Invitation to Study God [Video]

I came across this video the other day. And, aside from the fact that visual and creative direction is great. Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover power and relevance of Christian truth. The question posed: What will you build your life on? is assessed - We are either building our lives on reality on what God is about or based on our own imagination and conception of who God is. Ponder. Thoughts?

Mormon Helping Hands, Hurricane Sandy - Rockaway, NY [Video]

Mormon Helping Hands :: Hurricane Sandy :: Rockaways, NY from Joshua Brown on Vimeo.

"The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone." - Thomas S. Monson

This had to make it on the blog. An inspiring video on the work that our Mormon brothers and sisters are taking part in, in the US (specifically the NY area). The aftermath of the super storm Hurricane Sandy has left most of the entire east-coast, a total wreck. We hear on the news of the lack of work being done by the nonprofit organizations (such Red Cross and FEMA) and some people still left without power. The thought of our fellow citizens left out in the cold during the height of autumn is excruciating. 

With the terrific video work of Joshua Brown, we get a peak into the effort made by members of our Church, Muslims, and Catholics in the affected areas of Hurricane Sandy. The above video, takes place on November 11th, when thousands of our members cancelled Church services and arrived in a community in Rockaway, NY to assist the victims of this storm.

Share this video to family and friends (member or non-member) that might be able to help areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Join the Facebook Group.


Words by Isabelle Ofume

Judging Others? Stop It! (Pres. Uchtdorf)

One of my favorite talks by President Uchtdorf during the April 2012 General Conference. The simplicity of this topic brings such a great focus on how important it is. He does not give a full list of scriptures (which he states could be quoted) but makes it very straight forward; mentioning the popular quote, "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you".

We all clearly had times when we did it or do it, but the action in making a effort to STOP is what really counts. I feel that is what he tries to emphasize in this short clip. Let's all declare to #stopit.

Celebrities with Connections to LDS Church

Last week I came across an article on the Huffington Post about stars with ties to Latter-Day Saints (active and less active members); there is actually quite a bunch of popular celebrities on the list; Mitt Romney isn't the only LDS member on the TV (obviously).

Jef Holm, "The Bachelorette" star Emily Maynard's suitor-turned-fiance, was raised Mormon. His parents are the mission presidents in South Carolina. Although, he is just not an active LDS member, Holm is said to have quoted the Book of Mormon - "bridling of passions" (Alma 38:12) - on the show.

    

The other celebrities that have counted Mormonism as a part of their life at one point or another include Ryan Gosling (from Crazy, Stupid, Love & Notebook), Aaron Eckhart (Battle: Los Angeles & The Dark Knight), Chelsea Handler (Chelsea Lately), Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy), David Archuleta, John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory, Benchwarmers), the Osmond (Donny Osmond) and Hough siblings (country music singer, Julianne Hough), Amy Adams (Enchanted & The Muppets) and Gladys Knight.

With missionary work coming in different shapes and forms, David Archuleta described the experience on American Idol "in a way an [Mormon] mission". Continuing his missionary service, Archuleta went on a 2-year haitus (in early April 2012) to be a missionary in Chile.

John Heder served in the LDS mission in Japan where he learned to speak Japanese and attended Brigham Young University (not sure which one). On navigating through his prosperous career, he mentions the importance of knowing who you are: "Absolutely it comes from how I was raised. It’s just kind of who I am," he said. "These are the standards I live by and whatever comes my way in the future, whether film-making or animation or whatever, I’m going to do my best to live by those standards." In an interview with Time Magazine he adds, "It's simply about knowing who you are and sticking to what you believe in. Sometimes there's language issues. I'm not interested in sexual content."

The famous singer-songwriter and actress Gladys Knight joined the church in 1997, in this same year she divorced motivational speaker Les Brown. Close friends with President Hinckley, she usually teased him that they needed some "pep" in the church hymns. She directed the Mormon-themed choir Saints Unified Voices who released a Grammy-award winning CD titled, One Voice, which is occasionally played at Firesides. Sidenote: They still exist to this day with 10 years of presenting music and the testimony of Jesus Christ to the world. The famous song "I Am A Child Of God" (written by Naomi Randall) is one of the many that are included this CD.  

Moral of the story: although some of these celebrities may have drifted away from the church or undergone different issues in their lives, its safe to say that the spirit and belief of the church has stuck with them. Amy Adams' parents, for example, divorced when she was 11 years old but she mentions that her religious upbringing "... instilled in me a value system I still hold true. The basic 'Do unto others...', that was what was hammered into me. And love."

Regardless of the fact that you may be less active or active, it is important to keep the spirit of the Church and Lord with you wherever you go. Refer to President Monson's experience, Dare to Stand Alone: "it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged... Dare to be a Mormon, Dare to Stand Alone, Dare to have a Purpose Firm, Dare to Make it Known". The importance of staying true to the belief and standards of the Church gives us the strength to push forward with knowledge and set examples. 

I am pretty sure there is more to this list, being that I've heard of a few others (not mentioned here) that I just can't seem to remember. But hey, if you know any other LDS member with a celebrity "title"... comment below; this could be really interesting.

Elder Danny Raices's Farewell [Photos]

Powerful letter from Elder Danny Raices.

August 27, 2012

Hey Brendaen,  

How are you friend? It has been 10 months so far that I was with you giving you a bear hug before I left. hahaha well, my friend I would like to share something with you and with the YSA...
First, "BE STILL, AND FEAR NOT" as a missionary and even before you are a missionary. Brendaen, my mission so far has been the most joyful experience I've had in my life so far. Meeting a lot of families and people contacting, church, and neighbors have truly made me feel like I have a purpose here. What brings much joy and happiness is to have that opportunity to spread the gospel, I should have done this along time ago...
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE (YM, YW, YSA): Don't you dare think you will put your mission on hold for school or for anything. I say this with love and with real concern. What I want you to think right now is how this gospel has helped you out in your life. Ponder and pray to Heavenly Father how He helped you. Once you find that warm feeling of goodness, let that grow and grow your testimony that you can give that feeling to those who are hungry for that happiness. Nothing is more important to serve the Lord then right now!! FEAR NOT, Isaiah 41:10...your families will be in God's hand, D&C 100: 1,2. Most of you may say you may want to stay with your families to take care of them, trust me, I know how you feel. I left my family being the man of the house taking care of everything and leaving everything behind, its tough but YOU CAN DO IT!

Right now, I'm serving in Palmdale and there is a member name Cindy who is a great member. She loves missionary work but she had a plan to go to school, get married, and have a family...well the one thing that was stopping her plan was her mother. Her mother is in a critical state of her life. Health problems that she has to go to 2 appointments a week for the rest of her life...sad but true. Cindy is the oldest of 4 and she put her plans aside to help her mom since the father is working slave hours to support his family. 

We had an investigator who recently got baptized, Alba, and Cindy was our prime member to come out with us. She wanted to help her out because Alba lost her husband in June. I was there when he was dying and I was there to hear him saw, "I want to be baptized because I know I have faith in Jesus Christ!! My Savior loves me!" (in Spanish) with all he had, all his strength to let us know how important the gospel is to him. Brothers and Sisters, he had cancer that spread his whole entire body which doctors say he couldn't move so much but seeing him raise his arms to me and my companion and with a voice of a trumpet letting us know that was when I knew how important it is to be there. Cindy was there as well and saw every moment we was with Alba and her husband. When he passed away, Cindy went out to visit Alba without us and that showed us a great love. Before Alba's baptism, we talked to Cindy about going on a mission but she said she couldn't due to her mother. But deep down my companion and I knew that her mother will be fine with hands of God. He both bore our deepest feelings and testimony on how Heavenly Father WILL be there for our families as we go and do His work here on earth. I have prayed every single night for Cindy to find that peace in heart to God to know that she would be a great missionary.

The day of Alba's baptism, Cindy told me the news that she is going to serve a mission. So much excitement and joy came out of me to hear those great news. She told me that she prayed, read her patriarchal blessing, scripture study and all those things reflected on missionary work and she said she stopped fight with God and knew God wanted her to go on a mission. She was so excited to tell me and her eyes just shine with the love of God. That brought me so much joy and happiness, and it is for the fact that I changed my ways before the mission and to witness myself the beauty of this gospel. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE...if I never decided to go on a mission, I would never feel this close to our Savior. YOU CANNOT GO ON WITH LIFE IF YOU DON'T GO ON A MISSION. I can't tell you how your mission is going to be like but what I can say – you will never regret that decision. Please, brothers and sisters, this mission is once in a life time and put all your trust in God (Proverbs 3: 5,6) He will protect your family and friends, your plans are nothing compared to God's plan which bring happiness and a smile. We are the clay and he is the potter who molds us to become strong, only if we let Him, and I testify to you, let him. Your family on the mission is waiting for your testimony, your love, your personality, your experience, and your smile. Your smile will show them the love you have to Heavenly Father and to your Savior Jesus Christ. I pray every day for you all to ponder and accept the call to serve with all your heart and have that burning desire. I love you with all my heart and I wouldn't tell you these things if it weren't true, if it weren't for two strong missionaries helping me, I wouldn't be here now serving a mission and wanting to help everyone I can here and to help you. Lean to Him and let Him comfort you. 

Mucho Amor, Elder Raices

Angel's Mission Call to São Paulo, Brazil [Video]

Boston YAG Missionary Farewell [Video]

Farewell to:

Elder Roland Jr. Pierre Louis (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Elder Kerby Louis (Paris, France)
Sister Yangzi Elena Jin (Temple Square, Salt Lake City)
Sister Sandra Mücke (San Bernandino, California)

2012 Temple Conference - Armed With Power

"And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;" (D&C 109:22) Tied to a powerful motto, The Regional Latter-Day Saints YSA Council will be holding a 2 day, overnight Temple Conference on October 12-13, 2012 in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Packed with an evening of fun and powerful speech: games, mingling, food, speakers (TBA), workshops, service projects, and a dance. Excited?

Make sure to complete registration on the New England YSA website: Register here - and for a full itinerary, click here.

All Things Denote There is a God

Lesson 27, Alma 30-31

Gabby taught a wonderful lesson on Sunday about Korihor. In Alma chapter 30, Korihor is spreading false doctrine, teaching people that there is no Christ. When Alma questioned why he had turned away from the gospel, he accused the church of deceiving the people. His reasons were some of the same lies we hear today. They are just following the same foolish traditions of their fathers, no one can know what is to come, the commandments are too restrictive, and that belief in the Atonement is the result of a "frenzied mind".

Korihor says he will believe if he sees a sign. Even after Alma's warning he continues to temp the Lord. He receives his sign, and is struck completely dumb. Then he believes, and begs to have the affliction removed. He explains that the devil came to him in the form of an angel, and told him all those things. He remained dumb, and eventually died after having to beg for food on the street.

Here is the reading for next week!
Lesson 28

The Devil’s Throat

James E. Faust
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

---

Please help us push back the world. We must stand against the wind. Sometimes we must be unpopular and simply say, “This is not right.”

My dear brethren of the priesthood, tonight I address my remarks to all of you, but in particular to the young men. My purpose is to instruct and warn you of dangers that lie ahead, but I also want to express my love for you and the great confidence I have in you as the rising generation.

As a young man I served a mission to Brazil. It was a marvelous experience. One of the wonders of the world in that great country is Iguaçu Falls. In the flood season, the volume of water spilling over the brink is the largest in the world. Every few minutes, millions of gallons of water cascade into the chasm below. One part of the falls, where the deluge is the heaviest, is called the Devil’s Throat.

There are some large rocks standing just above, before the water rushes down into Devil’s Throat. Years ago, reckless boatmen would take passengers in canoes to stand on those rocks and look down into the Devil’s Throat. The water above the falls is usually calm and slow moving, and the atmosphere tranquil. Only the roar of the water below forewarns of the danger lurking just a few feet away. A sudden, unexpected current could take a canoe into the rushing waters, over the cliff, and down into the Devil’s Throat. Those foolish enough to leave the canoes to stand on these treacherous wet rocks could so easily lose their footing and be swept away into the swirling currents below.

Institute - How to Teach Effectively | August 1, 2012

Institute            

August 1, 2012

How to teach effectively

What are some good characteristics of good teaching?

Listening, knowledge, sensitivity, creativity, structure, meeting needs, intuitive, enthusiastic, and inclusive. 

What are some good characteristics of a good class?

Participation, honesty, paying attention, asking questions, preparedness, not being distracted.

Study Your Scriptures

D&C 11:21

Long before we get an assignment to preach from an manual we should study from the scriptures first so others will have reference of what you are talking about.

First seek to obtain the word of God by studying the scriptures only then will we have the power to convince men.

Prepare Early and Often

Try to prepare ahead of time for a lesson because the Lord reveals things to us during the week.

The Lord opens our eyes as when we study ahead of time.

Let the spirit take over the class.

Be Creative

The earlier we start, the more creative we will be.

Preparing a lesson is like writing a song, it needs a hook.

There is a little bit of primary in everybody, so do not be afraid to be creative.

Be Visual

Using visuals to teach  helps the lesson stick longer.

However, you do not need to go overboard with visuals in order to prove a point.

Being Aware of Your Audience

Make lessons that adapt to your audience

Let the class help you edit-what to cut out/keep in your lesson.

Listen to The People You Teach

They are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistics (Jeffrey R. Holland)

Let yourself be open to change.

Listen to The Clock

You have to be willing to cut on the spot

There IS a thing as too much structure.

Try not to go overtime because that is when people will stop listening.

Either 3: 3-6

When the brother of Jared brings the 16 stones back to the Lord, He touched it with his finger.

All the preparation we do is like bringing the stones back to the Lord.

Heavenly Father touches us with the spirit just like he touched the stones, the spirit is able to enlighten us and we are able to understand.

The spirit is what makes the light goes on, then we are able to see the truths.

If you do not have the spirit, you should not teach.

If you do not come ready to receive (the spirit) then you will not be able to see the truths.

Lesson by Heather Marks

Transcribed by Laurie Jean-Baptiste  

Dare to Stand Alone

Thomas S. Monson
President of the Church

---

May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe.

My beloved brethren, it is a tremendous privilege to be with you tonight. We who hold the priesthood of God form a great bond and brotherhood.

We read in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 121, verse 36, “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.” What a wonderful gift we have been given—to hold the priesthood, which is “inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.” This precious gift, however, brings with it not only special blessings but also solemn responsibilities. We must conduct our lives so that we are ever worthy of the priesthood we bear. We live in a time when we are surrounded by much that is intended to entice us into paths which may lead to our destruction. To avoid such paths requires determination and courage.

I recall a time—and some of you here tonight will also—when the standards of most people were very similar to our standards. No longer is this true. I recently read an article in the New York Times concerning a study which took place during the summer of 2008. A distinguished Notre Dame sociologist led a research team in conducting in-depth interviews with 230 young adults across America. I believe we can safely assume that the results would be similar in most parts of the world.

I share with you just a portion of this very telling article:

Relief Society and Elder's Quorum Combined Class - Reform and Report with Honor

Relief Society and Elder's Quorum Combined Class      July 29, 2012

Reform and Report with Honor

How does it feel when someone promises you that they will do something and

then they actually do it?

We are able to trust them with other things that are also important (Gabby)

It makes us feel good. It shows that we was important to them and that they did not let us slide through the cracks (Sandra)

What about someone who does not?

We lose trust in them (Joann)

Everyone has failed at least once to keep a promise. Sometimes we fail to keep a promise because we accidentally forget to write it down, etc. Sometimes we just need a better reminder.

The second we think of something that needs to be done, either do it right away or write it down. It will help us to not forget. (Sister Foster)

What does honor mean to you?

Respect, honesty, selflessness, a person with integrity, and wholeness.

Learn how to be reliable in order to return back to our Heavenly Father (Brother Foster)

We should have hope that we can act in this way.

Bible Dictionary

Covenant- An agreement between persons (1 Sam. 23:18) or nations (1 Sam. 11:1) more often between God and man.

Abrahamic, covenant of.

Salvation: Abraham received the gospel by baptism which is called the covenant of salvation. We renew this covenant every  sabbath day when we partake of the sacrament. This covenant will help us make it back to Heavenly Father.

Exaltation: celestial marriage and endowments

Heavenly Father promises us that we will make it back to him and be as perfect as him IF we are faithful in this mortal campout

One of the greatest joys of Godhood is being able to create. Although we can procreate in this life, when we reach Godhood we will be able to make our own worlds and the things the them (Foster)

God's Contingent Promise

D&C 82:10- "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Here his promises are made if we stay on the straight and narrow path and if not, we must repent. This is God’s Contingent promise.

Learning to be like Heavenly Father is also learning to be independent and proactive.

One of our goals is to become independent actors. We must know how to act all the time without being told.

When Asked The Lord To Do Something

By commandment- If we don not read our scriptures what are the chances that Heavenly Father will reveal revelations to us?

By the voice of the spirit- The more we keep the commandments, the more we will be able to understand what He is telling us. We listen to his still quiet voice. It’s up to us to figure out how to listen to this still, small voice. We might hear it in a different way than somebody else

The Four Steps of Prayer

Ask Heavenly Father what we should stop doing

Ask what we should be doing

Ask what we should do more of

Ask who needs your help

By the voice of the servant of the Lord

The prophet, priesthood holders, sunday school teachers, ect

If you act in accordance of the Lord, good things will happen.

Can You Commit To Do Something (self check)

Steps to check if we are keeping promises and being accountable to(wards) our commitments

 

How am I doing with keeping my word with my family?

How am I doing with keeping my word with my friends?

How am I doing with keeping my word with my leaders?

Being A Reliable Person of Your Word

Alma 18: 9-10

Ammon gives us a good example of how to keep our word.

Sons of Helaman show us courage, strength, act proactivity

Alma 57:21

They listened to their moms, obeyed with exactness, and they were blessed.

We can be blessed if we exhibit obedience.

This would be difficult to do, thankfully we have the atonement and can repent.

Gaining Strength Through The Atonement

Put off natural man (repentance)

Becoming a saint- allowing the spirit to engulf us.

"The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality"- Elder David A. Bednar

Life is difficult. We must endure to the end. We CANNOT give up.

Lesson by Brother Foster      

Transcribed by Laurie Jean-Baptiste and Courtney Bradley

Fostering Faith - What's Holding You Back (Bishop Foster)

This is the first post for our Fostering Faith spot of our blog which comes to us from Bishop Foster.

What’s Holding You Back?


I have a favorite scripture whose location is easy to remember. It’s just “five one’s” in the Doctrine and Covenants—Section 111:11.

I memorized it because it gives me ever-present guidance on how Heavenly Father operates to help me progress. And if you’re like me, you want to keep making progress, but sometimes you need a little (or a lot) of help getting there.

Here’s the scripture:

111:11 Therefore, be ye as a wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them.


Some questions to jog your thinking as you ponder the scripture:

• What does this scripture tell you about how willing the Lord is to help you? 
• What is holding you back from having the Lord “order all things for your good”? Could it be your present capacity to receive those things? 
• What would increase your capacity to receive “all things for your good”?
• Is this something you need to pray about?

Institute - Three Fold Mission | July 25, 2012

Institute July 25, 2012

Three Fold Mission

1. Perfect the saints

2. Proclaim the gospel

3, Redeem the dead

How Have You Been Found?

Acts 17: 26-28

Jesus Christ does not care about our nationality, what color we are, or where we come from. He is our brother, we are connected by blood.

We should seek he Lord because he because will eventually learn that he is never far from us.

We are all God's children, we are all family, God is our Father.

Alma 31: 34-37

Alma the younger is going off with his friends to teach the people of Zerahemla who have lost their way.

They prayed, exercised faith, and relied on the Lord.

Life becomes easier when we exercise our faith.

D&C 61: 3

The prophet has been traveling quickly on waters and Heavenly Father is telling them "why are they going so fast, there are people all around you to teach".

There are many opportunities to teach the gospel, we just have to recognize.

We want to rash and hurry through life but we have to slow down and talk advantage of the opportunities God gives us. 

Lesson by Jill Makechnie

Transcribed by Laurie Jean-Baptiste

This is an inspiring story that was shared by Elder Neil L. Andersen a few years back.

Good, Better, Best

Dallin H. Oaks
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

---

We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.

Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources.

I.

We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Jesus taught this principle in the home of Martha. While she was “cumbered about much serving” (Luke 10:40), her sister, Mary, “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (v. 39). When Martha complained that her sister had left her to serve alone, Jesus commended Martha for what she was doing (v. 41) but taught her that “one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (v. 42). It was praiseworthy for Martha to be “careful and troubled about many things” (v. 41), but learning the gospel from the Master Teacher was more “needful.” The scriptures contain other teachings that some things are more blessed than others (see Acts 20:35; Alma 32:14–15).

A childhood experience introduced me to the idea that some choices are good but others are better. I lived for two years on a farm. We rarely went to town. Our Christmas shopping was done in the Sears, Roebuck catalog. I spent hours poring over its pages. For the rural families of that day, catalog pages were like the shopping mall or the Internet of our time.

Something about some displays of merchandise in the catalog fixed itself in my mind. There were three degrees of quality: good, better, and best. For example, some men’s shoes were labeled good ($1.84), some better ($2.98), and some best ($3.45).¹

As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118; emphasis added).

II.

Some of our most important choices concern family activities. Many breadwinners worry that their occupations leave too little time for their families. There is no easy formula for that contest of priorities. However, I have never known of a man who looked back on his working life and said, “I just didn’t spend enough time with my job.”

In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best. A friend took his young family on a series of summer vacation trips, including visits to memorable historic sites. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of these good summer activities he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and so did those he told of it. “The thing I liked best this summer,” the boy replied, “was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.” Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent.

The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated. Parents should act to preserve time for family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and the other precious togetherness and individual one-on-one time that binds a family together and fixes children’s values on things of eternal worth. Parents should teach gospel priorities through what they do with their children.

Family experts have warned against what they call “the overscheduling of children.” In the last generation children are far busier and families spend far less time together. Among many measures of this disturbing trend are the reports that structured sports time has doubled, but children’s free time has declined by 12 hours per week, and unstructured outdoor activities have fallen by 50 percent.²

The number of those who report that their “whole family usually eats dinner together” has declined 33 percent. This is most concerning because the time a family spends together “eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.”³ Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs.⁴ There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has pleaded that we “work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it.”

He continued: “I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting.”⁵

The First Presidency has called on parents “to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles. … The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place … in … this God-given responsibility.” The First Presidency has declared that “however worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”⁶

III.

Church leaders should be aware that Church meetings and activities can become too complex and burdensome if a ward or a stake tries to have the membership do everything that is good and possible in our numerous Church programs. Priorities are needed there also.

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve have stressed the importance of exercising inspired judgment in Church programs and activities. Elder L. Tom Perry taught this principle in our first worldwide leadership training meeting in 2003. Counseling the same leaders in 2004, Elder Richard G. Scott said: “Adjust your activities to be consistent with your local conditions and resources. … Make sure that the essential needs are met, but do not go overboard in creating so many good things to do that the essential ones are not accomplished. … Remember, don’t magnify the work to be done—simplify it.”⁷

In general conference last year, Elder M. Russell Ballard warned against the deterioration of family relationships that can result when we spend excess time on ineffective activities that yield little spiritual sustenance. He cautioned against complicating our Church service “with needless frills and embellishments that occupy too much time, cost too much money, and sap too much energy. … The instruction to magnify our callings is not a command to embellish and complicate them. To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify. … What is most important in our Church responsibilities,” he said, “is not the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held but whether or not individual people—ministered to one at a time just as the Savior did—have been lifted and encouraged and ultimately changed.”⁸

Stake presidencies and bishoprics need to exercise their authority to weed out the excessive and ineffective busyness that is sometimes required of the members of their stakes or wards. Church programs should focus on what is best (most effective) in achieving their assigned purposes without unduly infringing on the time families need for their “divinely appointed duties.”

But here is a caution for families. Suppose Church leaders reduce the time required by Church meetings and activities in order to increase the time available for families to be together. This will not achieve its intended purpose unless individual family members—especially parents—vigorously act to increase family togetherness and one-on-one time. Team sports and technology toys like video games and the Internet are already winning away the time of our children and youth. Surfing the Internet is not better than serving the Lord or strengthening the family. Some young men and women are skipping Church youth activities or cutting family time in order to participate in soccer leagues or to pursue various entertainments. Some young people are amusing themselves to death—spiritual death.

Some uses of individual and family time are better, and others are best. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.

IV.

Here are some other illustrations of good, better, and best:

It is good to belong to our Father in Heaven’s true Church and to keep all of His commandments and fulfill all of our duties. But if this is to qualify as “best,” it should be done with love and without arrogance. We should, as we sing in a great hymn, “crown [our] good with brotherhood,”⁹ showing love and concern for all whom our lives affect.

To our hundreds of thousands of home teachers and visiting teachers, I suggest that it is good to visit our assigned families; it is better to have a brief visit in which we teach doctrine and principle; and it is best of all to make a difference in the lives of some of those we visit. That same challenge applies to the many meetings we hold—good to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting.

As we approach 2008 and a new course of study in our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies, I renew our caution about how we use the Teachings of Presidents of the Church manuals. Many years of inspired work have produced our 2008 volume of the teachings of Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of this dispensation. This is a landmark among Church books. In the past, some teachers have given a chapter of the Teachings manuals no more than a brief mention and then substituted a lesson of their own choice. It may have been a good lesson, but this is not an acceptable practice. A gospel teacher is called to teach the subject specified from the inspired materials provided. The best thing a teacher can do with Teachings: Joseph Smith is to select and quote from the words of the Prophet on principles specially suited to the needs of class members and then direct a class discussion on how to apply those principles in the circumstances of their lives.

I testify of our Heavenly Father, whose children we are and whose plan is designed to qualify us for “eternal life … the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7; see also D&C 76:51–59). I testify of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement makes it possible. And I testify that we are led by prophets, our President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

1. 1. Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog, Fall and Winter 1944–45, 316E.
   
2. 2. See Jared R. Anderson and William J. Doherty, “Democratic Community Initiatives: The Case of Overscheduled Children,” Family Relations, vol. 54 (Dec. 2005): 655.
   
3. 3. Anderson and Doherty, Family Relations, 54:655.
   
4. 4. See Nancy Gibbs, “The Magic of the Family Meal,” Time, June 12, 2006, 51–52; see also Sarah Jane Weaver, “Family Dinner,” Church News, Sept. 8, 2007, 5.
   
5. 5. “Each a Better Person,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 100.
   
6. 6. First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999; printed in Church News, Feb. 27, 1999, 3.
   
7. 7. “The Doctrinal Foundation of the Auxiliaries,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 5, 7–8; see also Ensign, Aug. 2005, 62, 67.
   
8. 8. “O Be Wise,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 18–20.
   
9. 9. “America the Beautiful,” Hymns, no. 338.
   

To All Boston YAG members:

We found a wonderful online survey that Brother Foster took to see if it correctly identified his key career interests in the light of his answers to questions about preferred activities and preferred subjects of interest to learn about. It works! Of 16 career clusters that are profiled and ranked with points assigned, based on the answers you give, Brother Foster found that the 6 out of the top 8 career clusters identified as "strong correlations" for him were dead on.

So, we invite you all to go online and take the survey. It doesn't take long. There are 48 questions to answer (3 for each of the 16 career clusters) and they are relatively easy. Just click on your answers, then print out your results or save them in a file so you can refer to them later. If you would be willing to share your survey results with us, along with your personal comments about whether the results seem to "fit" with you as you understand yourself, that would help us do a better job of providing you YAG members with helpful career-related resources.

Here's the link:

http://www.witechcolleges.org/explore_careers/career_interest/index.php

We also highly recommend that you read Elder Clayton Christensen's recently published book, "How Will You Measure Your Life?". It gives great insights into how to plan for your career and your life.

Brother and Sister Foster

“Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence”

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 2 March 1999.

Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.

There is a lesson in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision which virtually every Latter-day Saint has had occasion to experience, or one day soon will. It is the plain and very sobering truth that before great moments, certainly before great spiritual moments, there can come adversity, opposition, and darkness. Life has some of those moments for us, and occasionally they come just as we are approaching an important decision or a significant step in our lives.

In that marvelous account which we read too seldom, Joseph said he had scarcely begun his prayer when he felt a power of astonishing influence come over him. “Thick darkness,” as he described it, gathered around him and seemed bent on his utter destruction. But he exerted all his powers to call upon God to deliver him out of the power of this enemy, and as he did so a pillar of light brighter than the noonday sun descended gradually until it rested upon him. At the very moment of the light’s appearance, he found himself delivered from the destructive power which had held him bound. What then followed is the greatest epiphany since the events surrounding the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ in the meridian of time. The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith, and the dispensation of the fulness of times had begun. ¹

 

Most of us do not need any more reminders than we have already had that there is one who personifies “opposition in all things,” that “an angel of God” fell “from heaven” and in so doing became “miserable forever.” What a chilling destiny! Because this is Lucifer’s fate, “he sought also the misery of all mankind,” Lehi teaches us. ²

The Fight Goes On

An entire article could be devoted to this subject of the adversary’s strong, preliminary, anticipatory opposition to many of the good things God has in store for us. But I want to move past that observation to another truth we may not recognize so readily. This is a lesson in the parlance of the athletic contest that reminds us “it isn’t over until it’s over.” It is the reminder that the fight goes on. Unfortunately we must not think Satan is defeated with that first strong breakthrough which so dramatically brought the light and moved us forward.

To make my point a little more vividly, may I go to another passage of scripture, indeed, to another vision. You will recall that the book of Moses begins with him being taken up to “an exceedingly high mountain” where, the scripture says, “he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses.” What then followed was what happens to prophets who are taken to high mountains. The Lord said to Moses:

“Look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands. … Moses looked, and … beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God. And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not.” ³

This experience is remarkable by every standard. It is one of the great revelations given in human history. It stands with the greatest accounts we have of any prophet’s experience with Divinity.

But Moses’ message to you today is: Don’t let your guard down. Don’t assume that a great revelation, some marvelous, illuminating moment, the opening of an inspired path, is the end of it. Remember, it isn’t over until it’s over.

What happens to Moses next, after his revelatory moment, would be ludicrous if it were not so dangerous and so true to form. Lucifer—in an effort to continue his opposition, in his unfailing effort to get his licks in later if not sooner—appears and shouts in equal portions of anger and petulance after God has revealed Himself to the prophet: “Moses, worship me.” But Moses is not having it. He has just seen the real thing, and by comparison this sort of performance is pretty dismal.

“Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? … Where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?

“For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me. … But I can look upon thee in the natural man. …

“Where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God. …

“Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not.”

The record then depicts a reaction that is both pathetic and frightening:

“And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me.

“And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God [the very phrase used by Joseph Smith], he received strength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory.

“And now Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook. …

“And it came to pass that Satan cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and he departed hence,” ⁴ always to come again, we can be sure, but always to be defeated by the God of glory—always.

Do Not Draw Back

I wish to encourage every one of us regarding the opposition that so often comes after enlightened decisions have been made, after moments of revelation and conviction have given us a peace and an assurance we thought we would never lose. In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul was trying to encourage new members who had just joined the Church, who undoubtedly had had spiritual experiences and received the pure light of testimony, only to discover that their troubles had not ended but that some of them had just begun.

Paul pleaded with those new members in much the same way President Gordon B. Hinckley is pleading with new members today. The reminder is that we cannot sign on for a battle of such eternal significance and everlasting consequence without knowing it will be a fight—a good fight and a winning fight, but a fight nevertheless. Paul says to those who thought a new testimony, a personal conversion, a spiritual baptismal experience would put them beyond trouble—to these he says, “Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.” Then this tremendous counsel, which is at the heart of my counsel to you: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. …

“… If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

“… We are not of them who draw back unto perdition.” ⁵

In Latter-day Saint talk that is to say, Sure it is tough—before you join the Church, while you are trying to join, and after you have joined. That is the way it has always been, Paul says, but don’t draw back. Don’t panic and retreat. Don’t lose your confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had. That tenacity is what saved Moses and Joseph Smith when the adversary confronted them, and it is what will save you.

I suppose every returned missionary and probably every convert reading these words knows exactly what I am talking about. Appointments for discussions canceled, the Book of Mormon in a plastic bag hanging from a front doorknob, baptismal dates not met. And so it goes through the teaching period, through the commitments and the baptism, through the first weeks and months in the Church, and more or less forever—at least, the adversary would pursue it forever if he thought he could see any weakening of your resolve, any chink in your armor.

This opposition turns up almost any place something good has happened. It can happen when you are trying to get an education. It can hit you after your first month in your new mission field. It certainly happens in matters of love and marriage. It can occur in situations related to your family, Church callings, or career.

With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.

The Spirit of Revelation

To help us make our way through these experiences, these important junctures in our lives, let me draw from another scriptural reference to Moses. It was given in the early days of this dispensation when revelation was needed, when a true course was being set and had to be continued.

Most Latter-day Saints know the formula for revelation given in section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants—the verses about studying it out in your mind and the Lord promising to confirm or deny. What most of us don’t read in conjunction with this is the section which precedes it: section 8.

In that revelation the Lord has said, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” I love the combination there of both mind and heart. God will teach us in a reasonable way and in a revelatory way—mind and heart combined—by the Holy Ghost. “Now, behold,” He continues, “this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.” ⁶

Why would the Lord use the example of crossing the Red Sea as the classic example of “the spirit of revelation”? Why didn’t He use the First Vision? Or the example from the book of Moses we just used? Or the vision of the brother of Jared? Well, He could have used any of these, but He didn’t. Here He had another purpose in mind.

Usually we think of revelation as a downpour of information. But this is too narrow a concept of revelation. May I suggest how section 8 broadens our understanding, particularly in light of these “fights of affliction” we have been discussing.

Questions Often Precede Revelation

First of all, revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question—not always, but usually. In that sense it does provide information, but it is urgently needed information, special information. Moses’ challenge was how to get himself and the children of Israel out of this horrible predicament they were in. There were chariots behind them, sand dunes on every side, and a lot of water immediately ahead. He needed information to know what to do, but it wasn’t a casual thing he was asking. In this case it was literally a matter of life and death.

You will need information too, but in matters of great consequence it is not likely to come unless you want it urgently, faithfully, humbly. Moroni calls it seeking “with real intent.” ⁷ If you can seek that way and stay in that mode, not much that the adversary can counter with will dissuade you from a righteous path. You can hang on, whatever the assault and affliction, because you have paid the price for real conviction.

Like Moses in that vision, there may come after the fact some competing doubts and confusion, but it will pale when you measure it against the real thing. Remember the real thing. Remember how urgently you have needed help in earlier times and you got it. The Red Sea will open to the honest seeker of revelation. The adversary has power to hedge up the way, to marshal Pharaoh’s forces and dog our escape right to the water’s edge, but he can’t produce the real thing. He cannot conquer if we will it otherwise. Exerting all our powers, the light will again come, the darkness will again retreat, the safety will be sure. That is lesson number one about crossing the Red Sea by the spirit of revelation.

Do Not Fear

Lesson number two is closely related. It is that in the process of revelation and making important decisions, fear plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role. To Oliver Cowdery, who missed the opportunity of a lifetime because he didn’t seize it in the lifetime of the opportunity, the Lord said, “You did not continue as you commenced.” Does that sound familiar to those who have been illuminated and then knuckled under to second thoughts and returning doubts? “It is not expedient that you should translate now,” the Lord said in language that must have been very hard for Oliver to hear. “Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now.” ⁸

Everyone runs the risk of fear. For a moment in Moses’ confrontation with the adversary, “Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell.” ⁹ That’s when you see it—when you are afraid.

That is exactly the problem that beset the children of Israel at the edge of the Red Sea, and it has everything to do with holding fast to your earlier illumination. The record says, “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid.” Some (just like those Paul described earlier) said words to this effect: “Let’s go back. This isn’t worth it. We must have been wrong. That probably wasn’t the right spirit telling us to leave Egypt.” What they actually said to Moses was: “Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? … It had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” ¹⁰ And I have to say, “What about that which has already happened? What about the miracles that got you here? What about the frogs and the lice? What about the rod and the serpent, the river and the blood? What about the hail, the locusts, the fire, the firstborn sons?”

How soon we forget. It would not have been better to stay and serve the Egyptians, and it is not better to remain outside the Church, nor to put off marriage, nor to reject a mission call or other Church service, and so on and so on forever. Of course our faith will be tested as we fight through these self-doubts and second thoughts. Some days we will be miraculously led out of Egypt—seemingly free, seemingly on our way—only to come to yet another confrontation, like all that water lying before us. At those times we must resist the temptation to panic and give up. At those times fear will be the strongest of the adversary’s weapons against us.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. … The Lord shall fight for you.” In confirmation the great Jehovah said to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” ¹¹

That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don’t fear, don’t vacillate, don’t quibble, don’t whine. You may, like Alma going to Ammonihah, have to find a route that leads an unusual way, but that is exactly what the Lord is doing here for the children of Israel. Nobody had ever crossed the Red Sea this way, but so what? There’s always a first time. With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, “Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!” ¹²

God Will Help Us

The third lesson from the Lord’s spirit of revelation in the miracle of crossing the Red Sea is that along with the illuminating revelation that points us toward a righteous purpose or duty, God will also provide the means and power to achieve that purpose. Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it. That is true of joining the Church or raising a family, of going on a mission, or any one of a hundred other worthy tasks in life. Remember what the Savior said to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. What was the problem in 1820? Why was Joseph not to join another church? It was at least in part because “they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” ¹³ God’s grace is sufficient! The Lord would tell Joseph again and again that just as in days of old the children of Israel would be “led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm. … Therefore, let not your hearts faint. … Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.” ¹⁴

What goodly land? Well, your goodly land. Your promised land. Your new Jerusalem. Your own little acre flowing with milk and honey. Your future. Your dreams. Your destiny. I believe that in our own individual ways, God takes us to the grove or the mountain or the temple and there shows us the wonder of what His plan is for us. We may not see it as fully as Moses or Nephi or the brother of Jared did, but we see as much as we need to see in order to know the Lord’s will for us and to know that He loves us beyond mortal comprehension. I also believe that the adversary and his pinched, calculating little minions try to oppose such experiences and then try to darken them after they happen. But that is not the way of the gospel. That is not the way of a Latter-day Saint who claims as the fundamental fact of the Restoration the spirit of revelation. Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light is what opened this dispensation. It is what keeps it going, and it is what will keep you going. With Paul, I say to all of you:

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” ¹⁵

I acknowledge the reality of opposition and adversity, but I bear witness of the God of glory, of the redeeming Son of God, of light and hope and a bright future. I promise you that God lives and loves you, each one of you, and that He has set bounds and limits to the opposing powers of darkness. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the victor over death and hell and the fallen one who schemes there. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and it has been restored.

“Fear ye not.” And when the second and third and fourth blows come, “fear ye not. … The Lord shall fight for you.” ¹⁶ Cast not away therefore your confidence.

[illustration] First Vision, by Liz Lemon Swindle

[photo] Photo by Steve Bunderson, posed by model; electronic composition by Patric Gerber

[illustration] Painting by Joseph Brickey

[illustration] Painting by Robert T. Barrett

[photo] Photo by Jed Clark

[illustration] Moses Parting the Red Sea, by Robert T. Barrett

Show References

Boston YAG General Conference 4-1-12