Week 23: A Father Indeed

While in conversation, the other day with some friends, we started talking about family responsibity's. I listed all the things I do with my childen and how I am very much independent because my husband works long hours. When he is home, will soon find someone in need of help and go to the rescue, spend his time in our garage fixing a neighbor's car, or working on the upkeep of our home. While explaining this to our friends they brought up that my husband also helps with the children. I then related all the things he does for and with them. He tucks them in, he has changed diapers, fed them, coaches them in sports, and finds time to tease and play with them too. He has been such a wonderful example to me. Even on the late nights when the children have been put to bed before he has gotten home, soon after arriving home he will sneak into their rooms and kiss them goodnight.  He has sacrificed and spent hours doing sidework to provide for us and to take us to Disneyland at least yearly. From this conversation I was reminded how important fathers are.

I remembered this Mormon Message from a few years ago. It has had such an impact on how I see my own father and husband. I am so grateful for the wonderful men in my life who have shown me how to love and be selfless. These men who have held me while I cried and cheered me on with great pride. They have been my strength and my examples. Thank you to you fathers who do so much. You are so very important and are so very much loved.

Have a blessed week,

Week 22: Your Potential, Your Privilege

Hello Friends,

This week's Talk of the Week is "Your Potential, Your Privilege"
President Uchtdorf from the April 2011 General Conference Priesthood
Session. This month, our talks are focusing on Fatherhood and the roles
of the Priesthood. When I receive the Conference issue of the Ensign,
the Priesthood sessions are the first I read. I find much in them that
is applicable and helpful for me. I am grateful for President
Uchtdorf's masterful teaching and insights.

President Uchtdorf teaches that the blessings of the priesthood
transcend our ability to comprehend and that the fact that Heavenly
Father entrusts this power and responsibility to man is evidence of His
great jove for us and a foreshowing of our potential. He challenges
that we partake of the abundant feast available to us through Priesthood
opportunities. He encourages that our "do it" switch does not get
rotated to the "do it later" position and challenges that not a day goes
by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit. He
encourages us to seek personal revelation and teaches that the
Priesthood is a channel through which the Almighty reveals Himself to
His children. If we do not seek to use this channel of revelation, we
are living beneath our privileges. He continues, "Think of what a
glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have
the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge
from celestial sources!" He encourages that we feel the bliss that comes
from daily, practical priesthood service and that we may find true joy
in daily service.

A joyful June to you!

Much love,

Your Potential, Your Privilege

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Audio

Text

Week 7: World Wide Leadership Training

This week we have a special treat. Not only will you find a link for the MP3 version of the choosen talk but also you will find a link for a message from our contributor Sarah.

Sarah's message to you:
Click here

World Wide Leadership Training February 2011

Discussion on the Priesthood

Week 2: Fundamental To Our Faith

I recently read this weeks talk choice from the January 2011, Ensign Magazine. As I read the address given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks to the faculty and students of Harvard Law School, I was amazed at his courage! I can't imagine speaking to those of our faith about this topic let alone try to educate very educated people about our beliefs.

What I loved most about this article was the simplicity of the message as well as the description of our beliefs. I  loved how he put everything in a way that would be easy to understand as well as easy for us to use in our conversations to those who want to know more about who we really are and what we really believe.

One of my most favorite lines is found in the section on "The Purpose of Mortal Life". It explains why families are so important to our religion. I have personally grown in understanding and testimony of the importance of a complete family, meaning a mother, father and the children during the past six months as we have had the unique opportunity to help a child without this blessing. I even wondered why I was feeling so passionate about my newly developed testimony. This line helped me to understand what I was feeling as a truth of the Lord's plan of happiness.

We look on the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God’s plan and a sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity. And we believe that we must contend for the kind of mortal families that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children—all children.

Notice how it says "we must contend" for this kind of family? Elder Oaks also explains that this desire to have a family is extended to ALL children. Knowing and understanding this truth has given me a greater desire to have a close mortal family as well as a challenge to look for those whom we could help. I know that with prayerful consideration the Lord will guide us to those whom we can help as well as ways to help them. 

Lastly the Ensign gives a challenge that I think is worth taking. We are challenged to share this article with those who could benefit.  From the link I share below you will be taken to the site of the article. There is an easy way to share just by clicking on the "share" button.

May your week be abundantly blessed!

MP3 Link

Fundamental To Our Faith

Dallin H. Oaks

....I have chosen three clusters of truths to present as fundamental premises of the faith of Latter-day Saints:

1. The nature of God, including the role of the three members of the Godhead and the corollary truth that there are moral absolutes.

2. The purpose of life.

3. The threefold sources of truth about man and the universe: science, the scriptures, and continuing revelation—and how we can know them......

Go HERE to read the entire article.



Week 6: Temple Marriage: What can we learn from it?

 

I want to tell you about a person who has been such an inspiration and example to me, my grandpa Ivan Johnson. He is 93 years old, blind, and suffers from hearing loss. He goes to the St. George temple three days a week for 6 hours at a time. I asked him the other day why he does it and he told me, "I have nothing else to do." He then went on to say, "It [the temple] is a good place to be, a good place to be found." Then of course as only a wife can do my grandma Margaret reminded, "The Lord wants him to."  When I asked him what blessings he has received because of his service he told me two things, "[It has] Kept me out of mischief." and "The people have become like family." My Grandma also mentioned that a blessing she sees is that others remember his service and desire to do the same. Grandpa said that he feels all the people that have been helped and that with some imagination you can almost feel them rejoicing that their families are being brought together forever. To which grandma commented that it isn't imaginary it is real. My grandparents told me that they have been going to the temple at least once a week for over 65 years. And the last 6 years grandpa has been spending 18 hours a week there.

The picture above was taken on my last visit. Grandpa was waiting for his ride to the temple. I was impressed by his dedication and excitement to go. He was ready and waiting just as a child does when their friend is coming to play.  I thought about his example here and wondered do I have such a desire and excitement to serve in the Temple? How is it that this little old man can serve the Lord even though he suffers from many disabilities? If he can do it then why can't I, an able bodied, young woman dedicate my time to the Lord and serve in His house.

I wondered what keeps me from serving. A few years ago I thought that I had to give 2 hours at a time to do an Endowment Session. It wasn't until a year and a half ago when my youngest child started preschool that I decided to follow my grandpa's example and go more often, that I realized I could do Sealing’s or Initiatory and stay for as long as I can. Another thing that has kept me from going to the temple in the past is not being able to schedule time to go with my spouse. Although it is ideal to serve together, if circumstances are difficult, I've come to learn that it is better to go alone than not at all. My grandma is not physically able to go with my grandpa but she serves by preparing his clothing and supporting him and his desire to serve. I believe that they are both blessed because of their desire to serve the Lord in the Temple.

I know that my family's life has been blessed by my service. I leave Sealing work with a greater love for my spouse and my children which in turn blesses my home with more peace as I am less tempted to yell or lose all my patience at once. I leave Initiatory with hope and courage to do what I am asked to do. I leave Endowment sessions with a sense of who I am and a great, loving testimony for the Savior and His atonement. I do not think I even know half of the blessings that are given to me for serving. I do it because I have watched a valiant man and his precious wife dedicate their lives to the Lord. I do it because I have gained my own testimony of the importance of temple work. I do it because the Lord wants me to.

I am not an ordained minister, nor do have any authority to exhort or command. I do know from personal experience however that going to the temple whether you understand it or not blesses lives. Spiritual knowledge is gained, peace is given, strength and courage are restored. A love of God and of family is obtained and secured in one's heart with faithful and consistent service in the Temple's of God the Eternal Father and the Savior Jesus Christ.  If I could I would plead and beg you all to just go. Do not wait until you are old and have nothing else to do. Do not wait until all your questions are answered. Go now, you need it now, your families need it now, your children and future children need it now. Please go to the Temple.

I chose the talk this week because it went t into really good detail of why we go to the temple. I hope you will enjoy it and that you will gain a testimony for yourself by attending the temple regularly.

All my hope and love,

Temple Marriage: What can we learn from it?

 Douglas Brinley

No Text this week


Listen to Audio HERE
View Video HERE

Week 42: Your Mission Will Change Everything

Hi Friends –

I am sharing this talk with you because I have really been pondering on CHANGE and on my MISSION(s) in life. This talk confirmed to me that my MISSION whether it is a “called” mission or one that is given to me via a Spiritual confirmation, will cause CHANGE to take place – in me and in those that are in my sphere to serve. This talk also reminded me to feel joy in serving. I was again reminded by this talk to continue to raise the bar for myself and for my children so that we can serve more fully and more successfully. I love what President Hinckley said about being happy. "You want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause, and bend your efforts to helping people." There are lots of gems in this talk! I hope you enjoy it!

MP3 Link

Your Mission Will Change Everything
Elder David F. Evans Of the Seventy

It has been a year since I was sustained in general conference. I am grateful for this year and for all that I have experienced. I love the Lord and am so very grateful for His sacrifice and for His gospel. I love President Hinckley and sustain him as the Lord's prophet on the earth. Together with faithful Saints everywhere, I testify of prophets and apostles in our time and pledge my life to His cause.
A few years ago, I was interviewing missionaries. A winter storm was blowing in as missionaries came and went throughout the day. The storm changed from icy rain to snow and back again. Some missionaries arrived by train from nearby cities and walked to the church through the storm. Others rode their bicycles. Almost without exception they were cheerful and happy. They were the Lord's missionaries. They had His Spirit and felt joy in His service regardless of their circumstances.
As each companionship concluded their interviews, I will never forget watching them go back out into the storm to preach the gospel and do what the Lord had called them to do. I could see their commitment and dedication. I could feel the love they had for the people and for the Lord. As I watched them leave, I felt an overwhelming love for them and for what they were doing.
Later that night, I attended a priesthood meeting in the same city. The storm had continued and was now mostly snow. During the opening song, the branch president of the smallest and farthest branch and his two missionary counselors, Elder Warner and Elder Karpowitz, came into the chapel. As they got ready to sit down, these two wonderful missionaries took off their winter hats and gloves. They took off their outer coats. Then they each took off a second winter coat and sat down. Like the missionaries earlier in the day, despite the weather these missionaries were happy. They felt the Spirit of the Lord in their lives. Through service in the Lord's cause, they felt a certain love and warmth and joy that are difficult to describe.
As I watched these great young missionaries that evening, I had a remarkable experience. In my mind's eye, I saw missionaries throughout the mission going out into that winter night. Some were knocking doors and facing rejection as they sought to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some were in homes or apartments teaching individuals and families. In spite of the conditions they faced, they were doing what they could to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who would listen, and they were happy. Into my heart came a feeling that I cannot fully explain.
By a wonderful gift of the Spirit, I felt His love, the pure love of Christ that He has for faithful missionaries everywhere, and it changed me forever. I understood how precious each missionary is to Him. I caught a glimpse of what prophets would describe as the "greatest generation of missionaries" the world has ever known (see M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Missionaries," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 47). I began to understand why it was necessary to raise the bar so that missionaries everywhere would be entitled to the protection, direction, and happiness that accompany the Spirit of the Lord. I also began to understand why—as parents, bishops, stake presidents, and other leaders—we must do everything we can to help the young people of the Church become worthy of the blessings of missionary service.
President Hinckley described what happens to the heart of every missionary who commits his or her life and work to the Lord when he talked about his own missionary experiences. It was early in his mission, and he was discouraged. The work was hard, and the people were not receptive. However, there came a time when discouragement turned to commitment. For him, the beginning was a letter from his father in which he read: "Dear Gordon, I have your letter. . . . I have only one suggestion: Forget yourself and go to work." In describing what happened next, he said: "I got on my knees in that little bedroom . . . and made a pledge that I would try to give myself unto the Lord.
"The whole world changed. The fog lifted. The sun began to shine in my life. I had a new interest. I saw the beauty of this land. I saw the greatness of the people. . . . Everything that has happened to me since that's been good I can trace to that decision made in that little house" (in Mike Cannon, "Missionary Theme Was Pervasive during Visit of President Hinckley," Church News, Sept. 9, 1995, 4).
President Hinckley continued by saying: "You want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause, and bend your efforts to helping people" (in Church News, Sept. 9, 1995, 4).
To every young man I would say, do you want to be happy? If so, come and join with us, 52,000 strong and counting, and serve your fellow man as a missionary for the Lord. Make the commitment to give two years of your life to the Lord. It will change everything. You will be happy. The fog will lift. You will come to love the culture and the people you are called to serve. The work will be difficult, but there will also be great satisfaction and joy as you serve. If you are faithful during your mission and thereafter, you will look back on your life and say with President Hinckley, "Everything that has happened to me since that's been good I can trace to that decision to serve a mission and give my life to the Lord."
President Hinckley has reminded us that it is not only young elders who are entitled to these blessings. Couples serve wonderfully and are needed so very much. While young sisters are not obligated to serve, the President has said: "We need some young women. They perform a remarkable work" ("To the Bishops of the Church," Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27). We also know that there are some who, for health or other reasons, are honorably excused from service. We love them and know that our Heavenly Father will provide compensating blessings in their lives as they serve in other ways and live faithfully.
A year ago, Elder Ballard asked that parents, bishops, and branch presidents work together and help at least one more young man, in addition to those who would normally be prepared to serve, become worthy and be called from each ward and branch of the Church (see "One More," Liahona and Ensign, May 2005, 71). Many have responded. As leaders, we should all recommit ourselves to following this inspired request.
Brothers and sisters, many good bishops have been doing for a long time what Elder Ballard asked. Thirty-six years ago, Bishop Matheson called my home and invited me to his office. Because of world circumstances, the number of missionaries any ward could send was limited, but an additional space had become available, and he had the responsibility to recommend one more missionary. He told me he and his counselors had been praying. He told me that he was impressed that now was the time that the Lord wanted me to serve my mission. I was stunned. Never before had anyone said to me that the Lord had something He wanted me to do. I felt the Spirit of the Lord testify to me that I should go and that I should go now. I said to the bishop, "If the Lord wants me to serve, then I will go."
For me, everything changed. The fog really did lift, and happiness and joy came into my life. In one way or another, every good thing that has happened to me since that day has come because of the commitment made to serve the Lord and His children and give two years of my life in His service.
I say again: Come and join with us. Come and be clean. Come and be happy. Come and experience the very thing that the Lord has said is of "most worth" (D&C 15:6) to you at this time in your life. Come and be part of the greatest generation of missionaries the world has ever known.
This is the work of the Lord. Our Father in Heaven lives, and His Son, Jesus Christ, leads and directs this work today. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Week 21: Patriarchal Blessings

For this week I found this talk to be very intereting and informative. I hope you will enjoy it.


MP3 link

Patriarchal Blessings
by Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve
James E. Faust, “Patriarchal Blessings,” New Era, Nov. 1982, 4

A patriarchal blessing is a very unique and remarkable privilege that can come to the faithful members of the Church having sufficient maturity to understand the nature and the importance of such blessings. These privileged blessings are a powerful witness of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing exaltation to each of us.
Like many blessings, they should be requested by the person or by the parent of the one desiring the blessing. The responsibility for a patriarchal blessing rests primarily upon the individual and the immediate family.
Our testimonies can be strengthened and fortified and our lives given greater purpose every time we read and reread our patriarchal blessings. By their very nature, all blessings are qualified and conditional, regardless of whether the blessing specifically spells out the qualification or not. Each blessing is given upon the condition of the faithfulness of the recipient of the blessing.
We now have stakes of Zion in a great many countries of the world, and most stakes have at least one patriarch. This growth greatly extends the privilege of receiving patriarchal blessings to many people in many lands.

The Patriarchs
I wish to pay tribute to the faithful men holding the great calling and ordination of patriarch. They are often among the most humble and faithful of our brethren. These chosen men live lives that entitle them to the inspiration of heaven. Patriarchs are privileged to impart blessings directly rather than just solicit blessings in behalf of the individual, for the patriarchs are entitled to speak authoritatively for the Lord. The office of patriarch is one of the great priesthood offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The patriarchal office is one of blessing, not of administration or of counseling. It is a sacred, spiritual calling that usually will last for the remainder of the patriarch’s life. Our patriarchs give total devotion to their callings and do all they can to live in faith and worthiness so that each blessing is inspired.

The Blessing
When moved upon by the Holy Spirit, the patriarch makes an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient together with such blessings, spiritual gifts, promises, advice, admonition, and warnings as the patriarch feels inspired to give. It is in essence a prophetic utterance.
Patriarchal blessings should be read humbly and prayerfully and frequently. A patriarchal blessing is very personal but might be shared with close family members. A patriarchal blessing is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord. However, a person should not expect that the blessing will detail all that will happen to him or her or be an answer to all questions. The omission from the blessing of a great event in life such as a mission or marriage does not necessarily mean it will not happen. My own blessing is short and is limited to perhaps three quarters of one page on one side, yet it has been completely adequate and perfect for me.
President Heber J. Grant tells of the length of a patriarchal blessing he received: “That patriarch put his hands upon my head and bestowed upon me a little blessing that would perhaps be about one third of a typewritten page. That blessing foretold my life to the present moment.” (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bookcraft, 1965–76, 5:152.)

The Fulfillment
Elder John A. Widtsoe had the following to say: “It should always be kept in mind that the realization of the promises made may come in this life or the future life. Men have stumbled at times because promised blessings have not occurred in this life. They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven. Besides, the giver of the blessings, the Lord, reserves the right to have them become active in our lives as suits his divine purposes. We and our blessings are in the hands of the Lord, but there is a general testimony that when the gospel law has been obeyed, the promised blessings have been realized.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, Bookcraft, 1960, p. 75.)
This was well illustrated in my father’s patriarchal blessing. He was told in his blessing that he would be blessed with “many beautiful daughters.” He and my mother became the parents of five sons. There were no daughters born to them, but of course they treated the wives of their sons as daughters. Recently when we had a family reunion, I saw my father’s granddaughters moving about tending to the food and ministering to the young children and the elderly, and the realization came to me that father’s blessing had been literally fulfilled; he has, indeed, many beautiful daughters. The patriarch who gave my father his blessing had spiritual vision to see beyond my father’s mortal life. There was a disappearance of the dividing line between time and eternity.
The patriarch has no blessing of his own to give; the blessing is the Lord’s to give. God knows our spirits; he knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our capabilities and our potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what the Lord expects of us and what our potential is. Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage when we are filled with anxiety, lift us up when we are weak in spirit.

Father’s Blessings
Elder John A. Widtsoe stated: “Every father, having children born to him under the covenant, is to them a patriarch, and he has the right to bless his posterity in the authority of the priesthood which he holds” (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 72).
The First Presidency has issued the following policy statement:
“ ‘Certainly we should give new and additional emphasis to the role of the father in giving blessings to children in the family. We think we should generally leave to the ordained patriarchs in the stakes the responsibility of declaring lineage in connection with an official patriarchal blessing, but still we could leave unlocked the door so that any father who felt inspired to pronounce the lineage in connection with a father’s blessing he was giving to his children should not be prevented from doing so.
“ ‘We should urge and encourage fathers to give a father’s blessing to their children on such occasions as their going into the military, or away from home to school or on missions and on other appropriate occasions.’
“A father’s blessing may be recorded [and preserved] in family records, but [in contrast to a blessing given by one of the ordained patriarchs] it is not to be preserved in the archives of the Church.” (General Handbook of Instructions, 21, p. 50.)

Adoption into the House of Israel
There are many coming into the Church in this day and time who are not of the blood lineage of a specific tribe of Jacob. No one need assume that he or she will be denied any blessing by reason of not being of the blood lineage of Israel.
Paul makes repeated references to adoption into the house of Israel through faith: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom. 8:9.) And again: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises” (Rom. 9:4).
King Benjamin refers to the faithful as “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters,” thus being able to be “spiritually begotten … through faith,” and thus coming into the family of Christ through a spiritual birth (Mosiah 5:7).
It really makes no difference if the blessings of the house of Israel come through lineage or through the spirit of adoption. Elder John A. Widtsoe stated, “Whether this lineage is of blood or of adoption does not matter” (Evidences and Reconciliations, pp. 72–77).
In Abraham we are told, “And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abr. 2:10).
Joseph Smith taught that when “the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; … while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 149–150.)
Think of all we may lose if we do not stay in the course the Lord wants us to be in and to which the Lord may have called us before the foundations of the world! As the Lord told Saul, you are chosen vessels unto him, to bear his name “before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Seek to live worthy of the blessings pronounced upon you by the patriarchs and by your own fathers.
I received my own patriarchal blessing when I was but a boy of 12. From that short blessing I learned something about my responsibilities and my labors in establishing the kingdom.
I pray that we will live worthily and seek the blessings that are promised us by the Lord through our family patriarchs and through our ordained patriarchs, and that we will strive to help conditions and circumstances so that these great promises can be realized.