Sacrament Service
A missionary that recently returned from the South Carolina Columbia mission spoke to us. She spoke on virtue.
“Virtuous people are clean and pure spiritually. They focus on righteous, uplifting thoughts and put unworthy thoughts that lead to inappropriate actions out of their minds. They obey God’s commandments and follow the counsel of Church leaders. They pray for the strength to resist temptation and do what is right. They quickly repent of any sins or wrongdoings. They live worthy of a temple recommend” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 118–19).“
Whose life can I touch while I am pumping my gas? While I am at the store, how can I helpful?
People quote the exchange between Alice and the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland all the time. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.“
I was thinking today that the Alice in Wonderland quote is getting annoying, but just like when we hear the same topic or scripture multiple times in Conference, perhaps it is something I should look more closely at.
“May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.“ (President Thomas S Monson, “Choices”, April 2016 General Conference)
Boys can be virtuous too.
Alma 1:25, 29-30
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.
29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
Repentance and virtue go hand in hand.
A high councilman spoke to us.
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
“Jesus taught that baptism was necessary to enter the kingdom of God (see John 3:5). He began His ministry by being baptized (see Mark 1:9), and He and His followers baptized others (see John 3:22–26). We do likewise.“ (Elder Dallin H Oaks, “Followers of Christ”, April 2013 General Conference)
Matthew 7:24-27
24 ¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
How many times during a day or a week do we take opportunities to pray?
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon lesson 23 Alma 8-12
“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith,6:7)
“My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent, and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters; and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites.10 As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change, we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.11”(Elder Dale G Renlund, “Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying”, April 2015 General Conference)
Doctrine and Covenants 82:3
3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
With these privileges comes great responsibility, for “unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn’t we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us?
Elders Quorum
Teaching of Presidents of the Church: Howard W Hunter - Tithing
Don't worry about overpaying the Lord. He won't let you.
Malachi 3:8-10
8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The Lord tells us the blessings of tithing and then tells us to prove it.
Tithing is a privilege due to the blessings of it. The Lord does not need our money, even though the work of the church is funded in large measure by tithing. He knows where the riches of the world and he also knows how to make riches.
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