tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64759722768970568222024-03-13T06:02:18.815-06:00A Collection of Topics with the Words of Prophets and Apostles and My Personal CommentaryThese are topics I have collected scripture references (the words of apostles and prophets) and posted in this blog for others to study and pray about for themselves that we all may be edified and grow. My own comments have also been added to pull the reader's eye toward what I think I saw in those words.Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-14910025499536308782020-11-08T08:57:00.000-07:002020-11-08T08:57:14.531-07:00Lust<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adb27fac-7fff-9f29-5f7b-8838df9edc59"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Elder Ulisses Soares, Seek Christ in Every Thought, October 2020 General Conference</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">Moroni also reminded his people not to be consumed by their lusts.</span><span class="note-ref hidden-163M6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> The word </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lust</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> refers to an intense longing and improper desire for </span><span class="page-break" data-page="84" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">something.</span><span class="note-ref hidden-163M6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> It encompasses any dark thoughts or evil desires that cause an individual to focus on selfish practices or worldly possessions rather than doing good, being kind, keeping the commandments of God, and so forth. It is often manifested through the most carnal feelings of the soul."</span></p>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-18125220965479892982020-02-02T13:16:00.000-07:002020-02-02T13:17:45.527-07:00DIligence<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Definition </span></b></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">of Diligence </span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">from Webster's Dictionary 1828</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity."</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Preach My Gospel</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> [2004], </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes.p176" style="text-decoration-line: none; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">121</span></a></span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work”</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-e68e23f4-7fff-86e8-3b7d-e84f1ef79f86" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doctrine and Covenants 4:6-7</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 </span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7 </span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 7.15pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doctrine and Covenants 30:8</span></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Wherefore, giv</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e heed unto these things and be diligent in keeping my commandments, and you shall be blessed unto eternal life. Amen.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2 Peter 1:5</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="verse-number" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">5 </span><span style="white-space: normal;">And beside this, giving all </span><span class="study-note-ref hidden-163M6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">diligence</span><span style="white-space: normal;">, add to your faith </span><span class="study-note-ref hidden-163M6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">virtue</span><span style="white-space: normal;">; and to virtue </span><span class="study-note-ref hidden-163M6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">knowledge</span><span style="white-space: normal;">;</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-400); padding-left: var(--spacing-400);">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: var(--line-height); margin-top: var(--spacing-200);"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry B. Eyring, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/act-in-all-diligence" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“Act in All Diligence,”</a> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ensign</em> or <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</em><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">,</em> May 2010, 60–63</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: var(--line-height); margin: var(--spacing-300) 0;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dieter F. Uchtdorf, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“Of Things That Matter Most,”</a> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ensign</em> or <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</em><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">,</em> Nov. 2010, 19–22</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: var(--line-height); margin: var(--spacing-300) 0;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">David A. Bednar, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/more-diligent-and-concerned-at-home" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“More Diligent and Concerned at Home,”</a> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ensign</em> or <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</em><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">,</em> Nov. 2009, 17–20</span></li>
</ul>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-47320768668879509272019-09-07T06:58:00.001-06:002022-10-06T20:55:24.504-06:00Baptism for the Dead<span id="docs-internal-guid-64de4023-7fff-5a27-a8ae-3a13e257a7de"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baptism for the Dead</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 15:29</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 15 talks mostly about resurrection. He is preaching, trying to convince people that do not believe in the resurrection of the dead that we will indeed be resurrected.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those who have died who have baptisms done on their behalf have the opportunity to choose to accept baptism or not. Then no one can say they were never presented the choice. (1 Peter 4:6)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Peter 4:6</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Peter 3:20</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-73402316305822293202019-06-23T14:48:00.001-06:002019-09-29T07:35:05.800-06:00Teaching About Temples<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-8d6f3cbb-7fff-d1eb-73ba-4cb8a33c72b0"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Elder Davis A Bednar, “Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing”, April 2019 General Conference</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two basic guidelines can help us achieve the proper understanding emphasized by President Benson.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Guideline #1. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because we love the Lord, we always should speak about His holy house with reverence. We should not disclose or describe the special symbols associated with the covenants we receive in sacred temple ceremonies. Neither should we discuss the holy information that we specifically promise in the temple not to reveal.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-efd522b7-7fff-b5f3-7fe4-dd2a01fc647d"></span></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Guideline #2. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The temple is the house of the Lord. Everything in the temple points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may discuss the basic purposes of and the doctrine and principles associated with temple ordinances and covenants</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Temples.lds.org</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-05976f0f-7fff-3218-2c90-122404f6f0d0" style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Russell M. Nelson, “</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/liahona/2010/10/prepare-for-the-blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2010, 47.</span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I recommend that members … read entries in the Bible Dictionary that are related to the temple, such as ‘</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/anoint?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anoint</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">,’ ‘</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/covenant?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Covenant</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">,’ ‘</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/sacrifices?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sacrifices</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">,’ and ‘</span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/temple?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Temple</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">.’ One may also wish to read </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/26?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Exodus, chapters 26–29</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">, and </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/8?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Leviticus, chapter 8</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. The Old Testament, as well as the books of </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moses</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Abraham</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the Pearl of Great Price, underscores the antiquity of temple work and the enduring nature of its ordinances.”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Why Does the Statue of Moroni Usually Face East on Temples?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Moroni is the angel spoken of in Revelation 14</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">6 And 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,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">This part of the revelation is foretelling Moroni coming and resulting the everlasting gospel before Christ returns. The statute faces east to symbolize waiting for Christ's return. The sun rises in the east and is symbolic of the list of the world. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Matthew 24:27 tells us of Christ's return being like the dawn that comes from the east and shine on the west. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.</span></span></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-78097735824202770512019-03-24T15:17:00.002-06:002019-03-24T15:17:26.274-06:00Article of Faith 10<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.10?lang=eng#9"><b>Article of Faith 1:10</b></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Elder Russell M Nelson, “Thus Shall My Church Be Called”, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/04?lang=eng">April 1990</a> General Conference</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">"It is true that scriptures foretell the final days of the earth’s temporal existence as a telestial sphere. The earth will then be renewed and receive its paradisiacal, or terrestrial, glory. (See <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.10?lang=eng#9">A of F 1:10</a>.) Ultimately, the earth will become celestialized. (See <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/21.1?lang=eng#0">Rev. 21:1</a>; <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/77.1?lang=eng#0">D&C 77:1</a>; <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.25-26?lang=eng#24">D&C 88:25–26</a>.) But its last days must be preceded by its latter days!"</span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-8532809408683292542018-11-04T10:56:00.000-07:002018-11-04T10:56:08.166-07:00Judging Others<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/28.16?lang=eng#p16" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Isaiah 28:16</b></span></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="verse" style="font-weight: bold; padding-left: 0.4em; padding-right: 0.3em;">16</span> ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;">"I advise all of you to be careful what you do, or you may by-and-by find out that you have been deceived.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">17</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;">Stay yourselves;</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">18</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> do not give way;</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">19</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> don’t make any hasty moves, you may be saved. If a spirit of bitterness</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">20</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;">is in you, don’t be in haste.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">21</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> You may say, that man is a sinner.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">22</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> Well, if he repents, he shall be forgiven.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">23</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> Be cautious:</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">24</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> await. When you find a spirit that wants bloodshed</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">25</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;">—murder, the same is not of God,</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">26</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> but is of the devil.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">27</span><span style="text-indent: 21px; white-space: normal;"> Out of the abundance of the heart of man the mouth speaketh.</span><span class="footRef" style="text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: super; white-space: normal;">28"</span></span></span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-89600190003211269262018-03-13T18:33:00.001-06:002022-08-14T17:21:54.102-06:00Gifts of the Spirit<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-607e5cde-7fff-fafd-ee71-9844124023e0"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brother Douglas D Holmes, Deep in Our Heart, April 2020 General Conference</span></span></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"Seeing others as God does is a gift. I invite all of us to seek for this gift."</span><br />
<b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1e174e1a-21eb-9bae-a50a-1e849a23c6eb"><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/john-c-pingree-jr?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Elder John C. Pingree Jr.</a></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, “I Have a Work for Thee”, October 2017 General Conference</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">“Heavenly Father gave us these gifts to help us identify, perform, and enjoy the work He has for us.”<br /><br /><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.11-12?lang=eng#10"><b>D&C 46:11–12</b></a><br />11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.<br />12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.<br /><br /><b><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/john-c-pingree-jr?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder John C. Pingree Jr.</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, “I Have a Work for Thee”, October 2017 General Conference</span></b></span><br />
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">“So how do we come to know our gifts? We can reference our patriarchal blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we are naturally good at and enjoy. Most important, we can ask God (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/1.5?lang=eng#4">James 1:5</a>; <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/112.10?lang=eng#9">D&C 112:10</a>). He knows our gifts, since He gave them to us (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.26?lang=eng#25">D&C 46:26</a>).”</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b>Faith</b></span></span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-85927d69-7fff-3eeb-958c-bc3995d17d32"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Juan Pablo Villar, “Exercising Our Spiritual Muscles”, April 2019 General Conference</span></span></span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" id="docs-internal-guid-4349c023-7fff-0f37-13db-99f84e813ca4" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The spiritual gift of faith, for example, is not just a feeling or a mood; it is a principle of action that frequently appears in the scriptures linked to the verb </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">exercise."</span></span></span></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Godly Sorrow</b></span></span></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>President Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart”, October 1989 Ensign</b></span></span></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (See 3 Ne. 9:20; Moro. 6:2; D&C 20:37; 59:8; Ps. 34:18;Ps. 51:17; Isa. 57:15.) Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance.” </span></span></span></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-23916325558573624902018-03-11T12:03:00.001-06:002021-05-30T09:29:09.064-06:00Sabbath<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div style="font-style: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: normal;">The Sabbath Is a Delight, Elder Russell M Nelson, April 2015 General Conference<br /></span></span></span></b></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/the-sabbath-is-a-delight?lang=eng</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="white-space: normal;">3 Nephi Chapter 18<br /></span></span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="white-space: normal;">The entire chapter is about the sacrament.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.01676813862286508" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spencer W Kimball, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miracle of Forgiveness, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">96–97</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, sleeping, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day to which he is expected. To fail to do these proper things is a transgression”</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="white-space: normal;">Elder David A Bednar, </span></span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Exceeding Great and Precious Promises, October 2017 General Conference<br /></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;">"The Sabbath day and the holy temple are two specific sources of divine help instituted by God to assist us in rising above the level and corruption of the world."<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;">...<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;">"The Sabbath is God’s time, a </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">sacred time</em></span><span style="color: #333333;"> specifically set apart for worshipping Him and for receiving and remembering His great and precious promises."<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">...<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" id="docs-internal-guid-9a3d687e-9c84-4f31-3d1e-766912ef6d22"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On His holy day, our thoughts, actions, and demeanor are signs we give to God and an indicator of our love for Him.”<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="white-space: normal;">"Please note that the Sabbath day and the temple, respectively, are a </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; white-space: normal;">sacred time</em><span style="white-space: normal;"> and a </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; white-space: normal;">sacred space</em><span style="white-space: normal;"> specifically set apart for worshipping God and for receiving and remembering His exceeding great and precious promises to His children."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-27a1811a-13be-b3f2-9eba-6f3d8d7ee612"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Elder Valen V Cordo, The Language of the </b></span></span></span></span></span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gospel, April 2017 General Conference<br /></b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our love for the Sabbath day does not end when the chapel doors close behind us but instead opens the doors to a beautiful day of resting from routine tasks, studying, praying, and reaching out to family and others who need our attention. Instead of breathing a sigh of relief when church is over and frantically running in search of a television before the football game begins, let our focus remain on the Savior and upon His holy day.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="background-color: white;">President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign, May 2015, 132<br /></b></span></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not pursuing your ‘own pleasure’ on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day. Routine and recreational activities can be done some other time.”</span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br /><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-44f71544-787d-5e23-0df6-694aac7da3d8"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Francisco J Vinas, </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/the-pleasing-word-of-god?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;">The Pleasing Word of God</a>, October 2015 General Conference<br /></span></b></span></span></span>"Some examples include arriving late for sacrament meeting without a valid reason; arriving, without previously having examined ourselves, to eat the bread and drink from the cup unworthily (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/11.28?lang=eng#27">1 Corinthians 11:28</a>); and arriving without first having confessed our sins and having asked God for forgiveness for them.<br />“Other examples: being irreverent by exchanging messages on our electronic devices, leaving the meeting after partaking of the sacrament, and engaging in activities in our homes that are inappropriate for that sacred day."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><b>Elder M Russell Ballard, God Is at the Helm, October 2015 General Conference</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.01676813862286508" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5798969997558743" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harold B Lee, </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decisions for Successful Living, </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pp. 147–48<br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whether at home or in church, your thoughts and your conduct should be always in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the Sabbath. Places of amusement and recreation, while at proper times may serve a needed end, are not conducive of spiritual growth and such places will not keep you ‘unspotted from the world’ but will rather deny you the ‘fullness of the earth’ promised to those who comply with the law of the Sabbath. You who make the violation of the Sabbath a habit, by your failure to ‘keep it holy,’ are losing a soul full of joy in return for a thimble full of pleasure.” </span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 58:13-14</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13 ¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from doing thy pleasure on my holy day;</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">{</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have heard preachers tell their congregations to patronize their local business after the Sunday services to keep the women from working on Sunday by cooking. What about the guy behind the counter that would like to go to his services or at the very least stay home and keep the sabbath, but can't because his boss is making him come to work to cover the large church crowds? We have become a society of pleasure boats and football games on Sunday.</span><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>}<br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exodus 20:8-11 </span><br /><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 Remember the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/8a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbath</span></a><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">day, to keep it </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/8b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holy</span></a><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9 </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/9a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Six</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> days shalt thou </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/9b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">labour</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and do all thy work: </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10 But the seventh day </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the sabbath of the LORD thy God: </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in it</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/10a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stranger</span></a> <span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> within thy gates: </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11 For </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/11a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is,</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/11b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blessed</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the sabbath day, and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/20/11c"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hallowed</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Exodus 31:16 the Lord states that it is a "perpetual covenant". Dictionary.com define perpetual as "continuing or enduring forever; everlasting." Verse 17 reenforces this definition in this context: "It </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever" </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a perpetual </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/16a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">covenant</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17 It </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> days the LORD </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">made</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven and earth, and on the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17c"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seventh</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> day he </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17d"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rested</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and was </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17e"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">refreshed</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verse 13 also states: 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/13a"><span style="color: #40639d; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbaths </span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ye shall keep: for it </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ye</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> may know that I </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">am</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Lord that doth sanctify you. Verse 8 states to keep it holy. Is a football game a holy activity?</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verse 10 of chapter 20 states to do no work and neither your servants. Do we have servants today? What about the people at the grocery store or the restaurant or those that entertain us?</span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/2/27#27"><span style="color: #6699cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 2: 27</span></a><span style="color: #555555; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">27 And he said unto them, The </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/2/27a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was made for man, and not man for the </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/2/27b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbath</span></a><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This scripture is generally used to justify doing their pleasure on the sabbath. The sabbath being made for man does not mean that it is play time for man. It means it was made for man's good. Jesus never said that there weren't rules for the sabbath. He was simply saying that the Jews had altered it to the point that it was not beneficial to man any longer.</span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sabbath is so man can regroup spiritually and have a different focus than other days.</span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus changed the day the Sabbath was held on. He didn't change that it was a holy day. How is a day filled with sports and/or recreation holy?</span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #555555; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Savior was charging His accusers with changing God's law with their own philosophies. Our culture is doing the same thing just on the other side of the pendulum.</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genesis 2:2-3</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had a</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/2a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">made</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; and heb</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/2b"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rested</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on the seventh day from all his c</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/2c"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">work</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which he had made. 3 And God blessed the a</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/3a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seventh</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> day, and b</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/3b"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sanctified</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it: because that in it he had c</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/3c"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rested</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from all his work which God d</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/gen/2/3d"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">created</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and made.</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It doesn't say that he played. It doesn't say he had a feast. It says he rested.</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exodus 31:13-17</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my </span><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbaths</span><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' ye shall keep: for it '</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'''</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is' a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/14a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holy</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/14b"><span style="color: #40639d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">death</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: for whosoever doeth </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">any</span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the sabbath of </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/15a"><span style="color: #40639d; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rest</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">any</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/15b"><span style="color: #40639d; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">work</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall </span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for a perpetual </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/16a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">covenant</span><span style="color: #40639d; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/17a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> days the Lord </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/17b"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">made</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven and earth, and on the </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/17c"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seventh</span></a> <span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">day he </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/17d"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rested</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and was </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/17e"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">refreshed</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My Thoughts<br /></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">{<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Exodus 31:16 the Lord states that it is a "perpetual covenant". Dictionary.com define perpetual as "continuing or enduring forever; everlasting." Verse 17 reenforces this definition in this context: "It </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever" </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a perpetual </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/16a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">covenant</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17 It </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17a"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> days the LORD </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17b"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">made</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven and earth, and on the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17c"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seventh</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> day he </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17d"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rested</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and was </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ex/31/17e"><span style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">refreshed</span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verse 13 also states: 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my </span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/ex/31/13a"><span style="color: #40639d; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sabbaths </span></a><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ye shall keep: for it </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ye</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> may know that I </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">am</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Lord that doth sanctify you. Verse 8 states to keep it holy. Is a football game a holy activity?</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verse 10 states to do no work and neither your servants. Do we have servants today? What about the people at the grocery store or the restaurant or those that entertain us?</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">}</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appropriate Activities</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">President Spencer W. Kimball, </span>The Sabbath—A Delight, Ensign January 1978</b></div><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;">"The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected."</span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doing Good</span><br />Luke 6:8-10<br />8 But he <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">knew</a> their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.<br />9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Doctrine and Covenants 59:9, 10, 13<br /></b></span></span></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> 9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">unspotted</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> from the world, thou shalt go to the house of </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">prayer</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> and offer up thy </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sacraments</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> upon my </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">holy</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> day;<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> 10 For verily this is a </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">day</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> 13 And on this day </span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>thou shalt do none other thing</b></span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">fasting</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy </span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10,13?lang=eng#" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">joy</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> may be full.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take Inventory</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “The Sabbath is a day on which to take inventory—to analyze our weaknesses, to confess our sins to our associates and our Lord. It is a day on which to fast. … It is a day on which to read good books, a day to contemplate and ponder, a day to study lessons for priesthood and auxiliary organizations, a day to study the scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach the gospel, a day to proselyte, a day to visit quietly with the family … , a day for proper courting, a day to do good, a day to drink at the fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of [Jesus’] sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day to climb high on the upward path toward our Heavenly Father” (</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 216).</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inappropriate Activities</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Routine and Recreation<br /></span></span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Russell M Nelson, </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-sabbath-is-a-delight?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;">The Sabbath Is a Delight</a>, General Conference April 2015</span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">School Work</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Blessing of Commandments,” in 'Speeches of the Year, 1974, 219</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When I left this campus [BYU] to study at the University of Chicago, my mother reminded me that my father had never studied on the Sabbath during his professional training. She said to me very casually, ‘Son, if you want to enjoy that blessing you should arrange your activities so that you never study, so that you never do anything on the Sabbath except partake of the spiritual food that is available to you on the Lord’s day.’</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I made up my mind at that time that I would observe the Sabbath faithfully so that I could qualify for the blessings of spiritual growth and the companionship of the Spirit that come from observing faithfully the Sabbath of our Lord. I testify to you that I realized those blessings in measurable ways on innumerable occasions”.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Labor for your Temporal Needs</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leviticus 25:4-5</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">a</span><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/lev/lev/25/5a"><span style="color: #40639d; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7549268482252955" style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Elder L. Tom Perry, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-sabbath-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sabbath and the Sacrament<br /></a></span></b></span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" id="internal-source-marker_0.7549268482252955" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"To keep ourselves unspotted from the world, He expects us to avoid such worldly distractions of businesses and recreational facilities on the Sabbath day."</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appropriate Dress</span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David A. Bednar, </span><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005, </span><span style="color: #769f29; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=8883'</span><span style="color: #769f29; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have a dear friend who served as a stake president. The patriarch in the stake over which he presided had experienced some health challenges and was unable to perform in his calling. The ailing patriarch had difficulty moving about and dressing and caring for himself, and his strength was limited. One Sabbath afternoon this good stake president visited the home of the patriarch to encourage him and check on his well-being. As the stake president entered the home, he found the patriarch dressed in his suit and white shirt and tie, sitting in a recliner in the front room. The stake president greeted the dear patriarch and, knowing how hard it must have been to dress himself, graciously suggested to the patriarch that it was not necessary for him to get dressed up on the Sabbath or to meet visitors. In a kind but firm voice, the patriarch reproved the stake president and said, 'Don’t you know that this is the only way I have left to show the Lord how much I love Him?'</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The stake president was quick to observe. He both heard and felt the lesson, and he applied it. Reverence for the Sabbath day and the importance of respect and appropriate demeanor and dress took on added importance in the ministry of the stake president. The spiritual ability to see, hear, remember, and act upon that lesson was a great blessing in his life—and in the lives of many others."
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7549268482252955" style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Elder L. Tom Perry, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-sabbath-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sabbath and the Sacrament</a></span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal; white-space: normal;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" id="internal-source-marker_0.7549268482252955" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"I believe He also desires us to dress appropriately. Our youth may think the old saying ‘Sunday best’ is outdated. Still, we know that when Sunday dress deteriorates to everyday attire, attitudes and actions follow. Of course, it may not be necessary for our children to wear formal Sunday attire until the sun goes down. However, by the clothing we encourage them to wear and the activities we plan, we help them prepare for the sacrament and enjoy its blessings throughout the day.”</span></span>
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">My Thoughts</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">{</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Elder Perry sates that it may not be necessary to wear "formal" Sunday clothes, but he does talk about the clothing we encourage them to wear on the Sabbath. To me formal is a suit coat and tie. Wearing a nice shirt and pants when not in a formal Sunday environment would still help us and our children remember the Sabbath throughout the day.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">}</span></span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"> </span>
</span><div style="line-height: 22.08px;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>
</span>
</span><div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" id="internal-source-marker_0.7549268482252955" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="white-space: normal;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
</span>
</span>
</div>
</div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-76318890647933837642017-07-31T14:24:00.002-06:002017-07-31T14:24:52.576-06:00Urim and Thummim<span id="docs-internal-guid-ebb15d9e-9a51-8481-d452-d64568284dbf"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elder Quentin L Cook, Foundations of Faith, April 2017 General Conference</span></span></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ebb15d9e-9a4f-bc54-ad31-2bce4f58aed4" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about the aids to translation—the Urim and Thummim, the seer stones? Were they essential, or were they like the training wheels on a bicycle until Joseph could exercise the faith necessary to receive more direct revelation?</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-87218606362966828192017-03-16T20:53:00.001-06:002017-03-16T20:53:57.482-06:00Elijah<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Face to Face with Elder Rasband, Sister Oscarson, and Brother Owen, January 20, 2016</b><br />"And I know there are many of you around the world who are listening to this tonight. You may not live exactly close to a temple. But you can get the temple spirit by doing family history work. This is called the spirit of Elijah. It's a spirit that broods in us to care for our departed ancestors."</span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-77990888248710617462017-03-12T12:30:00.001-06:002022-05-22T20:37:09.572-06:00Grace<div>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b style="background-color: white;">President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Gift of Grace</a>, April 2015 General Conference </b></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"A powerful expression of that love is what the scriptures often call thegrace of God—the divine assistance and endowment of strength..."</span></div>
<div>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<b style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/6.1?lang=eng#0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Corinthians 6:1</a></span></b><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span class="verse" style="border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">We then, </span><span class="clarityWord" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">as</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> </span><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/6.1?lang=eng#" id="footnote0" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=2-cor&chapterUri=6&noteID=1a" style="border: 0px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">workers</a><span style="line-height: 22px;"> together </span><span class="clarityWord" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">with <a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/6.1?lang=eng#" id="footnote1" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=2-cor&chapterUri=6&noteID=1b" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">him</a>,</span><span style="line-height: 22px;">beseech </span><span class="clarityWord" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> also that ye receive not the</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 13px;"> </span></span><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/6.1?lang=eng#" id="footnote2" rel="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/footnote?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=2-cor&chapterUri=6&noteID=1c" style="border: 0px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">grace</a><span style="line-height: 22px;"> of God in vain.</span></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><b>My Commentary on </b></span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="scriptureRef" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/6.1?lang=eng#0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>2 Corinthians 6:1</b></a><br />If one is indeed saved by grace as a one time event of accepting Christ how could grace be in vain?</span></span></span><br />
<div style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/ensign/2004/11/in-the-strength-of-the-lord.p10">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<b>Elder David A Bednar,
<a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/11/in-the-strength-of-the-lord?lang=eng" style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the Strength of the Lord</a>, Ensign November 2004</b><br />"Brothers and sisters, please pay particular attention to the word <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">grace</span> as it is used in the verse I just read. In the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng" style="border-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bible</a> Dictionary we learn that the word <span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">grace</span> frequently is used in the scriptures to connote a strengthening or enabling power:</span></div>
<div style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/ensign/2004/11/in-the-strength-of-the-lord.p11">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"'The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ" style="border-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ</a>.</span></div>
<div style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/ensign/2004/11/in-the-strength-of-the-lord.p12">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"'… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus <a class="no-link-style" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/" style="border-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ</a> and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts' (p. 697).</span></div>
<div style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/ensign/2004/11/in-the-strength-of-the-lord.p13">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real. Without that strengthening power of the Atonement, I could not stand before you this morning."</span></div>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Grace Is An Enabling Power.</b></span></span><br />
<ol start="1">
<li class="searchitem"><div class="searchlabel">
<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/4/10#10"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black;">Ex. 4: 10</span></a></div>
<div class="verse">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6475972276897056822" name="10"></a> </span><br />
<div id="ex/4/10" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">10 ¶ And Moses said unto the <span class="smallcaps">Lord</span>, O my Lord, I <i>am</i> not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I <i>am</i> <span class="searchword">slow</span> of <sup>a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/4/10a" mark="a" title="Jer. 1: 6 (6-9); D&C 60: 2 (2-3)." type="A"><span class="searchword">speech</span></a>, and of a <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ex/4/10b" mark="b" title="Ex. 6: 12; Moses 6: 31." type="A"><span class="searchword">slow</span></a> tongue. </span></div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="searchitem"><div class="searchlabel">
<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/6/31#31"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black;">Moses 6: 31</span></a></div>
<div class="verse">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6475972276897056822" name="31"></a> </span><br />
<div id="moses/6/31" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">31 And when Enoch had heard these words, he <sup>a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/6/31a" mark="a" title="Ex. 34: 8." type="A">bowed</a> himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/6/31b" mark="b" title="Ex. 3: 11 (10-21)." type="A">Why</a> is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people <sup>c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/6/31c" mark="c" title="Jer. 11: 19; Matt. 10: 22; JS-H 1: 20; TG Hate." type="C">hate</a> me; for I am <sup>d</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/6/31d" mark="d" title="Ex. 4: 10; Jer. 1: 6 (6-9)." type="A"><span class="searchword">slow</span></a> of <span class="searchword">speech</span>; wherefore am I thy servant? </span></div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b style="background-color: white;">Alma 26:12</b></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> 12 Yea, I know that I am <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26/12a" mark="a" title="TG Poor in Spirit." type="B">nothing</a>; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26/12b" mark="b" title="Alma 29: 9." type="A">not</a> boast of myself, but I will <sup>c</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26/12c" mark="c" title="Jer. 9: 24; Rom. 15: 17." type="A">boast</a> of my God, for in his <sup>d</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26/12d" mark="d" title="Isa. 45: 24; Philip. 4: 13 (12-13); 1 Ne. 17: 3." type="A">strength</a> I can do all <sup>e</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/26/12e" mark="e" title="Ps. 18: 32 (32-40); 1 Ne. 7: 12." type="A">things</a>; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<b>2 Timothy 1:7-10</b></span><br /><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div id="2_tim/1/7"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">7 For God hath not given us the spirit of <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/7a" mark="a" title="TG Courage; TG Fearfulness." type="B">fear</a>; but of <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/7b" mark="b" title="Acts 1: 8." type="A">power</a>, and of <sup>c</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/7c" mark="c" title="TG Love." type="B">love</a>, and of a sound mind.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div id="2_tim/1/8"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">8 Be not thou therefore <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/8a" mark="a" title="TG Shame." type="B">ashamed</a> of the <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/8b" mark="b" title="TG Testimony." type="B">testimony</a> of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;</span></div>
</div>
<div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div id="2_tim/1/9"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">9 Who hath saved us, and called <i>us</i> with an holy <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/9a" mark="a" title="TG Foreordination." type="B">calling</a>, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/9b" mark="b" title="TG Grace." type="B">grace</a>, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="hilite">
<div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div id="2_tim/1/10"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">10 But is now made <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/10a" mark="a" title="Col. 1: 26." type="A">manifest</a> by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/10b" mark="b" title="1 Cor. 15: 26; Heb. 2: 14; Rev. 20: 13 (11-15); TG Jesus Christ, Atonement through; TG Jesus Christ, Death of." type="C">death</a>, and hath brought <sup>c</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/10c" mark="c" title="1 Jn. 5: 11 (10-21)" type="A">life</a> and <sup>d</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/10d" mark="d" title="TG Immortality." type="B">immortality</a> to light through the gospel:</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<br />
<b>2 Nephi 25:23</b></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> 23 For we labor diligently to write, to <sup>a</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/25/23a" mark="a" title="TG Family, Children, Responsibilities toward." type="B">persuade</a> our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by <sup>b</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/25/23b" mark="b" title="Ps. 130: 4 (3-4); Rom. 3: 20 (20-24); Rom. 7: 5; 2 Ne. 2: 5 (4-10); Mosiah 13: 32; Alma 42: 14 (12-16); D&C 20: 30; D&C 138: 4; TG Grace." type="C">grace</a> that we are saved, after all we can <sup>c</sup><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/25/23c" mark="c" title="James 2: 24 (14-26); TG Good Works." type="C">do</a>.
</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27#27"><b>Ether 12: 27</b></a></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">27 And if men come <span class="searchword">unto</span> me I <span class="searchword">will</span> show <span class="searchword">unto</span> <span class="searchword">them</span> their <sup>a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27a" mark="a" title="Jacob 4: 7." type="A"><span class="searchword">weakness</span></a>. I <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27b" mark="b" title="Ex. 4: 11; 1 Cor. 1: 27 (26-31)." type="A">give</a> <span class="searchword">unto</span> men <span class="searchword">weakness</span> that they may be humble; and my <sup>c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27c" mark="c" title="TG Grace." type="B">grace</a> is sufficient for all men that <sup>d</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27d" mark="d" title="D&C 1: 28; TG Humility; TG Teachable." type="C">humble</a> themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then <span class="searchword">will</span> I <span class="searchword">make</span> <sup>e</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27e" mark="e" title="Deut. 11: 8; Joel 3: 10; Luke 9: 48 (46-48); Luke 18: 14 (10-14); 2 Cor. 12: 9 (7-10); Heb. 11: 34; 1 Ne. 14: 1." type="A"><span class="searchword">weak</span></a> <span class="searchword">things</span> <span class="searchword">become</span> <span class="searchword">strong</span> <span class="searchword">unto</span> <span class="searchword">them</span>. </span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b style="background-color: white;">2 Nephi 31:17</b></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span class="verse-number verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17 </span>Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
<b>Bible Dictionary - <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/g/55">Grace</a></b></span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">"A word that occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ."</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="highlight" style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/nt/matt/20.15">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3747973300050944" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Jeffrey R Holland, </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-laborers-in-the-vineyard?lang=eng">The Laborers in the Vineyard</a>, General Conference April 2012</span></b></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />Speaking of the Parable of the Laborers - "This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and </span><a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/forgiveness?lang=eng" style="border-style: none; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">forgiveness</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus </span><a class="no-link-style" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/" style="border-style: none; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it."</span></span></div>
<div class="highlight" style="border-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/nt/matt/20.15">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3747973300050944" style="line-height: normal;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My thought</span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - The laborers at the end of the day partook of grace, but they still worked. They did not get paid just for showing up at the payment table.</span></span></b><br />
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><b style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.10427969158627093" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Jeffrey R Holland, </span><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The First Great Commandment</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, General Conference October 2012</span></b></span><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.10427969158627093" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it." </span></span></b></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-72966620786925179652016-12-03T15:13:00.002-07:002016-12-03T15:13:33.346-07:00Adultery<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-75bf0aaf-c6be-ffda-f04e-b2db6fd557b0" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Sister Linda S Reeves, The Great Plan of Redemption, October 2016 General Conference</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-75bf0aaf-c6be-91ac-b00b-cfebca52f227" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sometimes serious transgression leads to divorce, and depending on circumstances, that might be necessary. But to this man’s amazement, his wife embraced him and dedicated herself to helping him in any way that she could. Over time, she was able to fully forgive him. She had felt the healing power of the Savior’s Atonement for her.”</span></span></span></b></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-50692794448582801062016-11-15T19:00:00.004-07:002016-11-15T19:00:41.269-07:00Death<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0ed3cbe9-6ad9-4953-3cb6-131e12bb6280"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>President Thomas S Monson, The Perfect Path to Happiness, October 2016 General Conference</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;">"We are blessed to </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;">have</em><span style="font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;"> the truth. We have a mandate to </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;">share </em><span style="font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;">the truth. Let us </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;">live</em><span style="font-weight: 300; white-space: normal;"> the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit."</span></span></span></span></span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-88291149697480172022016-11-01T10:09:00.002-06:002016-11-01T10:09:27.254-06:00Gates of Heaven<div id="p44" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p44">
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elder Marion G Romney, "Temples—The Gates to Heaven", Ensign March 1971</span></strong></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p44">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Pondering upon the subject of temples and the means therein provided to enable us to ascend into heaven brings to mind the lesson of Jacob’s dream. You will recall that in the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis there is an account of his return to the land of his father to seek a wife from among his own people. When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord.</span></div>
<div id="p45" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p45">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p45">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Because he had met the Lord and entered into covenants with him there, Jacob considered the site so sacred that he named the place Bethel, a contraction of Beth-Elohim, which means literally 'the House of the Lord.' He said of it: '… this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/28.17?lang=eng#16" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gen. 28:17</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.)</span></div>
<div id="p46" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jacob not only passed through the gate of heaven, but by living up to every covenant he also went all the way in.</span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead. We should all do our duty in bringing our loved ones through them."</span></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-75178157361089582692016-11-01T10:08:00.000-06:002016-11-01T10:08:17.049-06:00Jacob's Ladder<div id="p44" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p44">
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elder Marion G Romney, "Temples—The Gates to Heaven", Ensign March 1971</span></strong></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p44">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Pondering upon the subject of temples and the means therein provided to enable us to ascend into heaven brings to mind the lesson of Jacob’s dream. You will recall that in the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis there is an account of his return to the land of his father to seek a wife from among his own people. When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord.</span></div>
<div id="p45" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p45">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p45">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Because he had met the Lord and entered into covenants with him there, Jacob considered the site so sacred that he named the place Bethel, a contraction of Beth-Elohim, which means literally 'the House of the Lord.' He said of it: '… this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/28.17?lang=eng#16" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gen. 28:17</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.)</span></div>
<div id="p46" uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jacob not only passed through the gate of heaven, but by living up to every covenant he also went all the way in.</span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
<div uri="/ensign/1971/03/temples-the-gates-to-heaven.p46">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead. We should all do our duty in bringing our loved ones through them."</span></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-21115761425300225652016-10-23T18:16:00.002-06:002016-10-23T18:16:56.919-06:00Infant Death<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/8.11-12?lang=eng#10" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moroni 8:11–12</span></span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-141cbc8e-f40a-2c21-9d8f-aa96afd15f70"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!</span></span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-33565617073069057792016-10-16T19:02:00.000-06:002018-02-18T10:52:32.138-07:00Heavenly Mother<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-141cbc8e-d028-0b33-ed4b-f0f0e6e77bf0" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President Dieter F Uchtdorf, </span></b><span style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/a-yearning-for-home?lang=eng">A Yearning for Home</a></b></span><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, October 2017 General Conference</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">"I believe that every man, woman, and child has felt the call of heaven at some point in his or her life. Deep within us is a longing to somehow reach past the veil and embrace Heavenly Parents we once knew and cherished."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #53565a; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #53565a; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spencer W. Kimball, “</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/10/privileges-and-responsibilities-of-sisters?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #147ea7; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters</span></a><span style="color: #53565a; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” </span><span style="color: #53565a; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ensign,</span><span style="color: #53565a; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Nov. 1978, 105</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d0bb4608-3de2-127d-0ad3-0d6605063332"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God is your Father. He loves you. He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-141cbc8e-d028-0b33-ed4b-f0f0e6e77bf0" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President Dieter F Uchtdorf, </span><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/o-how-great-the-plan-of-our-god?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;">O How Great the Plan of Our God!</a>, October 2016 General Conference</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I remember trying to draw the plan of salvation on a blackboard in a classroom of our chapel in Frankfurt, Germany. I made circles that represented premortal life, mortality, and the return to our Heavenly Parents after this life."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Brothers and sisters, we are eternal beings, without beginning and without end. We have always existed.<a class="note-ref" href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/o-how-great-the-plan-of-our-god?lang=eng#note1" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;"><span class="marker" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span></a> We are the literal spirit children of divine, immortal, and omnipotent Heavenly Parents!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"When we passed through the veil and entered this mortal life, we knew that we would no longer remember the life before. There would be opposition and adversity and temptation. But we also knew that gaining a physical body was of paramount importance for us. Oh, how we hoped that we would quickly learn to make the correct choices, withstand the temptations of Satan, and eventually return to our beloved Parents in Heaven."</span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-89150993485667833322016-07-18T14:03:00.000-06:002016-07-18T14:03:57.931-06:00Sanctification"Additionally, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier<a class="note-ref" href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/always-retain-a-remission-of-your-sins?lang=eng#note13"><sup class="marker">13</sup></a> who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire."<br />
...<br />
"In the process of coming unto the Savior and spiritual rebirth, receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives creates the possibility of an <em>ongoing cleansing</em> of our soul from sin. This joyous blessing is vital because 'no unclean thing can dwell with God.'"<a class="note-ref" href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/always-retain-a-remission-of-your-sins?lang=eng#note26"></a><br />
...<br />
"Please consider that the emblems of the Lord’s body and blood, the bread and the water, are both blessed and sanctified."<br />
...<br />
"To sanctify is to make pure and holy. The sacramental emblems are sanctified in remembrance of Christ’s purity, of our total dependence upon His Atonement, and of our responsibility to so honor our ordinances and covenants that we can 'stand spotless before [Him] at the last day.'"<br />
...<br />
"And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can <em>always</em> retain a remission of our sins."<br />
<br /><br />
<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/27.20?lang=eng#19" old-href="../../../scriptures/bofm/3-ne/27.html?verse=20&lang=eng#p20">3 Nephi 27:20</a><br />
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"> </a><span class="verse">20 </span>Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-44022013048163645382016-01-30T17:01:00.002-07:002017-07-26T06:29:45.202-06:00The Godhead<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God the Father presides over and directs the other two. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e49684ce-94ee-2d27-7b83-b26f8527ac9c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God the son is the creator and authority over this earth and things pertaining to it. He is the Redeemer of this earth. He give immortality to all through resurrection. He gives eternal life to all those that repent and accept him daily. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God the Holy Ghost testifies of the father and the son. He testifies of all truth. He comforts. He teaches. He is differentiated as ghost or spirit because he is the only member of the Godhead who does not have a physical body. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Holy Ghost</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e03f0429-c310-0f3a-eb03-1c452d2d198a"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Dallin H Oaks, The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation, General Conference April 2017</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
“The third member of the Godhead is the Holy Ghost, also referred to as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Comforter. He is the member of the Godhead who is the agent of personal revelation. As a personage of spirit (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130.22?lang=eng#21">D&C 130:22</a>), He can dwell in us and perform the essential role of communicator between the Father and the Son and the children of God on earth.”</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="verse-number verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">Doctrine and Covenants 88:66</span></span></span><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="verse-number verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">66 </span><span style="white-space: normal;">Behold, that which you hear is as the </span><span style="white-space: normal;">voice</span><span style="white-space: normal;"> of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, </span><b><span style="white-space: normal;">because my voice is </span><span style="white-space: normal;">Spirit</span></b><span style="white-space: normal;"><b>; my Spirit is truth;</b> </span><span style="white-space: normal;">truth</span><span style="white-space: normal;"> abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></span>
My thoughts<br />
{<br />
People try to say that God is only a spirit based on what they read in John 4:24<br />24 <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/john/4/24a" mark="a" title="JST John 4: 26 For unto such hath God promised his Spirit. And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth." type="H">God</a> <i>is</i> a <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/john/4/24b" mark="b" title="D&C 93: 33; D&C 130: 22." type="A">Spirit</a>: and they that worship him must worship <i>him</i> in spirit and in <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/john/4/24c" mark="c" title="TG Truth." type="B">truth</a>.<br />
<br />
DnC 88:66 seems to add a different dimension to that. His voice is a spirit, that spirit being the Holy Ghost.<br />
<br />
The Joseph Smith Translation also clarifies this. His translation gives that verse as John 4:26:<br />26 <i>For unto such hath God promised his</i> Spirit. And they <i>who</i> worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth.<br />
}</span></div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-26206551616260039662016-01-16T16:28:00.003-07:002016-01-16T16:28:32.966-07:00Personal Progression / Self Improvement<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elder James E Faust, “Some Great Thing”, October 2001 General Conference quoting Elder Henry B. Eyring, “Waiting upon the Lord,” Brigham Young University 1990–91 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 22</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A story shared by our beloved associate, Elder Henry B. Eyring, illustrates this principle of commitment still further. This story is about his father, the great scientist Henry Eyring, who served on the Bonneville Stake high council. He was responsible for the welfare farm, which included a field of onions that needed to be weeded. At that time, he was nearly 80 and suffering from painful bone cancer. He assigned himself to do weeding even though the pain was so great that he pulled himself along on his stomach with his elbows. The pain was too great for him to kneel. Yet he smiled, laughed, and talked happily with the others who were there that day weeding that field of onions. I now quote what Elder Eyring said of this incident:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“After all the work was finished and the onions were all weeded, someone [said to] him, ‘Henry, good heavens! You didn’t pull those weeds, did you? Those weeds were sprayed two days ago, and they were going to die anyway.’</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Dad just roared. He thought that was the funniest thing. He thought it was a great joke on himself. He had worked through the day in the wrong weeds. They had been sprayed and would have died anyway.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“… I [asked] him, ‘Dad how could you make a joke out of that?’ …</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-e9801cd2-4cc1-a3f5-50c6-16fb82981379" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He said something to me that I will never forget. … He said, ‘Hal, I wasn’t there for the weeds.’”</span><span style="vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-75087638713058693252016-01-16T10:46:00.000-07:002016-01-16T10:46:04.330-07:00The War In Heaven<span id="docs-internal-guid-c50484e1-4b86-2478-8313-af8ec26713f2"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 3, </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-3-freedom-of-choice-an-eternal-principle?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle</span></a></b></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c50484e1-4b85-65ee-faf7-8fe1309db97e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The war that began in heaven over this issue is not yet over. The conflict continues on the battlefield of mortality.”</span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-28970920038271656152016-01-06T08:57:00.000-07:002016-01-12T19:20:18.911-07:00Fatherhood<div style="line-height: 21.6px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/elaine-s-dalton?lang=eng" style="line-height: 21.6px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0091bc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elaine S. Dalton</span></a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Love Her Mother, October 2011 General Conference</span></span></b><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c50484e1-38c5-c4f0-9d24-8fbdc09c7113"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her.”</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-82dba284-17a2-9d4a-c7db-7c434e8fd928" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="" id="p8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1973/10/the-role-of-fathers.p8">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c50484e1-38ba-c7a3-3ae9-e181ee3ba2da"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A Theodore Tuttle, The Role of Fathers, October 1973 General Conference</b></span></span><br />"The father is the protector of the home. He guards it against the intrusion of evil from without. Formerly he protected his home with weapons and shuttered windows. Today the task is more complex. Barred doors and windows protect only against the intrusion of a corporeal creature. It is not an easy thing to protect one’s family against intrusions of evil into the minds and spirits of family members. These influences can and do flow freely into the home. Satan can subtly beguile the children of men in ways we have already mentioned in this conference. He need not break down the door.<br /><br />"Fathers, you will have to live close to the Lord. Develop a sensitivity to the impressions of the Spirit.<br /><br />"There is yet another intrusion into the home that needs to be mentioned. It is an unwise father who carries to his family his daily business cares. They disturb the peace existing there. He should leave his worries at the office and enter his home with the spirit of peace in his heart and with the love of God burning within him. If there is friction, his presence should soothe it. If there is turmoil, he should resolve it."</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="" id="p8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/1973/10/the-role-of-fathers.p8">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Theodore Tuttle, The Things That Matter Most, Ensign December 1971 </span></b></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We chase mechanical rabbits, too. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.38;">“We chase paychecks, and don’t give a second look to the glint of the rising sun on a snow-topped peak.</span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>
</b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We chase our way through the appointments of a crowded desk calendar, and fail to take time to chat with the next-door neighbor or to drop in on a sick friend.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We chase social pleasures on a glittering noisy treadmill—and ignore the privilege of a quiet hour telling bedtime stories to an innocent-eyed child.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We chase prestige and wealth, and don’t recognize the real opportunities for joy that cross our paths. …”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">…</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="font-size: small;">The world is full of foolish schemes. They contravene and hinder the purposes of the Lord. Some seek to change the God-given roles of the sexes. Some invite mothers to leave the home to work. Others entice fathers to find recreation away from their families. These questionable practices weaken the home!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Some fathers provide a good house, clothing, cars, and food, and forget what real fatherhood is. Fatherhood is a relationship of love and understanding. It is strength and manliness and honor. It is power and action. It is counsel and instruction. Fatherhood is to be one with your own. It is authority and example.”</span></span></b>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-58343061821720698732015-12-28T07:28:00.000-07:002016-05-29T17:36:46.000-06:00Consecration<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-82c71f0f-fedf-10d8-46df-38d8a4e12af4"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sister Linda K Burton, Relief Society General President, </span><span style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/i-was-a-stranger?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;">“I Was a Stranger”</a>, April 2016 General Conference</span></span><br />"His storehouse is not composed just of goods but also of time, talents, skills, and our divine nature." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><br /></strong></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f672e105-e8fa-4917-f74a-ed7c001ec236" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Elder D. Todd Christofferson, </strong><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Reflections on a Consecrated Life</strong></span></a><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>, October 2010 General Conference</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes (see</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17.1%2C4?lang=eng#0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">John 17:1, 4</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">;</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/19.19?lang=eng#18" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 19:19</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">). In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.”</span></span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-68806487605916918872015-12-28T07:27:00.002-07:002015-12-28T07:27:39.557-07:00Set Apart<span id="docs-internal-guid-f672e105-e8fa-4917-f74a-ed7c001ec236" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Elder D. Todd Christofferson, </strong><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Reflections on a Consecrated Life</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>, October 2010 General Conference</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes (see</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17.1%2C4?lang=eng#0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">John 17:1, 4</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">;</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/19.19?lang=eng#18" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 19:19</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">). In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.”</span>Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475972276897056822.post-15732421019510872152015-12-28T07:25:00.000-07:002015-12-28T07:25:02.298-07:00Pre-existence<div uri="/scriptures/ot/jer/1.5">
<strong>Jeremiah 1:5</strong></div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/jer/1.5">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"> </a><span class="verse">5 </span>Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, <span class="clarityWord">and</span> I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/jer/1.6">
<br /></div>
<strong>Proverbs 8:22-31</strong><br />
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.22">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"> </a><span class="verse">22 </span>The <span class="smallCaps">Lord</span> possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.23">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="23"> </a><span class="verse">23 </span>I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.24">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"> </a><span class="verse">24 </span>When <span class="clarityWord">there were</span> no depths, I was brought forth; when <span class="clarityWord">there were</span> no fountains abounding with water.</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.25">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"> </a><span class="verse">25 </span>Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.26">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"> </a><span class="verse">26 </span>While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.27">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"> </a><span class="verse">27 </span>When he prepared the heavens, I <span class="clarityWord">was</span> there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.28">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"> </a><span class="verse">28 </span>When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.29">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"> </a><span class="verse">29 </span>When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.30">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"> </a><span class="verse">30 </span>Then I was by him, <span class="clarityWord">as</span> one brought up <span class="clarityWord">with him:</span> and I was daily <span class="clarityWord">his</span> delight, rejoicing always before him;</div>
<div uri="/scriptures/ot/prov/8.31">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="31"> </a><span class="verse">31 </span>Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights <span class="clarityWord">were</span> with the sons of men.</div>
Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15364549498171802139noreply@blogger.com0