"When a person is placed in circumstances that he cannot possible obtain one particle of anything to sustain life,it would then be his privilege to exercise faith in God to feed him, who might cause a raven to pick up a piece of dried meat from some quarter where there was plenty, and drop it over the famishing man. When I cannot feed myself through the means God has placed in my power, it is then time enough for him to exercise his providence in an unusual manner to administer to my wants. But, while we can help ourselves, it is our duty to do so.
Brigham Young manual 1998-1999, p. 57
(DBY, 155).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Rejoice
We Rejoice because the Lord is ours,
we are sown in weakness for the express purpose
of attaining to greater power and perfection.
In everything the Saints may Rejoice-
in persecution, because it is necessary to purge them,
and prepare the wicked for their doom;
in sickness and in pain, though they are hard to bear,
because we are thereby made acquainted with pain,
with sorrows, and with every affliction
that mortals can endure,
for by contact all things are demonstrated to our senses.
We have reason to Rejoice exceedingly that faith is in the world,
that the Lord reigns,
and does his pleasure among the inhabitants of the earth.
Do you ask if I Rejoice because the Devil has the advantage
over the inhabitants of the earth,
and has afflicted mankind?
I most assuredly answer in the affirmative;
I Rejoice in this as much as in anything else.
I Rejoice because I am afflicted.
I Rejoice because I am poor.
I Rejoice because I am cast down.
Why? Because I shall be lifted up again.
I Rejoice that I am poor because I shall be made rich,
that I am afflicted, because I shall be comforted,
and prepared to enjoy the felicity of perfect happiness,
for it is impossible to properly appreciate happiness except by enduring the opposite."
Brigham Young Manual 1998-1999 p.178
we are sown in weakness for the express purpose
of attaining to greater power and perfection.
In everything the Saints may Rejoice-
in persecution, because it is necessary to purge them,
and prepare the wicked for their doom;
in sickness and in pain, though they are hard to bear,
because we are thereby made acquainted with pain,
with sorrows, and with every affliction
that mortals can endure,
for by contact all things are demonstrated to our senses.
We have reason to Rejoice exceedingly that faith is in the world,
that the Lord reigns,
and does his pleasure among the inhabitants of the earth.
Do you ask if I Rejoice because the Devil has the advantage
over the inhabitants of the earth,
and has afflicted mankind?
I most assuredly answer in the affirmative;
I Rejoice in this as much as in anything else.
I Rejoice because I am afflicted.
I Rejoice because I am poor.
I Rejoice because I am cast down.
Why? Because I shall be lifted up again.
I Rejoice that I am poor because I shall be made rich,
that I am afflicted, because I shall be comforted,
and prepared to enjoy the felicity of perfect happiness,
for it is impossible to properly appreciate happiness except by enduring the opposite."
Brigham Young Manual 1998-1999 p.178
Sin of Ingratiude
"Regardless of our trials, with the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. Despite the obvious nature of the hardships the pioneers were experiencing, President Brigham Young talked about the significance of gratitude. He stated, "I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude."
Elder Quentin L. Cook, Oct. 2008
Elder Quentin L. Cook, Oct. 2008
JOY IN THE JOURNEY
"In nothing doth man offend God,
or against none is his wrath kindled,
save those who confess not his hand in all things
(D&C 59:21).
May we be found among those
who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father.
If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins,
then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.
"Despite the changes which come into our lives
and with gratitude in our hearts,
may we fill our days-
as much as we can-
with those things which matter most.
May we cherish those we hold dear
and express our love to them in word and in deed."
"Let us follow Him.
Let us emulate his example.
Let us obey His word.
By so doing, we give Him the divine gift of gratitude.
"Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is
that we may adapt to the changes in our lives,
that we may realize what is most important,
that we may express our gratitude always and thus
find joy in the journey."
or against none is his wrath kindled,
save those who confess not his hand in all things
(D&C 59:21).
May we be found among those
who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father.
If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins,
then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.
"Despite the changes which come into our lives
and with gratitude in our hearts,
may we fill our days-
as much as we can-
with those things which matter most.
May we cherish those we hold dear
and express our love to them in word and in deed."
"Let us follow Him.
Let us emulate his example.
Let us obey His word.
By so doing, we give Him the divine gift of gratitude.
"Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is
that we may adapt to the changes in our lives,
that we may realize what is most important,
that we may express our gratitude always and thus
find joy in the journey."
Pres. Monson, Oct. 2008 p 87
Finding Joy in the Journey
"Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life-here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey-now."
Pres. Monson, Oct. 2008 p. 85
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life-here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey-now."
Pres. Monson, Oct. 2008 p. 85
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Constitution Hang By Thread
"For it was well over a hundred years ago when the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, told his people that the day would come when the Mormon people may be called upon to leaad out in preserving the Constitution of the United States, a day when that great document will be on the brink of destruction as a framework for self-governemnt, human dignity and maximum freedom under law.
"Concerning this prophesy, one Mormon leader said of Joseph Smith, "He...predicted that the time would come when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great palladium of our liberty." (quoted in The Progress of Man, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1936, p.342). .. "We have been told repeatedly," said Mormon official, Charles W. Penrose, "that the tie would come when the Constitution would be in danger, and it would be the privilege and duty of the men of God in the Church of Christ to stand up to the Constitution and help to maintain it and preserve it from being trampled under foot (Progress of Man, p.344 and JD many places)
These quotes are from, Constitution by a Thread, Richard Vetterli, p. 155
"Concerning this prophesy, one Mormon leader said of Joseph Smith, "He...predicted that the time would come when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great palladium of our liberty." (quoted in The Progress of Man, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1936, p.342). .. "We have been told repeatedly," said Mormon official, Charles W. Penrose, "that the tie would come when the Constitution would be in danger, and it would be the privilege and duty of the men of God in the Church of Christ to stand up to the Constitution and help to maintain it and preserve it from being trampled under foot (Progress of Man, p.344 and JD many places)
These quotes are from, Constitution by a Thread, Richard Vetterli, p. 155
Friday, November 7, 2008
Elder Packer
Six months ago at general conference, Thomas S. Monson was sustained as the 16th President of the Church, just five months before his 81st birthday. He succeeded President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died in his 98th year.
The senior leaders of the Church will virtually always be seasoned by decades of preparation.
President Monson is ideally suited for the challenges of our day. He is sustained by two counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—all prophets, seers, and revelators.
That same Lucifer who was cast out of our Father’s presence is still at work. He, with the angels who followed him, will trouble the work of the Lord and destroy it if he can.
But we will stay on course. We will anchor ourselves as families and as a church to these principles and ordinances. Whatever tests lie ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true.
I bear witness of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, that They live, that Thomas S. Monson is called of God by prophecy.
“The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.”22 Today the sun never sets on congregations of the Latter-day Saints. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Packer, Oct. 2008 Conference(He tells of the tremendous persecution of the early saints and the lack of protection afforded them by the US government. In spite of this neglect the saints were patriotic and revered this country.)
Is he intimating that the same may be true for us in the future? Will our government not support our church and it's members?
Yesterday protesters picketed the LA temple in response to the success of Prop 8 passing this week. What else will happen?
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