These are just the raw, unedited notes again.
Elder Snow
He was a mission president in San Fernando Mission. They are grateful for the strength of the Church in California.
July 1846 a group of LDS settlers landed in San Francisco. Six months later the Mormon Battalion went to San Diego.
Howard W. Hunter returned to Pasadena and told the saints want a marvelous opportunity to live where the saints were well received. The Church will continue to grow in this area. He saw the future of the church in California as bright.
Matt 25:1-13: Parable of 10 Virgins. The importance of living a life that prepares us for meeting the Savior. We don’t know the day or the hour when the Lord will return. The Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus Christ; the Church is His bride; the lighted lamp is the outward manifestation of the members’ readiness. The oil of preparedness is collected drop by drop through righteous living. We cannot give away our oil or borrow oil from others. Whether we see the Savior again in the Second Coming or before that, it really makes no difference. Our preparedness is what is important. We should live in such a way that as members of the Church and the Kingdom of God, we then become members of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Parents have a sacred duty to raise their children in righteousness. The example of pray is the most important way we can do this. “Pray in your families unto the Father always in my name that your wives and your children may be blessed.” Parents and children live busy lives. But nothing is more important than praying together as a family. Satan seeks to keep us from praying together as families.
1. Schedule a regular time each day.
2. Rotate opportunity among family members.
3. Family prayers need not be long.
4. Asking for specific not general blessings.
5. Be as specific in expressing gratitude as in asking for blessings.
6. Take time to listen.
Prayer is a privilege, not only to speak to Heavenly Father, but to receive revelation from Him. “Work as if you were to live a 100 years; pray as if you will die tomorrow.” (Ben Franklin)
Sister Thompson
“California, here I come, right back where I started from.”
November 30, 2011—Christmas devotional for church workers. “Away in a Manger,” was the closing song. The Holy Ghost confirmed that Jesus was the Savior in the third verse. She sang it again on Sunday and felt the Spirit again. His greatest desire is to have each one of us live close to the Holy Spirit so that we can live with Him and our Heavenly Father forever.
Enoch was called to teach the gospel. The Lord gave him some counsel. Moses 6:32-34. “Open thy mouth.” We need to say something in order to help people learn about the gospel. The Lord will help us to know what to say. “Choose the Lord God.” He will then be able to bless us and help us do whatever is necessary to live with Him again. Lord reminds Enoch that he has power to make mountains flee or to move rivers from their course. The Lord can help us in our challenges know what to do and how to make the necessary changes. When the mountains are high and the rivers are wide, the Lord will help us overcome the challenges we face. “Walk with me.” They built the city of Zion. They were of one heart and one mind. They had unity and charity in their minds and their hearts for one another. They would dwell in safety forever. They were taken up into heaven.
The people of Alma had the burdens which were placed on their back eased.
New Relief Society book was a gift to us from the First Presidency. Joseph Smith said that we shouldn’t have strife among us. Meekness, love, purity should magnify us. Seek charity and to always to do good to each other. President Monson said that we should love and have charity in our hearts. Charity that forgives and causes us to be patient, especially with the weakness of others. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we practice charity. These characteristics will help us become holy people. Christ set the example of true charity. He taught us to love one another, serve one another, and pray for one another. President Monson asked Relief Society leaders to tell the sisters that he loves them and that he prays for them.
Many opportunities to reach out and care for others. Holy women are happy to serve and to accept service. Make visits and phone calls to those who are lonely. Parents stay up and care for a sick child, or they counsel with a teenager who’s lost his way. These life experience will help us become holy people, so that we can all sit down in heaven together.
“Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay…”
Elder Johnson
In 1833 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were called on a mission.
“Your families are well. They are in my hands and I will do with them as seemeth me good.”
He fasted and prayed for one of his children that something would happen. It didn’t. He felt angry, discouraged, and shaken. No matter how much energy he put into it, he could not generate faith on his on. Faith is not just positive thinking; faith is the power of God and can only be used to fulfill His purposes. We can stop beating ourselves up for not having enough faith.
It’s about God’s plan and His will. Find out will of God and then exert every effort to do His will. When I am unsure, I can trust; I can and will wait upon His will. I do not have a work; it’s all His. It is not easy for a person who wants control and to know the end from the beginning to let go. But it is well worth it. Faith is not a power we attain so that we can accomplish what we want. It needs to follow the Lord’s will.
We must give proper consideration to the will of the Lord. “Whatsover you ask the Lord WHICH IS RIGHT…”
Nephi (book of Helaman) sought the Lord’s will. He was given the sealing power. He had faith to ask whatever he would and it would happen. That is because the Lord knew that he wouldn’t ask anything that was contrary to the Lord’s will.
Fast, pray, work, study, wait upon the Lord, submit our will to His.
Each of us have received special promises: Patriarchal blessings; temple blessings.
President Monson made promises to saints in East Germany 1968. “If you will remain true and faithful to the commandments of God, any blessing enjoyed by the saints of any other country will be yours.” The prophet prayed that Heavenly Father would fulfill the promises that were made. He recognized that the words of the promise were from the Lord. President Monson and the German saints continued to exercise faith. The promise has been fulfilled line upon line over the course of years.
We learn to have this line upon line precept upon precept faith as we learn to know and do the Lord’s will.
C.S. Lewis talks about God rebuilding our house or our soul. He is building quite a new house than the one you thought of. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage, but He’s building a palace.
Story of the ballerina jewelry box. Her sadness was nearly humorous because her mom knew what was coming her way. Heavenly Father has something in store for us that is greater than we can even imagine.
Elder Perry
We live in a remarkable time. Never has the Lord opened the door more for us to proclaim who we are. Even after 182 years, the people of the world know little about us. He has revealed to us a very effective organization.
Windstorms from canyons in Salt Lake City. Priesthood brethren and the sisters were called into action. They went to Sacrament meeting, and then thousands of people cleaned up the effects of the disaster. The area was ready to move forward in an orderly way. We are blessed with the same pattern of Priesthood organization that Jesus established in His Church. (A of F 6)
Savior organized church during His mortal ministry. Jesus went into a mountain to pray. He prayed all night. Then He chose His 12 apostles. He established order and leadership in His Church necessary before His departure. “Whom say ye that I am?” “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” “Blesses art thou….thou art Peter….I will give thee the keys…” Peter was selected to hold Priesthood Keys over church when Jesus was no longer with them. Jesus went with Peter, James, and John to Mount of Transfiguration. Moses and Elias came. The keys were there given to Peter. The apostles were sent out into the world to tell the world about Jesus Christ. The Church suffered great persecution. Pagan ideas became mingled with doctrine. There was a falling away and the priesthood was removed from the earth for a time. Printing press. New land where there was freedom of speech. Joseph Smith was raised up to restore the Lord’s church. His mind was kept clear and free to receive instruction from the heavens. Joseph learned his relationship to Diety when he was 14 years old. He received new scripture. He translated the Book of Mormon. While translating 3rd Nephi, they asked about baptism. John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. They were then able to baptize each other. They received the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James, and John. In the Kirtland Temple, the brethren took the sacrament. Joseph and Oliver prayed, and the Lord Jehovah appeared in glory and accepted the Kirtland Temple as His house. Moses appeared and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel and the restoration of the 10 tribes.. Elias appeared. Elijah restored keys of this dispensation to Joseph, turning hearts of fathers to children, children to fathers.
1. Key to proclaim gospel to the church. (Moses) It is our responsibility to proclaim the gospel to the world.
2. Key to perfect the saints by using the power of the priesthood. (Elias) We are the seed of Abraham; we are the Lord’s agents. We need to teach and help people to receive the saving ordinance of the gospel and the sealing power in the temple.
3. Key that gives power to redeem the dead. (Elijah) This will unite us as eternal family units.
All that we do in the church points to the atonement of Jesus Christ and to receiving blessings in the temple.
1 Corinthians (13) Be steadfast and immovable. Improve image of the church by standing steadfast in the principles of the gospel.
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