Doctrine and Covenants 33:16
16 And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your ainstruction; and the power of my bSpirit cquickeneth all things.
Elders Quorum
"Those handcart pioneers who said they came to know God in their extremities ..." (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Atonement: All for All, General Conference April 2004)
As we are beat upon in our daily lives we also learn to know God.
Brigham Young sent help. When those around us are beat upon, we are to be there for them.
After we have a time consuming calling or get old, we don't pull back our level of service. We are to endure to the end.
The Lord has paid large debts for us as we are slothful at times and sin. We should give liberally to our fellow men with our time and talents. It is a small thing compared to the debts that have been paid for us and blessings we will continue to receive.
Sunday School
Lesson 21: “Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come” 115
“How do you prepare for the Second Coming? Well, you just do not worry about it. You just live the kind of life that if the Second Coming were to be tomorrow you would be ready. Nobody knows when it is going to happen. … Our responsibility is to prepare ourselves, to live worthy of the association of the Savior, to deport ourselves in such a way that we would not be embarrassed if He were to come among us. That is a challenge in this day and age” (Church News, 2 Jan. 1999, 2, President Gordon B. Hinckley)
Watch for the signs of the second coming -"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30)
- Gospel restored and sent to all nations.
- Elijah and other prophets return. Keys of priesthood restored.
- Iniquity will abound.
- Plagues
From the Bulletin
Tomorrow's joy OR tomorrow's despair [emphasis added] has it roots in decisions we make today. Perhaps some people think to themselves: 'I know I need to change some things in my life. Maybe later, but not now.' Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. Today is the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. "Today is the day of decision." (Josh. 24:15) [from Joseph B Wirthlin, "Three Choices", Ensign, November 2003, 78.]
If we are truly serious about our eternal inheritance and having blessings here and now, we must obey God's guidance (commandments, prophets, etc.) here, now and continuously. Even with what little we do in comparison to all that is given by HIM to us, it must be this way because love cannot be one-sided, or as in human relationships, the relationship will not exist for very long. This is why Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Obedience is the way we show and reciprocate His love toward us. It's just that simple.
The Lord goes on further to state that as we obey Him, He will bless us. Indeed, by eternal law. He is required to bless us. (D&C 82:10) Much like planting seeds in fertile soil and obeying the laws of nature, we eventually reap the fruits of our labors even though we do so little in comparison to what God does to nourish the plants to maturity.
If we wish to have specific blessings, we must keep the commandments associated with those blessings. (D&C 130:20, 21) It is all very simple.
The Bishop
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