Key to God's Blessings

I have been discussing w/ Rachelle the principles of gratitude and charity in a different light then we have previously viewed these wonderful principles. It seems in life once we come to accept and learn to love our situation, we are then blessed with a better result or outcome. For example, once I was in La Coruna as a junior companion. I was really struggling to enjoy my companion. I felt like he was always cutting me off, not letting me speak even when I made the contact with someone in the street. Everything about him started to annoy me. Then I decided I would just be the best junior companion I could be. I sincerely tried to not resent him always talking, etc. It seemed like almost in the exact moment I came to learn from my situation and seek patience and to love my companion, that is when the Lord released me from the situation and transferred me. The people of Alma in the city of Helam prayed for their burdens to be light. They didn't seek to have them removed but lightened. Then the Lord strengthened them. When we're willing to pay tithing and spend our time w/ family and in our callings, etc, that is when the Lord can bless us w/ His choicest blessings. When Job was able to lose all the blessings he had, choose to love and worship and testify of God, then he was given all the blessings he didn't have before and still retain the faith he had already come to develop in God. Jacob 2:18-19. It really is Jacob 2:18-19 principle...just applied to other situations besides riches. Once we are grateful for our situation and learn what we can from the situation, sincerely not just superficially or just saying the right words, but really feeling it, then God can endow us w/ power. Once Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, that is when the blessing came. Once Rachelle and I were totally willing and wanting to serve as a chaplain family in the army, that is when the Lord saw fit to release us from this call. Once Zion's Camp marched all the way to Zion to fight, the Lord released them from the call to fight and they could go home peacefully and He fought their battles for them. If we are humble and obedient and grateful for the blessings God has given us, then He will bless us. If we are seeking charity through our experiences, then He can bless us. The choice is ours to be softer or harder in our hearts because of the exceedingly great length of the war (Alma 62:41).

Jacob 5, Allegory of the Olive Tree

So what does this allegory mean to me?

I feel like the main thing for me to take away is to thrust in my sickle w/ my might to save the souls of men. He will come again and there will be a cleansing. The time is now to invite all to come unto Christ to enjoy the safety and peace of righteous living, now and in the future. It is interesting that in these verses the Lord tries several different ways to bring this about. He tries different methods that perhaps He might find a way to bring each one unto Him. That is a good principle.

Funeral Talk, Plan of Happiness

Funeral Service—Plan of Salvation, plan of happiness, Talk

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak w/ you this afternoon. I have come to really enjoy funerals for we come and celebrate the life of our loved one and remember who they were, what they taught us, and who we want to become. And in reality we don’t speak in the past tense, we speak in the present tense. “Who they are and what they continue to teach us.”

I like the saying that funerals are for the living and not for the dead. In reality those that have passed from this mortal earth life simply have walked through a revolving door and they look down upon us hoping they left something of a legacy with us to cherish and emulate.

Funerals cause us to pause and leave our daily routines to think of the eternal and not the earthly, to look heavenward and ponder the wonders of God.

Without thinking of God and His purposes in our creation, life, and death, is like going to a feast and eating everything but the main course. We would leave here not being nourished and the emptiness would leave us feeling a void in our minds and hearts. My purpose today is to let the word of God fill the void that many feel this day.

We know from the scriptures that the earth was created that man and woman might have a place to come and live, to learn to become like heavenly parents and enjoy the happiness they enjoy. It says in the book of Moses, “For behold this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

In the book of John we learn that “this is life eternal they [we] might know [Him] the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom [He] hath sent” (John 17:3).

So what does this really mean? I believe a simple analogy Elder Oaks, a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles, shares helps illustrate the plan of life very simply and beautifully.

Imagine a wealthy landowner who has fields of grain, pastures w/ cattle, rivers, streams, and beautiful mountains in the background. He has a wonderful mansion full of all the necessities and many extras. He has investments and business ventures that keep him and his loved ones comfortable. He has many employees that depend upon him for their sustenance as they help keep his estate moving forward and growing. This landowner has a son and he really wants to give him all that he has. Not only does he want to give him all that he has but most importantly he wants to give him all that he has become. For you see, he cannot give his son honor or prestige among men, that must be earned over time and experience. He cannot pass on his character and integrity. That must come w/ a life of correct choices and resolve in doing what is right and good even in the most difficult circumstances. He could try to give his son things, but the son would not know what to do with it all and squander it away w/o the proper training and for sure w/o the proper maturation of character and integrity. And so he sends his son away to earn money for school and then to use his training to make a living and start his own family. His son passes through a series of tests that temper him and mold him into a man of honor. Eventually through a life that mirrors that of his father, he becomes like his father and is ready to inherit all that his father has. A wise father was able to prepare a ready son to become like him in character and integrity and enjoy peace and happiness through who he has become. Wealth of character and integrity among men has proven to be the greatest honor that one could enjoy in this life.

So now as we ponder these scriptures maybe they now have more meaning. (reread Moses 1:39, John 17:3).

Eternal life is the life that God has and this mortal, earth life prepares us for that wonderful life of true peace and joy.

In this life of joy, sorrow, trials, and tribulations we all make mistakes. We falter and feel the loneliness of life. Perhaps the deepest pains we feel are from our own mistakes and sins. That is one of the great roles our Savior fills in our lives. He paid the price and filled the void of the many sins we commit as we go through life. This makes it possible for us to keep trying. As long as we never give up and keep repenting and changing, his sacrifice will cover us.

Prophets testified for thousands of years that the Savior of the world would come to heal us from all infirmities, redeem us from our sins, and bring forth the resurrection of us all.

President Henry B. Eyring, a special witness of Jesus Christ, explains the role of Jesus Christ in our lives:

Pg. 225 in my scriptures, the insert.

Jesus knows how to succor, or run to us, and bring peace to us. He redeems us from sin and he gives us the gift of the resurrection. We will all live again.

Paul said:

1 Cor. 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

1 Cor. 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Have you ever wondered what gave Paul the audacity to say such a thing? Here Paul was, formerly Saul the persecutor of the Christians, those that believed in Jesus Christ. One day on the road to Damascus he was visited by the resurrected Lord and his entire life changed. Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle, a witness of the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

1 Cor. 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

I add my witness to Paul’s that Jesus is a resurrected and glorified being. Because He lives, we know Sandy will live again. Because He lives all of us and all of our dead will live again. What a glorious doctrine!

There are events that happen in our lives that cause us to doubt God or grow in our love and trust in Him. There is an experience in the Book of Mormon. The people have been fighting for many years and this great statement is made

Alma 62:41

41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their ^aafflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

1 Nephi 2:12 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their ^afather. And they did ^bmurmur because they ^cknew not the dealings of that God who had ^dcreated them.

Contrasted to Nephi: 2 Nephi 2:16

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the ^amysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did ^bvisit me, and did ^csoften my heart that I did ^dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my ^efather; wherefore, I did not ^frebel against him like unto my brothers.

Nephi’s words: “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.”^{2 1 Nephi}

Several years ago a friend of mine had a young daughter die in a tragic accident. Hopes and dreams were shattered. My friend felt unbearable sorrow. He began to question what he had been taught and what he had taught as a missionary. The mother of my friend wrote me a letter and asked if I would give him a blessing. As I laid my hands upon his head, I felt to tell him something that I had not thought about in exactly the same way before. The impression that came to me was: Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision. He would need to choose faith.

My friend did not know everything, but he knew enough. He chose the road of faith and obedience. He got on his knees. His spiritual balance returned.

It has been several years since that event. A short time ago I received a letter from his son who is now serving a mission. It was full of conviction and testimony. As I read his beautiful letter, I saw how a father’s choice of faith in a very difficult time had deeply blessed the next generation.

Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe.” 4

Tabernacle as a Defense

I was reading 2 Nephi 14:5-6. It seems clear that where Zion is, there will also be a tabernacle or temple to act as a shield and defense from the heat, storm, and rain. 2 Nephi 14:4 speaks of the cleansing that will take place in the church and then right after it speaks of the temple. So how do we keep ourselves from falling into the traps of worldliness, we go to the temple and then leave to keep the covenants we make therein. Obedience, sacrifice, and consecration that we might have humble hearts. These acts keep us humble, prayerful, continually looking for ways to build up Zion and her people. If we are consecrating all that we have and are to the building of the kingdom, then there is not time to wallow in the mire. Everything we do can be consecrated for the welfare of Zion.

Speak the Truth in Love

I have been wondering about teaching all the doctrines and principles of the kingdom that have been revealed to me. For example, having children in the Lord's way. I assigned the talk to a sister in the ward and she gave it today. She quoted Elder Anderson a lot and it was great. I felt very pleased w/ the way she gave his talk.

I came across 1 Nephi 6:5, "Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world." I believe coupling this w/ Ephesians 4:15 teaches a lot about revealing the words of the prophets to others:

15 But speaking the ^atruth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the ^bhead, even Christ:

We are under obligation in our stewardships to teach the truth in love. I believe timing is important in speaking the truth in love, but we ought not to fear speaking the truth out of rejection of the people, for, how would Alma have heard Abinadi if he decided the people weren't ready for his words.

I'm grateful for the words of the prophets. I'm grateful for revelation. I'm grateful for those that have not feared the people and taught me the truth.

Traditions of our Fathers

I am reading Helaman 15:1-8. I am intrigued with the message in the Book of Mormon about the traditions of the fathers bringing so many down into sin. I am thinking and asking myself what are the traditions I do because that is the way I was raised and are those traditions in agreement with the laws and principles of the gospel? I really like D&C 93:39. If we are serious about discipleship then we will take a look inward and outward and see what traditions are not drawing us closer to Christ.

I have a lot of traditions that I have that I have developed over the years. Not all are drawing me nearer to God and I seek for the humility and patience to change, to fully repent. I am grateful for my Lord, Jesus Christ, who allows me to change. Helaman 15:7 reminds me that as I change these traditions and replace them with righteousness, my heart will change.

Two Thoughts from Lehi's Dream

1. The first thought goes along with Elder Bednar's comments about those "clinging" (1 Nephi 8:24) versus those "continually holding fast" (1 Nephi 8:30) to the rod of iron. Those who cling in random spurts don't remain true and happy. Those who continue in the faith, constant and sure, do remain happy and in the cause of truth continually.

There is another group too. These are those that "commenced in the path" but never grabbed hold of the iron rod. They eventually wander off in the mists of darkness. Sometimes it is easy to go through the motions w/o really grabbing hold of the words of the prophets and following their counsel. We may be doing what many saints do but without feeling or purpose. This may be described as living the letter without living the Spirit of the laws and principles of the gospel.

2. Second thought. It is interesting in 1 Nephi 11:35, the group that is fighting against the 12 apostles of the Lamb is the house of Israel. That is very interesting. I believe that pertains to many that are looking for truth and many that are members of the church that because of their lack of faith and commitment to the gospel actually drag others down with them. The house of Israel is only on the Lord's side if they keep His great commandments and "live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God" (D&C 84:44).

Hard Hearts, Symptom and Curses

Symptoms and Curses of a Hard Heart:

1. His word taken away (Hel. 13:8).

2. He will withdraw his Spirit from them (Hel. 13:8).

3. He will suffer them no longer and turn the hearts of their brethren against them (Hel. 13:8).

a. Be careful with this one. Job and Joseph Smith had horrible things happen to them where others said they were being cursed by God.

4. He will visit them w/ sword, famine, and pestilence (Hel. 13:9).

5. Those of the fourth generation shall visit your destruction (Hel. 13:10).

a. It is interesting that when the parents or a youth decide not to live the gospel because they harden their heart, then the spouse and children suffer too. Eventually the fourth generation is completely destroyed. In our day the second generation is completely cut off from the word and the ordinances of the gospel and are completely lost. The fourth generation degenerates into complete corruption and eventual destruction.

b. If we repent, the curse is taken from us (Hel. 13:11). This would be a child that sees the errors of the traditions of his/her fathers and turns to the Lord. The curse is then lifted and the repentant person receives all the blessings that have been taken away (Hel. 13:11).

6. Treasures hidden in the earth shall be lost (Hel. 13:18).

a. Notice that in this same verse, if a righteous man hides up treasures to the Lord, he will not lose them (Hel. 13:18).

b. I would assume that those that save up for retirement to use their funds to serve the Lord, then the Lord will bless them in these endeavors. Those that seek to spend their retirement in the luxuries and riches of the world may find their treasures are becoming slippery.

7. Others will mock those that are giving counsel from Heavenly Father (1 Nephi 1:19).