Quote of the Day: George Albert Smith

“I remember upon one occasion a man said to me, after we had talked for some time, ‘Well, from all I can learn your church is just as good as any other church.’ I presume he thought he was paying us a great compliment, but I said to him: ‘If the church I represent here is not of more importance to the children of men than any other church, then I am mistaken in my duty here. We have come not to take away from you the truth and virtue you possess. We have come not to find fault with you nor to criticize you. We have not come here to berate you because of things you have not done; but we have come here as your brethren. We are giving our time and our means voluntarily, and have come to your land with love in our hearts, with the desire to do you good, to encourage you to repent of your sins, wherein you are sinful, and encourage you to retain your virtues wherein you are virtuous, and to say to you: ‘Keep all the good that you have, and let us bring to you more good, in order that you may be happier and in order that you may be prepared to enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father’” ( Sharing the Gospel with Others, 12–13).

A Prophet's Creed

Elder Matthew Cowley, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, quoted Pres. George Albert Smith:

“President George Albert Smith had a creed. To those of us who knew him, it is not necessary to read that creed because his life was the creed. . . .

“[He wrote:] ‘I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

“‘I would visit the sick and the afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.

“‘I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.

“‘I would seek out the erring and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.

“‘I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right. I would live with the masses and help solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

“‘I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

“‘I would not knowingly hurt the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

“‘I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the success of all the children of my Heavenly Father.

“‘I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

“‘Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter I feel it not only a duty but a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth’”

(in Conference Report, Apr. 1951, 167–68).

Mormon Messages: The Blessings of the Temple

As I watched this video, I couldn't help but think that listening to these people does not really fully convey the impact they have felt from attending the temple. They very calmly talk about receiving direction in the temple, and feeling the spirit. But as one who has attended the temple, I can tell you that it is far more meaningful, and draws a person more closer to the spirit, than can be conveyed in words.

Mormon Messages: The Civility Experiment

Quote of the Day: Paul V. Johnson

‎"Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without any struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way. We clearly understand that an athlete who resists rigorous training will never become a world-class athlete. We must be careful that we don’t resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature."

Paul V. Johnson, April 2011 general conference

Book of Mormon Milestone

The 150 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon was just published! You can read the church newsroom article by clicking here. Part of the article says, "In 2003, Book magazine named the Book of Mormon one of the “20 Books That Changed America.” In October 2007, late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley described its modern influence: “Through all of these years critics have tried to explain it. They have spoken against it. They have ridiculed it. But it has outlived them all, and its influence today is greater than at any time in its history.”

I can't but help be reminded of this prophetic counsel of Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

in Nov. 1988:"The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of the electronic media and the mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way.

We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!

My beloved brothers and sisters, we hardly fathom the power of the Book of Mormon, nor the divine role it must play, nor the extent to which it must be moved.

“Few men on earth,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. … The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it. … There is no greater issue ever to confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?” ( pp. 159, 170, 179.) We testify that it is.

Now, my good Saints, we have a great work to perform in a very short time. We must flood the earth with the Book of Mormon—and get out from under God’s condemnation for having treated it lightly. (See D&C 84:54–58.)"

Have you earnestly read and prayed about the Book of Mormon? I promise you that it will bring you closer to Christ. Try out my promise and see for yourself!

Book of Mormon Challenge 1 Nephi 5

I think that Sariah gets a bad rap in this chapter. :) After her sons leave to go back to Jerusalem, she gets very worried for their well being. What mother wouldn't? She complains to her husband that he is a "visionary man", which I always thought meant something similar to "dreamer". Lehi basically bears his witness to her that his visions were from God, and that they did the right thing by going in to the wilderness.

This made me think about how much easier it is to believe when we receive our own witness, than it is to believe in someone else's witness. Having not been the one to receive the vision, Sariah had to have faith that her husband was being led of God. This reminded me of a scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants that speaks about gifts of the spirit: "To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." D.&C. 46:13,14

The rest of this chapter talks about the records that Nephi and his brothers were able to obtain. It explains what was contained in the records. Not only did it contain the spiritual writings that would help them to stay close to God, but it also contained a geneology of their forefathers. But most importantly, it contained the word of God, and the commandments. This would enable them to preserve the commandments for their children, and as we later read about, an entire nation.