Pledging My Heart and My Hand Again

I learned this little song in Primary as a very young child. It is still a favorite. I am glad that I was privileged to learn about God and about His hand in giving us this great Country. I'm glad that my parents valued teaching me these things. They didn't set aside my learning until they thought I could understand everything or make decisions for myself. They didn't set aside my learning, giving me the “freedom” to choose to learn whatever I wanted to at some future date.

My parents are not natives to this Country, but they are Americans and United States citizens in every other way. They value the opportunities that this Country has given them in the way of religious freedom and individual enterprise. They are thankful for the privilege of rearing their family on the blessed soil granted by God to those who claimed the Lord as God. Their generation is indeed representative of the workers. And we are the beneficiaries of their work.

In third grade, I had a teacher named Miss Nakahara. She was of Japanese descent, and she was one of the most patriotic teachers I've ever met. We learned so many songs about our Country that year. Each day we would begin class with The Pledge of Allegiance and two or three patriotic songs. I learned to love this Country at church, in my home, and at school. And I learned to love God in those three places as well. I am thankful that my school teachers and Primary teachers were able to provide me moral direction.

I remember looking forward to 1976! It was a great big deal. We looked forward to that Bicentennial of The United States of America for many years. What a wonderful milestone for us to witness and to be a part of. I don't know of anyone who didn't love this great land. We rejoiced in it, in the history of it, and in those who safeguarded our freedoms.

I also remember looking forward to the Sesquicentennial of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wouldn't describe the feelings that I had for these two events as pride; at least, not in the way pride events are celebrated today. I had a sense of security in the history and celebrations of our Country and our Church. There was a sense of belonging and unity, despite diversity. I felt a quietness and a reverence, as well as a thrill and exuberance. I still feel those things when I think about God and country and what those two things mean to me.

Our lives experiences shape us to a great degree. We form a schemata, our personal knowledge storage bank. The things that we learn in our first few years of life can become important tools to us throughout life. The guidance that we receive from parents, leaders, mentors, and teachers can be an invaluable endowment in aiding our ability to form into healthy and happy human beings. Ultimately, it is our personal choices and desires to do well that can propel us forward in our path and progress. If we are taught to love both God and Country, if we are given healthy doses of scripture and history, will these things help mold us into better people, or will they serve to trap or indoctrinate us?

Were my rights infringed upon because I was taught to love God and Country? Absolutely not. Because I had the security of knowing God, of feeling His love for me, and because I had the assurance that this land was a blessed land with a moral destiny, I had the calmness and peace of knowing that I myself could succeed and be happy.

As a very young child, I'd place my hand on my heart and sing the words, “I pledge my heart;” then, I would draw my hand out away from me and sing, “I pledge my hand;” continuing on, “to God, and to my native land. To both of them, I will be true; for, that is what I ought to do.” I could feel the truth and power that these words invoked back then. I could feel the peace and security of making a covenant with God back then, a covenant concerning being faithful to Him and faithful to the cause of freedom that He ordained for me in this great land. I feel it still.

May we all bless the name of our God, and may God bless America.

Living Prophets Today

http://burst.to/2ga

I was reviewing some conference notes found in earlier blogs, and I came across
Elder Claudio R. M. Costa's talk from October 2010 General Conference.
Along with Elder Costa, I feel to say,

"What a great blessing it is to have prophets in our day!"

Here are my notes from that conference:

After I read, pondered, and prayed, the Lord gave me the assurance that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that all his successors are prophets.

Prophet—a person called by God to speak in His name. It is a great blessing to receive the word the Lord.

Amos 3:7 

He will reveal his will to us and He will instruct us through His prophets. If we believe in Him, we will follow His prophets and do what He asked us to do. When I accepted baptism into the church, I covenanted to always follow the prophet. 

Points made by President Benson

1. The prophet is the only man that speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than the dead prophets.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet doesn’t need to have any special credentials.
    The Lord called a young man, Joseph Smith, to lead the Church. He was chosen by the Lord, and he     

    received from the Lord the gifts he needed to do His work.
6. The prophet doesn’t need to say “thus saith the Lord” to be speaking for the Lord.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by man’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive a revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
11. The two groups who have difficulty following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud
      who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the first presidency, the highest quorum in the church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet

Elder Costa testified of true prophet, counselors, and quorum of the twelve.

Now for my testimony:

I finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time when I was 12. I remember praying early one evening to know if the Book is true. The warmth and power of the Spirit filling my bosom was enlightening and expanding. I had never experienced the Spirit to that degree before, and I knew that The Book of Mormon is true. My heart felt it and my mind comprehended it. I remember wanting to hold onto that feeling. I did not want to participate in any other earthly activity that evening. I had received a witness from the heavens.

A couple of years later, my older sister Sheila invited me to go with her to a play. I believe that it was called A Day, a Night, and a Day. I had been fasting to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I remember having a strong witness in answer to my prayer at the end of that day, and following that production, that Joseph truly was a prophet. 

I have felt the Spirit many times confirm to me that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I have felt the witness of the Spirit on many occasions as I have sought for the Lord's direction and to do His will. 

In one of my saddest times, after the death and temporary loss of our son Robby, I had a witness, in a very real and personal way, that Jesus Himself is aware of me and that His love for me knows no bounds. At this time, I felt these words from Him, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Indeed, it is when our hearts are broken and we exercise faith in Him that we are not only healed from our emotional and spiritual wounds, but we receive a remission of our sins. (See Matthew 9:2-8)

I can also testify that when our most recent prophet Gordon B. Hinckley passed away, I saw the mantle of authority shift to our new prophet Thomas S. Monson. As he spoke in a news' address, I indeed knew that he is a prophet of God. 

In our confusing world today, there are important things that we must do to not be deceived. We must pray; we must fast if we are able (and, if not, we must carry the spirit of the fast); we must study our scriptures; we must partake of the sacrament worthily; and we must support the prophets of God. 

It is a wicked and adulterous generation that must have everything shown unto them before they believe that it is from God. (See Matthew 12:39, Matthew 16:4) It is sad to note that even when the Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth, not only as God's Prophet, but as His Son, there were people who demanded proof that the things He taught were true. 

God has placed prophets on this earth for instruction, for counsel, and to issue His calls and commandments. Some try to separate the commandments from the counsel, like the one is from God and the other is merely opinion. This is not so. We need to accept the words from the prophets as though they are God's own words, which they are. (See Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38) And we need to trust that the Lord knows all things and that it is His right to counsel us through prophets. We should accept His counsel and stop seeking to counsel Him. (Jacob 4:10)

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

I am thankful to my Heavenly Father and to His Son Jesus Christ for their remarkable love for me. Because they know all things, and because I do not, I will put my trust in them as a daughter. It is through the Spirit that I do know that I am a literal spirit child of my Heavenly Father; it is through the Spirit and through obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel that I also became a child of Jesus Christ and took upon me His name. It is through the Gift of the Holy Ghost that I can continue in faith and virtue, keeping the commandments and putting my trust in the Lord and His prophets until the perfect day. Without prophets both ancient and modern, I would not know of God's great love for me. I indeed am thankful for living prophets!

I am thankful for the counsel and teachings of all the prophets during my lifetime. I know that they were called of God just like the prophets that we revere in the scriptures.

Your Holy Scriptures are Important

                                                                                                                               

Holy Writ is Meant to Be Read

I was told by someone a few months back that it doesn't matter how many times I have read the Book of Mormon; all that matters is if I keep the commission of Jesus to do well unto others: things that are found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25.

I want you all to know that it is through reading scriptures that are found in Holy Writ that I have come to understand how I can live a more Godly life and how I can serve as Jesus would have me do. Do I fall short? Yes. But I can attest that I do make better decisions because I do value what is written in the Book of Mormon, and in the Old and the New Testaments, in the Doctrine and Covenants, and in the Pearl of Great Price. And these books remind me of who I am and who my Heavenly Father is and what my relationship is to Him. They give me hope, joy, comfort, direction, and peace.

In a day when having secular sophistry is more valued than having faithful humility, I would encourage everyone who believes in Holy Writ to not abandon your sacred books. They will bring you confidence to face the challenges of today's world, and they will serve to lead you in righteous paths and bring you peace. Also, they will fortify you against the attacks of those who deem your religious choices as folly. We cannot be dressed in the armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil without reading our scriptures (See Ephesians 6).

I also believe in modern-day prophets. President Monson is the current prophet in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I value what he says, because I believe that he speaks to us directly for the Lord, just like the prophet Moses did anciently. It seems that most prophets are not accepted during their own times and among their own people. But I feel the Spirit when he speaks to the church, and so I value what he has to say and accept it as the Lord's words and His will. Having a lighthouse in the midst of a constant tempest is a valuable thing. We can stay rooted and directed and keep moving in the right direction.

This blogpost is not so much an invitation for you to believe as I believe, even though I would welcome questions or be happy to talk to you about that; it is more of a plea for you to hold onto the things that you know in your heart are right and correct--the things that you value as sacred; the things that you've proven to be of value. Don't allow yourself to be sidetracked from what you know to be true; plus, embrace truth wherever you find it, and shun those things that you know are contrary to truth.

So if you have Holy Writ or scripture that you esteem as sacred, hold to it and read it. Don't let anyone dissuade you from the Word of God and tell you that it is not important to read His words. You cannot know His words without reading them, and you cannot remember them and incorporate them into your soul and your being without reading them many times. Listen to the Spirit within you. When you are prompted by Light and Truth, do not ignore it, but follow the impulses you have to do good.

Never has there been a day when it is more important to be literate and to choose uplifting things to read. Your soul needs the spiritual nourishment and enrichment found in the scriptures in order for it to thrive or even survive these morally challenging times. I believe that if we could all recommit ourselves to prayer, scripture study, and mediation, we could bring about a mighty change in this world, beginning with ourselves and circling outward to embrace so many others. If your Holy Books are on a shelf or in a box, will you locate them and make them a part of your daily life? Miracles will happen if we all do that. Let's do it.

April 2010 General Conference

Saturday Morning General Conference 3 April 2010
President Monson
We call upon members of the church to reach out to new converts and to those who are making their way back.
Church continues to reach out in humanitarian service; most recently Haiti and Chile. We express love to our saints in these areas. 25 years of the humanitarian service efforts.
New temples are a testimony of the growth of the church. We will continue to build temple throughout the world as our membership grows. Be faithful in performing ordinances for those who are unable to do so for themselves.
President Monson’s wife is recovering well after a fall where she broke a hip and a shoulder and had two subsequent surgeries. She was at the YW Broadcast, and she is at this session of conference sitting with a daughter. He cannot keep these Swedish sisters down.
“You are tall and skinny, and I think you look better in a navy uniform.” “So I joined the navy.”
President Packer
I speak to fathers of families.
Gideon was over the armies of Israel. He chose 300 men. He chose them by how they drank water.
Satan is abroad in the land. He seeks to destroy the souls of men. Gideon’s army—they stood every man in his place.
John the Baptist conferred upon Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priesthood. Peter, James, and John conferred the higher Priesthood, Melchizedek. They were commanded to carry the gospel to all nations. The early saints were subject to unspeakable troubles. 180 years after Priesthood restored, we are almost 14 million strong. We can and in due time certainly will left all of humanity. We will win this battle against Satan.
We cannot progress without the support of the sisters. Priesthood power is given to men to act for God on the earth. Priesthood does not have the strength that it should have, and it will not until it is firmly placed in the family. All programs of the church should not supplant the home, but support the home.
It is the father’s right and the duty to preside, even if there is someone from the 1st Presidency or council of the 12 is present in his home. If the father is not there, it is the mother’s right to president. (President Lee declined to give a young man who was leaving to war a blessing. He was told to go home and ask his father to give him a blessing….The power of the priesthood filled both of them, as the boy’s father gave his son a blessing.)
President Packer told a young man that his father would ordain him. The young man said that he’d asked another brother to do it. President Packer repeated that his father should do it.
We need everyone—the tired, the worn out, the lazy. We must go forward, confident with the eternal power of the Priesthood. I the Lord am bound when you do what I say. It is now our responsibility to activate the Priesthood power in the earth.
Counsel to fathers—you will receive direction from the Lord through the power of the Holy Ghost. The most important thing is for a man and his wife and his children to be happy and protected at home. “This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Fear is the opposite of faith.
Sister Beck
Much distraction, not much peace and joy. Media’s lies about who we are. Among uncertainties, sister have a deep desire to do what is right. A good woman knows that she doesn’t have enough time to take care of everyone and do everything that she wants to do. She needs to ignore worldly message. Spend some time in scriptures every day. Prayer. Have a paper and pen(cil) to record revelation. Mother’s can feel Spirit even among noisy children, but they can lose the Spirit if they become angry. Personal revelation gives us direction of what we should do every day. It is possible to feel bathed in health even in turbulent times. Relief Society has it at its very core the responsibility to help strengthen sisters. A woman can be trusted and relied upon to make significant contributions to the church. We want to be ladies in very deed; not in a worldly way, but in doing good. Greatest good we can do for ourselves and each other is to become refined. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel His Spirit working in us. The Lord depends upon his daughters to do their part to strengthen home and church.
Elder McMullin
Troubled world. Sometimes feels like man is hanging in the balance. Message of God’s forgiveness has a condition, that we forgive others. As someone from a concentration camp forgave a former guard, the healing power of forgiveness filled his whole being. If we are to walk with our heads held high, we must make our contribution. “Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence…Doing one’s duty is a manifestation of one’s faith.” First, our path of duty is to God. When we do our duty to God, we then do our duty to each other. We become loyal and benevolent; we become friends. We can know our duty through prayer. Need to be guiding by the Spirit in praying and in receiving answers to prayer. “Fear God and keep His commandments,” for this is the whole duty of man.
Elder Wilford Anderson
Saints went to Nauvoo seeking refuge. Persecution was relentless. 1846 forced to leave their homes. Quotes on signs nailed to fence posts were filled with joy and hope. These early saints were indeed homeless but they were not hopeless. True source of hope is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Faith of saints in Haiti.) Basic needs were met, and order began to emerge out of chaos. Hope and happiness and joy are not products of circumstance, but of faith in the Lord. If we would build our hope, we must build our faith (in Christ). Faith grows by keeping the commandments. Faith comes by righteousness. We grow in confidence that through the atonement everything will be all right. But faith in Author of the Plan of Happiness, gain peace through the Prince of Peace. “Remember, remember that it is upon the Rock of our Redeemer that you must build your foundation…” He will not forget us, for we are written upon the palms of His hands.
Elder Ballard
Giving the daughters equal time. Mothers and daughters play a critical role. Brothers cannot replicate the divine gifts of womanhood. Dear YW do not look to contemporary culture for identity; look to your mother. Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters. As mothers in Israel, you are your daughters first defense against the wiles of the world. Teach your daughters to find joy in nurturing children. “The most important work that you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home.” Faithful daughters avoid the temptation to gossip and speak ill of each other. Gossip undermines most precious part of womanhood—to be a nurturer. Talk to your daughters about sexual matters. Have frequent open discussions and teach the truth about important matters. A woman’s value is not equated with her sensual appeal. Through making and keeping covenants will strengthen the youth. “Be strong and of good courage.” Help to lead youth safely to the House of the Lord. Follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The home is the most important place to prepare the youth of today to lead the home and the church of tomorrow. Teach, nurture, and prepare one another within the walls of our homes.
President Eyring
President Eyring helped a young woman to learn how to repent. We help God’s children best by providing ways for them to develop faith in Jesus Christ when they are young. A loving Heavenly Father places directions and rescuers along the way. “He sent His Son.” Are most important and powerful assignments are in the family. We have the opportunity in a child’s early life to help place his foot firmly in the path. Eight years of protected time to teach a child. They are given primary teachers as well; they partake of the sacrament with the understanding that they will receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after their baptism.
President Eyring’s son walking home in the dark realized that he needed help. He stopped to pray. Two young people came to help him. They took him to their home, found his phone number in the phone book and his father picked him up and took him home. Personal Progress and Duty to God are powerful programs to help rescue and safeguard our youth. “Learn what we should learn; do what we should do; and be what we should be.” (President Monson) Personal Progress helps young women prepare to receive ordinances in the temple. Let our children feel our confidence that they can make it home to God. Work on goals with our children. As you follow promised direction, we and our youth can be lived safely home to live with God as families forever.

Saturday Afternoon General Conference 3 April 2010
Elder Perry
As he flipped through the pages of his mother’s notebook, it was like hearing his mother’s words one more time. Her best teaching occurred with her children in her home. She prepared diligently to be an example to her children. Second, what she prepared for her lesson (RS) could be used for a higher purpose, teaching in the home. Parents are entrusted with the education of their children. Parents most ensure that their children are learning correct principles. Mother was a natural teacher. She made sure that we were doing well on our school lessons, and she often supplemented the lesson. We memorized scriptures and the Articles of Faith. A parent’s teaching must never be devalued. Parents must teach their children in the home: values, morals, ethical standards, and faith. Parents bring the gospel teachings into their homes one lesson at a time. Happiness, prosperity, and peace all find there roots by teaching our children in our homes. Teach at the cradle-side: teach by example and by precept.
We believe in the immense power of teaching in our homes. Our teaching in our homes prepares us to teach more effectively at church; and our lessons at church prepare us to teach more effectively at home. Responsibilities of parents are set forth in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. So much of the responsibility of teaching a child in the home rests on the mother. (The father is outside of the home to work and provide.) It is our sacred duty to do our very best.
Elder Christofferson
William Tindell’s crime was to have translated and published the Bible into English. “If God saves my life, I will see that the boy that plows the field has more access to the Bible than the pope himself.” (Get real quote.) Under another name he worked on his translation in Germany and the Bibles were smuggled into England. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who preserved the word of God and made it available to us. Through the scriptures, God does indeed show forth his power in order to save His children. The scriptures expand our memory and understanding. We can learn the truth of things that have transpired through the reading of the scriptures.
Today the scriptures are at hand, yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy. God’s commandments are the voice of reality. Scriptures are the touchtone for measuring ________ and truth. Blessings come from honoring true principles; tragedies fall where people abandon them. Scriptures are to fill our souls with faith in God the Father, and in His Son, in the atonement; faith to come to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Ghost spirit to spirit as we hear or read the word of God.
We have the Bible, plus 900 extra pages, plus the words of the prophets in conference and magazines. Our need for constant recourse to the scriptures is greater than in any earlier time. Pick them up and read them.
Elder Aoyagi
Offer helping hands in the Lord’s way. As a new convert, he needed strengthening to come back into line with what he should be doing. There were those to help him. Made a promise in his heart to repent and fully follow Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. The same girl who sent a postcard, that rescued him and brought him back, is the one that he later married in the temple, after he served a mission.
Sometimes we think we are weak and lack the faith to rescue others, but the Lord reminds us, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brothers, ye have done it unto me.” We have a mandate to serve and lift His children. Follow counsel of the prophet, and each day seek out those that we can serve.
Elder Carlson
“We crashed on takeoff about a hundred feet from where we ended up last year.” (One fisherman to the other.) The safety of the church lies in the members keeping the commandments.
When we choose to not keep a commandment:
1. We don’t think it applies to us.
2. We don’t think it is important.
3. We think that it is too difficult for us to keep.
When the Lord commands, Do it! “If you keep my commandments, ye shall have eternal life.”
Elder Bednar
We are blessed by spiritual warning signals. Noah prepared the ark to the saving of his house. Lehi was warned to take his family into the wilderness. Savior saved when Joseph received revelation to flee into Egypt.
Spiritual early warning system applies to children of all ages:
1. Reading and talking about the Book of Mormon
2. Bearing testimony spontaneously.
3. Inviting children to act and not be acted upon.
Elder Holland
Three YW ran up to see hello in an airport. All three were experiencing a temple divorce. Each one’s husband had become involved in pornography.
Most days we all find ourselves assaulted with inappropriate material. The adversary is extending his coverage to cell phones, internet, and iPods. Lust is the most deadly of the 7 deadly sins. Lust defiles the highest and holiest relationship that God allows us in mortality. Lust is characterized by shame and stealth. Lust celebrates self-indulgences and comes with an open appetite. It destroys that which is second to faith in God; namely the faith we have in those we love.
Remove yourself from any of these harmful enticements. When leaving the sin of temptation, do not leave a forwarding address. Get help; pray; ask for the help of angels; ask for a priesthood blessing. Use self-control. Some things may not be evil to begin with but may have the potential to dull our senses and lead us to evil. More than one man has been saved by the memory of the face of his mother, or his wife, or his child. Let will be your reason.
Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Have sacred music and pictures. If endowed, go to the temple. Remember the symbols you take with you, never to be set aside or forgotten. “Let’s work a little harder to always remember Him.” (Isaiah 59)
We can be rescued by Jesus. “O Jesus, Thou Son of God, Have mercy on me.” (Alma)
“I will give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” (Nephi)
May the joy of our fidelity to the highest and best within us be ours as we keep ourselves as pure as we were meant to be.

Sunday Morning General Conference 4 April 2010
Christ the Lord is Risen Today!
President Uchtdorf
A statue of Jesus was damaged during war. The people were so sad. They restored it as much as they could, but they could not restore the hands. The people added the sign, “You are my hands.”
President Uchtdorf always pictures the Lord with hands outstretched. We should be doing as He did as His disciples. “As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes His eyes; our hearts His heart.
Some become discouraged and quit coming to church, because they don’t think that they fit in.
After WWII, goods were brought to help the people in Germany. He remembers the smell of the clothes and the canned peaches. Some people joined the church because of the help they received. These people must be accepted. Let us help our fellow saints feel that they have found a home in the church. “All men are privileged, the one like unto another, and none our forbidden.” Let us not hold ourselves in higher esteem than our needier brethren. “We all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. We all are need of mercy.” Extend to others that which we most earnestly desire for ourselves. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Every person that we meet is a V.I.P. in the sight of our Heavenly Father. We are commanded to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Let us love at all times, and let us be there for our brother at times of adversity.
The Spirit of Compassion: to love others and we love ourselves. True love requires action. Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it every day of His live. Love led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. As we reach out our hands in love to others, something wonderful happens to us. We are healed inside and become more like Christ. Let us commit to become His hands, that others, through us, may feel His love and commit to His praise.
Elder Scott
His totally obedient, worthy son shattered the bonds of death. What a glorious morning that first morning was for all those who understand its significance. Easter is a season that should bring peace and joy to all those who love Him, and they should show it by keeping His commandments.
He answers the ends of the law unto all those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (Lehi) The atonement makes possible to overcome all the negative effects of all the mistakes that we make in life. It is vital that each of us learn what we can about the atonement. Except the atonement be done perfected, none of Heavenly Father’s children could have returned to Him. Jesus had to personally feel all of the pain and sorrow of every person. Jesus had to feel the removal of His Father’s sustaining power to complete the atonement on the cross. Our understanding and faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ will bring sustaining power throughout our lives.
Use the church as a righteous tool to strengthen our home. But recognize that we have the right to inspiration for our own home and family. “What would the Lord Jesus Christ have me do?”
Elder Hallstrom
A couple lost their baby during child birth. They became angry and wanted revenge on the doctor and also became angry with the Lord. Four generations of this family became affected. There is often only one source of peace: the Prince of Peace. “Come unto me…” “My peace I give unto you…”
His aunt died in childbirth along with the twins she was carried. His grandparents were heartbroken, but they turned to the Lord in their grief. They passed away within hours of each other. Elder Hallstrom conducted their double funeral. Four generations affected positively because of their righteous choices.
In less than ten months, Simons Ryder went from an eager convert to an angry mobster, all starting with the misspelling of his name.
“Hold on thy way; fear not what man can do, for God will be with thee forever and ever.” (The Lord to Joseph Smith)
If you feel that you have been treated wrongly, deal with the matter with faith. “Hold on thy way.” Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually. If you turn fully to the Lord, He will deliver you out of bondage.
Sister Lant
How do we seek Him in this life, so that we might see Him in the next? “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of they children.” Love the Lord with all our hearts, and love our children and families. Become worthy examples. We have to know the way in order to show it to our children. Teach our children the gospel and how to live His teachings. Young children can recognize and feel the Spirit. We can find help and direction from the scriptures and then direct our children to also find answers there.
Elder Quentin Cook
The two days prior to His crucifixion were profoundly important. He instituted the sacrament. He taught, “But this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” He emphasized love and unity. He took upon Himself all of our sins. He died and was resurrected on our behalf. He died, was buried, and rose again, and ascended into heaven. All other teachings are appendages to this. Contemplate and emulate what the Savior did in His last two days. Sacrament meeting is the most sacred and holy meeting among all the meetings in the church.
Many are afraid and angry with one another. We must be civil. How we disagree is a measure of who we are and how we follow our Savior. It is appropriate to disagree, but not to be disagreeable.
Spiritually avoid the low path way. Seek the higher ground.
I Wonder When He Comes Again.
President Monson
Thank you. (Two most important words in the English language.)
“If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job) If there is a design for this world, there must be a Designer. “Let there be light,” said the Grand Designer, and there was light. To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life. Heavenly Father knew that we should fall short. To provide us with every possibility of success, he provided a Savior for us. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke) “He went about doing good.” No mere mortal can receive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” He passed beneath all things that He might save all things.
If a man die, he shall live again. “And now after the many testimonies that have been given Him, this is the testimony last of all that we give of Him, That He lives! For we saw Him even on the right hand of the Father.” (Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon)
While Jason was struggling with a debilitating illness, his father said to him that even with the things that he was going through, that he never wanted him to lose his faith in Jesus Christ. Jason opened his eyes and said, “Never.” He died two weeks later. His brother received a mission call. They opened a call together. “Called to serve their missions together on both sides of the veil.”
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death.” In our deepest trials of sorrow, we can receive profound peace.

Sunday afternoon General Conference 4 April 2010
Elder Nelson
Because of the atonement, these consummate blessings are available to the obedient. This church is a witness the hope and the help of the preservation of the family. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. Our inborn yearnings for sacred connections with our families are fulfilled through the sealing ordinances of the temple.
Duplication has been reduced and procedures have been simplified. Gone are the days that this special work was only done by specialists. Primary children can draw a family tree; youth can engage in proxy baptisms in the temple and help their parents with computer efforts, etc. The New Family Search can be accessed at home, a family history center, or wherever Internet is available. (Family Ordinance request—ordinance cards are printed at the temple.) Begin with an empty cardboard box. Put in information about yourself and your family. A family history consultant from your ward or branch will help you. There is more work ahead. Duplication and errors need correction. The church, under the inspired leadership of Thomas S. Monson, is working with you to bring about one common pedigree chart.
We are exalted when we can dwell together with our extended families in the presence of God. “We can make it happen.” We need to prepare a record that is worthy of all acceptation.
Elder Hales
“We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” (Stripling Warriors) Show youth by example. Plan and take advantage of teaching moments that leave a lasting impression upon their hearts. The greatest interest comes from warm interaction with parents. Where family meals are concerned, it is not the food but the family interaction that nourishes the soul. “Grandpa, are you in there.” Are we there? Do we understand the hearts of our youth? Connect with them; do things with them.
On this Easter Sunday, I hope that we will take the opportunity to bear testimony that Christ lives, that we love our children. The greatest missionary service to give is in our own homes. The greatest rescue, the greatest family history and heritage and our homes, will come from our love in our homes for the generations that follow us.
Elder Foster
His father died when he was young, leaving his mother alone with four young children. They did not doubt their mother knew it. “Eric who do you think is the last word, the authority in this house.” “You are, Dad.” “How do you know that, Eric?” “Because mother told me.”
A distraction does not have to be evil to be effective. I yelled at the calves in frustration, “Follow your mothers; they know where they are going.” They were frightened because we were not their mothers. Elder Foster went back to get the cows so that they would lead their calves back to the corral.
Some of our loved ones will stray for a season, but we must never give up. President Monson pleads with us to go and rescue our loved ones. We never know when a heart may be turned; we never know when someone will be worn out. During these times, we often turn to our mothers.
Jesus looked down from the cross at His mother Mary. His final act of love was to ask John to take care of His mother.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
Elder Maritino (?)
“What a pitcher!” Instead of being upset that he didn’t do as he would have liked, he acknowledge how well the pitcher on the other team did. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Paul)
1. He sought not to do His own will, but the will of His Father.
Pass through pains and trial that we might grow. Immunizations—a small amount of pain will prevent great agony later.
2. When we are faced with trials, we need to not complain or murmur.
Don’t ask why me, but what am I to do, what am I to learn, how can I change?
3. Seek direction through pray.
The Lord will help strengthen us as we pass through our trials. Do not become bitter or uncommitted. Be like the Savior and become more committed.
4. Learn to serve and think of others even in our times of trials.
When we serve others, we forget our own problems. Unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our lives.
5. Forgive others, and do not seek to pass the blame of our situation to them.
Elder Schwitzer
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things…Mary hath chosen the better part that shall not be taken from her.”
Martha found Jesus after Lazarus had died. She knew that whatever Jesus would say, would be. “I am the resurrection and the life…Whosever believeth in me shall never die.” Martha believed that Jesus was indeed the Redeemer.
The truth lies in knowing the whole person. (Am I a Mary or a Martha? Martha had a great testimony.)
“Doctor, will my wife be all right.” This man was a child of God, with a great love for another, and I had misjudged him.
Good judgment
1. Put your own standards in alignment with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Listen to the messages of the living prophet.
3. Cultivate with the Holy Spirit a relationship of listening.
External and internal.
4. Keep the commandments.
5. (I missed it)
Elder Francisco_______________
No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God.
Be born again; born of God; changed from a carnal state to a state of righteousness through the power of the atonement.
Parents play an essential role in teaching their children of the things pertaining to righteousness. “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.” (Proclamation)
Elder Anderson
AT this conference, we have heard and felt the mind and will of the Lord. “We hold in our arms the rising generation… We cannot be casual in how we prepare them.”
“Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here.”The stories of Jesus can be a rushing wind across the embers of faith in our children’s hearts. Do our children know that Jesus stands with open arms to receive them? It is by faith that miracles are wrought. Do our children ask for miracles in their own lives? Speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His Holy Name is great spiritual power. “I was given to know that the Lord loves me and that I would be made equal to my mission.” (Elder Oaks’s mother)
If a child is not listening, don’t despair. Time and truth are on your side.
“Two men can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord.”
The sting of their father’s death is swallowed up in Christ. (Young father killed 10 years ago in a car accident, leaving a wife and 7 children.)
President Monson
We are all here because we want to serve, because that is our responsibility. “Trust in the Lord with all they heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.” (Proverbs 3:5) “My soul delighteth in the song of the righteous…” Study the words in the May Ensign and ponder them and apply the messages of this conference to your lives.
Sunday afternoon General Conference 4 April 2010
Elder Nelson
Because of the atonement, these consummate blessings are available to the obedient. This church is a witness the hope and the help of the preservation of the family. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. Our inborn yearnings for sacred connections with our families are fulfilled through the sealing ordinances of the temple.
Duplication has been reduced and procedures have been simplified. Gone are the days that this special work was only done by specialists. Primary children can draw a family tree; youth can engage in proxy baptisms in the temple and help their parents with computer efforts, etc. The New Family Search can be accessed at home, a family history center, or wherever Internet is available. (Family Ordinance request—ordinance cards are printed at the temple.) Begin with an empty cardboard box. Put in information about yourself and your family. A family history consultant from your ward or branch will help you. There is more work ahead. Duplication and errors need correction. The church, under the inspired leadership of Thomas S. Monson, is working with you to bring about one common pedigree chart.
We are exalted when we can dwell together with our extended families in the presence of God. “We can make it happen.” We need to prepare a record that is worthy of all acceptation.
Elder Hales
“We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” (Stripling Warriors) Show youth by example. Plan and take advantage of teaching moments that leave a lasting impression upon their hearts. The greatest interest comes from warm interaction with parents. Where family meals are concerned, it is not the food but the family interaction that nourishes the soul. “Grandpa, are you in there.” Are we there? Do we understand the hearts of our youth? Connect with them; do things with them.
On this Easter Sunday, I hope that we will take the opportunity to bear testimony that Christ lives, that we love our children. The greatest missionary service to give is in our own homes. The greatest rescue, the greatest family history and heritage and our homes, will come from our love in our homes for the generations that follow us.
Elder Foster
His father died when he was young, leaving his mother alone with four young children. They did not doubt their mother knew it. “Eric who do you think is the last word, the authority in this house.” “You are, Dad.” “How do you know that, Eric?” “Because mother told me.”
A distraction does not have to be evil to be effective. I yelled at the calves in frustration, “Follow your mothers; they know where they are going.” They were frightened because we were not their mothers. Elder Foster went back to get the cows so that they would lead their calves back to the corral.
Some of our loved ones will stray for a season, but we must never give up. President Monson pleads with us to go and rescue our loved ones. We never know when a heart may be turned; we never know when someone will be worn out. During these times, we often turn to our mothers.
Jesus looked down from the cross at His mother Mary. His final act of love was to ask John to take care of His mother.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
Elder Maritino (?)
“What a pitcher!” Instead of being upset that he didn’t do as he would have liked, he acknowledge how well the pitcher on the other team did. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Paul)
1. He sought not to do His own will, but the will of His Father.
Pass through pains and trial that we might grow. Immunizations—a small amount of pain will prevent great agony later.
2. When we are faced with trials, we need to not complain or murmur.
Don’t ask why me, but what am I to do, what am I to learn, how can I change?
3. Seek direction through pray.
The Lord will help strengthen us as we pass through our trials. Do not become bitter or uncommitted. Be like the Savior and become more committed.
4. Learn to serve and think of others even in our times of trials.
When we serve others, we forget our own problems. Unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our lives.
5. Forgive others, and do not seek to pass the blame of our situation to them.
Elder Schwitzer
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things…Mary hath chosen the better part that shall not be taken from her.”
Martha found Jesus after Lazarus had died. She knew that whatever Jesus would say, would be. “I am the resurrection and the life…Whosever believeth in me shall never die.” Martha believed that Jesus was indeed the Redeemer.
The truth lies in knowing the whole person. (Am I a Mary or a Martha? Martha had a great testimony.)
“Doctor, will my wife be all right.” This man was a child of God, with a great love for another, and I had misjudged him.
Good judgment
1. Put your own standards in alignment with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Listen to the messages of the living prophet.
3. Cultivate with the Holy Spirit a relationship of listening.
External and internal.
4. Keep the commandments.
5. (I missed it)
Elder Francisco_______________
No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God.
Be born again; born of God; changed from a carnal state to a state of righteousness through the power of the atonement.
Parents play an essential role in teaching their children of the things pertaining to righteousness. “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.” (Proclamation)
Elder Anderson
AT this conference, we have heard and felt the mind and will of the Lord. “We hold in our arms the rising generation… We cannot be casual in how we prepare them.”
“Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here.”The stories of Jesus can be a rushing wind across the embers of faith in our children’s hearts. Do our children know that Jesus stands with open arms to receive them? It is by faith that miracles are wrought. Do our children ask for miracles in their own lives? Speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His Holy Name is great spiritual power. “I was given to know that the Lord loves me and that I would be made equal to my mission.” (Elder Oaks’s mother)
If a child is not listening, don’t despair. Time and truth are on your side.
“Two men can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord.”
The sting of their father’s death is swallowed up in Christ. (Young father killed 10 years ago in a car accident, leaving a wife and 7 children.)
President Monson
We are all here because we want to serve, because that is our responsibility. “Trust in the Lord with all they heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.” (Proverbs 3:5) “My soul delighteth in the song of the righteous…” Study the words in the May Ensign and ponder them and apply the messages of this conference to your lives.
Sunday afternoon General Conference 4 April 2010
Elder Nelson
Because of the atonement, these consummate blessings are available to the obedient. This church is a witness the hope and the help of the preservation of the family. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. Our inborn yearnings for sacred connections with our families are fulfilled through the sealing ordinances of the temple.
Duplication has been reduced and procedures have been simplified. Gone are the days that this special work was only done by specialists. Primary children can draw a family tree; youth can engage in proxy baptisms in the temple and help their parents with computer efforts, etc. The New Family Search can be accessed at home, a family history center, or wherever Internet is available. (Family Ordinance request—ordinance cards are printed at the temple.) Begin with an empty cardboard box. Put in information about yourself and your family. A family history consultant from your ward or branch will help you. There is more work ahead. Duplication and errors need correction. The church, under the inspired leadership of Thomas S. Monson, is working with you to bring about one common pedigree chart.
We are exalted when we can dwell together with our extended families in the presence of God. “We can make it happen.” We need to prepare a record that is worthy of all acceptation.
Elder Hales
“We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” (Stripling Warriors) Show youth by example. Plan and take advantage of teaching moments that leave a lasting impression upon their hearts. The greatest interest comes from warm interaction with parents. Where family meals are concerned, it is not the food but the family interaction that nourishes the soul. “Grandpa, are you in there.” Are we there? Do we understand the hearts of our youth? Connect with them; do things with them.
On this Easter Sunday, I hope that we will take the opportunity to bear testimony that Christ lives, that we love our children. The greatest missionary service to give is in our own homes. The greatest rescue, the greatest family history and heritage and our homes, will come from our love in our homes for the generations that follow us.
Elder Foster
His father died when he was young, leaving his mother alone with four young children. They did not doubt their mother knew it. “Eric who do you think is the last word, the authority in this house.” “You are, Dad.” “How do you know that, Eric?” “Because mother told me.”
A distraction does not have to be evil to be effective. I yelled at the calves in frustration, “Follow your mothers; they know where they are going.” They were frightened because we were not their mothers. Elder Foster went back to get the cows so that they would lead their calves back to the corral.
Some of our loved ones will stray for a season, but we must never give up. President Monson pleads with us to go and rescue our loved ones. We never know when a heart may be turned; we never know when someone will be worn out. During these times, we often turn to our mothers.
Jesus looked down from the cross at His mother Mary. His final act of love was to ask John to take care of His mother.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
Elder Maritino (?)
“What a pitcher!” Instead of being upset that he didn’t do as he would have liked, he acknowledge how well the pitcher on the other team did. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Paul)
1. He sought not to do His own will, but the will of His Father.
Pass through pains and trial that we might grow. Immunizations—a small amount of pain will prevent great agony later.
2. When we are faced with trials, we need to not complain or murmur.
Don’t ask why me, but what am I to do, what am I to learn, how can I change?
3. Seek direction through pray.
The Lord will help strengthen us as we pass through our trials. Do not become bitter or uncommitted. Be like the Savior and become more committed.
4. Learn to serve and think of others even in our times of trials.
When we serve others, we forget our own problems. Unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our lives.
5. Forgive others, and do not seek to pass the blame of our situation to them.
Elder Schwitzer
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things…Mary hath chosen the better part that shall not be taken from her.”
Martha found Jesus after Lazarus had died. She knew that whatever Jesus would say, would be. “I am the resurrection and the life…Whosever believeth in me shall never die.” Martha believed that Jesus was indeed the Redeemer.
The truth lies in knowing the whole person. (Am I a Mary or a Martha? Martha had a great testimony.)
“Doctor, will my wife be all right.” This man was a child of God, with a great love for another, and I had misjudged him.
Good judgment
1. Put your own standards in alignment with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Listen to the messages of the living prophet.
3. Cultivate with the Holy Spirit a relationship of listening.
External and internal.
4. Keep the commandments.
5. (I missed it)
Elder Francisco_______________
No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God.
Be born again; born of God; changed from a carnal state to a state of righteousness through the power of the atonement.
Parents play an essential role in teaching their children of the things pertaining to righteousness. “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.” (Proclamation)
Elder Anderson
AT this conference, we have heard and felt the mind and will of the Lord. “We hold in our arms the rising generation… We cannot be casual in how we prepare them.”
“Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here.”The stories of Jesus can be a rushing wind across the embers of faith in our children’s hearts. Do our children know that Jesus stands with open arms to receive them? It is by faith that miracles are wrought. Do our children ask for miracles in their own lives? Speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His Holy Name is great spiritual power. “I was given to know that the Lord loves me and that I would be made equal to my mission.” (Elder Oaks’s mother)
If a child is not listening, don’t despair. Time and truth are on your side.
“Two men can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord.”
The sting of their father’s death is swallowed up in Christ. (Young father killed 10 years ago in a car accident, leaving a wife and 7 children.)
President Monson
We are all here because we want to serve, because that is our responsibility. “Trust in the Lord with all they heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.” (Proverbs 3:5) “My soul delighteth in the song of the righteous…” Study the words in the May Ensign and ponder them and apply the messages of this conference to your lives.
“I invoke the blessings of heaven on each of you….I love you; I pray for you….”

Again and Again

Have you ever found that the most difficult commandment is to endure to the end? I can be perfectly at peace for a minute. I can be perfectly charitable for an hour. I can be on top of the world for a day. But one small mishap can quickly shatter it all. I guess it is a little bit like Peter walking on water. He had his eyes on the Lord, and he was doing it! Then he noticed the great expanse of water all about him, and he quickly began to sink.

I remember the first time I prayed about the Book of Mormon. I was twelve. I wanted to know if it was true. So I put Moroni's challenge to the test, and I asked Heavenly Father in Jesus's name if it was true. I felt the greatest peace and calm come over me. It was beautiful. I wanted to hold onto that feeling, and I relished that experience the entire evening. I savored it.

I finished the Book of Mormon again a couple days ago. I prayed about it again, and I felt the same Spirit that I did when I was twelve. Then last night as I was reading, I felt that same Spirit. Then one small conversation brought the worries of the world back into my heart, and the peace was chased away. Why did I allow that? I guess it's because we need to be aware of the water all around us constantly, so that we don't sink. We need to look to the Lord like Peter did.

I have found grace and mercy and obtained a forgiveness of my sins. That is a sweet experience. But then I have been caught up in the struggles of daily life, and I continue to make mistakes and I constantly fall short of the glory of God. Again and again, I need to rely on Him and on His redeeming blood to save me. Plateaus are no good. Ladders do not always progress at a vertical slope. But Jesus is a constant. If I could learn to always keep my eye on Him, I know that His perfectness would carry me. How can one sink when Jesus is his focus?

I do not understand how He only did His Father's will and never followed a personal agenda. My small, insignificant tasks are often left undone because I get sidetracked by the things I want to do right now, thinking that I will do the things I should do later. And so I rob myself of peaceful free time and the satisfication of meeting some timely goals. How did He do it?

I know that I need to be more prayerful and turn over my life more to my Heavenly Father, but I'm quite content with how my life is now. I am truly uncertain of the new steps required in such an intricate dance. But I know that when I am ready to learn, He is willing, able, and ready to teach me. I need the faith; I need the courage; and I need the ability to regain focus after every time I notice all the water surrounding me.

Lord, don't let me sink. And, help Thou my unbelief. Again and again, I need Thee.

San Bernardino Stake Conference: Sunday Morning Broadcast Session

Bishop Edgley (1st Councilor in Presiding Bishopric):

Bishop Edgley spoke to a couple whose 5 year old daughter had been killed in an accident. They wanted to speak to a general authority. He visited with them, but mostly he listened to them. This couple had waited for a long time to have this little girl. She was the light of their life. She was the one who brought them back into church activity. She made sure that they took her to Primary. This couple expressed their grief and anger.

Bishop Edgley asked why they were angry. The mother was angry at herself. She felt guilty that she had not watched her daughter closely enough. The father was angry at God.

Bishop Edgley read some scriptures with them. He discussed the Plan of Happinees and the Council in Heaven. None of us would likely have been excited about the plan, knowing their would also be heartache and sorrow (along with happiness and joy) if One hadn't spoken up to say, "Out of pain and suffering, I'll give you hope. Upon covenants, I will sestore famlies." Christ indeed made it so that everything would be all right.

Another family, the Bastians, were in a car accident. Two of their children died. As the parents were sitting on the lawn of the hospital, they made some promises to each other. First, they would never blame God, and second, they would never ask why. Instead, they would have gratitude to our Savior. First, they would praise God who made it all okay. Second, they would seek to bless the lives of others who needed their help. They would reach out to others.

When Bishop Edgley came across two other families who had lost a child, he directed them to speak to the Bastians, only to find out that the Bastians had already visited with these families to offfer them comfort and hope. These were families that the Bastians had not previously known.

Then Brother Rick Bastian died of a heart attack when he was 55. Bishop Edgley wondered, How much is enough for this family?

Sister Bastian said, "While I've temporarily lost my children and my husband, I know what I know, and that cannot be taken from me.

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21)

Do we face tragedies with anger, or do we give thanks to the One who made it all right.

How will these challenges define our remaining lives? (Who can we reach out to help?)
Touch the lives of others. Often these challenges will increase our capacity for love, for adversity, and for understanding. Reaching out to others provides the greatest capacity for healing.

Bishop Edgley promised the couple whose 5-year-old died that their anger could be turned into gratitude. He told them that as they would get on their knees, thank God for the great gift of His Son, and reach out to others, their own burden would be made lighter. He prayed with them and gave them Priesthood blessings. He thanked God for the One who made it all right.

Vicki Matsumori (2nd Councilor in the General Primary Presidency):

Sister Matsumori's New Year's resolutions that focused on her physical heath (weight) and on getting more organized (decluttering and dejunking) are not the most important of her resolutions.

This world is not our real home--it is temporary.
Our real home is with our Heavenly Father.
We need to take stock of where we are currently. Now is the time to prepare to meet God.

Eternal Resolutions:

1. Live what I believe
We need to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places."
(Mosiah 18:9)
We need to be continually progressing. We need to press forward and endure so that we may
gain Eternal Life.
2. Always be worthy to attend them temple
If we live what we believe, we will be worthy. President Uchtdorf said that the temple is the
binding link between generations. The House of the Lord helps us to see the ennd from the
beginning.
3. Leave a legacy of faith to our children and to future generations
There was a family who didn't have any means to buy Christmas gifts for each other. But
someone came into their home and left a room full of presents. Years later, this widowed
mother still didn't have much as to worldly possessions. She was a school teacher and the
sole provider for her family. At tithing settlement the Bishop was startled by the generosity of
this woman's fast offering. He was going to counsel her to save the money instead of donating
it, until the woman related the story of the Christmas presents. She said she'd probably never
know who had given to them so generously and never be able to repy them, but as long a she
was able, she would give a generous fast offering. The Bishop was humbled by the lesson
taught, telling her that her offering put him to shame, and that he had resolved to do better.

Elder Holland said that we should live the gospel conspicuously. We need to let our children see us living the gospel.

There was a family whose little son was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. The pressure in his head caused him much pain. When one night, this 5 month old boy awakened, the parents were decided who would get up to help him this time. But then all was quiet. They walked into the baby's room to check on him. There was his 2 1/2 year old sister. She had climbed into the cradle with him; she had her hands on her little brother's head, and she was giving him a blessing.

Our children need the experience of seeing us live the gospel.


Elder Holland (of the Council of the Twelve):

This year let's work on resolving instead of resolutions. Resolving is the verb form of resolution, and it implies action.

Let's work on resolving issues in our lives. We will discover principles of blessins.

Forgiveness:

I. Forgive yourself of something. Often we are more forgiving of the mistakes of others. Let's be forgiving of other's past mistakes and of our own. Let's resolve some issues once and for all.

The Path of Repentance (for serious sins):
1. Seek forgivenss of others.
2. Meet with the Bishop. Seek forgiveness of the Lord and of His Church.
3. Get it resolved.

Analogy with dental decay:

We have to get the decay out and let the healing begin.

Mistakes and Errors (the dumb things we do that we wish we didn't do):
1. Stop berating yourself
2. Keep working, praying, and striving.

Don't keep berating yourself. When one has a negative view of self, it often leads to negativity towards others and negativity towards life.

We have heard that the Lord is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.
1. Start with pleasing.
2. Every good thing we do pleases Him.
3. Deal with sin properly; when repentance is complete, forgive self and move on.
4. Move on--move up.
5. Be kind to yourselves.

Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. (D&C 58:42) Shouldn't we follow the example of our Lord?

II. Forgive someone else.

1. The work of the atonement is forgiveness.

2. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)

It is the Christian's duty to share in the work of forgiving others of their sins.

3. True disciples are pleasant, patient, and forgiving on all days. We need to soldier on and do as He did.

4. Is there someone who needs forgiveness from you in a personal way? Forgive them. It is as important to yoru progress as it is to theirs.

A Scottish minister said that it may be worse to not forgive than it is to murder. To murder is an act of passion; whereas, to not forgive is the heart's choice.

The greater the provocation, the more the reason to forgive and to be delievered from anger and hate. By so doing, we will be happier and more spiritually healthy.

5. Think regularly and often about the Savior of the world.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

With the atonement, Christ bore the pain and suffering of all sins, so that we, or our neighbors, need not carry them one more step.

Isaiah 53:3-9:

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Elder Holland left us with a blessing:

He blessed us to have an absolutely wonderful, marvelous, blessed New Year; that every need will be met; that every burden be lifted. We have the chance to be free from sin and sorrow. Let's participate in the great, loving work of the Lord.

President Uchtdorf (2nd Councilor in the 1st Presidency):

Heavenly Father loves you and He knows you.
His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Head of the Church. We have a prophet of God on the earth today, President Monson, and he holds all of the keys. He cares about you individually and as families.

The Savior is the One who made it all right. He is the One Author of the Great Plan of Happiness; He is the One who made possible the great miracle of forgiveness.

California is truly the United Nations of the Church. Our stake conference is being broadcast to many stakes in 15 different languages. We are united becuase of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are knit together through our covenants and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. The Church of Jesus Crhist of Latter-day Saints is such a world wide village. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we find the answers and solutions for today's problems. Our faith will help to grow the world wide Chruch. Our faith will help to grow our communities. Our returned missionaries will help in this growth.

There are 1800 missionaries serving from our stakes. President Uchtdorf met a few young men from California on the ski slopes in Utah. There they committed to turn in their papers and serve a mission.

It was a California missionary who brought the gospel to President and Sister Uchtdorf's families.

Youth, prepare yourselves to serve a mission and save for a mission. This is an eternal investment with eternal rewards. Study Preach My Gospel, especially chapter 3. Here you will find the lessons that the missionaries teach. This will help you build your testimony and help you be ready to teach. This will help you recognize your true identity and to see what you need to change. It will help you understand the miracle of forgiveness and the blessings of the atonement.

Decide today to go on a mission. Make a commitment to yourself and to Heavenly Father. You are truly sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. He'll help you to become and to remain worthy. You will be a blessing for generations to come. Don't miss out on this divine experience.

"O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee." (Alma 31:34-35)

I. Power and wisdom to touch those who are not yet members.
Bring them to our meetings.
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God." (Eph 2:19)

II. Reach out warmly to non-particpating members.
There are members on the sidelines. Don't judge them; be forgiving. Invite them to come with you to church. Be a friend to them.

You are part of a great and marvelous work. Actively participate. Internaliz and practice divine teachings. Satan wants to distract us and keep us from the goals that put us on the right path.

If we have good intentions, that is a good start. But we need to have and keep commitments. Use time wisely; set goals in terms of outcomes, not just what we wish to acheive. Engage in calm assessments. Choose what you will do with your time. Have financial goals; but, more importantly, have spiritual goals. Have clearly defined destinations with points and goals along the road so that you can meet the destinations.

The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us defined goals. Evaluate where you are on your journey back to Heavenly Father. Adjust your course; forgiveness will help; repentance is the path. Commandments are not restrictions or obsticles; they have a purpose. Keeping the law of tithing will open the windows of heaven. (See Mal 3:10)

The commandments of God are an important part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are our flight plan. A loving Heavenly Father wants us to succeed in this life and eternally. If you don't think you have the money to put food on the table, still pay your tithing first. Trust in the Lord; be faithful; go to the Bishop for help you need. Tithing will bring greater blessings than food on yoru table. It will bring blessings for generations to come; it will bring eternal blessings.

Avoid those things that are traps set to destroy us, especially pornography. Pornography and violence will tear you down. "Letbvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." (D&C 121:45) Look for helps on the church website: lds.org. Also, check out the new website for the youth: youth.lds.org. Make the extra effot to learn what help is available and use it.

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32)

The atonement allows us to change the natural man and to become sanctified, born again, a new creature. Our own conversion and the conversion of our loved ones is a life-long task.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) We should not be ashamed. We should never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ or of being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We can gain spiritual strength and power by accepting and living the principles of the gospel, and we will boost the level of our conversion.

Re-light the fire of your personal conversion. Increase yoru faith in Jesus Christ by living the gospel, declaring the gospel, and by standing up for your values. Refresh and deepen your own coversion. Develop greater faith in the Savior and strengthn your families.

1. Have a current temple recommend.
This is a precious assett. Go to the temple as often as possible. Youth, go to be baptized for your ancestors. CTR does not only stand for Choose the Right, it also stands for Current Temple Recommend. The standards which are found in Strength of Youth are a reliable benchmark for your worthiness.

2. Study the word of God daily.
The scriptures will help your testimonies become stronger; you will be spiritually strengthened. Also, read the General Conference talks.

3. Speak with your Father in Heaven daily.
Nothing can take the place of prayer.

The world needs the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel provides us with a spiritual backbone. It gives us direction.

Your faithfulness is needed. The rising generation needs to see and feel that it is a joy to live the gospel.

Invitation--Have a current temnple recommend; study the word of God daily; Speak with your Heavenly Father daily. God wants you to succeed.

Blessing--Miracles happen: peace, spiritual strength in our families and in our individual lives. Trust God; follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

San Bernardino Stake Conference: Saturday Evening Adult Session

Sister Sanchez (Mission President's Wife):

Develop a desire to be a missionary.

What is the purpose of a missionary? This is found in Preach My Gospel.
Purpose:

1: INVITE others to come unto Christ
(Not coerce, trick, or force.)
We can invite people to our homes, to parties, weddings, and to dinner.
The word "inviting" means that we will be doing something good with them. We will be there
with them. We will be including them in our joy.
Jesus is our Exemplar in all things. He showed love to all. He invited everyone to come unto
Him.
2: By HELPING them receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
The restored Church has prophets, the Book of Mormon (which is our greatest tool in
helping others receive the gospel), and the Priesthood of God given to men to act in His name.
3: Through
a. FAITH in Jesus Christ and His Atonement
(Teach them what the atonement means in our lives),
b. REPENTANCE
This constitutes a change--the atonement provides a way for us to come back to Him,
c. BAPTISM by immersion for the remission of sins (with this ordinance being performed by
one who has the Priesthood authority to do so),
d. Receiving the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST,
(We are not cleansed merely by baptism, but through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance,
baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost),
e. And ENDURING to the end.
We need to perserver; we need to move forward.

Refocus--look past the list and focus on the purpose: bringing souls to Christ. We can learn more about this by studying Preach My Gospel, which some have renamed Living My Gospel. We will find joy in our missionary labors. The principles found in the Book or Mormon will strenthen us--we will not go astray.

President Sanchez (Mission President):

In each stake, there is a more actively participating half and a less actively participating half. If we want to bring about positive change in our stake, we need to begin with the Primary and Young Men and Young Women's programs.

We need to increase our efforts in reaching out to part member families. One-sixth of the baptisms this past year in the San Bernardino mission were among part member families.

President Sanchez and his wife were presented for a mission by Elder Wirthlin and Elder Cook. They were issued an ivitation to serve as mission president and wife by President Faust, and then they had to wait for their call to come in the mail.

President Sanchez had a confirming witness about their call to serve in the San Bernardino mission. He saw an image of a green field. In the southwest corner there was a great mulotitude of people. He was called to find these people and bring them into the church.

This year is San Bernardino's 200th anniversary.

We are here to build and establish the church in San Bernardino.

When church membership dropped in Southern California, and some buildings only had one ward meeting in them, President Hinckley did not want to sell these properties. Instead, he resolved to send more missionaries to California and to fill those buildings.

There are new converts to be found; there are lost church members to be found. We need to grow the church here in San Bernardino. To do this, there must be increased help from the members. If we continue to do what we have been doing, we will continue to get what we have been getting.

We need to help fulfill President Hinckley's vision. The Savior wants us to find His lambs, to find His sheep. Our convert baptisms need to double.

Jeremiah 16:16 :
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt for them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Even though we have 7,000 less missionaries serving in the world than we did 10 years ago, we still need to double convert baptisms. We need the help of the members in order to accomplish this.

D&C 20;59:
[We] are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ. There were 500 lost members in the San Bernardino Mission that were found last year. President Sanchez has never before seen things happen as they are happening now; he has never seen so many have dreams and visions.
(See Joel 2)

Missionary work is expanding. This church is properly organized according to the order of heaven. We need to exhort and invite. See what the Lord has done for you and what he is doing for others. Become involved in missionary work.

President Ewell:

Show of sharing the gospel
Alma 29:1-2:
O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of my heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

The three Nephites and John the Beloved preferred sharing the gospel to anything else.

Missionaries each have a different style and unique talents. Missionaries find talents on their missions that were not developed prior to their missions.
"Go out and do the work."
When President Ewell was on his mission, sharing the gospel became as natural as talking to his best friends.
Weigh missionary work: joy verses fear and trepidation.
We have all experienced akward moments, but we need to figure out how to share the gospel now, not just when we are called as full-time missionaries.

President Ewell is in counseling and therapy. When he first began seeing patients, he had awkward moments as he tried to do and say everything he learned in the books. He had to learn to develop his own style, trust his own instincts and relax. There is a similar dimension for us in sharing the gospel. By being yourself, you will help others to be comfortable. Your natural gifts will lend themselves to your sharing the gospel

When you hear messages about missionary work and sharing the gospel, do you cringe? Do you feel guilty? Sharing the gospel should be a joy.

President Ewell's family has become good friends with another family on their street. They have shared the gospel more naturally. They have served them, gone to their parties, and invited them to their son's baptism.

How cna we share the gospel? President Ewell's family has prayed about this; they have served their neighbors; they have asked the missionaries for help.

Once President Ewell's friend asked for some help when President Ewell wasn't available to help. He had to be to a conference meeting. But the Spirit told him to call the missionaries. The elders helped this man, and since then, this family has had the elders in their home many times. They have come to know many sets of missionaries. They feed them often and have bought them new clothes. They are learning the gospel.

Do not become so hooked on what doesn't work and on guilty feelings, that you stop doing what does work. (Here I made a list of things I can do presently. This list involves how I can help members in our ward and get to know neighbors on my street.)

President Ewell says:

Follow promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Use your gifts.
Be yourself.
Some good tools are pass-a-long cards, the Book of Mormon, and welcome baskets.
Learn how to use the right tool for the right job.

We can invite our friends to all of our church activities. Use non-threatening ways to include our friends in the gospel. There is much more to sharing the gospel than being a good example. We each have some talents that help us in sharing the gospel. Here are some of these talents:
Being a good listener
Being out-going
Being a mechanic
Being a hard worker.
How can these talents help us share the gospel?

When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22: 31-32)
Be a missionary

Alma was converted through the teachings of Abinidi. Alma and his descendants included 6 generations of missionaries as recorded in the Book of Mormon. Many thousands were brought to the truth and to the waters of baptism as a direct result of Alma's conversion.

How's your family doing in sharing the gospel?

President Poulson was absent because of the death of his brother-in-law. President Avarell shared these words from President Poulson:

1. Remember to continue to have morning devotionals.
2. Read the talk (given as a handout) by President Packer. It is entitled "Prayer and
Promptings."
3. Each adult member to pray and ask Heavenly Father to receive His promptings to better live
the gospel and to be able to bless the lives of his or her spouse and children.

President Avarell:

The redeeming power of the atonement works minute by minute, not just at the judgment day.

Heavenly Father is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.

Christ comes to the bottom of the hill and brings us living water.

Our growth and change and progress are gifts of the atonment.

God is more concerned with our growth than with geography. (Our progression is more important than our present location.)

Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make your fishers of men." (Matt 4:19)
The words in the children's song were changed from, "Teach me all that I must know" to "Teach me all that I must do."

Some people think that they can just worship in their own homes without going to church. If you don't go to church, how do you know who needs your service? Service is the fiber of an exalted life in the celestial kingdom. Charity is not an act, but a condition, a state of being. Individual acts help to build charity within us.

President Avarell shared a touching story of a young man who lost his footing and fell over a cliff. His drop was stopped by a plateau, but then a boulder also fell, hitting him in the head, and his fall resumed. His father witnessed his fall and made his way down the hill as quickly as he could to find that his son's fall was caught by one lone branch on the mountainside. His son was doubled over this branch unconscious.

After getting help for the son, the father and the son were transported to the hospital. The son was in a coma for many days. The doctor told his mother that he was physically progressing, but the doctor wasn't very hopeful about his mental progression, and he wanted him to be transferred to a permanent care unit.

The father was home with the other children, and the expectant mother was alone with her son. In deperation, she found an empty room in which she could pray. As she prayed she heard an audible Man's voice reassuring her that she should not fear. These are the words that she heard: "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) And then she hear these words, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you." She shared the experience with her husband. Their anxiety was over and their faith was restored that all would be all right.

A few days later, the son awakened and spoke with his mother. Ten days after that, he returned home. Although he has some scars, he fully recovered and has no lasting implications from his accident.

Jesus is the One Lone Branch that catches us. We need our Savior's grace always (before, during, and after).

(I hope that you find these notes helpful in your life. This conference was held 16 January 2010. I will post my notes from the Sunday session soon.)

The Old Ties

I attended a marriage and family class tonight. Session one is titled, "Parenting Principles and Practices." Here's the first paragraph: The need for loving, effective parents has never been greater. President Gordon B. Hinckley observed that families are "falling apart all over the world. The old ties that bound together father and mother and children are breaking everywhere....Hearts are broken; children weep."

Old ties jumped out at me. The following material is what I've thought for a long time and not material presented in the class.

What are the old ties that bound families together?

Locality--There was a greater network of extended family. Parents had the help of granparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Church--More families attended church together. There was the support of clergy, Sunday school teachers, friends, and family.

Schools and Community--We all saw more "eye-to-eye." Parents and educators worked together for the best good or in the best interests of the children. There was a rapport; there was more trust.

Stay out Home Mothers--Although many women work out of necessity, women in the work place has presented many challenges to marriages and families.

How can we strengthen the old ties?