Peace is...

Christ rescues us

Christ rescues us, even if we misbehave.

Secure your own mask

There's an object lesson in every flight you take.

After rushing to the airport, checking bags, getting boarding pass, making your way through security and finally boarding the plane, you're settled in your seat with your personal item stowed under the seat in front of you. The flight attendant stands and demonstrates how to use the oxygen mask if the cabin loses pressure in an emergency.

The recorded voice says, "Please secure your own mask before helping another."

We'd do well to apply this in our own lives.

As mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, friends, and visiting teachers we want to be busy helping others. It's part of our religion, baked into each lesson and talk...serve one another, if you love me keep my commandments, charity never faileth and so one. And it's a good thing.

But every day we should secure our own mask, taking in the things that feed our own souls, that strengthen our spirits, that build our own reserves, that make it possible to give and love and serve one another.

This is not selfish, it's self-care.

The commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Meaning we have to love and care for ourselves first before we are able to care for others.

The admonition to secure our own masks is even more important when "emergencies" come in our own lives. To have in place the habits of prayer, fasting, turning to the scriptures for answers and comfort, and relying on the atonement of Jesus Christ prepares us for those hard times, and it allows us to know how best to help others.

To take the metaphor a bit further, we can't breathe in the oxygen for another. Everyone needs their own mask, their own supply of hope and faith and healing.

That is found in Jesus Christ, His atonement and His gospel.

We can and should encourage all to come to Christ and find what they need.

This promise is to us all in our own hard times:

It is Jesus Christ who gave us breath and will hold our hand and keep us (Isaiah 42: 5-6).

It is He who is aware of our most difficult trials and is our greatest safety and hope (Cook, 'Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time')

Let us secure our own masks before helping others. Let us remember who gives us breath and will hold our hand and keep us. Let us encourage others to secure their own masks.

Ellen

Photo credit: Craig Damlo

He Is Risen

“In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”

“As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name—even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior—amen.”
—President Thomas S. Monson

Read, watch, or listen to President Monson’s April 2010 conference address “He Is Risen!”

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The Way

No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Therefore, while the Lord’s invitation to follow Him is the highest of all, it is also achievable by everyone, not because we are able, but because He is, and because He can make us able too. 

“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind [everyone, living and dead] may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

The Lord’s way is not hard. 

Life is hard, not the gospel. 

“There is an opposition in all things”, everywhere, for everyone. 

Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. 

We have only two choices.  

We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. 

And I ask, which way is easier?

~ Elder Lawrence Corbridge, The Way, General Conference, October 2008

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Lesson: Service

Zora Mae, in her 90's and legally blind, makes quilts for newborns

Gospel Principles, Lesson 28, Service
Taught by Margie Clark

How we can serve

Think about ways people have served you and your family members.

Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). As true followers of Jesus, we also must serve others.

Service is helping others who need assistance. Christlike service grows out of genuine love for the Savior and of love and concern for those whom He gives us opportunities and direction to help. Love is more than a feeling; when we love others, we want to help them.

All of us must be willing to serve, no matter what our income, age, or social position. Some people believe that only the poor and lowly should serve. Other people think service should be given only by the rich. But Jesus taught otherwise. When the mother of two of His disciples asked Him to honor her sons in His kingdom, Jesus replied, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26–27).

There are many ways to serve.

We can do small and large acts of service. We should never fail to help someone because we are unable to do great things.

- Elizabeth remembered a time as a military family when a bag of hand-me-down clothes was like Christmas.
- Owenna recalled a time after a surgery when a friend showed up at her door to scrub the bathrooms.
- Our fast offerings go to help our fellow ward members.
- A smile, extra patience with a child doing homework, a listening ear can all be acts of service.
- A home teacher or visiting teacher can touch hearts in small ways.
- That sort of kindness creates a pattern that keeps the service going.
- President Coe in our ward conference encouraged us to act quickly on a thought, to minister.
- Think of a time when even the smallest service lifted your heart.

Sometimes, however, we must sacrifice greatly to serve someone. The Savior gave up His life in serving us. Boyd K. Packer tells this story:

Over the years I have watched one dear sister give service far beyond any calling to teach or lead in the Church. She sees a need and serves; not “Call me if you need help,” but “Here I am; what can I do?” She does so many small things, like holding someone’s child in a meeting or taking a child to school who has missed the bus. She always looks for new faces at church and steps forward to make them welcome.

Her husband knows that when they attend a ward social, he can generally count on her saying, “Why don’t you go along home. I see they are a little short on help to clear up and do the dishes.”

He came home one evening to find her putting the furniture back in place. That morning she had the feeling that she should see how an elderly sister with a heart condition was managing a wedding breakfast for a grandchild who had come from out of state to be married in the temple.

She found the woman sitting alone at the church, in despair, surrounded by the things she had brought in preparation. Somehow there had been a double booking of the hall. In a few hours the guests would arrive. Whatever could she do?

This attentive sister took the older sister home with her and put her down to rest. Then she went to work moving the furniture around. When the guests arrived, a beautiful wedding breakfast was ready to be served.

Think about people in your family or community who are in need economically, socially, physically, or spiritually. Ponder things you can do to serve them.

Why the Savior wants us to serve others

Through the service of men and women and boys and girls, God’s work is done. President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82).

What blessings do we receive through service to others?

When we serve others we gain important blessings. Through service we increase our ability to love. We become less selfish. As we think of the problems of others, our own problems seem less serious. We must serve others to gain eternal life. God has said that those who live with Him must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34–40).

President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to ‘find’ ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 85–86).

The Savior provided the perfect example of service.
He explained that He didn’t come to earth to be served but to serve and to give His life for us (see Matthew 20:28).

Jesus Christ loves all of us more than we can understand.

He is the Creator of the earth and our Savior, yet He did many humble acts of service. Just before His Crucifixion He met with His disciples. After teaching them, He took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet (see John 13:4–10; see also the picture in this chapter). In those days washing a visitor’s feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did it as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like Christ.

Dallin H. Oakes: "Our Savior...taught that each of us should follow him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to service others."



Related posts:
Delight in service and good works
Your personal ministry, Bishop Pope
Visiting teaching, the movie

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Apostles of Jesus Christ testify of the Saviors power to heal, change, and purify us through His Atonement.

"You Will Be Freed"

This great new Mormon Messages video goes so well with our recent discussions in Relief Society on addictions.  It beautifully portrays the hope and power that comes through the Atonement.



“For those of you who have fallen prey to any kind of addiction, there is hope because God loves all of His children and because the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ makes all things possible,” Elder M. Russell Ballard testifies. “It begins with prayer—sincere, fervent, and constant communication with the Creator of our spirits and bodies, our Heavenly Father. . . . Ask to be filled with the power of Christ’s pure love.”

I also think that this applies to any who have family members who have fallen prey to an addiction.  The Atonement truly can heal us all.

In addition to watching this video, you can read, watch, or listen to Elder Ballard’s October 2010 general conference address, “O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One.”

Devon

He is Born, He is Risen

Today's RS lesson was taken from President Monson's Easter talk, He Is Risen! , April 2010, given by me.

The reason for the celebration of the Christmas season is the Easter season. He is born! He is risen!

By Frank Bramley (oil on canvas - 123cm x 168cm) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Many years ago, while in London, England, I visited the famed Tate art gallery. Works by Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Constable, and other renowned artists were displayed in room after room. I admired their beauty and recognized the skill which had been required to create these masterpieces.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the third floor, however, was a painting which not only caught my attention but also captured my heart. The artist, Frank Bramley, had painted a humble cottage facing a windswept sea.

Two women, the mother and the wife of an absent fisherman, had watched and waited the night through for his return. Now the night had passed, and the realization had set in that he had been lost at sea and would not return. Kneeling at the side of her mother-in-law, her head buried in the lap of the older woman, the young wife wept in despair. The spent candle on the window ledge told of the fruitless vigil.

I sensed the young woman’s heartache; I felt her grief. The hauntingly vivid inscription which the artist gave to his work told the tragic story. It read, A Hopeless Dawn.

Oh, how the young woman longed for the comfort.

What mortal being, faced with the loss of a loved one or, indeed, standing himself or herself on the threshold of infinity, has not pondered what lies beyond the veil which separates the seen from the unseen?

President Monson goes on to answer that question by recounting the plan of salvation being designed by a Grand Designer...a premortal existence, Jesus Christ as creator, coming to earth to get a body, to learn and grow, to prove that we could keep the commandments, being tempted and sinning, the need for a Savior and Redeemer. The need for a resurrected Christ to save us from the Fall. He is resurrected and lives again and that's what gives us hope rather than a hopeless dawn.

In the face of death and difficulties, we can find hope in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is source of light and truth.
D&C 39: 1-4.
He is the light and life of the world because all things were made by Him. He is the source of truth in our lives. He leads us by His example and His teachings. As we keep the commandments and do good he promises to always be with us and guide.

How has Christ been a light in your life?

He brings peace in times of sorrow, doubt, fear, loneliness
John 14:27, Matthew 11: 28-30

We all have sorrows: worry, fear, divorce, heartache, financial problems, abuse, anxiety. His peace is not as the world sees peace. It passes all understanding, yet it is undeniable. It comes to us through the Holy Ghost.

Turning to Him brings us rest and peace. It’s one of the two things we came to do on earth. 1. Turn to him, love him with all our hearts. 2. Love our neighbors.

And, others who have already turned to him come to us to help us feel peace, help, and comfort. Just as we can then turn and help others feel His peace.

How has Christ brought peace to you in times of sorrow and loneliness?

He heals our sicknesses and wounds
Alma 7:11, Malachi 4:2

He healed many in His ministry to the Jews and the Book of Mormon people.

He has felt what you feel and understands completely.

He has reestablished his power and priesthood on earth. And we have been blessed and witnessed miracles by it's use.

He may not take our burdens away, but he strengthens us.

Dallin Oakes said in a recent talk, He Heals the Heavy Laden:

Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.

The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality.

Has there been a time when you've been healed?

He atoned for our sins
Alma 34:14-15

How do we partake of Christ's atonement?

He sweat great drops of blood for each of us. We remember that every week through the Sacrament

We come to God in sincere prayer, humbled, and ask forgiveness in Christ’s name.

He lives again so we can too
1 Cor. 15:19-22

This knowledge gives us comfort. President Monson goes on to say:

No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen.”

Our Savior lived again.

The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

Many have testified of the reality of his resurrection and the hope He gives us. Here are a few more testimonies in this video.



I add my testimony to the many that have been given of Him. He lives, He love us, He gives us hope!

e

Read more:
The Light and Life of the World, Dallin H. Oaks
Peace Within, Joseph B. Wirthlin
He Heals the Heavy Laden, Dallin H. Oaks
What Think Ye of Christ, Dallin H. Oaks

Share This Video With a Friend

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings the classical and beloved Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.



Share the Christmas good from BYUTV:

We know this is a time when many of you share Christmas greetings with friends and family members online. After you watch the Choir's video below, we challenge you to spread this unique Christmas message by sharing it! Post it on your Facebook Wall, embed it in your blog, send it in a holiday email. We want to provide you with this stirring musical performance so you can feel and spread the spirit of the season.

e

Lesson: The Church of Jesus Christ Today

Gospel Principles, Lesson 17
The Church of Jesus Christ Today

By Marie Tiller

It's this simple. When you talk to your friends about the church help them see...Christ established a church...men changed it...Christ restored it once again.

The church in the former days

When Jesus lived on the earth, He established His Church, the only true Church.

He organized His Church so the truths of the gospel could be taught to all people and the ordinances of the gospel could be administered correctly with authority.

Through this organization, Christ could bring the blessings of salvation to mankind.

The church in the latter days

On April 6, 1830, the Savior again directed the organizing of His Church on the earth.

His Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christ is the head of His Church today, just as He was in ancient times. The Lord has said that it is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased”.

Joseph Smith was sustained as prophet and “first elder” of the Church. Later the First Presidency was organized, and he was sustained as President. When the Church was first organized, only the framework was set up. The organization would develop as the Church continued to grow.

The Church was organized with the same offices as were in the ancient Church. That organization included apostles, prophets, seventies, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (presiding officers), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons. These same offices are in His Church today.

The truths in both times
The Church today teaches the same principles and performs the same ordinances as were performed in the days of Jesus. The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Through the gift and power of God, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, which contains the plain and precious truths of the gospel. Many other revelations followed and have been recorded as scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

Other important truths that the Lord restored include the following:

1. Our Heavenly Father is a real being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones, and so is Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.
   
2. We existed in premortal life as spirit children of God.
   
3. The priesthood is necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel.
   
4. We will be punished for our own sins and not for Adam’s transgression.
   
5. Children do not need to be baptized until they are accountable (eight years old).
   
6. There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts.
   
7. Family relationships can be eternal through the sealing power of the priesthood.
   
8. Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead.

How have these truths influenced you and others?

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Lesson: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times

Gospel Principles, Lesson 16,
The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times
By Margie Clark

Six Features of the Church of Jesus Christ

“We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth” (Articles of Faith 1:6).

Jesus established His Church when He was on the earth. It was called the Church of Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 27:8), and the members were called Saints (see Ephesians 2:19–20).

Revelation

When Jesus established His Church, He personally instructed and directed its leaders. He, in turn, received His instructions from His Father in Heaven.

  

John 8:26-29:

  26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak
       to the world those things which I have heard of him.

  27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

  28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye
       know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I
       speak these things.
  29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always
       those things that please him.

Authority from God

John 15:16:

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.

The Church Organization

The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit. It was compared to a building in Ephesians 2:20:

...built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

First Principles and Ordinances

Acts 19:4-6:

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Ordinances Performed for the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:29:

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts always exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Mark 16: 17-18:

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

What does the term apostasy mean?

Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God. This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus. Some rebelled openly. In addition, there was persecution from outside the Church. Church members were tortured and killed for their beliefs. One by one, the Apostles were killed or otherwise taken from the earth. Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood keys were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the dissolution of the Church was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.

A Restoration Foretold

The Apostle Peter spoke of this restoration to the Jews in Acts 3: 20-21:

He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

John the Revelator had also foreseen the time when the gospel would be restored. He said in Revelation 14:6:

I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

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Video: Finding Hope

A man describes his journey from the tragedy and trauma of 9/11 to hope, healing, and renewal through Jesus Christ.

Video: Forgiveness

Have a tissue handy...

My Burden Was Made Light

Forgiveness and the power of Jesus Christ enable a man to survive losing his wife and several children in a car accident—and allow the offending driver to begin rebuilding his own life. Read President James E. Faust's talk on forgiveness: http://bit.ly/alS1ui.

Lesson Recap: The Atonement

Gospel Principles, Lesson 12

Taught by Marie Tiller

Jesus Christ “came into the world … to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through him all might be saved” (D&C 76:41–42). The great sacrifice He made to pay for our sins and overcome death is called the Atonement. It is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind.

Effects of the Fall of Adam	The Blessings of the Atonement
Separation from God (spiritual death) Physical death Work Opposition Pain	Restoration Resurrection Repentance Rest Healing

Our wise Heavenly Father prepared a wonderful, merciful plan to save us from physical and spiritual death. He planned for a Savior to come to earth to ransom (redeem) us from our sins and from death.

Why was Jesus Christ the only one who could atone for our sins?

There are several reasons why Jesus Christ was the only person who could be our Savior. One reason is that Heavenly Father chose Him to be the Savior. He was the Only Begotten Son of God and thus had power over death. Jesus explained: “I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:17–18).

Jesus also qualified to be our Savior because He is the only person who has ever lived on the earth who did not sin. This made Him a worthy sacrifice to pay for the sins of others.

Christ suffered and died to atone for our sins
Elder Jeffery R. Holland (None Were With Him) said:

Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence.

It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins.

For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.

But Jesus held on. He pressed on. The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete anguish. The trust He lived by told Him in spite of His feelings that divine compassion is never absent, that God is always faithful, that He never flees nor fails us.

When the uttermost farthing had then been paid, when Christ’s determination to be faithful was as obvious as it was utterly invincible, finally and mercifully, it was “finished.” Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair. With faith in the God He knew was there, He could say in triumph, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

...because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.

His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends.

All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

We accept Christ’s Atonement by placing our faith in Him. 

Through this faith, we repent of our sins, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and obey His commandments. We become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven and cleansed from sin and prepared to return and live forever with our Heavenly Father.

The Savior tells us, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer … even as I” (D&C 19:16–17). Christ did His part to atone for our sins. To make His Atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey Him and repent of our sins.

Ponder how you can show gratitude for the gift of the Atonement.

e

Lesson Recap: Testimony

Taught by Devon Linn

A testimony is a personal conviction of gospel truths, based on knowledge revealed by the Holy Ghost.

Most Church members have a testimony of some principle of the gospel, and on this foundation a more complete testimony can be built. It may be related to a one-time event or memory, or the piling up of hundreds of small impressions and experiences that provide the foundation.

A testimony motivates us to live righteously, and righteous living causes a testimony to grow. A testimony of the Savior and his gospel is essential to our exaltation.

Essentials

Elder Faust teaches us about the importance of bearing testimony:

All my life I have tried not to hide who I am and what I believe in. I cannot recall a single instance when it hurt my career or I lost valued friends by humbly acknowledging that I was a member of this Church.

There are four absolutes about which it is always appropriate for us to testify:

The first is that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, the Mediator and Redeemer of the world.

The second is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and reestablished the Church of Christ upon the earth with its keys and authority.

The third is that all of the Presidents of the Church since Joseph Smith have been successors in that power and authority.

The fourth is that President Gordon B. Hinckley [now President Monson] is the only prophet of God upon the earth, holding all of the keys, powers, and authorities of the Church in the earth today.

As one of the special witnesses of the Lord, I desire to declare my testimony to you. I am grateful that I have always had a testimony of the gospel.

I cannot remember when I did not believe. I have not always understood everything and do not claim to do so now, but through thousands and thousands of spiritual confirmations throughout my life, including my calling to the holy apostleship, I can declare my testimony to you that Jesus is the Christ. With every fiber and cell of my being, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I testify that Joseph Smith was the greatest prophet who ever lived upon the earth and of great importance to the Savior in the work of God on the earth. I know this to be true.

A process

Elder Godoy, of the Seventy reminds us that gaining a testimony is a process:

A testimony, for some people, may come through a single and irrefutable event. But for others, it may come through a process of experiences that, perhaps not as remarkable but when combined, testify in an indisputable way that what we have learned and lived is true.

Today, after many years as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I might not be able to remember most of the experiences that have shaped my testimony.

Still, all of these experiences have left their mark and contributed to my testimony of the restored Church. Today, I have an absolute certainty of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sharing

The remainder of our lesson today was left for sisters to bear testimony of some particular principle of the gospel, and when and how we knew it was true.

Charity spoke of a sure knowledge of the eternal family and that God has a plan for each of us and our families and we need to trust that plan.

Christine told of a time when she diligently sought to know Joseph Smith and more about him as a man and a prophet, and it strengthened her testimony of him.

Madelyn had a time when she was down and struggling and feeling unworthy, but turned to the Savior for comfort. She realized that the choice to accept the Atonement is ours.

Jill remembered a time when friends reaching out to her helped her return to the church and helped her testimony grow and strengthen as she relearned the truths of the gospel. She cherishes those friendships.

Sister Layman (a visitor) told of a time when she was little and the Holy Ghost inspired her to be awake and in the right place to help her mother when she had an allergic reaction to medicine.

Sister Sasser shared her testimony and love for the gospel. [She will be transferred this week and we so appreciated hearing from her one more time. We wish her luck in the remainder of her mission.]

Sisters, whatever your testimony is, wherever you are in your progress toward God and having a conviction of the truth, you can know that He is there, that he cares and that he wants to give you the gift of testimony. He wants you to build your testimony and to bear your testimony.

Thanks to Devon for the lesson and for setting the stage for us to share our testimonies today.

e

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Christ as Father

Father's Day has come and gone, without a single reference here. Can't let that happen. So here is a thoughtful and interesting look at Christ as our Father.

That Jesus Christ is our father, metaphorically speaking, is something I find beautiful and not the least bit troubling, but some may be confused still.

It's not something we talk about often because we worry that it comes too close to the concept of the Trinity or three persons in one being. We want to be sure no one misunderstands our concept of the Godhead, that is three personages one in purpose rather than essence.

But it is doctrine that is taught all through the scriptures. So let's look at it. 

Below are a couple of articles that may clarify.

Larry E. Dahl, The Morning Breaks, The Shadows Flee

The four listed meanings of the term Father include:

1. Father as Literal Parent—referring to God the Father, or Elohim, as the father of our spirits

2. ‘Father’ as Creator—referring to both God the Father and to Jesus Christ;

Jesus Christ is often referred to as the Father because he is the Creator of heaven and earth. Amulek taught this truth in response to Zeezrom’s question, “Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?” (Alma 11:38):  

Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;  

And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else” (Alma 11:39–40).

To Moroni the Savior explained His role as Father, or Creator, of the heavens and earth: “And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are” (Ether 4:7).

In their exposition on the subject, the First Presidency and the Twelve offered this clarifying insight: Jesus Christ, whom we also know as Jehovah, was the executive of the Father, Elohim, in the work of creation. … Since His creations are of eternal quality He is very properly called the Eternal Father of heaven and earth.

3. Jesus Christ the ‘Father’ of Those Who Abide in His Gospel;

King Benjamin provides an example of the idea that Jesus Christ is the Father of all who truly accept the Atonement. Benjamin speaks of those who are “spiritually begotten” of the Savior and become “his sons, and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7) through making and keeping gospel covenants.

This same principle is spoken of by Abinadi when he explains that the Savior’s “seed” (Mosiah 15:10) are those who believe on him and hearken to the words of his prophets (see Mosiah 15:10–14).

Again the First Presidency and the Twelve summarize: If it be proper to speak of those who accept and abide in the Gospel as Christ’s sons and daughters—and upon this matter the scriptures are explicit and cannot be gainsaid nor denied—it is consistently proper to speak of Jesus Christ as the Father of the righteous, they having become His children and He having been made their Father through the second birth—the baptismal regeneration.

4. Jesus Christ the ‘Father’ by Divine Investiture of Authority.

The First Presidency and the Twelve wrote: In all His dealings with the human family Jesus the Son has represented and yet represents Elohim His Father in power and authority. … The Father placed His name upon the Son; and Jesus Christ spoke and ministered in and through the Father’s name; and so far as power, authority, and Godship are concerned His words and acts were and are those of the Father.

Hence, when Jesus Christ begins a revelation with “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ” and says that “the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father,” then later in the same revelation speaks of “mine Only Begotten Son” (D&C 29:1, 27, 42), it can be understood in the latter verse that it is still the Savior speaking, by divine investiture of authority.

In that same revelation he speaks both for himself and for the Father. It may be in many of the scriptures where it appears the Father is speaking that Jesus Christ is really the voice, speaking in the name of the Father in the first person as if he were the Father. 

Good talk from LDS.org goes on to expound on Christ as the Son, Christ as the Father, and Christ as Redeemer. Well worth the read.

Reese Dixon, My Father's Day Sermon

...the record might not show Christ as a literal father, we can still turn to him as our example in all things. Throughout the scriptures, Christ is referred to as a father. Isaiah, in a passage quoted famously by Handel, refers to Christ as “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]

[1Cor 4:15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

[Mosiah 15:11] Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.

[D&C 11:30] But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen.

Corinthians tells us that Christ bears us into the gospel. Mosiah says that we become His heirs and His seed when we hearken to those that testify of Him. The D&C tells us that if we believe in him we become His sons and daughters. Christ becomes our metaphorical father when we believe in his name. The baptismal ceremony is replete with symbolism of birth. We enter the waters of baptism and are reborn in His name.

She goes on to expound on Christ as a teacher, nurturer and exemplar. Good talk.

And last...

Teachings of Joseph F. Smith, The Father and the Son

“… I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one” [3 Nephi 11:27].

I do not apprehend that any intelligent person will construe these words to mean that Jesus and his Father are one person, but merely that they are one in knowledge, in truth, in wisdom, in understanding, and in purpose; just as the Lord Jesus himself admonished his disciples to be one with him, and to be in him, that he might be in them.

It is in this sense that I understand this language, and not as it is construed by some people, that Christ and his Father are one person. I declare to you that they are not one person, but that they are two persons, two bodies, separate and apart, and as distinct as are any father and son.

[The Father and the Son] are one—in attributes. They are one in love, one in knowledge, one in mercy, one in power, one in all things that make them united and powerful, glorious and great, because in them is perfected all truth, all virtue and all righteousness.

Food for thought. Comments?

e

Lesson Recap: The Life of Christ

Gospel Principles, Lesson 11

The Life of Christ

Taught by Margie Clark

The life of Christ was predicted long before His birth
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. …

“… Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. …

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. …

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:3–5, 7).

He was the only begotten of the Father
Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. That is why He is called the Only Begotten Son. He inherited divine powers from His Father.

From His mother, Mary, He inherited mortality and was subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death.

No one could take the Savior’s life from Him unless He willed it. He had power to lay it down and power to take up His body again after dying.

He taught us how to love and serve one another
He came to earth not only to die for us but also to teach us how to live. He taught that there are two great commandments: first, to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength; and second, to love others as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:36–39).

His life is an example of how we should obey these two commandments.

If we love God, we will trust and obey Him, as Jesus did. If we love others, we will help them meet their physical and spiritual needs.

...He taught that whenever we find people hungry, cold, naked, or lonely, we should help them all we can. When we help others, we are serving the Lord. (See Matthew 25:35–46.)

• In what ways can we show the Lord that we love Him? Or in what ways have others served you and so you have felt His love?

Several sisters shared experiences that strengthened their testimonies: one sister with a difficult pregnancy was visited every week by another sister; one sister had very short notice to move and many sisters showed up to help pack everything up; a high priest group pitches in unbidden to clean up a fallen tree in one sister's yard after a storm. 

Each of us can think of a time when someone reached out to us in love and the Savior's love was felt. Please share with us in the comments.

And sisters, let's not let a thought or urge to do something for someone else slip away before we act. We could be means of strengthening another's faith in Jesus Christ.

He redeemed us from our sins and saved us from death
The night before His Crucifixion, Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane. Soon He was weighed down by deep sorrow and wept as He prayed.

Latter-day Apostle Orson F. Whitney was permitted to see the Savior’s suffering in a vision. Seeing the Savior weep, he said: “I was so moved at the sight that I also wept, out of pure sympathy. My whole heart went out to Him; I loved Him with all my soul, and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else”.

Jesus taught: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13–14).

He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. To receive these blessings, we must come unto Him, repent of our sins, and love Him with all our hearts.

“I am the Way”

Elder Corbridge of the Seventy says...

...the Lord said, “I am the way.” He said, “Follow me.” He said, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”

Don’t think you can’t.

We might think we can’t really follow Him because the standard of His life is so astonishingly high as to seem unreachable.

We might think it is too hard, too high, too much, beyond our capacity, at least for now.

Don’t ever believe that.

While the standard of the Lord is the highest, don’t ever think it is only reachable by a select few who are most able.

... this is not a human endeavor. It is, rather, the work of God. It is God’s work and it is His “glory … to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” There is nothing else like it. Not anywhere. Not ever.

... while the Lord’s invitation to follow Him is the highest of all, it is also achievable by everyone, not because we are able, but because He is, and because He can make us able too.

He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; … and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Thanks, Margie, great lesson. I love seeing how deeply you feel about the Savior. And, I love hearing all your testimonies of Him.

e

Lesson: Our Perfect Example

Taught by Cheryl Wentzel

President Henry B. Eyring

Our Perfect Example, October 2009

The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live.

Part of that expectation is set for us in a revelation given by God to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It describes the day when we will meet the Savior, as we all will. It tells us what to do to prepare and what to expect.

It is in the book of Moroni: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”

That ought to help you understand why any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what lies ahead for him or her, however difficult the present may be.

We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect.

Considering the attributes of Jesus Christ should quash the pride of the self-satisfied person who thinks he or she has no need to improve. And even the most humble person can take hope in the invitation to become like the Savior.

...determination and confidence can and must be in the heart of every Latter-day Saint. The Savior has prepared the way through His Atonement and His example.

Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others.

There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed those as the first and great commandments. It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him.

...First, I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion.
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...Now I give counsel to the parents of a wandering child. The Savior is the perfect example of persisting in love. ...The story of the prodigal son gives us all hope. The prodigal remembered home, as will your children. They will feel your love drawing them back to you.

...Now, here is my counsel to children. The Lord gave you a commandment with a promise: “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

...For all of us it may be hard to see in our lives an increasing power to love and to see ourselves becoming more like the Savior, our perfect example.

...Because of His Atonement for you, your childlike obedience will bring a feeling of love of the Savior for you and your love for Him. That is one of the gifts that is promised to His faithful disciples. And this gift can come not only to you alone but also to the loving members of your family.

...None of us is perfect yet. But we can have frequent assurance that we are following along the way. He leads us, and He beckons for us to follow Him.

What Manner of Women Ought Ye to Be?

Reylyn Checketts has kindly agreed to share her talk with us again here on our blog.

It is based an article by President Uchtdorf from the Sep 2009, Liahona, The Influence of Righteous Women.

It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the influence that righteous women have had in our own lives.

Righteous women in the scriptures
He  begins:

As we look at the history of this earth and the history of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, it becomes obvious that women hold a special place in our Father’s plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of His children. He mentions Eve, the mother of all living.

Sister Tiller gave a great lesson in Relief Society last Sunday about the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Whereas much of the world blames Eve for the world’s problems, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of these privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden.

Among other great influential women is Mary, the mother of Jesus who brought forth the Savior of the world. When the angel Gabriel came in unto her he said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”. Mary’s response to her call was this. “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

The scriptures also mention women whose names are unknown to us but who bless our lives through their example and teachings. Women such as the woman of Samaria whom Jesus met at the well of Sychar. Also, Martha, Rebekah, Sarah and there are many others.

In Gospel Doctrine class last week, Sister Hall mentioned “the midwives” during the lesson about Moses. Knowing that I would be speaking this week on righteous women, that piqued my interest. I looked it up in the Exodus to read for myself and while reading, I was so impressed at the courage of these women. 

Women’s nature to nurture
President Uchtdorf:

Through serving in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations—not to mention their private acts of love and service—women have always played and will always play an important part in helping “bring forth and establish the cause of Zion”.

They care for the poor and the sick; serve proselytizing, welfare, humanitarian, and other missions; teach children, youth, and adults; and contribute to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Saints in many other ways.

It’s these qualities that made me think of another talk by President Uchtdorf that he gave in the most recent General Conference.

You will recall the story he told of the bombing of a city during World War II where a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God's presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war.

Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

When I heard that story, I thought of women.

It’s women’s nature to nurture. Great deeds are done by men, but, when I think of being “God’s hands,” I think of righteous women.

Even as He is
So, in answer to “What manner of  Man or Woman ought ye to be,” the answer is “to be even as He is, and do as He would do.”

To encourage women in this effort, President Uchtdorf says:

As you live up to this mission, in whatever life circumstance you find yourself—as a wife, as a mother, as a single mother, as a divorced woman, as a widowed or a single woman—the Lord our God will open up responsibilities and blessings far beyond your ability to imagine.

He adds:

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. [and here is where women need to listen because we have a tendency to beat ourselves up] 

. . . But  don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. 

Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. 

Don’t compare yourself with others. 

Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. 

Have faith and confidence in Him and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. 

The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fullness of the gospel. 

Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

President Uchtdorf concludes, “My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity.”

President Uchtdorf is much like President Hinckley in that he offers encouragement and makes us feel like we can do it. I love that.

Thanks Reylyn. We love that too.

e