tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85811548608818675612024-03-05T03:27:14.858-08:00Heidi's Summer FieldI am thankful for the voice that Heavenly Father has given me. May I ever use it to praise His name.
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-73513789810036726752022-10-10T14:09:00.009-07:002022-10-10T20:28:01.938-07:00Denk an Mich<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Denk an Mich <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember Me<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY_Dp9pDe27Iu5YsFyYWXsNzCq-CUlK7ZBWIhg-Er8oCZ_ibxENUKo29KzvggnjfdiFawLZHQjNKchOtr48S2VM2JRIVnAE5UBsJEIeoXbS64hmxJUPQqWrmKjSDcEn1pV_WSgj3nzwr3tNLid93RUhzrQl7xrxIzPMogaM0pSTxJpDdUinoUxJRT8g/s3000/denk%20an%20mich.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY_Dp9pDe27Iu5YsFyYWXsNzCq-CUlK7ZBWIhg-Er8oCZ_ibxENUKo29KzvggnjfdiFawLZHQjNKchOtr48S2VM2JRIVnAE5UBsJEIeoXbS64hmxJUPQqWrmKjSDcEn1pV_WSgj3nzwr3tNLid93RUhzrQl7xrxIzPMogaM0pSTxJpDdUinoUxJRT8g/s320/denk%20an%20mich.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Artist: Brent Borup</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />
I’ve been working on learning German this year. In the process, I have gained
more knowledge and understanding of my own language and about the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. <br />
<br />
Throughout my life, I’ve heard my father say these words to my mother each time
he was ready to leave the house—“Denk an mich.” He would hug and kiss her
goodbye, and then say, “Denk an mich.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some things in German sound so similar to English that I
always thought this just meant think about me. It makes sense; and that simple
translation that I extracted is not incorrect. But the words “Denk an mich”
mean so much more. These words mean, “Remember me.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I came to this realization while reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Das Buch Mormon – ein weiterer Zeuge für
Jesus Christus</i>. I have both the German and the English copies side-by-side
when I’m reading, and “denk daran” absolutely means “remember.” Within my mind
and heart, this has given rise to many new thoughts, both about my parents’
relationship with each other and my own relationship with Jesus Christ. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am sure my mother wouldn’t forget my father when he was
gone during the daylight hours to work. She’d certainly remember him when he
got home. But thinking about someone and his happiness, and serving that
person, builds ties and unity, soundness and wholeness and makes us one with
that person. That is what makes us remember; not only recalling who that person
is, but the deep emotions, loyalty, commitment, and conviction we feel in
association with that person. My parents truly grew closer to each other and to
God, through conscious thought, planning, serving, and loving. They never
forgot how important their spouse was to them, or their God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each Sunday I partake of the Sacrament, and I promise to
always remember Him (Jesus Christ), so that I can always have His Spirit to be
with me (see Moroni 4:3 and Mormon 5:2). Millions of people do this. We cannot
fulfill this promise to always remember Him if we don’t think about Him, if we
don’t prefer Him, if we don’t consciously plan time to study about Him and
serve Him, and honor and love Him. When we prefer to pursue other studies or
other entertainment that is not in keeping with the Spirit which He promises we
can have with us when we remember Him, then we are actively choosing to not
think about Him, His feelings, our covenant relationship with Him and His
importance in our lives. We are letting go, and we are forgetting. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The words “Denk daran” and more specifically “Denk an mich”
are much more important to me now. I want to remember those who are most
important to me: my Heavenly Parents, my Savior Jesus Christ, my husband, my
children, my parents, and all my family. Everything hangs on the first two
commandments indeed. We need to love our God with all our heart, mind, might,
and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 22:37-39). We
need to remember that. <br />
<br />
We especially to need to remember our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.
If we are not thinking about Him and remembering Him, we will be drifting away and
forgetting. “Denk an Ihn.” Think about Him and remember Him. Serve Him. Worship
Him. Pray to the Father in Jesus’s name. You’ll remember Him, and He’ll
remember you. Your covenant relationship will be blessed with His Spirit. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>“</b>For how knoweth a man the Master whom he
has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts
and intents of his heart” (Mosiah 5:13)?<br />
<br />
“Denk an Mich.” </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaKeAejEO-o">Denk Stets An Mich </a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-20821202601966285792021-08-29T22:09:00.002-07:002021-08-29T22:18:26.207-07:00 My Mask is a Matter of Faith<p>I want to put something out here which is a principle of faith for me, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with politics.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0esW2O26iNl3mxaaFeIrlcchY-0pS0cb15t1t3d_cozCtMBYUf21xs1cW46C8o9uZAq9MWnOig-qMSqTfo0EZ75ZQmME8bSQ2dL2qL3d5Jc5e5mFNk_7fyOsasoGhraGMwQb8PznjEdbF/s858/Mask-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="858" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0esW2O26iNl3mxaaFeIrlcchY-0pS0cb15t1t3d_cozCtMBYUf21xs1cW46C8o9uZAq9MWnOig-qMSqTfo0EZ75ZQmME8bSQ2dL2qL3d5Jc5e5mFNk_7fyOsasoGhraGMwQb8PznjEdbF/s320/Mask-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Matter of Faith<br /><br /></div><br /><p></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you do not agree with my opinion, please just carry on. I am not here to debate “Stars on Thars” (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_V6knB0lA4">The Sneetches</a>).</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">As a Latter-day Saint Christian (I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), I believe in modern day revelation and prophets. Certainly the Lord has revealed His will for His children through the prophets throughout the history of this earth. In this modern day, the prophet often speaks to us through written letter. I give it as my opinion that he does not pass onto the membership of the Church and the people of this world trivial opinion. Why would he? He gives us council to bless our lives currently and in the future.</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">The Lord has told us that all His commandments are spiritual. Certainly many of them pertain to us as physical beings and are there for our physical safety; but, if we adhere to what the Lord asks us to do, we will receive spiritual blessings that otherwise are unavailable to us (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_V6knB0lA4">D&C 29:34-35</a>).</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">This year we have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord tells us in the first section, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1?lang=eng">D&C 1:38</a>). Because of my understanding, knowledge, and testimony of this, and because I firmly believe what President Woodruff said concerning the Manifesto (“The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty”), I choose to follow the prophet. (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/od/1?lang=eng">Official Declaration 1</a>)</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">When the world was waiting for the Covid vaccination to become available, and then when it became available, I did not want to get it. I was pretty adamant about not getting it. I did not want it. I did not trust it. And then the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, encouraged us to get it (see <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-covid-19-vaccine">Church's Stand on Vaccinations</a> . I still didn’t want it, but I wanted to be true to my conviction to follow the prophet. So I made the appointment to get it. With misgivings still, I trusted that what I was doing was for my spiritual well being, and that was by far more important to me than any fear or any pride. (It doesn’t matter that our prophet is a retired world reknowned heart surgeon to me; that is not what influenced my choice. I count him as a prophet of God, and I want to stay in favor with my Heavenly Father.)</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">When the state mandate was lifted and we no longer had to wear masks if we had been vaccinated, I was ready to never put on a mask again. I cherish the freedom of not wearing one, and I like to see others’ faces and smiles. Then recently the prophet (The First Presidency) wrote us a new letter (see <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021">First Presidency Urges</a>). This is the middle paragraph in the short letter, “To limit exposure to these viruses, we urge the use of face masks in public meetings whenever social distancing is not possible. To provide personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be vaccinated. Available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective.”</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Those words are from a prophet of God. We can all weigh them and take them as we may; but once again, I don’t think the prophet is spending his time with trivial matters. If he wrote us a letter, it’s got to be important. The word “urge” is strong, and it was used twice. I choose to listen as if to the voice of the Lord with the promise that I will not be led astray. So when I am in meetings or hallways of meetings where I cannot social distance, I will be putting on a mask.</p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;">I was vaccinated and I am wearing a mask when in close quarters with others (with whom I’m not regularly with) because I was asked to do so by a prophet of God. I believe His words and I trust His prophets.</p>Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-87866405467977189702020-10-24T11:52:00.002-07:002020-10-24T20:01:26.382-07:00Moroni 10: The Exhortations, the Blessings, and Gained Understanding<p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">I love the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ</h2><br />Today I finished reading <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng">The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ</a>. There is much to be gained in the final chapter, written by the prophet Moroni, in the way of understanding our responsibilities and the blessings we can receive. I have compiled the following list from <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/10?lang=eng">Moroni chapter 10</a>. I love the messages of this sacred testament of scripture. Nothing can be lost through reading it, and everything can be gained. Thank you for taking the time to read this list. I hope you feel inspired to read the book. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlP1SeT2z5nL0GgojRlzMdkxDUgT6FOTWpsULDlfxgBvgSCxtV1rLEBJmQjoiRpDYDc0zip7p59g9uxCcPv7fhyRZbCH0p_B-_k_s4e51KKbB6ZXCS4gYma5bCEJrEwPrhptO4ejR22XH/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlP1SeT2z5nL0GgojRlzMdkxDUgT6FOTWpsULDlfxgBvgSCxtV1rLEBJmQjoiRpDYDc0zip7p59g9uxCcPv7fhyRZbCH0p_B-_k_s4e51KKbB6ZXCS4gYma5bCEJrEwPrhptO4ejR22XH/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">The exhortations:</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Read the Book of Mormon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember how merciful the Lord has always been to the children of men<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember to ponder the words that you read in your heart<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Ask with a sincere heart and with real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Don’t deny the power of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Exercise faith in God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Don’t deny the gifts of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember that every good gift comes of Christ (because of Him)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember that these spiritual gifts will never be done away<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember that if we are not seeing spiritual gifts that it is because of unbelief<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have faith; You must develop faith (and help others to as well)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Have hope; You must develop hope (and help others to as well)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Have charity; You must develop charity (and help others to as well)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Remember all these admonitions from Moroni (and the other prophets)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Come unto Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Lay hold upon every good gift<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Awake and arise from the dust<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Put on your beautiful garments (go to the temple)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever (build and establish Zion, invite everyone)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Deny yourselves of all ungodliness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Love God with all of your might and strength<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Do not deny the power of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">The blessings:</span></b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">God will manifest truth to us by the power of the Holy Ghost. By the power of the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">You can know that Jesus Christ lives and is the Son of God by the power of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">God works by power according to the faith of His children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our gifts come from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God to us, for our profit. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A List of God’s Gifts to His Children: which are given by the Spirit of God:</i></b><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be able to teach the word of wisdom<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>b. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be able to teach the word of knowledge<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>c. Exceedingly great faith<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>d. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts of healing<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>e. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To work mighty miracles<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>f. The gift of prophecy: to be able to prophesy concerning all things<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>g. The beholding (or to see) of angels and ministering spirits<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>h. The gift to speak in all kinds of tongues (to know many languages)<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>i. The gift of interpretation (to be able to interpret and decipher different languages <br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and tongues<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">All these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus gives every man several gifts according to His will<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If we have faith, we can do all things which are expedient to Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If we build and establish Zion, we will no more be confounded<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If we build and establish Zion, the covenants of the Eternal Father, which He has made with us (O house of Israel) will all be fulfilled<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If we deny ourselves of all ungodliness, and if we love God with all our might, mind and strength, then His grace will be sufficient for us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">By Jesus’s grace we may become perfect in Him<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If by the grace of God we are perfect in Christ, we will not be able to deny the power of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">If by God’s grace we are perfect in Christ, and we don’t deny His power, then we will be sanctified in Christ by God’s grace, through the shedding of the blood of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">The atonement of Jesus Christ and the shedding of His blood is the covenant of the Father unto the remission of our sins, so that we can become holy and without spot<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Further Understanding:</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">All things that are good are just and true.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything that is good witnesses of Jesus Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">All good gifts come from the same God, our Father<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">These gifts are administered in different ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Without charity, you cannot be saved in the kingdom of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith, hope and charity prepare us for the kingdom of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despair comes from losing hope because of iniquity (either yours or someone else’s)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the power and gifts of God are done away among us, it is because of unbelief<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is even one person that does good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Our state will be terrible if we do away with godliness in our own lives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Moroni’s words and those of all the prophets proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God, to all generations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">The atonement of Jesus Christ and the shedding of His blood is the covenant of the Father unto the remission of our sins, so that we can become holy and without spot<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">God will show everyone that Moroni’s words (and the words of all the prophets) are true<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Moroni entered into his rest in the paradise of God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">Moroni has been resurrected<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">We will meet Moroni one day and be accountable for the light and truth that he’s imparted to us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;">We will also be resurrected and stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an accounting of how we accepted His words through His prophets</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;">Please read my post from an earlier Reading of Moroni 10: </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8581154860881867561/5443809816785309049" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I Would Exhort You.</a></p>Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-23661066312581606012019-09-11T10:00:00.000-07:002019-09-11T10:03:31.883-07:00Remembering is a Good Choice<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What is it that You Will Choose to Remember This Day? </h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfqFTzn_oNpnPK8GmSA8UYzKY2spgPnu75i6LyvM_38zm1R77BqGLFPR1MGTGaewYkza-p2h9YcJHqJ5OJiIejhyphenhyphenFHtToRkfMctw9CW4IWZxfRfU9AdAg8jpRn54SNIFzQYeVqtVxvuju/s1600/DSCN5519remember+squareS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfqFTzn_oNpnPK8GmSA8UYzKY2spgPnu75i6LyvM_38zm1R77BqGLFPR1MGTGaewYkza-p2h9YcJHqJ5OJiIejhyphenhyphenFHtToRkfMctw9CW4IWZxfRfU9AdAg8jpRn54SNIFzQYeVqtVxvuju/s320/DSCN5519remember+squareS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We all remember the scenes of devastation and sorrow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do we
remember the love? Do we remember the kindness? <br />Do we remember the humanity and
the selfless service <br />of those who gave their all to save a stranger? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After 9-11, individuals and families all across our nation
<br />chose to remember God and to remember Country. <br />Is that a choice for you today?
<br />Are you still attending your Church? <br />Are you still displaying your flag? <br />Do you
still have hope <br />for yourself, your children, and our Country? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance. <br />Are we
remembering to express gratitude to those we love, <br />to our family and friends?
<br />Are we remembering to show kindness to strangers? <br />Are we remembering to give
thanks, <br />praising God, and giving Him the glory? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can choose to see evil every day, <br />because it is here and
we can see it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can also choose to see love every day, <br />because it is here
and we can be a part of it. <br />We can create it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We clearly mean it when we say, “We will never forget.” <br />But
what exactly is it that we are choosing to remember. <br />Will our memories make a
difference to us? <br />Will our actions make a difference for others? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can’t forget the insidious actions of hatred <br />that have
taken innocent lives, on 9-11 and throughout history; <br />and how those cruel deeds
caused pain and damage <br />to loved ones that is ongoing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But do those actions make
a more indelible mark </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on our souls than the goodness that is witnessed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">during
those very times? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Light always shines through, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and our choices can make it
overpower the darkness </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in our own hearts, minds, and lives.<br />With that light,<br />we can make a difference in the lives of others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is the Light
of the World, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and it is only through remembering Him </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that we can experience
everlasting peace and everlasting life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He died for all humanity, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">our failures, our mistakes, and
even our hate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He lives for all of us, too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He is the Way. He is our Bread.
He is our salvation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Through Him our lives can again have meaning and
direction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With His love, He provided hope for all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His invitation is, “Come,
follow Me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do we remember to find ways to </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">recognize and remember God’s
kindness?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What will you choose to remember today? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A scripture verse:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the <br />rock of our Redeemer, <br />who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; <br />that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, <br />his shafts in the whirlwind, <br />yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, <br />it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, <br />which is a sure foundation, <br />a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Helaman 5:12</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A message from an apostle:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember?lang=eng">O Remember, Remember</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-54396557705901806732019-02-07T20:22:00.005-08:002019-02-07T20:37:06.194-08:00Joy Comes in the Morning<br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR9oUOOY0KRQvOgFil4w97bcRUeDmfWpYxPsQLPo74FDO2jaTet2BkHtXlyEJ8ZKXMih80eH1Yt6IiP-FgupgjfSsyLctsNcnP-bxUT7jG-yEmbSSXyz9W6um_IKvsOZlroCcEE8p0sEq/s1600/DSCN1894S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR9oUOOY0KRQvOgFil4w97bcRUeDmfWpYxPsQLPo74FDO2jaTet2BkHtXlyEJ8ZKXMih80eH1Yt6IiP-FgupgjfSsyLctsNcnP-bxUT7jG-yEmbSSXyz9W6um_IKvsOZlroCcEE8p0sEq/s400/DSCN1894S.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This life is indeed a period of testing. Like Mother Eve said, “Were
it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never
should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and
the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.11?lang=eng">Moses 5:11</a>).
Sometimes that testing really pushes us beyond what we believe our limits are. Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ are not impaired with limits or by
our limits; and, with Them we can experience joy in the morning; not just in
the millennial day, or in the resurrection, but every day (see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ps/30.5?lang=eng">Psalm 30:5</a> ). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last evening was full of pain and sorrow. It was also full of
faith and love. I'd like to thank the brother from the ward who came to give
my daughter a blessing along with her Dad. I'd like to thank the man in the lobby
of the ER, who saw my distress in the long wait for her to be admitted;
who asked if he could pray with me, then grabbed my hand and said a heart-felt
faithful prayer of hope and healing; and then he helped increase our faith by
sharing his testimony and personal experiences of deliverance found in Jesus
Christ and His word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'd like to thank
the many people who have blessed our lives and the lives of our children and
grandchildren with their goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
I would also like to thank the loud lady in the ER, who was distressed and
alone, and just wanted someone to share her grief, pain, and sorrow. In taking
the time to talk and pray with her, I had the opportunity to extend the Savior’s
faith and love to another, just as others had done for me and my family all
evening. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter was at that limit last night. Her pain was so severe.
And yet, because of the faith and love and kindness of those already mentioned
and all those others who are supporting us with their prayers; because of Jesus’s
infinite intercessory prayer, and because of our Father’s great love for all of
us, her burden was lightened, her pain was eased, and she found rest; long
before she was given the IV fluids with pain medication. <br />
<br />
I just finished reading President Nelson’s conference talk from October 1986.
What a hopeful message of joy he shared with his own family, to the members of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints</i>; and which is still being shared with anyone in the world who would
like to read it, who loves to find joy in the morning. Here’s the link: <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/10/joy-cometh-in-the-morning?lang=eng">Joy Cometh in the Mornin</a>g.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-62083237812293830912019-01-22T11:51:00.003-08:002019-01-22T12:23:06.844-08:00<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjOVlVRhjzGttaebBLtykw-Ip36zqZRXex58NmLglGhoVCbbA6QTVOec8nSG-dbasil1qOQ6MUQneOtzsA2uH4HgtP4cAgkirz2NO-f3IOiZwwgCVE3J8374b7DoU8758Lj5GG4nFE0fW/s1600/25+years.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTKuZXR0enEMc9hlCNNvU9m4P8Y5nnR74RZV2fwHJFRv3n1WaYIe3z1157g9ZEbBu8BDkqPZoW_5ejmYP54jjLmzen9WI2J6fhKGSGLHtuXMh8VJXd-uJbUu6FBlTsKmz7Zh0VR20o85F/s1600/25+yearsS.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTKuZXR0enEMc9hlCNNvU9m4P8Y5nnR74RZV2fwHJFRv3n1WaYIe3z1157g9ZEbBu8BDkqPZoW_5ejmYP54jjLmzen9WI2J6fhKGSGLHtuXMh8VJXd-uJbUu6FBlTsKmz7Zh0VR20o85F/s640/25+yearsS.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When Robby was born 25 years ago, our hearts were full of
joy and sadness. It is amazing to me how the Lord blesses us richly with both
simultaneously. We had looked forward to this treasured son with joyful
anticipation, and then we said goodbye to him with quiet and unrelenting grief.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Robby’s birth, and death; Robby’s life, his immortal soul
and spirit, richly blessed and solidified our family and our testimonies. His
few short days with us, growing in my womb and looking intently at us in the
hospital room were a testament of our Father’s love and goodness. Robby was an
angel sent from God to us, and he continues to be our angel child. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is our testimony that the hospital where Robby was born
and passed away was holy ground that day. His spirit was there. The Spirit of
the Lord was there. Ancestors (and probably posterity) were there. The love of the
Lord was felt strongly. The compassion or the hospital staff was remarkable.
Ward members surrounded us with love. The Spirit embraced us in love. There could have been no greater peace.
The Lord’s promises are sure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With empty arms, we went home. We learned to not keep
our arms empty, but to love our children here more; and to love all children
more. Life has become more precious and sweet. Whisperings from heaven have
become more treasured and sacred. Our goal to persevere and remain faithful has
become more solidified, because we want to be with Robby again, as we do with
all of our family members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Had Robby’s mission been to stay and grow to adulthood, he
would be turning 25 on 8 February 2018. Heavenly Father’s plan was for Robby to
return home to heaven. That temporary loss still saddens us at times, but we
have faith in our Father’s Plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year I would like to invite you to celebrate Robby’s
birth with us. It would me a lot to me if you do. I’m not asking you to donate
money to a charitable cause; but if that is what you choose to do, that is
wonderful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I’d like, as a gift to Robby and his parents and family
who have missed him, is for you to notice the children around you. Please think
of something special you can do for a child. Whether it is taking him or her sledding,
or baking cookies, or teaching him how to fly a kite, or reading a story with her;
please spend some time in February showing your love to children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life is precious. This life is short; but, eternity is our
promise. Love is everlasting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, Sweet Robby. </span></div>
<br />Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-56682129672893235792018-07-23T00:15:00.000-07:002018-07-23T00:47:17.039-07:00Sometimes It's Good to Let Go<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes It's Good to Let Go: Sunday Reflections<br /><br />I look back on my life, and I have led a pretty good life. I
have treated other people with kindness and given them the benefit of the
doubt. I have made my mistakes, certainly, but I have done what I can to make
things right and to seek forgiveness and be forgiving. I feel good about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There’s a lot of jealousy in this world, a lot of
nit-picking and grudge-holding. Life is much too short for that. It seems like
sometimes we must want someone else to pay for our hurts; and that is just so
unnecessary, because Jesus has already done that. That’s a good thing to
remember. Because Jesus paid for our mistakes already, we should be ready and
willing, quickly and frequently, to not ask payment from anyone else, but to
forgive those who we consider to be our debtors. We should stop keeping score
and free each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We continually are meeting new people, making associations,
and breaking connections, because we are moving, and learning and growing. Most
of the time, the people I’ve been close to have stayed near and dear and close
to my heart and I have to theirs as well. But time and distance do move us
apart sometimes, both in life and in death. That’s okay. We know that our
friendships and our family connections are intact, and when we see each other
again, we’ll pick up right where we left off, and continue writing our story
together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But those other relationships, what about those? I mean the
strained ones, those who are estranged from us. Sometimes, try as we might,
things seem beyond repair. Even if we have love in our hearts, their philosophy
may differ from ours. The best thing we can then do is take inventory of our
own selves. Are we honest with ourselves and before the Lord? Have we done what
is needful and necessary? Are we holding on to the good memories and keeping
those alive, instead of festering our wounds? I have found it helpful to
remember the good feelings associated with the memories of the good times had
together in the past. If it is impossible for us to have a relationship
currently, I can savor the past relationship in my memory and wait for the day when
things may again be restored. <br />
<br />
But I don’t have to force that. It’s a hard thing to accept our ability to be
whole without the acceptance and approval of some people in our lives. But with
the Lord, all things are possible. He is our help, our support, and our
salvation. It is only through Him that we are ever made whole. So trusting in
Him, in His timing, and in His loving care becomes the new focus of what is
needful and necessary. You can’t make someone think highly of you, nor should
you have to. And you don’t have to prove anyone wrong in order to feel right.
That kind of right is pride. Being right with the Lord is a quiet humility, and
something that I am going to diligently seek after. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are my thoughts at the end of this Sabbath day. They
have been helpful to me. I hope that they will be useful to someone else. <br />
<br />
Have a good week. Have a good life!</span></div>
<br />Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-12174374308543315132017-12-14T15:11:00.001-08:002017-12-14T15:13:16.228-08:00Take Time to Do What You Enjoy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please Read and respond: <br />
<br />
What do you enjoy doing? Are you taking the time to do it? Are you talking
about it and sharing your ideas with someone? Do you have the emotional support
and encouragement you need to follow your passions? Will you identify what you
need to do to be able to share and follow a dream, and enlist the help you need
to grasp it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all face obstacles,
but let's have a little more faith in ourselves and each other. Our talents and
gifts far outweigh our inabilities and deficits. Let's not let anxiety and fear
cripple us. Let's allow love and anticipation to motivate us. With God's help,
and with the sustaining support we can and should give each other, we will
not only be able to walk; we will soar!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's give this
Christmas gift to ourselves and to each other, continuously. In so
doing, we will become happier, more fulfilled; and be able to light
the world with the love of God, with an increased confidence in our ability to
serve Him and each other.<br /><br /><br /><i>Give yourself a gift. Take time to do what you enjoy, and #LighttheWorld.</i></span></span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-86775153734718877722017-06-28T22:13:00.000-07:002017-06-28T22:36:30.652-07:00Jesus is Nigh You, and His Arm is Sufficient<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up with words from this song going through my head,
not the words from beginning to end, but key phrases that were an important
message for me today. I love how the Lord does that for us. So, of course, I
googled a phrase, and the song magically appeared.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/the-time-is-far-spent?lang=eng">The Time is Far Spent</a></h4>
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The time is far spent; there is little remaining</div>
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To publish glad tidings by sea and by land. </div>
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Then hasten, ye heralds; go forward proclaiming: </div>
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Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand,</div>
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Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand.</div>
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Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,</div>
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But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.</div>
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Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,</div>
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Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,</div>
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Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.</div>
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What, tho, if the favor of Ahman possessing,</div>
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This world’s bitter hate you are called to endure?</div>
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The angels are waiting to crown you with blessings!</div>
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Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.</div>
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Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.</div>
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Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will
try you;</div>
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The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.</div>
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Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;</div>
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His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.</div>
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His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose. </div>
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(Eliza R. Snow)</div>
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All of us are dealing with trials. All of us. None of them
feel like little afflictions. I’m sure Eliza R. Snow, of all people, new that.
But then there’s the perspective of the song. We were made to endure the glory
also, not just the afflictions. And even in our present trials, God will allow
us to feel some of that now. We experience the bitter, and at the same time, we
cherish the sweet so much more. <br />
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And the Lord has promised us that we do not have to serve him alone; we do not
have to combat the hatred or mocking or even the misunderstandings of others
alone; we do not have to face the demons of this world, or even our own
personal demons alone. It matters little that Satan knows the weight of our
callings when we remember that Jesus knows us better and he loves us perfectly
and knows how to succor and sustain us fully and proportionately to what is
necessary for our needs and growth at the time we need added sustenance. His perfect Light will expel all darkness, even if currently only feel a respite. </div>
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This I believe and know. Jesus lived for me, He suffered for
me, He died for me, and He lives for me again. Because of what He has done for
me, because of what He has done for you, He knows us intimately, our weaknesses
and our strengths; and, it is His good pleasure to be our Friend and Companion
as we remember Him and cry unto Him to be our support; and turn unto Him in our
sorrows and our fears, and our joys and successes. </div>
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When we feel like we have been tried beyond our mortal capacity, we
need to remember that if we are in partnership with Him, nothing is impossible.
He has said, "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and
on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round
about you, to bear you up (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84.88?lang=eng#p87">Doctrine and Covenants 84:88</a>)." So when you need
to be carried, bury yourself in His bosom, and He will carry you and heal you in His own way and time,
and allow you slowly to become like Him. </div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-82080641750510708472017-04-15T09:30:00.000-07:002017-04-15T09:31:37.815-07:00Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYSPkOmCy07lSR9lvvbXo5TipbPgAmtClpqa6oyVXuze5ZHFcIfwxS5uGOHt2wBVY2S_9rWeADxl7L4T4i0XtvYuKFELHnj3Ba4YkMLZTVTyXtK0B2SdxRBL3X9oUzQVyXUGOr8_yJ-B1/s1600/15+Faith+in+Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYSPkOmCy07lSR9lvvbXo5TipbPgAmtClpqa6oyVXuze5ZHFcIfwxS5uGOHt2wBVY2S_9rWeADxl7L4T4i0XtvYuKFELHnj3Ba4YkMLZTVTyXtK0B2SdxRBL3X9oUzQVyXUGOr8_yJ-B1/s320/15+Faith+in+Jesus.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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I have thought a lot lately about Faith. There is little meaning in the word itself until it is placed in something else. People may hope for many things, and even put their trust in many things; but, unless they practice faith in something that is true and everlasting, they may very well be disappointed. <br />
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The First Principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is <i>Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ</i>. Faith in Jesus means everything to me. He is my Creator, my Friend, my Exemplar, and my Redeemer. Through practiced faith in Him, I feel rewarded by the presence of His Spirit. His kindness is truly the Bread of Life to all of us. <br />
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Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always rewarding. As we make covenants with Him, we have this promise: that if we always remember Him, we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I know this is true. He is true and faithful. We can count on His word every time. <br />
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As a child, I was taught to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. We prayed as a family, and each night I prayed at my bedside. I passed this tradition of Faith in God and His Son on to my children. Our childhoods were also filled with Primary songs which taught Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have also made it a habit of reading the Word of God as found in the scriptures and the testimonies of the prophets and apostles. These things are important. We have the promise, from Jesus, that the Holy Ghost will give us those things that we need in the very hour that we need them. I’ve seen that happen time and time again. Practicing Faith in the Lord on a daily basis gives us a store of spiritual fortitude that will bless us in our times of need. <br />
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Letting go of our Faith in Jesus Christ leaves us in great peril. When we only trust in our own strength and wisdom, we soon find that we are left to ourselves to reap the devastation of the trials we choose to face alone. Often in this state, we are humbled and again choose to feel the Savior’s love, whose arm in stretched out still, forever reaching for us; and if we reach for Him, we experience immediately His grace and kindness. <br />
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As we experience the Savior’s love, our trust in Him will grow, and our faith in Him will increase. When this happens, a growing and abiding love will develop as we begin to realize all that He has done for us, all that we mean to Him, and all that He is coming to mean to us. <br />
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I know He lives. I know He loves me, and He loves you. He is not partial in His love. He is not condemning in His reaching. His reproof is a blessing to us all, as He knows us and loves us, and His desire is to give us all that He and His Father have and enjoy. Through Him we all have life, and through Him we may all live eternally with Him and with our Father. <br />
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At this Easter season, as our hearts are drawn to Him in gratitude for the gift that He has given us, may we give to Him the gift of greater faith in Him. Happy Easter.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 3:30)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son <br /><br />1. God loved us, so he sent his Son,<br /> Christ Jesus, the atoning One,<br /> To show us by the path he trod<br /> The one and only way to God.<br /><br />2. He came as man, though Son of God,<br /> And bowed himself beneath the rod.<br /> He died in holy innocence,<br /> A broken law to recompense.<br /><br />3. Oh, love effulgent, love divine!<br /> What debt of gratitude is mine,<br /> That in his off'ring I have part<br /> And hold a place within his heart.<br /><br />4. In word and deed he doth require<br /> My will to his, like son to sire,<br /> Be made to bend, and I, as son,<br /> Learn conduct from the Holy One.<br /><br />5. This sacrament doth represent<br /> His blood and body for me spent.<br /> Partaking now is deed for word<br /> That I remember him, my Lord.<br /><br />Text: Edward P. Kimball<br /> Music: Alexander Schreiner</span>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-70316619240503991732017-03-18T09:13:00.002-07:002017-03-20T07:10:13.668-07:00Combating Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones<br />
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I am a part-time missionary at the Redlands Mission Office. Since I work among valiant young missionaries, and because we’ve sent children on missions and been involved as ward and stake missionaries; and since I have personally felt the taxation of worries, anxiety, frustration, and depression, I would like to share some thoughts concerning personal revival and restoration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Redlands Mission Office</td></tr>
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As missionaries, as parents of missionaries, as students, as employees, as children, as parents, we all have to deal with many challenges. As sons and daughters of God our Heavenly Father, and as recipients of the benefits of the Atonement of His Son Jesus Christ, we have been greatly equipped to face these challenges; but we must remember that we cannot do it alone. The Lord is always there, and the Lord has given us many helpers. We should not discount any of them. <br />
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First off, I want to express that emotions are normal. Do not be harsh with yourself because you have feelings. Our Father is <b><i>not</i></b> a God who is without body, parts, or passions; and, we are created in His image and endowed with His traits. Jesus certainly was not exempt from emotions. He carried with Him a great weight in being the Savior of the World. He was known as “A Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/53.3?lang=eng#p2">See Isaiah 53:3</a>) If we are to become like Him, can we expect to not have seasons when we are also affected by these emotions? Yet, He is there to offer us relief. <br />
<br />
Because Jesus carried the weight of the world, you do not have to. <br />
<br />
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/11.28-30?lang=eng#p27">Matthew 11:28-30</a>). <br />
<br />
What did Jesus do when He felt overwhelmed, when He was tired and drawn out, when the cares of the day rested heavily upon Him? He went by Himself apart in a mountain area to pray (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.23?lang=eng#p22">See Matthew 14:23</a>). After spending the day feeding everyone else, Jesus also needed spiritual nourishment and renewal; and He went to His Father to obtain it. <br />
<br />
While we cannot always physically go to a mountaintop or attend a temple, we can always go spiritually and mentally there as we direct our thoughts and the longings of our hearts to the Lord. <br />
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Now Satan wants to cause us great grief and discouragement. I know that especially in my young life, he worked mightily to make me think improper thoughts and to dissuade me from faith and from joy. He still is at his mischief with all of us. He sits back and watches and assesses our weaknesses, and then it is his delight to tempt us and to try us based on those. He even did so with the Savior. <br />
<br />
When Jesus was tired, hungry, and spent from forty days of fasting and being with God, Satan came to dissuade him from His purpose. Have you seen that in your own lives? Spiritual work is physically taxing. It is important to analyze carefully our Saviors actions (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/4?lang=eng">See Matthew Chapter 4</a>).<br />
<br />
Because Jesus was hungry, Satan tempted Him to make stones into bread. What did Jesus do? He quoted scripture!<br />
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“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).<br />
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Because Jesus was the Son of God, Satan tempted Him with the improper use of power. What did Jesus do? He quoted scripture!<br />
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“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7). <br />
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Then Satan tempted Jesus with riches and glory. What did Jesus do? He rebuked Satan, and He quoted scripture!<br />
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“Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). <br />
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Then in verse 11, a great blessing followed:<br />
<br />
“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”<br />
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Moroni expresses the importance of remaining faithful in order to receive blessings. In the examples above, we witness Jesus being faithful three times. We know that He had to be faithful more often than that, and so do we. We may have to repeat over and over the same actions to show to ourselves and to the Lord that we are faithful. <br />
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“And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.6?lang=eng">Ether 12:6</a>). <br />
<br />
My daughter who is currently serving a mission was promised by our Stake President that angels from her own family would be there to assist her at times. I believe that this blessing is valid for all of us as we remain faithful to the covenants we make and as we practice our faith in the Lord through humility, desire, and obedience. <br />
<br />
Even more importantly, we are promised by the Savior that if we always remember Him, we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The Sacrament Prayers are an important thing for us to remember and review, not only on the Sabbath days, but whenever we need to draw on the blessings of the Atonement. (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/4.1-3?lang=eng">See Moroni chapters 4</a> <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/5?lang=eng">and 5</a>)<br />
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Second then, we must remember that our thoughts are powerful things. Though they may be persistent, we must do want we can to control them and to think proper thoughts. We can be more persistent than our thoughts. Again, we do not have to be alone in this, but should welcome the help of family, friends, therapists, medical staff, and most importantly the Lord. Our thoughts have the greatest influence on our emotions, our actions, and our reactions. <br />
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In <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/prov/23.7?lang=eng#p6">Proverbs 3:7</a>, we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” <br />
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Why is that? Because our thoughts determine our feelings, our attitudes, our actions, and even our faith. Our thoughts can lift us up or drag us down. But, we can follow the Lord’s example and turn to the Lord’s servants for direction. <br />
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How about this primary song? <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/hum-your-favorite-hymn?lang=eng">Hum Your Favorite Hymn</a><br />
<br />
1. If on occasion you have found<br />
<br />
Your language is in question,<br />
<br />
Or ugly thoughts come to your mind,<br />
<br />
Then here's a good suggestion.<br />
<br />
Chorus: Just hum your favorite hymn,<br />
<br />
Sing out with vigor and vim,<br />
<br />
And you will find it clears your mind.<br />
<br />
Hum your favorite hymn.<br />
<br />
2. Before you say an angry word,<br />
<br />
Remember you'll regret it,<br />
<br />
For once it's said the harm is done,<br />
<br />
And some folks won't forget it.<br />
<br />
Words: Marilyn Price Adams<br />
<br />
Music: K. Newell Dayley<br />
<br />
<br />
This song was inspired by a talk given by Elder Boyd K. Packer entitled, “<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1973/10/inspiring-music-worthy-thoughts?lang=eng">Inspiring Music—Worthy Thoughts</a>.”<br />
<br />
In this talk, Elder Packer said this,<br />
<br />
"I want to tell you young people about one way you can learn to control your thoughts, and it has to do with music…<br />
<br />
"This is what I would teach you. Choose from among the sacred music of the Church a favorite hymn, one with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes you feel something akin to inspiration. Remember President Lee’s counsel; perhaps “I Am A Child of God” would do. Go over it in your mind carefully. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training, you can think through a hymn.<br />
<br />
"Now, use this hymn as the place for your thoughts to go. Make it your emergency channel. Whenever you find these shady actors have slipped from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your mind, put on this record, as it were.<br />
<br />
"As the music begins and as the words form in your thoughts, the unworthy ones will slip shamefully away. It will change the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because it is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will disappear. For while virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of light.<br />
<br />
"In due time you will find yourself, on occasion, humming the music inwardly. As you retrace your thoughts, you discover some influence from the world about you encouraged an unworthy thought to move on stage in your mind, and the music almost automatically began."<br />
<br />
I know that this may sound oversimplified to someone who is suffering anxiety or depression, but I think that it applies to all of us. This counsel was given by an Apostle of the Lord. By sharing this, I am not at all suggesting that you try to go it alone. We have many helpers in this world who are blessed with much light, knowledge, and truth. When help is offered us in a righteous way, and we are following the Spirit, we should accept help. <br />
<br />
When I was young and I was trying my very hardest to think appropriate thoughts and do appropriate things, I found that while Satan could not reach me during the day, he would try to do so in my dreams at night. This is frightening, and I hope that it is not happening to you. But I do have some suggestions. <br />
<br />
My suggestions are the same as those above. <br />
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Missionaries are especially busy doing the Lord’s work all day long. I would suspect that those who are dealing with fearful thoughts, or who are experiencing anxiety, frustration, or depression, may have the heaviest load during their nighttime preparations, in restless sleep, or during their waking hours. <br />
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So before you go to bed and when you wake up, make sure that you have a devotional time that you spend with the Lord in prayer and in positive memorization and self-talk. If you are working on memorizing hymns and scriptures, and if you are developing an “I can” attitude, you will feel more secure and healthful. <br />
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During your personal scripture study, pay attention to those verses that strike you as important and work on memorizing them early in the morning and before you go to bed. Do the same thing with the hymns that bring you peace. I am working on doing this myself; because I want more peace and joy in my own life. <br />
<br />
These are the first ones that I am going to work on. Your list may be different. Let the Spirit guide your choices. <br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/6.9-13?lang=eng#p8">The Lord’s Prayer</a></i></b> <br />
<b><i><br /><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ps/23?lang=eng">The 23rd Psalm</a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/lead-kindly-light?lang=eng">Lead, Kindly Light</a> </i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/the-lord-is-my-light?lang=eng"><i>The Lord is my Light</i></a></b><br />
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I would suggest that you read and sing aloud, even if at times it is in a whisper. Your own voice will become a voice of comfort as you hear the encouraging words of scripture and hymns, and your will build confidence in your own abilities to draw upon good and uplifting thoughts. <br />
<br />
As your choices become memorized and familiar, and you are finding that these reassurances are automatic to you when you need them, add a new verse and a new hymn to your morning and evening devotionals, and keep it up. You will have a repertoire of sacred personal material always available to drawn on for personal strength. <br />
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Also, allow yourself to have joy in your successes. Ammon did (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/26?lang=eng">See Alma 26</a>).<br />
<br />
“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/26.16?lang=eng#p15">Alma 26:16</a>). <br />
<br />
That brings me to gladness. Eleonar H. Porter teaches us much about gladness in <b><i>Pollyanna</i></b>. Pollyanna really wanted to receive a doll for Christmas; but, all that was in the missionary barrel for her was a pair crutches. Pollyanna’s dad taught her to look on the bright side of things. She developed the <b><i>Glad Game</i></b> and soon transformed not only herself, but her whole community. <br />
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We are told, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments” (Doctrine and Covenants 59: 21). <br />
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Gratitude is that important. We need to express it in order to gain God’s favor. <br />
<br />
The Lord gives us this promise, “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/78.19?lang=eng#p18">Doctrine and Covenants 78:19</a>). <br />
<br />
So with your devotions to your Heavenly Father take the time to express your gratitude. You may need to do this both in your prayers and in your journal. Make sure that you express gratitude to others as well. Gratitude will make you feel lighter and it will transform you into a delightful person.<br />
<br />
Finally, do not condemn yourself because of your weaknesses. The Lord would not want that. He is always there for us, with His hand stretched out still. His desire is always our ultimate happiness and success; and He is there to help us achieve that as we turn to Him!<br />
<br />
“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.27?lang=eng">Ether 12:27</a>). <br />
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My prayers are with you this day, my dear brothers and sisters. May you find the peace and comfort and rest that you seek. And may your service bring you joy! Treasure up those things that you will need to draw on. They will be a blessing to you, and you will feel assured as you obtain this promise and witness from the Lord:<br />
<br />
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.<br />
<br />
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.26-27?lang=eng#p25">John 14:26-27</a>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEqSAksUqUpXwBzHEx6wouX-oymTQuCLsPOpAoBP93U40Z_gZDa7FQG1RDEPuNPTcyF6zDKzmuw7_NjDeIK2tjDZoZ9bKcIozlTwb-sp-FLcnPeqDi0ZWG51wjSb0GvvyiUYRrqRBSQbs/s1600/DSCN5648S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEqSAksUqUpXwBzHEx6wouX-oymTQuCLsPOpAoBP93U40Z_gZDa7FQG1RDEPuNPTcyF6zDKzmuw7_NjDeIK2tjDZoZ9bKcIozlTwb-sp-FLcnPeqDi0ZWG51wjSb0GvvyiUYRrqRBSQbs/s320/DSCN5648S.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Peace Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInKEgprxB4jPxIq1btsYOLpetgCXRyLnIkoQVE-4mqKNx4SkREidWb9z0um21DJl7pJU4w4CBd3z3UHMqTInxiWCKJdclevKuOVR33w4wFebPpo489spHAE3-MEhXq_9KLV2iKQSDBwPT/s1600/%255B000274%255DaS.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
I must add one more important verse. Because after all we can do, we must let go and put our trust fully in the Lord. This one is found in <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123.17?lang=eng#p16">Doctrine and Covenants 123:17</a>:<br />
<br /><i><b>"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."</b></i><br />
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-54438098167853090492017-01-05T18:16:00.000-08:002017-01-06T19:16:31.541-08:00I Would Exhort You: Guidance Found in Moroni Chapter 10<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I finished reading <i>The
Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ </i>last night. This book I
have read multiple times. When I read Moroni chapter 9 a couple of days ago, I
felt the Spirit of truth with me as I read, perhaps in anticipation of Moroni’s
promise in chapter 10; perhaps because we still have hope even though we are
living in troubled times like Moroni did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsy43O-191cjz-QcBlV5s6cLhEJi7gRGmKNiaFI_aWezlLBUkOyF9-B1LD8dN6PiBu7yQ-OLBEYB5RHSQ9X2TN7jXfdIN7bMrSWPwdsaqwlOupGre36SBkiKQr8RgAGD0LNy6wkxdLfi7/s1600/05+exhort.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsy43O-191cjz-QcBlV5s6cLhEJi7gRGmKNiaFI_aWezlLBUkOyF9-B1LD8dN6PiBu7yQ-OLBEYB5RHSQ9X2TN7jXfdIN7bMrSWPwdsaqwlOupGre36SBkiKQr8RgAGD0LNy6wkxdLfi7/s400/05+exhort.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Members of <i>The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints </i>are keenly aware of Moroni’s promise:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
3 Behold, <b><i>I would exhort you</i></b> that
when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember
how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the
creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things,
and ponder it in your hearts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">4 And when ye shall receive
these things, <b><i>I would exhort you</i></b> that ye would ask God, the Eternal
Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye
shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent,
having faith in Christ, he
will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the
Holy Ghost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"> </a> 5 And
by the power of the Holy Ghost ye <br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;">may know the truth of all things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have put these words to the test and know that they are
true; and we like to share them with others, so they can also pray and know for
themselves. They are important verses. They are so important that Moroni uses
the word <b><i>exhort</i></b>. In other words, he strongly urges, petitions,
admonishes, perhaps even begs us to give heed. We need to remember that he is
not writing to his family and friends; they have all been lost in battle. He is
writing to the descendants of his enemies; and he is writing to us, here and
now in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century.<br />
<br />
In these few verses, Moroni has a strong desire that we will read his words and
the words of the other writers found in <i>The
Book of Mormon. </i>He hopes that we will have gained an understanding of God’s
love for us and feel His mercy in providing us with these sacred truths. He
petitions us to pray, to ask our Heavenly Father in the name of His Son Jesus
Christ, and that if we do so with faith in Them, we will receive an answer to
our query through the power of the Holy Ghost, as He warms our hearts and
speaks peace to our souls. He then lets us know that this is a pattern by which
we can discern all truth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">That’s wonderful. This is true. But it is not the end of
Moroni’s testimony to us, nor is it the end of his exhortation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night I continued reading the chapter with the familiar
verses about God’s goodness and our need to develop faith, hope, and charity.
But when I read verse 30, I had to pause. I looked up the cross reference to
“touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.” I then looked back at the
earlier verses to gain context. A careful reading of the entire chapter is most
beneficial. I would <i>exhort</i> you to
read it. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/10?lang=eng">Read Moroni Chapter 10</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In verses 6 and 7, Moroni establishes that things that are
good are also just and true, and that every good thing testifies of Jesus. He
then reminds us that we can know of Christ’s existence and goodness through the
power of the Holy Ghost, and that this requires faith on our part. Here’s
another admonition:<br />
<br /> <b><i>I would exhort you</i></b> that
ye deny not the power of God (vs </span><span style="font-size: large;">7).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Moroni wants us to believe in Jesus and in our Heavenly Father. He wants us to believe that the Holy Ghost still speaks to the hearts of men and leads them to truth. He knows that we are on shaky ground if we deny this. He reminds us that God loves us today as well as He loved His children in former days. That God does not change and that His truth remains.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We receive a new exhortation in verse 8:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 1.8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">8 And again,
<b><i>I
exhort you</i></b>, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God,
for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there
are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the
same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of
the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 1.8pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We live in a day of unbelief, yet Moroni tells us to be
believing. In verses 9-18, Moroni specifies certain spiritual gifts. In verse
17, he tells us:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">17 And all these gifts come by
the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he
will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The gifts are from Jesus, and He is the One who gives them
to us at His discretion. They are given to bless us, and we use them in turn to
bless others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In verse 18, we have a new call to action:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">18 And <b><i>I would exhort you</i></b>, my
beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh
of Christ.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We cannot take personal credit. We need to be humble. We
need to remember from whence and whom our blessings come. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In verse 19, he reiterates that God does not change and that
His gifts will ever be with those who are believing and faithful:</span></div>
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19 And <b><i>I would exhort you</i></b>, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that
he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these
gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away,
even as long as the world shall stand, only according to
the unbelief of the children of men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In verses 20-30, Moroni expounds on the need for us to have
faith, hope, and charity. As we exercise these principles, the gifts of God
will be abundant in our lives. If we do not feel the power of the Gifts of the
Spirit in our lives, it is because of our own unbelief. We need to be equipped
with faith, hope, and charity in order to have God’s plan of happiness unfolded
to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And since we are still changeable beings, Moroni asks us to
keep our memory of these things constantly fresh in our minds and in our
hearts. If we forget and deny these things, it does not make them any less
true, but it will work to our condemnation. Moroni’s words in verse 27:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">27 And <b><i>I exhort you</i></b> to remember
these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not,
for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did
I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like
as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of
the dust? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here is verse 30, the verse that gave me pause:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">30 And again <b><i>I
would exhort</i></b> you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold
upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor
the unclean thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entire <i>Book of
Mormon</i> serves as an invitation for all to come unto Christ and be perfected
in Him. How fitting that Moroni would conclude his message to us with this same
invitation. We are invited to accept Jesus and to accept His Gospel and His
redemption, and to not look for another. We do not need to modify Perfection’s
order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Touch not the unclean gift” led me to this reference: <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/18.19?lang=eng#18">2 Nephi 18:19</a>:</span></div>
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And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar
spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto
their God for the living to hear from the dead?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then in <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.6">John 14:6</a>, we read:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moroni <i>exhorts</i> us
to remember that. We have the scriptures, and we have the prophets. We have the
restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not need to look beyond the mark by
trying to add elements or new guidelines to God’s Plan or to Christ’s Good
News. Seeking to change the gospel to suit special interests or dissuasions we
may feel may very well be touching the unclean gift and the unclean things. In
our limited vision, let us trust Them who are perfect to support us perfectly
through the sacred principles and ordinances of the gospel. Let us develop
faith in Them and increase in faith, hope, and charity, relying upon the
witness of the Holy Ghost and the Gifts of the Spirit to bring the enhancement
into our lives that will bless and prosper us and make us ready for that great
day when we stand before Them, saved through the goodness and grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This last admonition is for all of us. We need to be on
guard. We need to be vigilant. We need to hold strong to the very tenets of our
faith, to the Doctrine of Christ. We can do it. The Lord has provided the way, if we wake up and stay
alert. Closing verses:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">31 And <i>awake, and arise</i>
from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter
of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy
borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the
covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of
Israel, may be fulfilled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">32 Yea, <i>come unto
Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all
ungodliness</i>; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness,
and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his
grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in
Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise
deny the power of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">33 And again, if ye by the
grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are
ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of
the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the
remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">34 And now I
bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in
the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall
again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to
meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the
Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.<br /><br />(Italics added)</span></div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-20355769451350445562016-12-15T10:37:00.001-08:002016-12-15T10:37:16.743-08:00Christmas is a Season of Lights<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lighting of the Arrowhead: December 2 through 15, 2016</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjAf58NYmcdR8seD7rBAYbhk_hRyrMf-1TU78Fz5ABA-jNuuEYsMCsnikXmdgmN9y0QtSm9bmHA5KcsAleDDMw3bn8OKXt3vJqJ59B0uxyk6X4n4qA-nCfSwrQIoqhC6svQcbfYLpwndB/s1600/DSCN7519Souls2.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjAf58NYmcdR8seD7rBAYbhk_hRyrMf-1TU78Fz5ABA-jNuuEYsMCsnikXmdgmN9y0QtSm9bmHA5KcsAleDDMw3bn8OKXt3vJqJ59B0uxyk6X4n4qA-nCfSwrQIoqhC6svQcbfYLpwndB/s320/DSCN7519Souls2.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmastime is a Season of Lights as well as it should be since Jesus is the Giver of Light: and He has given of His light to every human soul.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At Christmastime, I feel certain that He is pleased that we share light with each other, and it’s His hope that we always will.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are those who would like to destroy light and thwart the spread of His Good News. We've seen that in terrorist activity throughout the world. But His light cannot be dimmed nor destroyed. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ci.san-bernardino.ca.us/about/history/the_arrowhead.asp" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Legend of the Arrowhead</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a natural landmark very close to where I live in San Bernardino. “This important landmark has for centuries been a symbol of the San Bernardino Valley to the Native Americans and then to the pioneers and settlers that followed…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Many legends exist about the Arrowhead. The most ancient legend, perhaps, is one handed down from the Native Americans. The story goes that the Great Spirit had an arrow, which, like the Israelite's Pillar of Fire, was to guide them to the spot where they were to live. The Great Spirit having selected the place, fixed the arrow to mark it forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It has been said that Native Americans who inhabited the San Bernardino Valley believed that the Arrowhead pointed the way to the hot springs below, with healing qualities, and thus considered it holy ground. Through the years, numerous forest fires have caused some erosion. However, the Arrowhead landmark continues to preserve its uniqueness and remains a symbol of the 'pioneer spirit' of the San Bernardino Valley.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.sanmanuel.com/news/lighting-%E2%80%98-arrowhead%E2%80%99-remembrance-dec-2-tragedy" style="font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lighting the Arrowhead</a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A year ago, an extremist couple brutally attacked citizens of San Bernardino as they were attending a company Christmas party. Unfortunately, fourteen lives were snuffed out prematurely. But their memories live on in and through their loved ones, and their souls continue on through Jesus Christ as they wait for the glorious Resurrection Day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year the San Manuel Tribe in San Bernardino chose to honor these fourteen men and women by lighting the Arrowhead. How appropriate a representation of life is light! For fourteen nights in a row, we can see the arrowhead lit up in the night sky honoring these people, and honoring the Father of Lights. I hope that it will become a Christmas tradition, to honor those whose lives have been taken and to honor the Light of Christ in all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I chose to post this picture because the lights look like crosses.<br />And to me, those crosses represent hope in the midst of chaos. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3qs9q2lwxTDB4dWP3zq8gqz8B4xxDDSbZ8520pf0tCmkJElQN2RUZiuAlo6W1P8_rc1HagoA5ygIYPJJcz8Xwq4l7DOw20T21XjbkNQMtl05tQt3ow_kQ7goLHkJDsPEZimW90Tr0cOH/s1600/DSCN7533S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3qs9q2lwxTDB4dWP3zq8gqz8B4xxDDSbZ8520pf0tCmkJElQN2RUZiuAlo6W1P8_rc1HagoA5ygIYPJJcz8Xwq4l7DOw20T21XjbkNQMtl05tQt3ow_kQ7goLHkJDsPEZimW90Tr0cOH/s320/DSCN7533S.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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The Arrowhead and the Moon shining above the city of San Bernardino, California.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo0LW8CQICugHwfv2cS94PbU_ntx2voxPQ_QiZARqNSdB-Lu032VCCsa4ggic8EZX3fCZn5uQIYxX8dhmnnuaIYuERtLSNa7pYZshGwtQh8vudzjhXM6o2JfhV1lPGBmZ_rpUD8EHnT4g/s1600/DSCN7531S.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo0LW8CQICugHwfv2cS94PbU_ntx2voxPQ_QiZARqNSdB-Lu032VCCsa4ggic8EZX3fCZn5uQIYxX8dhmnnuaIYuERtLSNa7pYZshGwtQh8vudzjhXM6o2JfhV1lPGBmZ_rpUD8EHnT4g/s320/DSCN7531S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/3.16-17?lang=eng">For God So Loved the World, that He Gave His Only Begotten Son</a></div>
</div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-81695059907759260022016-11-23T11:27:00.000-08:002016-11-23T15:30:42.112-08:00Managing our Demands with our Resources<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Managing our Demands with our Resources</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnqqQQuu8k4BiJ2Ke1Df4B-D1fj7ILmYgDTGOA9S0t0yOqN_n2u8VjFPQS1IXOq2HdJEKup1jT0IgtKLjPuGOaTviTf1bQOt0uSFurGkKGkXr0CIGO7ygkkZ2k9a2ZDWwQ0Qsn0tlgfHl/s1600/balance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnqqQQuu8k4BiJ2Ke1Df4B-D1fj7ILmYgDTGOA9S0t0yOqN_n2u8VjFPQS1IXOq2HdJEKup1jT0IgtKLjPuGOaTviTf1bQOt0uSFurGkKGkXr0CIGO7ygkkZ2k9a2ZDWwQ0Qsn0tlgfHl/s320/balance.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> In our busy lives, we are constantly engaging in a balancing act. How well we do this highly depends upon active assessment and personal self-control. We have many roles to play and many responsibilities, plus many interests that also vie for our attention. In other words, there are demands. Sometimes it can be overwhelming for us, which might leave us with a feeling of helplessness. But that need not be so. <br /><br />Demands are just part of the picture. We need to remember that in this balancing act, we also have resources; and, they are many. That is why active assessment and self-control become a vital part of balancing. If we only feel the weight of our demands, then we may blind-side ourselves to the many resources available to us. <br /><br />So we can begin by making a list of our demands and a list of our resources. This may be the last thing that we feel like doing, because it only feels like one more demand on our time. But that’s not the case. If we allow ourselves this few minutes of planning time, this assessment activity will empower us and give us more time to meet our demands successfully, instead of desperately or despairingly. <br /><br />One way that writing a list of resources can be most beneficial is that we will see we are not alone, and we will find that we do not need to face our challenges alone. In other words, the Lord is our greatest resource and He will help us, and we can be guided through His Holy Spirit as we turn to Him and ask Him to be our Partner. We will also find that we have support in our spouses and family members and in our friends. As we properly engage each other towards common goals, we will find that our burdens or the weight of our demands will become significantly lighter and far easier to manage. <br /><br />When we still feel out of balance, we probably are. So what can we do? What is necessary for us to do? Yes, this will also require more assessment. That’s okay. We should be happy to get to know ourselves and to value ourselves enough to make our own lives happier and more pleasant. <br /><br />When we find that balance is still lacking, we need to shuffle through our demands to see what is most important. It may very well be that we find that we are carrying unnecessary demands. We need to reduce unnecessary demands either by eliminating them or setting them aside for a more appropriate time in our lives. In that way, we will not feel so weighed down, and we will have increased capacity to carry our necessary demands and fulfill them with greater success. <br /><br />There is another important thing that we can do to find the balance we need. Not only can we reduce unnecessary demands; we can also increase our resources. What are the desired resources that we want in order to meet the demands that we have? Are they available? How can we enlist them? Sometimes, this is as simple as asking someone else for help or giving ourselves time for a restful reprieve. Sometimes, this may require some active learning and hard work, so that we build a new reservoir of available resources in newly gained knowledge and ability. Of course, if this is the case, then we do need to set aside other demands for later, or enlist others for help with those demands, or to allow them the privilege of carrying them for a time. <br /><br />We need to remember that we all need renewal. The Lord knew that. He gave us the Sabbath day for that. What a great resource. We can set aside many of our particularly draining demands for one day in every week and refuel ourselves. Then we can meet those demands with the promise that we will always have His spirit to be with us if we always remember Him. The very faith that we actively engage in on the Sabbath day provides us with rich renewal and should be considered as a most valuable and incomparable resource. As we sing hymns together, pray and worship, teach, instruct, discuss, and learn, we are strengthened and renewed to meet the challenges of the week. <br /><br />And then there is the Gift of the Atonement. As we seek the Lord’s approval, acceptance, and forgiveness through the covenants we renew in partaking of the Sacrament, we can be forgiven of our sins and blessed with his Spirit. In other words, He will help us carry our burdens and lighten our loads; our demands will not feel so heavy because He is by our side as our most valuable resource. <br /><br />Balance is important. Anyone who has ridden a bicycle knows that. And balance takes a certain amount of vigilance or steadfastness. Steadiness in our life will help us to feel calmer and more in control. As we work to achieve the balance that is necessary in our lives, we will see that we are becoming more constant people with emotions that are kept in check, instead of having highs that are too high and lows that are too low. As we seek to manage both our demands and our resources, we will find that we are far better equipped to serve the Lord, to serve our fellowmen, and to feel greater peace and joy in our lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This post was inspired by President and Sister Dixon as they taught in a Zone Conference in San Bernardino, California, for the Latter-day Saint Missionaries who are serving there on 22 November 2016. </span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span>Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-19015171671598986272016-11-10T18:45:00.001-08:002016-12-15T09:42:52.807-08:00Life is Not Static, But Love and Devotion Can Be. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have felt true joy in my life, and I have felt real
sadness and even anguish. I will tell you that the joy has come from
associations with friends and family; through serving, loving and getting to
know people. Even with sadness, and anguish felt in losses, I have still been able
to be comforted when I have turned to the Lord, because He delivers peace and
sustains us through each hour that we are in need. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When we realize that our greatest joys come through our
associations with one another, and through hard work that family members do to
support and sustain one another, and when we realize that the very love that we
develop through those associations will feed us with joy even in times of
sorrow; then our greatest efforts should be in nurturing our relationships,
building one another up, and sustaining each other through all our joys and
sorrow, whether the road is rocky, we are on a roller coaster, or we are
experiencing smooth sailing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">True anguish and despair need not debilitate us or rob us of
our hope and joy. If they do, then we have chosen to put trust (or lack of
trust) in man rather than showing faith in God; and we have also chosen to
wallow instead of to climb. If we choose to climb, there will always be a hand
that reaches out for ours to pull and lift us higher until we can break through
the clouds and enjoy the sunlight once again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It might help for each of us to take inventory or our own
lives. What brings us joy? What causes us sorrow? What things can we
change? How can we feel happiness and peace? Is it unrealistic to want
everything to go just our way all the time? What do we choose to do when things
are beyond our own control? How do we respond when we are disappointed? How do
we respond when others attain success? Have we learned how to have hope and
trust in good things to come? Do we place unrealistic projections on others or
on the future? Do we choose to be humble? Do we choose to place our faith in
God? Do we move forward with certainty even when we don’t feel certain? Do we
have enough courage to give ourselves and others the benefit of the doubt? Do
we know that we can get up again even with skinned knees or broken teeth? Do we
lash out at others when we feel uncertain? Or, do we hold hands and move
forward together? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is not static, but love and devotion can be. And therein lies our happiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC7kbJSdCJHmLtXuK2cVcuebLbn999i9NXGX93z4Ew83YeWD7t5QshLHNN85q8EWlL6FMwdd4IIo1uJMmcHS-_M0WdhTlMMU5i0CrpEKA1oli1ytUKa4QeRW19Tt8hIwoDM7Xa0ptuFhX/s1600/10+devotion.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC7kbJSdCJHmLtXuK2cVcuebLbn999i9NXGX93z4Ew83YeWD7t5QshLHNN85q8EWlL6FMwdd4IIo1uJMmcHS-_M0WdhTlMMU5i0CrpEKA1oli1ytUKa4QeRW19Tt8hIwoDM7Xa0ptuFhX/s400/10+devotion.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-40135506797225924772016-11-10T18:45:00.000-08:002016-11-10T18:52:51.280-08:00Life is Not Static, But Love and Devotion Can Be. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have felt true joy in my life, and I have felt real
sadness and even anguish. I will tell you that the joy has come from
associations with friends and family; through serving, loving and getting to
know people. Even with sadness, and anguish felt in losses, I have still been able
to be comforted when I have turned to the Lord, because He delivers peace and
sustains us through each hour that we are in need. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When we realize that our greatest joys come through our
associations with one another, and through hard work that family members do to
support and sustain one another, and when we realize that the very love that we
develop through those associations will feed us with joy even in times of
sorrow; then our greatest efforts should be in nurturing our relationships,
building one another up, and sustaining each other through all our joys and
sorrow, whether the road is rocky, we are on a roller coaster, or we are
experiencing smooth sailing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">True anguish and despair need not debilitate us or rob us of
our hope and joy. If they do, then we have chosen to put trust (or lack of
trust) in man rather than showing faith in God; and we have also chosen to
wallow instead of to climb. If we choose to climb, there will always be a hand
that reaches out for ours to pull and lift us higher until we can break through
the clouds and enjoy the sunlight once again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It might help for each of us to take inventory or our own
lives. What brings us joy? What causes us sorrow? What things can we
change? How can we feel happiness and peace? Is it unrealistic to want
everything to go just our way all the time? What do we choose to do when things
are beyond our own control? How do we respond when we are disappointed? How do
we respond when others attain success? Have we learned how to have hope and
trust in good things to come? Do we place unrealistic projections on others or
on the future? Do we choose to be humble? Do we choose to place our faith in
God? Do we move forward with certainty even when we don’t feel certain? Do we
have enough courage to give ourselves and others the benefit of the doubt? Do
we know that we can get up again even with skinned knees or broken teeth? Do we
lash out at others when we feel uncertain? Or, do we hold hands and move
forward together? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is not static, but love and devotion can be. And therein lies our happiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC7kbJSdCJHmLtXuK2cVcuebLbn999i9NXGX93z4Ew83YeWD7t5QshLHNN85q8EWlL6FMwdd4IIo1uJMmcHS-_M0WdhTlMMU5i0CrpEKA1oli1ytUKa4QeRW19Tt8hIwoDM7Xa0ptuFhX/s1600/10+devotion.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC7kbJSdCJHmLtXuK2cVcuebLbn999i9NXGX93z4Ew83YeWD7t5QshLHNN85q8EWlL6FMwdd4IIo1uJMmcHS-_M0WdhTlMMU5i0CrpEKA1oli1ytUKa4QeRW19Tt8hIwoDM7Xa0ptuFhX/s400/10+devotion.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-25891946256345326702016-10-27T21:24:00.000-07:002016-11-10T18:13:25.187-08:00Opinion Piece in Response to Voting this Election--Don't Read if You Hate Those Who Don't Think the Same as You Do<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I wrote this as a response to a comment in a thread on someone else's wall. But I have been thinking through so many things. Some people have thanked me for the things I've shared. Other have been overly angry with me and even blasted me. So please, if you disagree, hide the post and move on. So far, we should still respect freedom of speech and press, and also freedom to censure our own walls and self-control in using civility to our family and friends.</i><br />
<b><i>Friend's Caption: </i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Remember Utah, every vote you cast for Evan McMullin is a vote for Hillary Clinton</span><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Mutual Friend's Reply</i></b>: Trump is the worst most incompetent narcissistic candidate the Republicans have put up EVER. If he loses, which he will with or without Utah, at least the good people there can say I told you so. If he wins, with or without Utah, he and the rest of the evil Republicans will take it out on the Never Trumpers and there will be hell to pay. Vote for whomever you want but as for me and my house...<br />
<br />
<b><i>My Reply</i></b>: That attitude I disagree with. I am not choosing to not serve the Lord because I voted Trump. I'm voting in favor of the Constitution and freedom, and I'm voting against the evil that is rampant in Washington. <br />
<br />
The question of evil Republicans may very well be in usurpation, not in a citizen's vote.<br />
<br />
<i>When I had time later in the evening, I gave a <b>longer reply</b>, which is the essence of this post</i>:<br />
<br />
<br />
This is an election that has tried the hearts of men. I'm
not going to say who's right in voting for Trump or for McMullin. But I am
going to have my say from my angle.<br />
<br />
I was upset when the tape came out, and I thought who am I going to vote for
now? But I was able to keep it in perspective too, instead of letting the media
tell me it was rape culture, or the women who popped out of the woodwork tell
me that Trump accosted them in public.<br />
<br />
I agree it was locker room talk, and it's not even appropriate for middle or
high schoolers. It was braggadocio and lustful, but it wasn't rape culture.
From what he said, the woman denied him.<br />
<br />
With that said, do I like it? No. Nor do I like some allegations against him.
But neither do I like the real criminal activity of Hillary: the email scandals
that put and may still be putting our country at risk; and the deaths in
Benghazi; plus, the allegations of people being picked off if they have any
info against the Clintons.<br />
<br />
So much for the manure we all need to sift through.<br />
<br />
But I actually believe in Trump's patriotism, and when he looks at the camera
and talks to America, I feel he is telling the truth (even if I'm proven wrong
some day); I sure do know that Hillary is not.<br />
<br />
I originally liked Ben Carson, and I'm glad Ben and Mike Pence are sticking
with Trump. They are really good men. And you know what? Trump is a really good
judge of character, because he picks good men to get the needed jobs done.
Wouldn't that be a great plus in a President, as far as Supreme Court Justices
and cabinet members? Wouldn't it be wonderful to see more Pro-lifers and be on
the road to repealing Roe vs. Wade? I've never heard a politician since the
70's when that passed say any such thing. I love Trump for that! There is no excuse
for 58 1/2 million or so abortions that have taken place in our Country since
Roe vs. Wade, and I for one am glad to be voting policies and principles
towards that end, and towards protecting our Constitution along with The Bill
of Rights.<br />
<br />
Then on to McMullin. I did not appreciate him entering the race at all. I
thought it unethical. I think the right thing to do is to back up the
Republican nominee. You know what it speaks to me? Not only does Hillary think
I'm deplorable, so does Romney, McMullin, and the rest of the Never Trumpers.
We have Republicans sitting in high places who would rather put Hillary into
office, even though the FBI and all of America know how guilty she is. Sounds
like usurpation and secret combinations to me.<br />
<br />
Bob and I both thought of when King Mosiah helped his people set up judges, and
then some turned into kingmen and didn't want to allow the people the
responsibilities that go along with freemen. Yeah, it's pretty clear that the
Never Trumpers aren't going to allow their own countrymen and their own party
to support their nomination, because they are so much better than we are. Or
are they? Or does Trump actually see the corruption that is there and want to
make a difference?<br />
<br />
Okay, so now that all sounds harsh. I listened to McMullin back in August, and
like I said, we thought his timing and reasons for entering the election were
unethical. I did listen to one of his ads the other day and it was impressively
done, and I saw some of the people who are backing him and their excitement in
doing so. They believe they are doing what is right, and I can't fault them for
that. <br />
<br />
But I've listened to him since, and my opinion is the same. He is telling people to send a message to Washington that they don't want a candidate like Trump. So who is the message going to? It is going to the very people that they are supporting through voting for McMullin. In other words, their message is one of endorsement for the current administration and the state of affairs in Washington. If you want to make a statement that you are fed up with how things are, it seems that you'd swallow your Never Trump pride and vote for the candidate who wants to clean things up and make Washington accountable to the people again. Now I don't need to fault anyone for a choice that differs than mine for whatever reason. The backlash of a Hillary presidency will fault us all with severe repercussions.<br />
<br />
I just think it's a shame that the false quote about the lesser of two evils is
still voting evil. That's ridiculous. I didn't vote for a sexist any more than
people who are voting for Hillary are doing so because she's a murderer, or
people that are voting McMullin are doing so because he's a spoiler. Everyone
brings his or her own schemata to the voting board, sifts and reasons
(hopefully), draws conclusions, prays and seeks inspiration (hopefully), and
makes a decision.<br />
<br />
But the arrogance of those who believe the lesser of two evils lie either
can't count above two, or they think that anyone who thinks differently than
they do must not be inspired of God.<br />
<br />
Ridiculous. Voting is about agency and responsible choices. We aren't going to
be eternally condemned if we are following our conscience, listening to the Spirit, and
doing the best we can. There is no true candidate, as there is a true Book of
Mormon or a true Restoration. We are all fallible people and also gifted
people, but a candidate is not an eternal truth we are praying about. We may bring swift judgment upon ourselves though, if we choose a candidate that does not care about upholding the Constitution, wants to impose liberal agendas through Pro-choice Supreme Court Justices and other venues, and is entangled with people and governments that seek to harm us and destroy our Country.<br />
<br />
In other words, there will not be consequences to our
votes. I do not want Hillary in office, and I heard from McMullin's own mouth
that he'd rather have that happen than have Trump. Trump has a vision and has
outlined what he'd like to do in office and it's exciting and I respect him for
it. McMullin doesn't have a vision of what to do, because he isn't running for
president, he's just running to keep Trump out.<br />
<br />
So I am voting for someone who actually wants to be president; wants to clean
up Washington; wants to serve the people; and he loves America.</div>
<br />Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-33178468416895029172016-10-24T17:36:00.001-07:002016-10-24T17:52:32.193-07:00McMullin's Shady Run<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do we know about Evan McMullin?<br /><br />McMullin is a 40-year-old unmarried man. We know very little
about him other than he was reared as a Latter-day Saint and that his run for
the presidency is only to stop Trump from being President. We know that his
backers are also just "Never Trump"ers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McMullin says he is pro-life; but he would rather put Hillary
into office than Trump, even though Trump will choose Pro-life Supreme Court
Justices and seeks to repeal Roe vs. Wade; and Hillary believes that we've
"come too f<span class="textexposedshow">ar" to go back, and that it is
a woman's and her family's decision to murder full-term babies before they are
born if they want to.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McMullin says that as a member of the Church he believes that
marriage is between a man and a woman, but he respects the decision of the
Court and the Amendment to the Constitution, and that he feels it's time to
move on. Since his own mother is a lesbian married to another woman, this could
certainly influence his decision to leave that alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many people are voting McMullin because they think he is a
conservative, LDS candidate and because they do not like Trump's brashness or
the allegations against him. But we have seen the mounting evidence of real
criminal behavior in Hillary and the media's lack of balance in reporting. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some are voting McMullin because they want to make a statement
to the Republican Party. But there are no longer clear lines in seeing whose
allegiance is where, so the only statement that will be made in a vote for
McMullin is that the voter prefers Clinton to Trump, but does not want to cast
a vote for Clinton. In this way the voter abdicates the responsibility for his vote to the"Never Trump" society, which thinks that they are too elite to allow the people's choice from the primaries to become President. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McMullin says he thinks that Trump is a great threat to our
Country. I think the greater threat is the uninformed citizen, who casts his
votes against his own beliefs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Very soon we will know who the new President will be. I know it
won't be McMullin, and I certainly hope that it will not be Hillary Clinton.<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-24283645114566602752016-10-23T21:08:00.000-07:002016-10-23T22:14:01.268-07:00This Election and Another Look at the Great Plan of Happiness<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Since this piece contains my political views for this
Presidential Election, I want the reader to know that the views are mine. The
Great Plan of Salvation is taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The suggestion to vote for the Presidential candidate whom I see as
supportive of principles in that Plan is mine.</i></b><br />
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<br />
I firmly believe in our Father’s <i>Great Plan of Happiness</i>. In our Pre-mortal
lives, we lived with our Heavenly Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. When
Father presented His Plan for us to come to this earth, gain bodies, have a
testing period, learn obedience, and have the chance to become like Him, we all
shouted for joy. We were excited to be born into families and gain a body and
help our Father in accomplishing His great plan. <br />
<br />
We learned that we would all fall short in our abilities and sometimes our
desires to do right. We would be lost forever from returning to live in our
Father’s presence if it weren’t for the perfect gift of His Son Jesus Christ
and His willingness to suffer and die for us, and be resurrected again. Because
of the gift of His Atonement, we can all repent, be forgiven, progress, find
happiness here through the Spirit that God sends the obedient, and have joy in
the eternities forever with Him. </div>
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We accepted our Heavenly Father's Plan. We chose life! Whenever there is a viable choice, I believe that we should choose life. When we consider that we accepted God’s Plan while we lived with Him in heaven, we should consider again now what we can do to help further that Plan on earth.</div>
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The family has been under attack for years; and the sacred
means by which children enter the world has also been under attack. Abortion
remains the most barbaric and greatest evil of our day. </div>
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Our Country has become increasingly wicked. The world has
become much less safe for everyone; but, in the last while, we have seen that
it is becoming increasingly dangerous for believers in Jesus Christ. So we need
to assess what we can do to make sure that we are faithful ourselves in keeping
the commandments of God, and also that we are seeking leaders, who want to
uphold those principles of righteousness, even if they do not have an
understanding yet of God’s Plan and our role in it. </div>
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Our government has become increasingly corrupt. We see those
in power, upholding and defending each other in their wickedness, so that they
do not have to bear accountability for their actions. This was also true in <i>The Book of Mormon</i> times. We also see citizens who do not value the freedoms that
this Country has had to offer, but seek more and more for government
entitlements; which will actually enslave them and rob them of their freedom. The more accountable we are able to be, the more free we become. One measure of our accountability is taking responsibility for our vote. </div>
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We have an election coming up very shortly. Some have felt
certain that one Latter-day Saint candidate came into this race with the intent
to do good, “because it is never too late to do the right thing,” he said. We
know that our Prophet and Apostles do not endorse candidates, but ask us to
study the issues and prayerfully consider whom we should vote for. There is not
a perfect candidate, and all of them are tainted in some way to some degree. So
the erroneous quote that if we vote the lesser of two evils, we are still
voting for evil, is just wrong here, for a number of reasons. <br />
<br />
First , of all, as stated already, each candidate is flawed. Second to that, I
believe that we can all count higher than two. If we were looking at two
candidates and didn’t like either of them, then we should not just accept a
third one because he is a member of the Church. What is his purpose in running?
He obviously, did not make a serious commitment to do so through thoughtful
planning and prayer. He did so as a last resort move among the Society of
“Never Trump”. He did not give the citizens of the United States a chance to
even know who he is; and, he has told his following that they will not win,
that he will not be President, but that they will be able to stop Trump.<br />
<br />
Now, I am not endorsing any evil that anyone who is running has done. But let’s
face the facts: Hillary has a long record of criminal activity for which the
government, the media, the FBI, and half the Country is turning a blind eye.
McMullin, a rather unknown single man without the experience gained from having
a family of his own and without any real leadership experience entered the
election solely to stop Trump from winning the Presidency. <br />
<br />
Now, this is the principle I am endorsing: Trump has said that he wants to appoint
Pro-life Supreme Court Justices and, with that, he seeks to reverse Roe vs. Wade.
Do we believe in our Heavenly Father’s Plan? Do we believe that abortion is a
great evil? Do we know that there are spirits waiting to come to earth and get
a body? Abortion was legalized in my youth. Since then, I have not heard of one
politician who has said that he wants to repeal it. Most politicians only seek
to make each other happy and keep the status quo, and take us spiraling down
with them. <br />
<br />
Ask yourself, "When will another President seek to end abortion in our
Country?" We may not get the chance to see a leader committed to doing so again.
<br />
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Not only does Trump want to end abortion, he wants to help
families through the creation of more jobs and economic growth, better education, and better
insurance. He also wants to support and sustain and build our law enforcement
and our military. And he wants to ensure that our Constitutional freedoms, as
found in the Constitution and The Bill of Rights, are protected. We should also
seek to safeguard those freedoms, including freedom of religion, freedom of
speech, freedom of press, and all other freedoms that we hold dear which have
been under attack. <br />
<br />
Hillary has shown that she is dishonest. McMullin and the “Never Trump”ers have
shown that they are Kingmen who do not want the average citizen voting in a way
with which they disagree. We as citizens, need to defend our freedoms in every
way we can: first, through righteous living, keeping the commandments, being
faithful, and serving; but also, we must take the chance when an opportunity
presents itself to vote against the establishment which we already know is
evil. </div>
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I have had so many losses in my life. Sometimes I really am
saddened by them. Then I remember my God and His Son Jesus Christ and the promise
of those I love being restored to me again. Indeed, it is a Great Plan of
Happiness. But, if we think that we can just have faith that God will protect
our freedoms without taking thought to do what we can to defend them, we are
wrong. Freedom has never, ever been free. Jesus paid a great price; our
military has paid a great price over and over; our Forefathers paid a great price;
and, if we do not do what we can now to support these principles of freedom, we
will also find ourselves paying a great price. If we do not value the cost of freedom, we will have to learn it.<br />
<br />
More than anything, I see this election as a chance to give our voice to the
desire to support those principles which will aid in furthering our Father’s
Plan for our happiness. </div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-43343202404945859012016-10-11T16:02:00.000-07:002016-10-11T16:02:45.113-07:00My Vote is My Right; Your Vote is Your Right<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="26r0g" data-offset-key="6dv05-0-0">
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<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have seen a marked air of superiority among citizens who believe that their candidate is the best. We need to remember that voting is a sacred right and privilege, and we need to remember that we are seeking to be The "United" States of America. <br /><br />The intolerance, hate and division over moral agency is truly sad. Like most others, I do not take my vote lightly, and way more is put into the equation than one mere candidate. Principles, surrounding people, whom I think will have the ability to influence the Country for the most good in the next four years, fighting socialism, defending the family, strengthening the military, defending the Constitution along with The Bill of Rights, and many other factors come into play. <br /><br />While voting, we should be humbly looking to the Spirit to guide us of course; but, do not think that because your conscience dictates that you vote one way, that others who disagree with you are wrong. This election itself will not be the real test of who is right and who is wrong. It is what we all choose to do afterwards, and between elections, that will determine what type of citizens we really are.<br /> <br /> We need to stop looking for our identity in our candidates, sports team, and the like. We are more than that. We are children of God who has given us all the ability to think and reason, and the agency to do so.<br /> <br /> Those who think that they are justified in bashing others because they believe that they are following prophetic counsel; please stop accepting newspaper articles, opinion pieces, individual interpretations, of what may or may not have been said, as the final word. They aren’t. Follow the dictates of your own conscience, and allow all other citizens to do the same. <br /><br />For those who are fellow Latter-day Saints, and for all other individuals of strong faith, the following is what has been said by The First Presidency of <i>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day </i>Saints. For those who post anything other than their official statement, rest assured that it does not come from the Church, no matter how well-intended you may think it is. <br /><br />Please note the underlined portion. </span><br /><br /><h1 id="article-title" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: HelamSlab; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 960px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/first-presidency-2016-letter-political-participation">First Presidency 2016 Letter Encouraging Political Participation, Voting in US</a></span></h1>
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The following letter was issued by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 5, 2016, to be read to Church congregations throughout the United States:</div>
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Dear Brothers and Sisters:</div>
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<u style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church</u></div>
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As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future. We urge Latter-day Saints to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs.</div>
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We also urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Along with the options available to you through the Internet, debates, and other sources, the Church occasionally posts information about particular moral issues on which it has taken a position at <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/" style="background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 209, 211); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #a50101; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MormonNewsroom.org.</a></div>
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Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.</div>
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While the Church affirms its <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">institutional </em>neutrality regarding political parties and candidates, individual members should participate in the political process. The Church also affirms its constitutional right of expression on political and social issues.</div>
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Sincerely yours,</div>
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Thomas S. Monson<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Henry B. Eyring<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Dieter F. Uchtdorf<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The First Presidency</em></div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-59115454731719732612016-10-08T09:09:00.002-07:002016-10-08T12:46:03.237-07:00Now, How Will I Vote?<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">8 October 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last night I watched the video that surfaced, which puts
Trump and his campaign in a very poor light; but, it is not so condemning as
the words reported without context given. By no means can his behavior be
justified as acceptable. It just is another load of crap for voters to trek
through in making their decision on whom to vote for. <br />
<br />
I am at a loss of what to do at this point; not so much just over the video,
but over the reaction from Trump and from America concerning the video. First
off, individuals should claim responsibility for their own actions without
pointing fingers to anyone else. It’s a hard thing to do, but until we can do
that America is going to remain weak. Second of all, there are those who still
praise this man and brush aside his faults as if they don’t matter at all;
while on the other hand, there are those who flatly condemn him without
considering whether he has grown, changed, or improved. So either way, we have
those who are severely lacking in judgment or those who are quick to judge
severely. And this seems to be the trend in our Country over everything, from
top leaders to average citizens; which probably goes to show that we are all
found lacking for the most part. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am also amazed that the citizens of the United States view
their politic responsibilities pretty much in the same way that they do their
preferred sports’ teams. They accept or excuse behavior solely because they
have chosen a team and may all others lose and be damned. This has certainly be
proven time and time again with what has been accepted during the past umpteen
years and the blinders that have been put on by citizen and representatives of
citizens. The lies and evil that have been perpetuated in and by our government
officials are blatant, but we seem to have come to accept them as normal, and
some even seem to uphold the injustice of it all. <br />
<br />
I really tire of seeing all those who compare current situations to President
Richard Nixon, saying that he was forced to resign. Because of his cover up of
Watergate happenings, he chose to resign. He still wanted the best for our
Country. With all the scandals we’ve seen in government since, no one has
willingly left office, not even when impeached. Certainly, top officials and
even the American populous should not uphold, back, or cast a vote for someone
whom they know has broken the law repeatedly and has put our Country and our
military at great risk, even costing lives. <br />
<br />
When I do vote, rest assured that I will vote my conscience. That means that I
will cast my vote thinking about my accountability to God and to my country as I
do so. That also means that I will vote for the person whom I think is best
positioned to do the most good for our Country in the next four years. And I
suggest that we all allow each other the sacred right to do so without
condemnation or judgment of our own superiority and their stupidity. We need to
do what we can to once again make or nation The United States of America.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
I watched the video in question last night. Not at all pretty, but it was important for me to see for my own evaluation. In sharing the link, I am not promoting the reprehensible nature of the content, but trying to put into context what happened then with who Trump may or not be now.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPomcb0_IaE">Video</a><br />
<br />
<i>From Donald J. Trump's Page:</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>Here is my [Trump’s] statement.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be
someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret, and the words
released today on this more than a decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who
knows me, know these words don’t reflect who I am.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>I said it, it was wrong, and I apologize.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>I’ve travelled the country talking about change for America. But
my travels have also changed me. I’ve spent time with grieving mothers who’ve
lost their children, laid off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries,
and people from all walks of life who just want a better future. I have gotten
to know the great people of our country, and I’ve been humbled by the faith
they’ve placed in me. I pledge to be a better man tomorrow, and will never,
ever let you down.</i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i><br />
Let’s be honest. We’re living in the real world. This is nothing more than a
distraction from the important issues we are facing today. We are losing our jobs,
we are less safe than we were 8 years ago and Washington is broken.<br />
Hillary Clinton, and her kind, have run our country into the ground.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>I’ve said some foolish things, but there is a big difference
between words and actions. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary
has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this
more in the coming days.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i>See you at the debate on
Sunday.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Response to Trump:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Trump, it is
disgusting that a grown man would talk like a middle school boy trying to
impress his friends. Whether or not what you said is a reflection of what you
would really do, you were willing to make a few others think so to somehow
prove your manhood. It didn't work.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I was actually going to vote for you, even though
you weren't the Republican candidate that I favored in the primaries.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow">I tried to
give you the benefit of the doubt. If nothing else, I've told others, you have
proven that you are willing to work with others for the good of the country;
even those whom you debated strongly against in the primaries.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Listening to your apology was sad. I agree that
Bill Clinton's actions were really wrong. But using his actions to justify your
own words and actions really isn't the morally responsible thing to do.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">To make America great again, we need morally good,
clean, and straight citizens, who are willing to bear responsibility for their
actions, including those in office who are supposed to represent us. It's too
bad that you've lost the faith and trust of so many who actually believed that
you wanted to make America great again.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The America we need is not a reality TV show, nor
is it the posh rich or the crass rich, which really seem to be one and the
same; they just put on airs in different ways.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">From Dr. Ben Carson's Page:</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">It is
obvious that the media has decided who the winner of this election should be;
but by so grossly overplaying its hand, the media has lost all credibility as a
source for objective facts and surrendered its role as a neutral arbiter of political
discourse.</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">My Response to Carson:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">just
wish that Trump had apologized without a comparison to someone else's wrongs.
We don't need any "sorry buts(s)". The main problem with America is
having citizens and leaders who are unwilling to face consequences for actions.
Until we can do that, America will not be great again.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I find it sad that the populous just falls in
line to defend a candidate in the same way they do a sport's team<span class="textexposedshow">. It shows that not only are these candidates immoral, so
are We the People.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The thing that seems redeemable about Trump is that
he appears to be willing to work with great people like Carson and others who
were past opponents. He's picked a good running mate. I thought he'd pick
better judges and cabinet members. That is what was holding me to vote for him
in the past. But the reality check now is that this is not a reality TV show
and there is no way of telling what kind of presidency he'd have.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">I am undecided again. I don't want Hillary as
president ever, but I also want a clear conscience before God concerning my
vote.<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-4803597863195325192016-09-14T21:12:00.000-07:002016-09-14T21:20:49.401-07:00O Say Can You? <br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">O Say Can You See?</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8V-Jz5mfV7MYK_IDOd_3HBQGqttMtYgqerXVWly0Zlh6NEUitCPkjhsOlM8K6w8eq9tc7hpzULeioMzlHNOXQDKZ0yUkeyrmvKGh6s6n1NX-w7D0_MfWSHrJUBIDsr-geGrC69yeKFi2/s1600/see.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8V-Jz5mfV7MYK_IDOd_3HBQGqttMtYgqerXVWly0Zlh6NEUitCPkjhsOlM8K6w8eq9tc7hpzULeioMzlHNOXQDKZ0yUkeyrmvKGh6s6n1NX-w7D0_MfWSHrJUBIDsr-geGrC69yeKFi2/s320/see.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />(Happy Anniversary)<br /><br />We have been given a beautiful anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."<br /><br />Those citizens who choose not to acknowledge our flag, those who choose division over unity, and those who choose to bring attention to themselves or their special interest groups, rather than accrediting the lives spent to give them liberty; those people are blind. When asked the question, “Oh Say Can You See?, the answer would have to be “No”. They don’t see, and we can all pity them for their blindness. <br /> <br /> We cannot wait to teach our children to see until we think that they are old enough to comprehend the whole picture. If we do, we are guaranteed that they will not see. As parents and leaders we have a purpose and a duty to the rising generation. We have to dig back to our roots. Whether we are seventh generation Americans or new to America, we need to know the history of The United States of America and pass that on to our children. <br /><br />My parents were both born in Europe and chose to become United State’s citizens. I am thankful. Their lives and their gratitude have much to do with my feelings of patriotism for this great Country I call home because of them. I also have my third grade teacher, Miss Nakahara, to thank for instilling in me a love for Country. She taught us "The Star Spangled Banner" and the other great hymns that show reverence for and love of Country and fellowmen. Because of people like them, I am not blind; but, I do see. <br /> <br /> Is there ugliness in history? Yes, there can be. But our freedom and our patriotism centers in and commemorates the beauty of our freedoms, gained, regained, and sustained by men and women who love freedom. <br /><br />When we look back to our beginnings, we know that there really were many who sacrifice their lives and their sacred honor and all their worldly goods to establish this new nation and give us freedom from the oppression we felt from England. They could see. They had a vision of the importance of our freedom, and that America would be a beacon on a hill and a light to the world, in helping many others obtain freedom. <br /><br />So from before 1776 to 1812, our forbears were willing to keep fighting to maintain the freedom they had secured. England would not let go so reluctantly and kept trying to suppress us in any way possible, with their own forces and with paid mercenaries. <br /> <br /> Some argue that Francis Scott Key’s poem, “Defence of Fort M'Henry,” (which was written on 14 September 1814—nearly 200 years ago) should not have become our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” While we have other patriotic songs that do serve us well, none is so clear about our history, our mission, and our destiny. The very words that Key used in his poem, “O Say Can You See?”, concerning our flag still waving after our troops were bombarded by the British at Fort McHenry, are the words which echo today. Our flag and our Country have gone through some terrible setbacks, but we are not defeated. The flag is still waving. <br /><br />Some think that she is not waving triumphantly any more, but that is because they have lost focus on what is most important. They don’t view our history with gratitude, nor do they envision our future with hope. We have to remember that the lenses through which our forebears saw our Country and our future were pricey. Their determination came with the cost of work and constant vigilance. <br /><br />We owe a debt of gratitude to them and to the many men and women since then who have served to protect us and keep us free. There cannot be any patriotism without gratitude. There may be those who confuse patriotism with prideful arrogance, but patriotism is born of humble gratitude to those who have done for us that which we could not do alone for ourselves, who have given us that which we could not obtain ourselves. <br /> <br /> In order to see, we need to remember. We need to remember those who serve and thank them. We need to remember to be good role models and to clearly point out who the true heroes are. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The coach in the following video made sure that his team had an understanding of that. He helped them see. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />I love our flag and I love our anthem. Why? The reason is clear. It is because I can see that they represent so much more that a piece of cloth and a song. They represent our beginnings, and they represent ever drop of blood spilled from every wounded and dying soldier, and ever tear shed from every soldier’s wife or mother, son or father. <br /> <br /> We have been given a beautiful anthem and a precious flag which can serve to bind us together in these The United States of America, if we choose to remember, and if we choose to see. But we need to open our eyes. If we open our eyes, our hearts should follow.</span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">O Say Can You See?</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<ol class="verses" style="background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 33.8281px 20px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 321.453px;"><div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?</div>
</li>
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2. On the shore, dimly seen thru the mists of the deep,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;</div>
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'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!</div>
</li>
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3. Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land</div>
<div class="line" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!</div>
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Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,</div>
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And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"</div>
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And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave</div>
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O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!</div>
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Text: Francis Scott Key, 1779-1843</div>
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Music: John Stafford Smith, 1750-1836</div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-19071158697455270222016-08-10T21:22:00.001-07:002016-08-11T09:21:51.524-07:00Good and Evil is Clearly Defined<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We, as citizens of the United States, have been given a world full of knowledge and truth, goodness and opportunity, progress and wealth. For the most part, we have all been “instructed sufficiently that [we] know good from evil” (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.5?lang=eng#4" style="font-size: x-large;">2 Nephi 2:5</a><span style="font-size: large;">). <br /><br />Hillary Clinton quoted John Wesley’s words,<br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Do all the good you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By all the means you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In all the ways you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In all the places you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At all the times you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To all the people you can,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As long as you ever can.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> That sounds like wonderful advice for all of us. But, then she went on to say,<br /> <br /> “That’s a tall order. And of course, one of the interpretive problems with it is, who defines good” (<a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/02/136501.htm">Keynote Address</a>)?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mYQo_0OxKECVlc6dAFcaqi7kvQc8m_b7iCrBiHpdJnnesp8RmHm2k2FUE25TqOZGndX4xWse7WrBIsfgl0SNoS-xz7H0vv_5c0dHoZPbYtSaMJAUiG-1C4F5LHo5nmhkYPU23FVTrZRy/s1600/11+good.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mYQo_0OxKECVlc6dAFcaqi7kvQc8m_b7iCrBiHpdJnnesp8RmHm2k2FUE25TqOZGndX4xWse7WrBIsfgl0SNoS-xz7H0vv_5c0dHoZPbYtSaMJAUiG-1C4F5LHo5nmhkYPU23FVTrZRy/s320/11+good.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> How anyone can know that those are her words and still want to vote for her is beyond me. A leader should have a grasp on reality and what is good and what is evil. Yet she has demonstrated that she does not know the difference between truth and lies, reality and fiction, life and death, good and evil. <br /> <br /> I for one do not want Hillary Clinton to define anything more in this Country. What a cop-out. It’s easy to not take responsibility for one’s actions when one can’t acknowledge truth from error. So she has shirked the responsibilities for her lies by saying, “I misspoke.” She has avoided her responsibility for the lives lost in Benghazi by saying that some solitary person who made a video enraged those who believe in the Prophet Mohammed. As if that would be a reason for our government to stand down while our Country’s heroes are sacrificed as an appeasement to our enemies. And she has shredded the evidence of her indiscretions leaving our Country’s security accessible to enemies throughout the world. <br /> <br /> Our Founding Fathers knew the difference between good and evil. And even with their faults, they worked to make the world a better place to live in and gave us a promising future. They studied the civilizations of the past and the best literature available to construct a good and righteous governing body. (With all the good that has been given to us by them, it becomes meaningless to toss around the faults of the dead; we need to open our eyes to the immorality of the living.)<br /> <br /> “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (John Jay). <br /><br />“I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of [Christianity] have not a controlling influence” (Noah Webster). <br /><br />“Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other” (James Wilson). <br /><br />“Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society” (George Washington). <br /><br />“Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness . . . it is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement thereof” (Continental Congress, 1778). <br /><br /><a href="http://www.free2pray.info/5founderquotes.html">Source for Quotes</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Since we can all see that our Country was founded and upheld on and by religious principles, I will also look to define “good” from the scriptures. In doing so, I am only choosing a few verses. We can all search them for ourselves; and if we want to know what “good” means, I suggest that we do. <br /><br />“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.40?lang=eng#39">Alma 5:40</a>).<br /><br />“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ps/136.1?lang=eng#primary">Psalm 136:1</a>). <br /><br />“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/1.17?lang=eng#16">James 1:17</a>). <br /><br />Lastly, I turn to some of Mormon's last words to his people. It seems that our civilization, like his, needs a refresher course in discerning between good and evil.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.12-19?lang=eng#11">Moroni 7:12-19</a>: <br /><br /><br />12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. <br /><br /> 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. <br /><br /> 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. <br /><br /> 15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. <br /><br /> 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. <br /><br /> 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. <br /><br /> 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. <br /><br /> 19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. <br /><br />Since we are all entitled to discern between good and evil, we should look to find good in the way our Father and His prophets have shown us. If we say that there is a different standard for good, we have judged wrongfully, and in so doing, we are denying ourselves the light of truth. <br /><br />I am not writing this to be combative, or as an endorsement for any other candidate, or for any specific religion. Indeed, I believe that all men are born with the light of Christ (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/1.9?lang=eng#8">See John 1:19</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am writing this, because Hillary Clinton is clearly not a leader or a person of vision. She does not even have a grasp between right and wrong. To sit back and say nothing, in a Country of free speech and government by and for the people, would be an endorsement for her; and that is something that I will not do. <br /><br />All in all, it is up to We the People to live the definition of good. We need to be a virtuous and a moral people, and in so doing, we will elevate our Country once again and choose better leadership, with the desire to be more responsible in our own citizenship and in our individual everyday lives. <br /><br />“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/prov/29.18?lang=eng#17">Proverbs 29:18</a>). <br /><br />Jesus went about doing good (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/10.38?lang=eng#37">See Acts 10:38</a>). Let's do the same. </span></div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-28835711359432796802016-07-08T22:01:00.001-07:002018-07-08T15:05:51.121-07:00Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and Peace Be with You<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is the Prince of Peace</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brentborupstudio/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brent Borup</span></a><br />
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus is the Prince of Peace</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">. He who created all things and gave us life also allows us to live our lives. His desire is for us to grow in goodness and prosperity, to learn to love and trust Him, and in so doing, to love and help each other. But as always, He gives us choice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Freedom</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Freedom</b></i>. What is it? Jesus has told us that the truth shall make us free (See <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/8.32?lang=eng">John 8:32</a>).<br /><br />Those who embrace His truths with trust in Him feel this freedom. We can be free from hate, free from addictions, free from idleness, free from greed, free from loneliness, and free from ignorance. The thing about that is that all these freedoms take work. Our free will is a gift to us, but these other things take work and are a result of our choices and how we exercise our agency. <br /><br />Our chances for lasting peace and freedom are void without Him and everlasting abundant through Him. There may be seasons of rest from wars and strives, but there will never be lasting freedom without people choosing to work within the boundaries of laws, especially His laws. He who said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments" (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.15?lang=eng" style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:15</a><span style="font-size: large;">), did not say so because He wants to control us, but rather because He wants to free us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Many of us long for the promised day when Jesus will return and the inhabitants will be at peace with one another. It will be lovely, beautiful, and supernal. But we do not have to wait until then to feel His love, His peace, and His presence in our lives now. Today.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Peace Can Be Felt Today</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Jesus promises us</b></i> as He did His disciples of long ago, <br /><br />“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.27?lang=eng#26" style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:27</a><span style="font-size: large;">). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We Must Love God and Love Each Other</b></i> (See <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22.36-40?lang=eng">Matt 22:36-40</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />We cannot keep this peace if we feel anger, hate, and revenge towards our fellow brothers and sisters. Here’s what the Lord says about that:<br /><br />"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also" (</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-jn/4.20-21?lang=eng" style="font-size: x-large;">1 John 4:20-21</a><span style="font-size: large;">).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />This extends to all humanity with which we share this planet, whether we have met each personally or not. We cannot love God without loving His children as well, who come from Him. <br /><br />Also, here is good counsel from the Apostle Paul, who reminds us that the Lord said vengeance belongs only to Him, He who desires not to give it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/12.17-21?lang=eng#16">Romans 12:17-21</a>).<br /><br /><br />How can we know when we are free? We will feel the Holy Spirit with us. And what is the fruit of the Spirit? <br /><br />"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" </span><span style="font-size: large;">(</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/gal/5.22-25?lang=eng#21" style="font-size: x-large;">Galatians 5:22-25</a><span style="font-size: large;">).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Jesus Has Done All</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />We are not asked to do anything that Jesus will not help us do. Neither are we asked to do anything that He hasn’t already done for us. From the cross, He still loved us all. Every one. <br /><br />The words He spoke resound through the universe still,<br /><br />"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/23.34?lang=eng#33">Luke 23:34</a>). <br /><br />He who was wronged for all of our wrongdoings and none of His own, He who suffered for me and for you and bled from every pore; He it is who was free from all evil, and He alone can make us free as well. <br /> <br /> Peace be with you.<br /> <br /> And peace be with you as well. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </span></div>
Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581154860881867561.post-9887590438192748662016-06-21T13:59:00.001-07:002016-06-21T13:59:17.487-07:00 Straining at a Gnat and Not Swallowing a Camel<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />The Power of Writing Things Down</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I'm so thankful for the ability to write things down to express emotion. I just read over some very old unsent letters, and I decided to skip reading most of them. I’m glad that writing can help us work through things, gain perspective, and develop patience. While we all sense a desire to express ourselves, I'm so glad that I've left many things unsaid.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Straining at a Gnat and Not Swallowing a Camel</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Often misunderstandings come from an inability to communicate our hurts appropriately. While there may be ample reason for us to feel the way we do, we cannot necessarily see into the other persons’ minds or hearts to know their intents or perspective. When there isn’t enough trust established to proceed with communication, sometimes we just need to pray for each other and hope for the best. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer is the Important Key</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Prayer. Isn’t that the key to good communication? Here, with our Heavenly Father, we can always develop a relationship where we know we can be understood, we will be validated, and reproof will always be given with ample love. When we feel the Savior’s love, we will be able to love ourselves more, no matter what others may think, do, or say; and, we will be able to extend His love to others more freely, until we can develop that love in ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We Need to Repent Ourselves</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Prayer will also help us so our own part in the dissonance and what we are lacking ourselves. We will see our own need to change and find mercy, which should in turn help us to feel more merciful. We can seek inspiration on how to proceed: how to serve, how to wait, or how to let go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Serving and Forgiving</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> When there are opportunities to build more trust through service and shared experiences, we should seek to take advantage in developing more stable relationships. If we fall and skin our knees, we should try again. But even when things are rocky, we shouldn’t be throwing rocks. <br /><br />For the times when I have spoken hastily or sought for vindication, I’m thankful for the ability to repent and repair. Sometimes feelings are raw for a long time, and even when people may want us to eat our words, or when they regurgitate them, we really cannot take them back. But we can choose to give second, third, and seventy-seventh chances, trying to give each other the benefit of the doubt. <br /><br /><i>How has writing been therapeutic to you in putting things to rest? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br />How have your benefited from repairing strained relationships?</i><br /><br /> </span><br /> </div>
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Heidi Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16371082693256284546noreply@blogger.com0