with love. I remember when a friend of mine, who had church action taken against her, privately shared with me that she had never felt so much love as she did during the church council. Of course these men do not want to see anyone excommunicated. But this action can help the sinner to see the seriousness of their sin, and to make the needed changes in their life. When they are ready to live the commandments, they can make appeal to have their membership restored. In fact, it is hoped that these people will continue to attend church, even after they have been excommunicated! Everyone rejoices when someone comes back in to the fold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God, our Heavenly Father, loves us. He is the actual Father of our spirits. Like any father, He wants what is best for us. He loves His children far more than we mortals love our own children. As our Father, He sometimes gives us discipline to help us to learn to do what is right. And when we change, and repent, He showers us with blessings. Excommunication is a chance for the sinner to start over. It is not meant to "get rid of" the sinner, but to help them to change so that they can participate in full fellowship with the church again. I hope that all who have had church action taken against them will know that they are wanted back in the church. This statement by the first presidency sums up my own feelings:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“To all such we reach out in love. We are anxious to forgive. …</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We encourage Church members to forgive those who may have wronged them. To those who have ceased activity and to those who have become critical, we say, ‘Come back. Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the Saints.’” (<span class="emphasis" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Church News,</span> 22 Dec. 1985, p. 3.)</span></div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-82856877720322939682014-05-30T18:28:00.002-07:002014-05-30T18:28:54.092-07:00The Risen Lord Appears to the Apostles<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kP3753Pc8-w" width="560"></iframe>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-55028148738054860792014-05-25T07:08:00.002-07:002014-05-25T07:32:09.432-07:00Organized Religion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I remember talking with a friend once who told me she does not like organized religion. She said that she believes in God, but that she doesn't need a church or religion to worship him. I tried to explain to her why belonging to the church is so important, but finally I just came right out and said, "You say that you can worship God anywhere, but when do you actually worship Him?" Many people say they feel closer to God out in nature than they do in a church, but how often do they go out in to nature and actually commune with God? In this age of political and societal tumult, religion is taking a bad rap. Odds are that those who attack organized religion have never really partaken of the benefits of worshiping together with others of like-minded belief.<br />
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The Book of Mormon gives a good description of why an organized religion is beneficial to us:<br />
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<span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"4 </span>And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, <u>that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.</u></div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="5" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5 </span>And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="6" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6 </span>And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus." <span style="background-color: transparent;">Moroni 6:4-6</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
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As mentioned in this scripture, there is great power in nourishing each other "by the good word of God". As we "speak one with another concerning the welfare of (our) souls", we gain strength from each other's faith. </div>
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In addition to the nourishment we receive from shared testimonies, there is great spiritual power to be found in singing hymns together. In Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 the Lord tells us, "<span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">For my soul </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">delighteth</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> in the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">song</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> of the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">heart</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">; yea, the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">song </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." Truly, singing hymns is like a prayer. I remember one time when I was the church organist, and the responsibility fell upon me to choose hymns for the next 6 months. I had been given a list of the topics that would be spoken about during each Sacrament meeting, so I carefully studied the hymns to find those that would best compliment each meeting theme. After about an hour or so of reading through the lyrics, and humming each melody to myself, I suddenly realized that I was feeling a powerful manifestation of the Spirit. Truly, the hymns of Zion carry the Spirit of God. In Mark 14:26, we read that the Savior, before going to the Mount of Olives where He would suffer for the sins of the world, and bleed at every pore, first sang a hymn. "</span><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">¶And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." I feel confident that this hymn was a comfort to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">One of the most important aspects of our worship is partaking of the sacrament. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is the pinnacle moment of our worship. This is the moment when we really focus on worshiping God. This is the moment when we truly focus on our standing before God. This moment of introspection cannot be as effective in any other way. I love this account in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> "...</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">That the Lord Jesus the</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">same</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">night in which he was betrayed took</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">bread:</span></div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="24" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">24 </span>And when he had given thanks, he brake <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it,</span> and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="25" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">25 </span>After the same manner also <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">he took</span> the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it,</span> in remembrance of me.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="26" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span>For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="27" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 </span>Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">this</span> cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="28" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">28 </span>But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span>bread, and drink of <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</span> cup.</div>
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When I think about the sacrament, I like to think about each part of the Savior's sacrifice for us. The bread represents His body, that he sacrificed, and then resurrected so that each of us can be resurrected some day. That is such a priceless gift! No one need fear death. Because of Him, we all can live!</div>
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The water, (or as in some religions wine) represents the blood that He shed for us in the garden of Gethsemane when he suffered for the sins of the world. Because of that sacrifice, we all have the chance to repent of sins that we have committed. As we make use of His sacrifice through repentance, our sins will be forgiven. He has paid a price that we could not pay alone. <br />
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I especially like the last verse which says, "<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">bread, and drink of </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> cup." The sacrament ordinance is the time for us to really examine ourselves.</span></div>
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While admiring the beauties of nature can make us feel closer to God, it cannot supplant the opportunities for reflection that are found in Sabbath church worship. We can pray anywhere, and we can sing hymns anywhere, but there is power in gathering together and remembering the Savior through the ordinance of the sacrament.</div>
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Another important blessing that comes from attending church services is that we are instructed more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have joined online Christian groups that often discuss the Bible, but I have found that many of them who have rejected joining a formal church have developed incorrect beliefs about Jesus Christ's gospel, and have gone off on intellectual, or political tangents. When we gather together and are instructed from the scriptures, and from gospel manuals, we are more likely to keep ourselves from deviating from the gospel Jesus Christ taught.</div>
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The prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, gives us some more thoughts about why we should join ourselves to the church of God:</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="8" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> "</a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8 </span>And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="9" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9 </span>Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—</div>
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<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988751924087021427" name="10" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </span>Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" Mosiah 18:8-10</div>
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Alma reminds us that part of belonging to God's organized church is taking upon ourselves each other's burdens. As we "mourn with those that mourn", and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort", we strengthen each other. In the process of bearing one another's burdens, we become more Christlike. </div>
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Perhaps one of the greatest reasons for joining the church of God is the act of entering in to that covenant with God. When we are baptized, we are covenanting with God that we will keep His commandments, and take upon us His name. In return, He promises to send His Spirit to be with us to guide and help us. This is one of the great blessings of membership in the church.</div>
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I would like to issue the same invitation that the Savior issued in ancient times. For those who question about our organized religion, I would say, "Come and see." Come and attend church with us. Come worship God with us. Come sing with us, and pray with us, and feel the Spirit with us. Come and see for yourself how attending church can bless you. We welcome you.</div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-75420367136514443092014-05-22T22:23:00.002-07:002014-05-22T22:23:43.433-07:00Hugh NIbley's Testimony of Joseph SmithI ran across this article that talks about how Hugh Nibley testified of Joseph Smith as a prophet. Hugh Nibley's style wasn't to say "I bear testimony...." but to show through studious thought and logical conclusion why Joseph could be nothing less than he professed to be. Through his efforts, Hugh Nibley gave great honor to the Prophet Joseph. This talk chronicles some of his thoughts. I was originally going to post the entire talk, but it is 12 pages long, so I will simply <a href="https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/JBMRS/article/view/20162/18721#" target="_blank">provide the link here. </a>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-188533742481665202014-05-22T20:43:00.001-07:002014-05-22T20:43:21.911-07:00Hugh Nibley Lectures on the Book of MormonI stumbled across this video of a class Hugh Nibley taught about the Book of Mormon. Once you get used to his rambling way of speaking, if you listen carefully, you will find he is a treasure chest of knowledge. I will also try to post a talk I read about him. This is a lengthy lecture, but I thought it was great!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XraGjlIcjrs" width="420"></iframe>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-3431302997359561362014-05-12T01:14:00.000-07:002014-05-12T01:14:00.080-07:00Conference Messages: The Prophet Joseph Smith<div class="topic" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.399999618530273px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">This talk is a great testament to the reality that Joseph Smith was a true prophet!</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Prophet Joseph Smith</span></h1>
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BY ELDER LAWRENCE E. CORBRIDGE</div>
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Of the Seventy</div>
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The First Vision</h2>
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A young boy reads the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible</a>, and his eyes pause on a singular passage of scripture. This is a moment that will change the world.</div>
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He is anxious to know which church can lead him to truth and salvation. He has tried almost everything else, and now he turns to the Bible and reads these words: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#1-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1</a></sup></div>
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He reflects on them over and over again. The first glimmer of light penetrates the darkness. Is this the answer, the way out of confusion and darkness? Can it be this simple? Ask God and He will answer? At length he decides he must either ask God or ever remain in darkness and confusion.</div>
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And yet as anxious as he is, he doesn’t run to a quiet corner and rattle off a hurried prayer. He is only 14, but in his haste to know, he is not hasty. This is not to be just any prayer. He decides where to go and when to make the attempt. He prepares to talk to God.</div>
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And then the day comes. It is “the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of [1820].”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="2" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#2-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2</a></sup> He walks alone into the stillness of the nearby woods, beneath the trees that tower above him. He reaches the place where he previously designed to go. He kneels and offers up the desires of his heart.</div>
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Describing what happens next, he says:</div>
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“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.</div>
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“… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—[Joseph,] <i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!</i>”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#3-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3</a></sup></div>
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Only 24 years later, <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith</a> and his brother Hyrum will die because of what began here.</div>
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Opposition</h2>
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Joseph said that when he was 17, an angel told him that his “name [would] be had for good and evil among all nations, … among all people.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="4" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#4-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4</a></sup> This amazing prophecy is continuing to be fulfilled today as The Church of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a> of Latter-day Saints has spread throughout the world.</div>
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Opposition, criticism, and antagonism are companions to the truth. Whenever the truth with regard to the purpose and destiny of man is revealed, there will always be a force to oppose it. Beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, down to the ministry of Christ, and on down to our day, there has always been and will ever be an effort to deceive, derail, oppose, and frustrate the plan of life.</div>
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Look for the biggest dust cloud billowing above the most dirt that is kicked at One who was most opposed, challenged, and rejected, beaten, abandoned, and crucified, One who descended below all things, and there you will find the truth, the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Son of God</a>, the Savior of all mankind. Why did they not leave Him alone?</div>
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Why? Because He is the truth, and the truth will always be opposed.</div>
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And then look for one who brought forth <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">another testament of Jesus Christ</a> and other scripture, look for one who was the instrument by which the fulness of the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ were restored to the earth, look for him and expect to find the dirt flying. Why not leave him alone?</div>
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Why? Because he taught the truth, and the truth will always be opposed.</div>
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The Flood of Revelation</h2>
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The revelations poured out upon Joseph Smith affirm that he was a prophet of God. Let’s just look at some of them—just look at some of the light and truth revealed through him that shines in stark contrast to the common beliefs of his day and ours:</div>
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God is a personal, exalted being, an Eternal Father. He is our Father.</div>
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<a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/god-the-father?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">God the Father</a>, Jesus Christ, and the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Holy Ghost</a> are separate beings.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="5" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#5-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5</a></sup></div>
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You are more than human. You are a child of God the Eternal Father and may become like Him<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="6" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#6-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</a></sup> if you will have faith in His Son, repent, receive ordinances, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="7" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#7-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7</a></sup></div>
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The Church of Jesus Christ today is fundamentally the same Church He organized during His mortal ministry, with prophets and apostles, Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthoods, elders, high priests, deacons, teachers, bishops, and the seventy, all as described in the Bible.</div>
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Priesthood authority was withheld from the earth following the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles and was restored again in our day.</div>
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Revelation has not ceased, and the heavens are not closed. God speaks to prophets today, and He will speak to you and me as well.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="8" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#8-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8</a></sup></div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; clear: left; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="label" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">• </span><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There is more after this life than only heaven and hell. There are degrees of glory, and it matters a great deal what we do in this life.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="9" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#9-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9</a></sup></div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; clear: left; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="label" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">• </span><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
More than having a mere passive belief in Christ, we should “look unto [Him] in every thought,”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="10" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#10-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10</a></sup> “do all that [we do] in the name of the Son,”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="11" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#11-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11</a></sup> and “always remember him and keep his commandments … that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us].”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="12" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#12-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12</a></sup></div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; clear: left; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="label" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">• </span><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The billions who live and die without the gospel and the ordinances necessary for salvation are not lost. “Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="13" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#13-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13</a></sup> administered for both the living and the dead.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="14" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#14-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14</a></sup></div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; clear: left; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="label" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">• </span><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Everything did not begin at birth. You lived before in the presence of God as His son or daughter and prepared for this mortal life.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="15" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#15-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15</a></sup></div>
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Marriage and <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/family" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">family</a> are not conventions of men until only death do us part. They are intended to be made eternal through covenants we make with God. The family is the pattern of heaven.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="16" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#16-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">16</a></sup></div>
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And this is only a part of the flood of revelation poured out upon Joseph Smith. Where did it all come from, these revelations which give light to darkness, clarity to doubt, and which have inspired, blessed, and improved millions of people? Which is more likely, that he dreamed it all up on his own or that he had the help of heaven? Do the scriptures he produced sound like the words of man or the words of God?</div>
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<h2 style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2a3753; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Conclusion</h2>
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There is no dispute about what Joseph Smith accomplished, only how he did what he did and why. And there are not many options. He was either pretender or prophet. Either he did what he did alone, or he had the help of heaven. Look at the evidence, but look at all of the evidence, the entire mosaic of his life, not any single piece. Most importantly, do as young Joseph and “ask … God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given [you].”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="17" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#17-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">17</a></sup> This is not only how you may learn the truth about the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a> and Joseph Smith; it is also the pattern to know the truth of all things.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="18" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#18-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">18</a></sup></div>
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Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, as is Thomas S. Monson today. Through Joseph Smith, “the keys of the kingdom of God are [again] committed unto man on the earth, and … the gospel [will] roll forth … as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands … , until it has filled the whole earth.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-prophet-joseph-smith?lang=eng#19-10985_000_54corbridge" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">19</a></sup></div>
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God is our Eternal Father, and Jesus is the Christ. We worship Them. Nothing compares with Their creations, the plan of salvation, and the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God. In this dispensation, we fulfill the plan of the Father and partake of the fruits of the Atonement only by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I bear testimony of Them—God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. And I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
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Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-7699545386977571132014-05-11T01:07:00.002-07:002014-05-11T01:07:47.026-07:00Conference Messages: Spiritual Whirlwinds<h1 style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #3c424e; font-family: OFLSortsMillGoudyRegular, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 48px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 498.9375px;">
Spiritual Whirlwinds</h1>
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BY ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN</div>
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Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</div>
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I greet you this morning—especially the young people who are both here in the Conference Center and throughout the world. Yours is a chosen generation of destiny, and I speak especially to you.</div>
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Many years ago while we were visiting our <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/family" style="border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">family</a> in Florida, a tornado touched down not too far from us. One woman living in a mobile home went into her bathroom for safety. The mobile home began to shake. A few moments passed. Then she heard her neighbor’s voice: “I am here in the front room.” Coming out of the bathroom, to her great astonishment, she discovered that the tornado had lifted and carried her mobile home through the air, landing it perfectly upright on the top of her neighbor’s mobile home.</div>
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds.p7">
My young friends, the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior. The scriptures declare that “all things shall be in commotion.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#1-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1</a></sup> Brigham Young said, “It was revealed to me in the commencement of this Church, that the Church would spread, prosper, grow and extend, and that in proportion to the spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth, so would the power of Satan rise.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="2" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#2-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2</a></sup></div>
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More concerning than the prophesied earthquakes and wars<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#3-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3</a></sup> are the spiritual whirlwinds that can uproot you from your spiritual foundations and land your spirit in places you never imagined possible, sometimes with your barely noticing that you have been moved.</div>
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The worst whirlwinds are the temptations of the adversary. Sin has always been part of the world, but it has never been so accessible, insatiable, and acceptable. There is, of course, a powerful force that will subdue the whirlwinds of sin. It is called repentance.</div>
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Not all the whirlwinds in life are of your own making. Some come because of the wrong choices of others, and some come just because this is mortality.</div>
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As a young boy, President Boyd K. Packer suffered from the crippling disease of polio. When Elder Dallin H. Oaks was seven years old, his father died suddenly. When Sister Carol F. McConkie of the Young Women general presidency was a teenager, her parents divorced. Challenges will come to you, but as you trust in God, they will strengthen your faith.</div>
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In nature, trees that grow up in a windy environment become stronger. As winds whip around a young sapling, forces inside the tree do two things. First, they stimulate the roots to grow faster and spread farther. Second, the forces in the tree start creating cell structures that actually make the trunk and branches thicker and more flexible to the pressure of the wind. These stronger roots and branches protect the tree from winds that are sure to return.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="4" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#4-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4</a></sup></div>
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You are infinitely more precious to God than a tree. You are His son or His daughter. He made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life. The whirlwinds in your youth, like the wind against a young tree, can increase your spiritual strength, preparing you for the years ahead.</div>
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How do you prepare for your whirlwinds? “Remember … it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Son of God</a>, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, … his shafts in the whirlwind, … when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power … to drag you down … because of the rock upon which ye are built.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="5" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#5-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5</a></sup> This is your safety in the whirlwind.</div>
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President Thomas S. Monson has said, “Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="6" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#6-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</a></sup> This chasm, for some, stirs strong spiritual whirlwinds. Let me share an example.</div>
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This past month the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve published a letter to leaders of the Church across the world. In part it read: “Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We urge you to review … the doctrine contained in ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World.’”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="7" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#7-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7</a></sup></div>
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As the world slips away from the Lord’s law of chastity, we do not. President Monson said: “The Savior of mankind described Himself as being in the world but not of the world. We also can be in the world but not of the world as we reject false concepts and false teachings and remain true to that which God has commanded.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="8" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#8-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8</a></sup></div>
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While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. In the very beginning, God initiated marriage between a man and a woman—Adam and Eve. He designated the purposes of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults to, more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared, and nurtured. Families are the treasure of heaven.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="9" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#9-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9</a></sup></div>
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Why do we continue to talk about this? As Paul said, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="10" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#10-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10</a></sup> As Apostles of the Lord <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a>, we have the responsibility to teach our Creator’s plan for His children and to warn of the consequences of disregarding His commandments.</div>
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Recently, I spoke with a Laurel from the United States. I quote from her email:</div>
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“This past year some of my friends on Facebook began posting their position on marriage. Many favored same-sex marriage, and several LDS youth indicated they ‘liked’ the postings. I made no comment.</div>
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“I decided to declare my belief in traditional marriage in a thoughtful way.</div>
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“With my profile picture, I added the caption ‘I believe in marriage between a man and a woman.’ Almost instantly I started receiving messages. ‘You are selfish.’ ‘You are judgmental.’ One compared me to a slave owner. And I received this post from a great friend who is a strong member of the Church: ‘You need to catch up with the times. Things are changing and so should you.’</div>
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“I did not fight back,” she said, “but I did not take my statement down.”</div>
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She concludes: “Sometimes, as President Monson said, ‘You have to stand alone.’ Hopefully as youth, we will stand together in being true to God and to the teachings of His living prophets.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="11" style="border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#11-10985_000_16andersen" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11</a></sup></div>
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Of special concern to us should be those who struggle with same-sex attraction. It is a whirlwind of enormous velocity. I want to express my love and admiration for those who courageously confront this trial of faith and stay true to the commandments of God!<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="12" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#12-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12</a></sup> But everyone, independent of his or her decisions and beliefs, deserves our kindness and consideration.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="13" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#13-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13</a></sup></div>
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The Savior taught us to love not only our friends but also those who disagree with us—and even those who repudiate us. He said: “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? … And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="14" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#14-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14</a></sup></div>
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The Prophet <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Joseph Smith</a> warned us to “beware of self-righteousness” and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel “to take them upon our shoulders.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="15" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#15-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15</a></sup> In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no place for ridicule, bullying, or bigotry.</div>
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If you have a question about counsel from the leaders of the Church, please discuss your honest concerns with your parents and leaders. You need the strength that comes from trusting the Lord’s prophets. President Harold B. Lee said: “The only safety we have as members of this church is to … learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet. … There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes. … It may contradict your political views … your social views … interfere with … your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, … ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you … and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you …’ (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/21.6?lang=eng#5" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 21:6</a>).”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="16" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#16-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">16</a></sup></div>
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Another powerful protection from the whirlwinds of life is the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a>.</div>
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When President Henry B. Eyring was a teenager, his family moved to a new city. He initially found the move unpleasant and made few friends. He felt like he didn’t fit in with the students in his high school. The whirlwinds were swirling. What did he do? He threw his energy into the Book of Mormon, reading it many times.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="17" style="border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#17-10985_000_16andersen" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">17</a></sup> Years later, President Eyring testified: “I [love to] go back to the Book of Mormon and drink deeply and often.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="18" style="border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#18-10985_000_16andersen" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">18</a></sup> “[It] is the most powerful written testimony we have that Jesus is the Christ.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="19" style="border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#19-10985_000_16andersen" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">19</a></sup></div>
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The Lord has given you another way to stand firm, a spiritual gift more powerful than the whirlwinds of the adversary! He said, “Stand … in holy places, and be not moved.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="20" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#20-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">20</a></sup></div>
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When I was a teenager, there were only 13 temples in the Church. Now there are 142. Eighty-five percent of Church members live within 200 miles (320 km) of a temple. The Lord has given your generation greater access to His holy temples than any other generation in the history of the world.</div>
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Have you ever stood in the temple, dressed in white, waiting to do baptisms? How did you feel? There is a tangible feeling of holiness in the temple. The peace of the Savior subdues the swirling whirlwinds of the world.</div>
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The way you feel in the temple is a pattern for how you want to feel in your life.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="21" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#21-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">21</a></sup></div>
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Find your grandfathers and grandmothers and your distant cousins who have gone before you. Take their names to the temple with you.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="22" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#22-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">22</a></sup> As you learn about your ancestors, you will see patterns of life, of marriage, of children; patterns of righteousness; and occasionally patterns that you will want to avoid.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="23" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#23-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">23</a></sup></div>
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Later in the temple you will learn more about the Creation of the world, about the patterns in the lives of Adam and Eve, and most importantly, about our Savior, Jesus Christ.</div>
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My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you. Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="24" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#24-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">24</a></sup></div>
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Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.</div>
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Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.</div>
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Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.</div>
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Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.</div>
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As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are—tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.</div>
<span class="story" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px;"></span><span class="story" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px;"></span><span class="story" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 10.399999618530273px;"></span><br />
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The Savior said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”<sup class="noteMarker" noteref="25" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng#25-10985_000_16andersen" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25</a></sup>This is His promise to you. I know this promise is real. I know that He lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-80135798517576883632014-04-13T05:06:00.001-07:002014-04-13T05:06:18.552-07:00The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood April 2014 Priesthood Session of ConferenceI really wanted to post the video of this, but couldn't find a good one online yet. But this is a great talk, not only to answer the question about whether or not women should be ordained to the Priesthood, but to explain just what the Priesthood is. <br />
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The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood <br /><br />By Elder Dallin H. Oaks<br /><br />Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles<br /><br />Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men.<br />I.<br /><br />At this conference we have seen the release of some faithful brothers, and we have sustained the callings of others. In this rotation—so familiar in the Church—we do not “step down” when we are released, and we do not “step up” when we are called. There is no “up or down” in the service of the Lord. There is only “forward or backward,” and that difference depends on how we accept and act upon our releases and our callings. I once presided at the release of a young stake president who had given fine service for nine years and was now rejoicing in his release and in the new calling he and his wife had just received. They were called to be the nursery leaders in their ward. Only in this Church would that be seen as equally honorable!<br />II.<br /><br />While addressing a women’s conference, Relief Society general president Linda K. Burton said, “We hope to instill within each of us a greater desire to better understand the priesthood.”1 That need applies to all of us, and I will pursue it by speaking of the keys and authority of the priesthood. Since these subjects are of equal concern to men and to women, I am pleased that these proceedings are broadcast and published for all members of the Church. Priesthood power blesses all of us. Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men.<br />III.<br /><br />President Joseph F. Smith described the priesthood as “the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family.”2 Other leaders have taught us that the priesthood “is the consummate power on this earth. It is the power by which the earth was created.”3 The scriptures teach that “this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also” (Moses 6:7). Thus, the priesthood is the power by which we will be resurrected and proceed to eternal life.<br /><br />The understanding we seek begins with an understanding of the keys of the priesthood. “Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood [holders] to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”4 Every act or ordinance performed in the Church is done under the direct or indirect authorization of one holding the keys for that function. As Elder M. Russell Ballard has explained, “Those who have priesthood keys … literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”5<br /><br />In the controlling of the exercise of priesthood authority, the function of priesthood keys both enlarges and limits. It enlarges by making it possible for priesthood authority and blessings to be available for all of God’s children. It limits by directing who will be given the authority of the priesthood, who will hold its offices, and how its rights and powers will be conferred. For example, a person who holds the priesthood is not able to confer his office or authority on another unless authorized by one who holds the keys. Without that authorization, the ordination would be invalid. This explains why a priesthood holder—regardless of office—cannot ordain a member of his family or administer the sacrament in his own home without authorization from the one who holds the appropriate keys.<br /><br />With the exception of the sacred work that sisters do in the temple under the keys held by the temple president, which I will describe hereafter, only one who holds a priesthood office can officiate in a priesthood ordinance. And all authorized priesthood ordinances are recorded on the records of the Church.<br /><br />Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used. We are accustomed to thinking that all keys of the priesthood were conferred on Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, but the scripture states that all that was conferred there were “the keys of this dispensation” (D&C 110:16). At general conference many years ago, President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation and resurrection.6<br /><br />The divine nature of the limitations put upon the exercise of priesthood keys explains an essential contrast between decisions on matters of Church administration and decisions affecting the priesthood. The First Presidency and the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, who preside over the Church, are empowered to make many decisions affecting Church policies and procedures—matters such as the location of Church buildings and the ages for missionary service. But even though these presiding authorities hold and exercise all of the keys delegated to men in this dispensation, they are not free to alter the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the priesthood.<br />IV.<br /><br />I come now to the subject of priesthood authority. I begin with the three principles just discussed: (1) priesthood is the power of God delegated to man to act for the salvation of the human family, (2) priesthood authority is governed by priesthood holders who hold priesthood keys, and (3) since the scriptures state that “all other authorities [and] offices in the church are appendages to this [Melchizedek] priesthood” (D&C 107:5), all that is done under the direction of those priesthood keys is done with priesthood authority.<br /><br />How does this apply to women? In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”7<br /><br />In that notable address, President Smith said again and again that women have been given authority. To the women he said, “You can speak with authority, because the Lord has placed authority upon you.” He also said that the Relief Society “[has] been given power and authority to do a great many things. The work which they do is done by divine authority.” And, of course, the Church work done by women or men, whether in the temple or in the wards or branches, is done under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys. Thus, speaking of the Relief Society, President Smith explained, “[The Lord] has given to them this great organization where they have authority to serve under the directions of the bishops of the wards … , looking after the interest of our people both spiritually and temporally.”8<br /><br />Thus, it is truly said that Relief Society is not just a class for women but something they belong to—a divinely established appendage to the priesthood.9<br /><br />We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.<br /><br />Whoever exercises priesthood authority should forget about their rights and concentrate on their responsibilities. That is a principle needed in society at large. The famous Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is quoted as saying, “It is time … to defend not so much human rights as human obligations.”10 Latter-day Saints surely recognize that qualifying for exaltation is not a matter of asserting rights but a matter of fulfilling responsibilities.<br />V.<br /><br />The Lord has directed that only men will be ordained to offices in the priesthood. But, as various Church leaders have emphasized, men are not “the priesthood.”11 Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God.<br /><br />The greatest power God has given to His sons cannot be exercised without the companionship of one of His daughters, because only to His daughters has God given the power “to be a creator of bodies … so that God’s design and the Great Plan might meet fruition.”12 Those are the words of President J. Reuben Clark.<br /><br />He continued: “This is the place of our wives and of our mothers in the Eternal Plan. They are not bearers of the Priesthood; they are not charged with carrying out the duties and functions of the Priesthood; nor are they laden with its responsibilities; they are builders and organizers under its power, and partakers of its blessings, possessing the complement of the Priesthood powers and possessing a function as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself.”13<br /><br />In those inspired words, President Clark was speaking of the family. As stated in the family proclamation, the father presides in the family and he and the mother have separate responsibilities, but they are “obligated to help one another as equal partners.”14 Some years before the family proclamation, President Spencer W. Kimball gave this inspired explanation: “When we speak of marriage as a partnership, let us speak of marriage as a full partnership. We do not want our LDS women to be silent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment! Please be a contributing and full partner.”15<br /><br />In the eyes of God, whether in the Church or in the family, women and men are equal, with different responsibilities.<br /><br />I close with some truths about the blessings of the priesthood. Unlike priesthood keys and priesthood ordinations, the blessings of the priesthood are available to women and to men on the same terms. The gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the temple are familiar illustrations of this truth.<br /><br />In his insightful talk at BYU Education Week last summer, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave these teachings:<br /><br />“Our Church doctrine places women equal to and yet different from men. God does not regard either gender as better or more important than the other. …<br /><br />“When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which is priesthood power. … Access to the power and the blessings of the priesthood is available to all of God’s children.”16<br /><br />I testify of the power and blessings of the priesthood of God, available for His sons and daughters alike. I testify of the authority of the priesthood, which functions throughout all of the offices and activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify of the divinely directed function of the keys of the priesthood, held and exercised in their fulness by our prophet/president, Thomas S. Monson. Finally and most important, I testify of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose priesthood this is and whose servants we are, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.<br /> <br /><br />1. Linda K. Burton, “Priesthood: ‘A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children’” (Brigham Young University Women’s Conference address, May 3, 2013), 1; ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/transcripts.php.<br /> <br /><br />2. Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 139.<br /> <br /><br />3. Boyd K. Packer, “Priesthood Power in the Home” (worldwide leadership training meeting, Feb. 2012); lds.org/broadcasts; see also James E. Faust, “Power of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 1997, 41–43.<br /> <br /><br />4. Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 2.1.1.<br /> <br /><br />5. M. Russell Ballard, “Men and Women in the Work of the Lord,” New Era, Apr. 2014, 4; Liahona, Apr. 2014, 48; see also Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 138.<br /> <br /><br />6. See Spencer W. Kimball, “Our Great Potential,” Ensign, May 1977, 49.<br /> <br /><br />7. Joseph Fielding Smith, “Relief Society—an Aid to the Priesthood,” Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1959, 4.<br /> <br /><br />8. Joseph Fielding Smith, “Relief Society—an Aid to the Priesthood,” 4, 5; see also Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith (2013), 302.<br /> <br /><br />9. See Boyd K. Packer, “The Relief Society,” Ensign, May 1998, 72; see also Daughters in My Kingdom, 138.<br /> <br /><br />10. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “A World Split Apart” (commencement address delivered at Harvard University, June 8, 1978); see also Patricia T. Holland, “A Woman’s Perspective on the Priesthood,” Ensign, July 1980, 25; Tambuli, June 1982, 23; Dallin H. Oaks, “Rights and Responsibilities,” Mercer Law Review, vol. 36, no. 2 (winter 1985), 427–42.<br /> <br /><br />11. See James E. Faust, “You Are All Heaven Sent,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 113; M. Russell Ballard, “This Is My Work and Glory,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 19; Dallin H. Oaks, “Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 26. We sometimes say that the Relief Society is a “partner with the priesthood.” It would be more accurate to say that in the work of the Lord the Relief Society and the women of the Church are “partners with the holders of the priesthood.”<br /> <br /><br />12. J. Reuben Clark Jr., “Our Wives and Our Mothers in the Eternal Plan,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1946, 800.<br /> <br /><br />13. J. Reuben Clark Jr., “Our Wives and Our Mothers,” 801.<br /> <br /><br />14. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129.<br /> <br /><br />15. Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, 106.<br /> <br /><br />16. M. Russell Ballard, New Era, Apr. 2014, 4; Liahona, Apr. 2014, 48; see also Sheri L. Dew, Women and the Priesthood (2013), especially chapter 6, for a valuable elaboration of the doctrines stated here.<br /><br /> Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<br />© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights ReservedDelirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-61973144689337039712014-04-06T02:38:00.002-07:002014-04-06T02:38:46.045-07:00General ConferenceThis weekend is general conference weekend for members of our church. I'm a little slow in posting this, so the Saturday sessions have already occurred. But Sunday sessions will be live at 9:00 a.m. MST, and 1:00 p.m. You can watch it on KSL, or BYU television, or you can stream it live from lds.org I read a blog post by someone who likened it to the TED talks. If you enjoy TED talks, and you are religious, then you will love general conference! It's a great opportunity to recharge your spiritual battery. I love to hear the apostles bear testimony of Jesus Christ, and I love getting current guidance to suit the climate in which we live today. Do you have a question about religion? Listen to conference and odds are that your question will be answered!Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-14605723446399842312014-03-31T19:00:00.000-07:002014-03-31T19:01:56.826-07:00A Bit of RantingI have joined a facebook group about Christianity. It has been difficult at times to listen to their criticisms and to be the brunt of anti-mormon attacks at times. A few missionaries from our church have also joined the group, and they have done a much better job of answering these types of attacks than I have. I think that perhaps more members of our church have not joined this page simply because of the lack of respect shown LDS members, and the amount of anti-mormon propaganda that floods the page. <br />
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My most recent conversation was in response to a person who in reply to a comment of mine, posted a link to an anti-mormon website. I responded that I don't click on any links, even those about other religions. I told them that I believe that if you want to learn about a religion, you need to go to the source. Anti-Mormon websites (as well as anti-other religions sites as well) are made by those who are either sadly mis-informed about our beliefs, or are disgruntled members who have an axe to grind, and twist the truth to misrepresent our religion. I believe the same can be said for anti-Catholic sites, as well as anti-Christianity sites. The response I got from the administrator of the page was that he felt I was probably not well educated in my religion, and that he was disappointed that our church sites did not discuss the REAL truth behind our religion. I told him that I am extremely well educated about my religion, and that in fact it is probably him that has been misinformed about our beliefs. I further said that if he could not find the information on our church website, it is probably because ultimately it isn't part of our beliefs. <br />
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The next comment really caught me by surprise. He said, "<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any case, we allow Mormons in the group as long as they don't undermine orthodox Christianity. As long as anything you post conforms to the Nicene Creed, you are welcome." I replied that I was glad that he allowed us, but that we don't believe the "post-early church" nicene creed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but it really hit me that so much of Christianity bases their set of beliefs upon opinions of a conference of people who met to formalize and discuss the core beliefs of Christianity. In our religion, we believe this came at a time when a great apostasy had already occurred. Many core Christian beliefs that were common in the early church were discarded at the creation of the nicene creed. And it's also interesting that many who believe the Nicene creed do not believe in modern revelation, so how can they trust that these people were inspired in writing it? </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also very interesting to me that although most Christian churches believe the Nicene creed, they think the Catholic church is of the devil. The Catholic church was the first church to be organized after the death of the apostles, and the decline of the early church. From my understanding, most Christian churches today are break-offs of that original Catholic church. Our church is an exception, in that we believe ours is the original church restored to the earth after a long period of apostasy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it appears that Christianity today will not accept me as Christian unless I accept the Nicene creed. It doesn't matter that we believe the Bible to be the word of God. It doesn't matter that we believe Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. It doesn't matter that our church bears His name. What matters to them most is that we don't agree with the opinion of a group of people who formulated the Nicene creed years after the death of the Savior and the apostles. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, can accept anyone as Christian that accepts the Savior Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. I may disagree with their beliefs, but I don't deny them the right to be called Christian. In these perilous times, with attacks on religion in general, it's too bad that we don't have more unity among Christians. </span></span>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-72475342335237586952014-03-04T17:53:00.004-08:002014-03-04T17:53:43.964-08:00My Religious TestimonyThis will be a double post, and is scheduled to be published tomorrow on my regular blog. <br />
I recently read a post written by a fellow "Mormon", and it inspired me to follow her challenge to share my beliefs online. I actually do this quite often, and have a separate blog for religious posts. I also have created a facebook page to celebrate my religion. But I decided that as part of this challenge, I would like to share my beliefs here, with my friends who read this blog.<br />
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I believe in God, the eternal father. But for me, He isn't some disembodied aura without "body, parts, or passions". He has a perfect, immortal body, and it is His image from which we were created. I also believe that He is the father of our spirits. This makes each one of us on this planet spirit brothers and sisters. We are all children of God. He loves each one of us, and wants us to be happy.<br />
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I also believe that He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ to redeem us. Jesus Christ suffered and paid the price for our sins so that we can repent. He was crucified on the cross, but being the son of God, He was able to resurrect His body, and bring to pass the resurrection of all mankind. Because of Him, we all will be resurrected some day. His sacrifice overcame the two greatest obstacles between us and God; namely sin, and death. <br />
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I believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, just like the prophets in the Bible. Through him, the original church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. Today, that organization remains with twelve apostles, and a prophet leading and guiding the church. Having a living prophet means that we continue to receive revelation from God, and current guidance for the church. <br />
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I believe the Bible to be the word of God. I believe the Book of Mormon is also the word of God. I believe that God continues to give His word today, and that there is no end to His word. We could, in the future, obtain even more scripture. The Bible is the record of God's dealings with the people of the Holy land. It contains a testimony of the life of Christ, His birth, crucifixion, and resurrection. Likewise, the Book of Mormon is a record of God's dealings with the people of the ancient Americas. It also contains a testimony of Jesus Christ, and includes the record of His visit to the people of ancient America shortly after his resurrection. The Book of Mormon stands as a second witness that Jesus is the Christ, and that He did, in fact, resurrect from death. Together, with the Bible, it testifies of the divinity of the Savior, and establishes His doctrine.<br />
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I have a testimony in the ability of the Holy Ghost; the third member of the Godhead, to testify of truth. Through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things. As taught in the Bible, we can receive a witness that will be felt in our heart, as well as come as an assurety to our minds. It is through this power that I have gained my testimony. I'm so thankful for this blessing, and the opportunity I have to pray to God individually to know whether something is true or not, and whether or not it comes from Him. This has been a guiding force in my life.<br />
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I hope that if you have questions you will feel free to ask me. I am not a perfect scriptorian, but I have the scriptures available to study, and I hope that I can use them well to explain our beliefs. Thank you for allowing me to share this testimony with you.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988751924087021427.post-7158298959446531942014-02-16T05:59:00.001-08:002014-02-16T05:59:39.009-08:00The Church of Jesus Christ in Former TimesI taught this lesson in a Sunday school class today and I thought it was such a great lesson that I wanted to share it here. This is chapter 16 of our church's manual "Gospel Principles". I think that these scripture links work if you want to read the scriptures that go along with the lesson. Basically, this lesson identifies 6 characteristics of the church that Jesus Christ established during His life here on Earth. It mentions: revelation, authority from God, the church organization, the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, ordinances performed for the dead, and spiritual gifts. I have removed notes that were designed for teachers use. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did.<br />
<h1>
Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times</h1>
<div class="citation">
<span class="emphasis">Gospel Principles</span>, (2011), 87–93</div>
<h2>
Some Features That Identify the Church of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ">Jesus Christ</a></h2>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p4">
“We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.6?lang=eng#5">Articles of Faith 1:6</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p5">
Jesus established His Church when He was on the earth. It was called the Church of Jesus Christ (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/27.8?lang=eng#7">3 Nephi 27:8</a>), and the members were called Saints (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/2.19-20?lang=eng#18">Ephesians 2:19–20</a>).</div>
<div class="figure">
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p6">
</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
Revelation</h3>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p8">
When Jesus established His Church, He personally instructed and directed its leaders. He, in turn, received His instructions from His Father in Heaven. (See <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/heb/1.1-2?lang=eng#0">Hebrews 1:1–2</a>.) Thus the Church of Jesus Christ was directed by God and not by men. Jesus taught His followers that revelation was the “rock” upon which He would build His Church (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/16.16-18?lang=eng#15">Matthew 16:16–18</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p9">
Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.lds.org/topics/resurrection?lang=eng">Resurrection</a>, He told His Apostles, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.20?lang=eng#19">Matthew 28:20</a>). True to His word, He continued to guide them from heaven. He sent the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng">Holy Ghost</a> to be a comforter and a revelator to them (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12.12?lang=eng#11">Luke 12:12</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.26?lang=eng#25">John 14:26</a>). He spoke to Saul in a vision (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/9.3-6?lang=eng#2">Acts 9:3–6</a>). He revealed to Peter that the gospel should be taught not only to the Jews but to the whole world (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/10?lang=eng">Acts 10</a>). He revealed many glorious truths to John, which are written in the book of Revelation. The New Testament records many other ways in which Jesus revealed His will to guide His Church and enlighten His disciples.</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
Authority from God</h3>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p11">
The ordinances and principles of the gospel cannot be administered and taught without the priesthood. The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/heb/5.4-6?lang=eng#3">Hebrews 5:4–6</a>), who in turn ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/9.1-2?lang=eng#0">Luke 9:1–2</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/3.14?lang=eng#13">Mark 3:14</a>). He reminded them, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.16?lang=eng#15">John 15:16</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p12">
That there might be order in His Church, Jesus gave the greatest responsibility and authority to the Twelve Apostles. He appointed Peter chief Apostle and gave him the keys to seal blessings both on earth and in heaven (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/16.19?lang=eng#18">Matthew 16:19</a>). Jesus also ordained other officers with specific duties to perform. After He ascended into heaven, the pattern of appointment and ordination was continued. Others were ordained to the priesthood by those who had already received that authority. Jesus made it known through the Holy Ghost that He approved of those ordinations (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.24?lang=eng#23">Acts 1:24</a>).</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
The Church Organization</h3>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p14">
The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit. It was compared to a building that was “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/2.20?lang=eng#19">Ephesians 2:20</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p15">
Jesus appointed other priesthood leaders to assist the Apostles in the work of the ministry. He sent officers called Seventies in pairs to preach the gospel (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.1?lang=eng#0">Luke 10:1</a>). Other officers in the Church were evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (presiding leaders), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons (see chapter 14 in this book). These officers were all necessary to do <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/missionary-work">missionary work</a>, perform ordinances, and instruct and inspire Church members. These officers helped the members come to a “unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/4.13?lang=eng#12">Ephesians 4:13</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p16">
The <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng">Bible</a> does not tell us everything about the priesthood or the organization and government of the Church. However, enough of the Bible has been preserved to show the beauty and perfection of the Church organization. The Apostles were commanded to go into all the world and preach (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/28.19-20?lang=eng#18">Matthew 28:19–20</a>). They could not stay in any one city to supervise new converts. Therefore, local priesthood leaders were called and ordained, and the Apostles presided over them. The Apostles and other Church leaders visited and wrote letters to the various branches. Thus, our New Testament contains letters written by Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude, giving counsel and instruction to the local priesthood leaders.</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p17">
The New Testament shows that this Church organization was intended to continue. For example, the death of Judas left only eleven Apostles. Soon after Jesus had ascended into heaven, the eleven Apostles met together to choose someone to take the place of Judas. Through revelation from the Holy Ghost, they chose Matthias. (See <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/1.23-26?lang=eng#22">Acts 1:23–26</a>.) Jesus had set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church. It seemed clear that the organization was to continue as He had established it.</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
First Principles and Ordinances</h3>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p19">
The Apostles taught two basic principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. After new converts had faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Redeemer and had repented of their sins, they received two ordinances: <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/study/topics/baptism?lang=eng">baptism</a> by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/19.1-6?lang=eng#0">Acts 19:1–6</a>). These were the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Jesus had taught, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/3.5?lang=eng#4">John 3:5</a>).</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
Ordinances Performed for the Dead</h3>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p21">
Jesus has provided for everyone to hear the gospel, whether on earth or after death. Between His death and Resurrection, Jesus went among the spirits of those who had died. He organized missionary work among those who were dead. He appointed righteous messengers and gave them power to teach the gospel to all the spirits of people who had died. This gave them an opportunity to accept the gospel. (See <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.18-20?lang=eng#17">1 Peter 3:18–20</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-pet/4.6?lang=eng#5">4:6</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/138?lang=eng">D&C 138</a>.) Living members of His Church then performed ordinances in behalf of the dead (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/15.29?lang=eng#28">1 Corinthians 15:29</a>). Ordinances such as baptism and confirmation must be done on earth.</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h3>
Spiritual Gifts</h3>
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All faithful members of the Church were entitled to receive gifts of the Spirit. These were given to them according to their individual needs, capacities, and assignments. Some of these gifts were faith, including the power to heal and to be healed; prophecy; and visions. (The gifts of the Spirit are discussed in more detail in chapter 22.) Spiritual gifts always exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/12.4-11?lang=eng#3">1 Corinthians 12:4–11</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.8-18?lang=eng#7">Moroni 10:8–18</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.8-29?lang=eng#7">D&C 46:8–29</a>). Jesus told His disciples that these signs or spiritual gifts always follow them that believe (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/16.17-18?lang=eng#16">Mark 16:17–18</a>). Many of His disciples performed miracles, prophesied, or beheld visions through the power of the Holy Ghost.</div>
</div>
<ul class="bullet">
<li><span class="label">•</span>Why does the Church of Jesus Christ need these six features?</li>
</ul>
<div class="topic">
<h2>
The Church of Jesus Christ in the Americas</h2>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p26">
After Jesus was resurrected, He visited the people in the Americas and organized His Church among them, teaching the people for three days and then returning often for some time thereafter (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng">3 Nephi 11–28</a>). Then He left them and ascended into heaven. For over 200 years they lived righteously and were among the happiest people whom God had created (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1.16?lang=eng#15">4 Nephi 1:16</a>).</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h2>
Apostasy from the True Church</h2>
<ul class="bullet">
<li><span class="label">•</span>What does the term <span class="emphasis">apostasy</span> mean?</li>
</ul>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p29">
Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God. This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus. Some rebelled openly. In addition, there was persecution from outside the Church. Church members were tortured and killed for their beliefs. One by one, the Apostles were killed or otherwise taken from the earth. Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood keys were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the dissolution of the Church was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p30">
Soon pagan beliefs dominated the thinking of those called Christians. The Roman emperor adopted this false Christianity as the state religion. This church was very different from the church Jesus organized. It taught that God was a being without form or substance.</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p31">
These people lost the understanding of God’s love for us. They did not know that we are His children. They did not understand the purpose of life. Many of the ordinances were changed because the priesthood and revelation were no longer on the earth.</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p32">
The emperor chose his own leaders and sometimes called them by the same titles used by priesthood leaders in the true Church of Christ. There were no Apostles or other priesthood leaders with power from God, and there were no spiritual gifts. The prophet Isaiah had foreseen this condition, prophesying, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/24.5?lang=eng#4">Isaiah 24:5</a>). It was the Church of Jesus Christ no longer; it was a church of men. Even the name had been changed. In the Americas, apostasy also occurred (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1?lang=eng">4 Nephi</a>).</div>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h2>
A Restoration Foretold</h2>
<ul class="bullet">
<li><span class="label">•</span>What prophecies in the Old and New Testaments foretold the Restoration?</li>
</ul>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p35">
God had foreseen the Apostasy and prepared for the gospel to be restored. The Apostle Peter spoke of this to the Jews: “He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/3.20-21?lang=eng#19">Acts 3:20–21</a>).</div>
<div uri="/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-16-the-church-of-jesus-christ-in-former-times.p36">
John the Revelator had also foreseen the time when the gospel would be restored. He said, “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/14.6?lang=eng#5">Revelation 14:6</a>).</div>
<ul class="bullet">
<li><span class="label">•</span>Why was the Restoration necessary?</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span>Consider the blessings that have come to you because the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="topic">
<h2>
Additional Scriptures</h2>
<ul class="bullet">
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/2.19?lang=eng#18">Ephesians 2:19</a> (members called Saints)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/12.12-31?lang=eng#11">1 Corinthians 12:12–31</a> (Church likened to a body)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.1?lang=eng#0">Luke 10:1</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/14.23?lang=eng#22">Acts 14:23</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/titus/1.7?lang=eng#6">Titus 1:7</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-tim/2.7?lang=eng#6">1 Timothy 2:7</a> (officers of the Church identified)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/8.26-29?lang=eng#25">John 8:26–29</a> (the Father directs Jesus)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/9.1?lang=eng#0">Luke 9:1</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/1.17?lang=eng#16">James 1:17</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/5.14-15?lang=eng#13">5:14–15</a> (spiritual gifts)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/27.13?lang=eng#12">Mosiah 27:13</a> (apostasy comes as a result of transgression)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-pet/2.1?lang=eng#0">2 Peter 2:1</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24.9-12?lang=eng#8">Matthew 24:9–12</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/16.1-3?lang=eng#0">John 16:1–3</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/amos/8.11?lang=eng#10">Amos 8:11</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.3-4?lang=eng#2">2 Thessalonians 2:3–4</a> (Apostasy predicted)</li>
<li><span class="label">•</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/dan/2.44-45?lang=eng#43">Daniel 2:44–45</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24.14?lang=eng#13">Matthew 24:14</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/3.19-21?lang=eng#18">Acts 3:19–21</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/micah/4.1?lang=eng#0">Micah 4:1</a>; <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/2.2-4?lang=eng#1">Isaiah 2:2–4</a> (Restoration predicted)</li>
</ul>
</div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0