Priesthood Opening
Mosiah 4:30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not awatch yourselves, and your bthoughts, and your cwords, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and dcontinue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
Elders’ Quorum
Chapter 25: Truths from the Savior’s Parables in Matthew 13 292–305
A thorough knowledge of the scriptures allows us to teach other as opportunities come up without having to search around. It also gives us perspective and teach us as things come up in our lives.
Bearing testimony of Christ brings the spirit. The scriptures testify of Christ authoritatively and can bring to us and those we teach the spirit very powerfully.
Sunday School
Lesson 3: “I Had Seen a Vision” 11
What is the great apostasy? The mixing of Man’s teachings with the teachings of God in Church teachings. The removing the teachings of God from the Church.
In the 1300s the renaissance began and out of that came the reformation. There were not many advances in man’s knowledge and inventions before then. After that point God allowed man to move forward.
William Tyndale worked to get the Bible translated into English. He commented to the scholars of his day, "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost."
The common man was not given access to the scriptures before the reformation. God is the god of the common man.
On the one hand we had the pre-reformation church where they wanted their people to be ignorant and read the scriptures to them. On the other hand we have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The Church today constantly admonishes people to read the scriptures and teach them to their children. They also work to translate the scriptures into many many languages that more people would have the option to read them.
Why to start the Church in the United States? (See talk "Why 1820", Hyrum W. Smith,Rick's college, September 27, 1988) The United States was one of the only countries if not the only country that didn't have a state religion. It was the only place where a free thinking religion could get a foothold.
This land has been opened up several times as a sanctuary for religious people and then the people were destroyed when they turned their back on God (Jaredites, Lehites, and now the United States).
There is no way that the United States should've won the revolutionary war based on warfare of the time.
Sacrament Service
Virtue and Moral Excellence
”Live right by embracing virtue. Virtues are more than values—much more. Virtues mean not only excellence, but moral excellence. Virtuous men and women not only do good; they are goodness.” (Bishop Keith B. McMullin - Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, “Signposts for Your Future“, New Era January 2000)
“You precious young women, to begin with you must practice virtue in its highest sense. Virtue has many definitions, such as moral excellence, right action and thinking, goodness of character, or chastity in women.” (James E. Faust - Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “How Near to the Angels”, Ensign May 1998)
Mosiah 5:15
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in agood works, that Christ, the bLord God Omnipotent, may cseal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who dcreated all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
Modesty represents who we are and is a statement to others.
Actions are more powerful than words.
A missionary that just returned from the Baltimore mission spoke.
Prayer is not to change the will of God.
“I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as ‘a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, ‘Prayer,’ 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.” (Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Ask in Faith”, Ensign May 2008)
From the Bulletin
Simply stated, “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 752).
We are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed (see 3 Nephi 18:20;D&C 19:38).
Revelation is communication from Heavenly Father to His children on earth. As we ask in faith, we can receive revelation upon revelation and knowledge upon knowledge and come to know the mysteries and peaceable things that bring joy and eternal life (see D&C 42:61). The mysteries are those matters that can only be know and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World [1974], 211).
The revelations of the Father and the Son are conveyed through the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the witness of and messenger for the Father and the Son. He is part of THE Godhead.
Prayer is and should be a key part of the spiritual preparation for our day. During the course of the day, we keep a prayer in our heart for continued assistance and guidance -- even as Alma suggested: "Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord" (Alma 37:36).
Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
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