Ch 17 George Albert Smith manual
“We are informed that without faith we cannot please God [see Hebrews 11:6]. It is the moving cause of all action, and Scripture is replete with evidences of the power of faith. It was Noah’s faith that enabled him to build an ark, and as a result of obedience to the commandments of God he and his household were saved, while those who lacked faith were buried in the great flood” [see Genesis 6:13–22; 7:1–24]. (From the manual)
One thing that gets in the way of our faith is trying to rationalize why a miracle could not be possible. Many of the stories in the scriptures seem impossible and yet they happened.
“… It has been by faith that the men who have stood at the head of this work have been inspired, from time to time, to give the instructions that we have needed. It is by faith that we are edified … by those who minister in the name of the Lord, and the Comforter quickens their understanding, bringing things past to their remembrance and showing them things to come; thus evidencing the spirit of revelation.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1913, 102–3)
A missionary who had met with President Lee and the Twelve, years ago, said that someone asked president lee in that meeting why there are not more miracles today as there were in ancient times. President Lee expressed that there are many miracles happening and if the elders of the church were more dedicated, miracles would more prevalent.
Sunday School
Helaman 13-16
Helaman 13:27-28
27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.
28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.
"costly apparel" - preachers, movie stars, politicians, athletes
Helaman 13:29
29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
"foolish and blind guide" - blind in that they can not see God's will or plan.
"how long will you choose darkness?" - we would rather choose a path that is not lighted than to go where guide has shown us.
Helaman 14:13 - merits are things that entitle one to a reward
13 And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
If the Lord didn't care about us he wouldn't give us instruction and chasten us. He would just let us do what we want and suffer the consequences. The consequences of our choices are natural consequences and not God being mean to us.
Sacrament Service
A couple of service missionaries spoke as a team about:
How can our homes feel more like the temple?
Suggestions they had:
- Have gospel centered pictures displayed in our homes.
- Have a priesthood holder dedicate the home with the priesthood.
- Have a sacred place where family members can read, prayer, and/or ponder.
- When we answer our door welcome those that are there with love. Perhaps even salesmen.
- Have scriptures all over your home. Where at anytime one can pause and
- read them.
A stake high councilman spoke on revelation.
A home that is prepared like the temple is a place where revelation can be received.
Anyone who has received the holy ghost has received revelation.
We can be taught in dreams and visions.
Many revelations come as an impression or thought to one's mind.
From the Bulletin
"How wonderful it is that we believe in modern revelation. I cannot get over the feeling that if revelation were needed anciently, when life was simple, that revelation is also needed today, when life is complex. There never was a time in the history of the earth when men needed revelation more than they need it now." (President Gordon B Hinckley, Inspirational Thoughts, Ensign, September 2007, 6)
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