Oct 5, 2013 General Conference

Pres. Monson - 80,000 missionaries.  Addresses are inspired by God.

Elder Hale - Listen to General Conference.

Elder ... Meekness and kindness, exercise self control, learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart.  It is not possible to grow quickly but over time.  Take up our cross daily.  Improve each day. Why?  One days failed, do it the next day or the third day.  Control our temper.  May be a challenge.  What is you response when some one offends you.  Convey our feelings with gentleness.  Black person listening to the church meeting through the window.

Sister ... Men and women are both needed. We work on keeping our covenants.

Elder ....  good talk.

Elder Bednar - Law of tithing have other ways to receive blessing.  Eyes to see more clearly.  God's  throughts are higher than our thoughts.  Greater capacity to change or own circumstances rather than and increase of income.  We can receive greater capacity to go forth rather than more.  Assurance, peace, faith and hope is what is needed.  We might plead for posterity, we might get increased capacity.  He may increase our resolve.

Tithing simplicity - disposition of the tithes.  council of...,  Appreciation for the Lord's law of finance.  foundation for fiscal affairs.  one tenth of all their interest annually.  Shall be disposed of by a council.

two basic and fixed principles.  The church spends what it receives, no more.  sets aside money for the future.  All members should observe the simplicity of how the church does it.

Widows might.... church accutely aware of....

Afternoon

Elder Packard - Atonement

Elder ..... Missionary work.  match or energy to the leaders.

Elder .... Less active member activation.  Gospel blessing in their home.  Marta didn't want to go to church. Singing of a hymn that touched Marta's heart.  Naaman leper, Elisha, wash in Jordan seven times.  naaman was wroth.  How much rather than, be washed and be clean.  Went to Jordan.  was clean.  Pres. Monson has invited us to go forth and rescue our brethren.  hearts to inspire and souls to save.  they are waiting for us.

Elder ... Besethda,moving of the water, troubling of the water was healed. Jesus, goes to a powerless man.  Inflicted man 38 years, Wilt thou be made whole?  I have no man.  Rise, take up thy bed and walk.

Ten lepers, have mercy on us they cried.  faith must precede the miracle.  one turned back, glorified God, thanked him.  Jesus heals body mind and spirit based on faith.  Made whole, come unto me.  Take my yoke upon thee, my burden is light, become a new creature, draw near unto me and I will draw near unto

elder Holland - on depression

Seeking vs. Sitting on One's Thumbs.

Here's what Nephi has to say about seeking:

I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.(1 Nephi 10:17-20)

Nephi is implying that those who do not seek do not find. But, there’s more. Those who don’t seek are brought into judgment and the judgment is, if you have sought (think of seek) to do wickedly you get cast off. The person was in a non-active state of ‘unseek’ which condemned him.  Amulek was in a state of ‘unseek’ when he had chosen to harden his heart, etc. to the truths he already knew.  When we stop seeking, our ability to see, hear and know truth diminishes.  As we are conditioned by the world around us, the traditions that we choose to follow crowd out the correct traditions or the ways of the Lord.

There are so my falsehoods that stop us from seeking. Republicanism creates a belief that we all prosper according to our genius. Democratism creates a belief that redistribution must be done involuntarily. Never-do-it-once-ism teaches a belief of anti-atonement and self-righteousness. Mormon conservatism teaches a belief that spiritual manifestations are weird and wrong. Mormon structuralism teaches a belief that all worship has to be done a three hour block of time without the ability of the Holy Ghost to override the meeting plan. Never-do-it-once-ism creates a fear that someone with a different belief is evil and all must conform. Never-do-it-once-ism teach a belief in the cult of the prophet. Magic-Temple-ism believes that by going to the temple you have made it to the third degree without even knowing or doing anything (regarding the covenants).

We are also so attached to things that give us a perceived identity (nation, race, religion, creed, family, middle class, upper class, etc.) that anything that clashes with how we identify ourselves has to be resisted and if possible, forced out.

I got away from seeking. But, it all applies. If we seek Christ and his ways, all false believes are rooted out over time.

Thoughts on False Tradtions and on Making Things Too Complex

Some of the things Snuffer writes resonates with me.  Some things don’t.  He seems to make the gospel very complicated.  When I let everything settle, what shines forth are the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I have enough to work on just overcoming each of my weaknesses through His Grace, being perfect in Christ as I walk my path, denying myself all ungodliness one weakness at a time, ‘knowing’ that the power of God has been part of the process of my justification and finally being made perfect through sanctification. 

This is simple and easily understood.  I believe it needs to be preached.  Faith unto repentance, covenant keeping, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Everything else becomes superfluous.  If I do these simple things, false traditions and beliefs will fall away, light and truth will grow, and regardless of whether we (the church) have or don’t have this or that, I ‘know’ that my path is correct for me.

Either the apostles are inspired to guide this church or they are not.  I chose to ‘believe’ that they are inspired.

I know we (the church) have problems.  I believe that there are many false traditions that we run under.  I believe when the Holy Ghost (the still small voice) tries to tell us (from member to GA) to consider things that go against deeply rooted false traditions and runs up against some formidable blocks.  That seems to be the nature of false traditions.  I believe the church is on an upward path and the time we are in is a time for personal righteousness.  The need for group righteousness will come next as prescribed by Christ.  Perhaps, to push for group righteousness now is going contrary to the dictates of the Holy Ghost.

I pray to God that he may inspire the leaders to teach the membership principles of Zion.  Until we are taught in a clear way, I can’t apply Alma 5, Mormon 8 and Jacob 2 to the Saints.  We are still very ignorant to clearly spelled out tenets of the doctrine of Christ in the Book of Mormon.  So, I pray.

I have heard general authorities state that Zion will come when we decide to be a Zion people.  Well, I pray to God, that the leaders will start taking away our ignorance by teaching the principles.  Stop teaching some things that are less necessary and start teaching things that are.  No poor among us is a neglected principle.  I believe that to partake of the Heavenly Gift, is to partake of enlightenment (and rich blessings, both temporal and spiritual) that are so obvious to the spiritual-minded – but, will not be given until we as a people desire and decide to make the poor equal in every way to everyone else.  But, we have to be carefully taught the tenets first.  Until then, we are ignorant as a people. It has to start from the top down.  All the ‘but this’ and ‘but that’ doesn’t matter.  We just have faith.  Very simple.  The bishops will need to discern who and what the poor are.  Not my problem.

I believe the principles of Zion can be done in our free market economy.  There is no need for a united order.  Just individual consecration.  That would be a good start.

But, I wait and I pray.

Until Our Lives Are Broken...

 From John Eldredge

Until We Are Broken, Our Lives Will Be Self-Centered

Monday, August 30, 2010

True strength does not come out of bravado. Until we are broken, our life will be self-centered, self-reliant; our strength will be our own. So long as you think you are really something in and of yourself, what will you need God for? I don’t trust a man who hasn’t suffered; I don’t let a man get close to me who hasn’t faced his wound. Think of the posers you know-are they the kind of man you would call at 2:00 A.M., when life is collapsing around you? Not me. I don’t want clichés; I want deep, soulful truth, and that only comes when a man has walked the road I’ve been talking about. As Frederick Buechner says,

To do for yourself the best that you have it in you to do-to grit your teeth and clench your fists in order to survive the world at its harshest and worst-is, by that very act, to be unable to let something be done for you and in you that is more wonderful still. The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality is that the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed secures your life also against being opened up and transformed. (The Sacred Journey)

Only when we enter our wound will we discover our true glory. As Robert Bly says, “Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be.” There are two reasons for this. First, the wound was given in the place of your true strength, as an effort to take you out. Until you go there you are still posing, offering something more shallow and insubstantial. And therefore, second, it is out of your brokenness that you discover what you have to offer the community. The false self is never wholly false. Those gifts we’ve been using are often quite true about us, but we’ve used them to hide behind. We thought that the power of our life was in the golden bat, but the power is in us. When we begin to offer not merely our gifts but our true selves, that is when we become powerful.

Thoughts on Snuffer

I read more of Snuffer’s PTHG.  He is just provided his evidences that the church doesn’t have the Melchezidek priesthood.  We only have the offices of the church thinking that we have the higher priesthood.  I don’t agree.  I will let it settle.  Ok, so we are wandering in the wilderness.  I knew that 30 years ago.  He says not to leave the church.  I know that.  He says the saints were expulsed out of Nauvoo.  I know that.  He believes that the church doesn’t have the fullness of the priesthood nor the sealing power.  Usually, these personal matters between God and the prophet are not written down until afterwards.  The people in Nephi’s (son of Helaman) time didn’t know he had the sealing power.  They knew he was special.  So, if Snuffer doesn’t read it, he doesn’t know.  So, he assumes that the powers don’t exist.  Either he is just whining about things or he is something special.  I am not sure yet.  I definitely don’t agree with all his evidences.  Why didn’t Joseph correct the offices in the church/priesthood problem if there was a problem back then?

HP Lesson, September 2013

For Peace at Home


BY ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Introduction: 11 Readings and 15 Questions and 1 sharing time.

READ A

A -- One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.

SAY: Be thinking about gospel, covenant living and love and exceptional moments you all have had;  how relationships improved; and how you were greatly blessed.

READ B

B -- Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures.

Q: Why is slowing down so hard to do?  What do we believe it bad to slow down?
Q: Why is the pace so frantic?
Q: Is taking time to quiet your soul a good thing to do?

SAY:  I take time each day reenergize.  I pray, immerse myself in the scriptures, quiet my mind, ponder, discuss things with the Lord.  I find it very helpful.  Do you find it helpful?

READ C

C --We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.

Q: What does this counsel tell us about pacing ourselves?
Q: What do we do if we have plateaued off?

READ D

D --The ideal place for that peace is within the walls of our own homes, where we have done all we can to make the Lord Jesus Christ the centerpiece.

READ E

E --Doing all we can to invite the gentle, guiding influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives is critical in our attempts to center our homes on the Savior. Acting obediently on those promptings strengthens us even more.

Q: Does frantic pace and Holy Ghost ghost work together well?  Why? Why not?

READ F

F --Greater peace will come as you couple your efforts to be obedient with serving those around you. So many individuals who have what they perceive to be meager talents humbly and generously use those talents to bless the lives of those around them. Selfishness is the root of great evil. The antidote for that evil is exemplified in the life of the Savior. He shows us how to focus our lives outward in unselfish service to others.

Q: Why is there greater peace when we serve?
Q: What do you like better: being anxiously engaged or sitting idly looking on?

READ G

G --I have learned a truth that has been repeated so frequently in my life that I have come to know it as an absolute law. It defines the way obedience and service relate to the power of God. When we obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord.

Let's read more about receiving strength.

READ H

H --Mosiah 10:10-11 And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle. Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength of men.

READ I

I --24 And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples—

25 Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should  cleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish.

26 For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of  not many years.

Q: What can these verses teach us if used as a metaphor for our lives today?

Q: How do we gain strength and power from the Lord in our lives?

Q: How real is this power, this strength from the Lord?


One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.

SAY: Many of you if not all of you have had exceptional moments in you life where something wonderful happened to you or your wife or family member, where a relationship improved, where the Spirit was strong, where you received the strength of the Lord, where you were greatly blessed.

Q: Could one or two of you share such a moment?

READ J

J -- Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

READ K

K --I offer some final thoughts for those who love a family member who is not making good choices. That can challenge our patience and endurance. We need to trust in the Lord and in His timing that a positive response to our prayers and rescue efforts can occur. We do all that we can to serve, to bless, and to submissively acknowledge God’s will in all things. We exercise faith and remember that there are some things that must be left to the Lord. He invites us to set our burdens down at His feet. With faith we can know that this straying loved one is not abandoned but is in the watchcare of a loving Savior.

Q: Why is patience and endurance required with loved ones who have gone astray?  (Brienholt)
Q: Why is it important to cast our burdens at His feet?
Read the last sentence again.
    Q: What does this  mean?

Conclusion:  We have talked about a number of things today.  How to gain the peace that only God can give and how we bring that peace into the lives of others.  It has everything to do with developing our faith in Christ and changing our inner selves one weakness at a time.  This is what is meant in the scriptures when it says "faith unto repentance".  This is the way to come unto Christ.  And as we change the inward self, peace comes.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Comments On Current Welfare State

I like it.  Just common sense.  Go to your church or atheist organization if you want more help than what the government can offer to keep you alive.  If your church or atheist organization turns you away, well maybe you should reevaluate your church or organization.  By the way, I don’t know of any atheist organization that provides help to the poor.

Life is hard.  Faith in God and trust that God is watching over you and to be a member of an organization that uplifts the poor while abasing the rich are great options.  The only other option is make the government do it.

By the way, without permitting people on welfare to purchase all the products at the grocery store, you wouldn’t get the corporate capitalist on board with the government plan.  Only the rice and bean producing corporations would be happy.  We are a welfare capitalist state not a socialist state and many suppose.

Best regards,

Scott

I F YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER,YOU'VE GOT AN  ELECTRICAL PROBLEM" Wow, this girl has a great  plan! Love the last thing she would do.... the best . This was written by a 21  yr. old female who gets it. It's her future she's worried about and this is how  she feels about the social welfare big government state that she's being forced  to live in! These solutions are just common sense in her opinion. This  'article' was in the Waco Tribune Herald, Waco , TX   PUT ME IN CHARGE . .  . Put me in charge of food  stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just  money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered  milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job. Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women  Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients  for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. If you want to reproduce or use drugs,  alcohol, or smoke, then get a job. Put me in charge of government  housing. Ever live in a military barracks? You will maintain our property in a  clean and good state of repair. Your home" will be subject to inspections  anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox  360, then get a job and your own place. In addition, you will either  present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government"  job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public  housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22 inch rims and low  profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward  the "common good.." Before you write that I've violated someone's  rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money,  accept our rules. Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their  "self esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's  money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem. If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least  attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards  them for continuing to make bad choices. AND While  you are on Gov't subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes, that is correct. For  you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove  yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov't welfare check. If you want  to vote, then get a job. Now, if you have the guts - PASS IT ON...I WOULD REALLY  LIKE TO GET THIS BACK, IF EVERYONE SENDS IT, I WILL GET OVER 220 BACK!!! I WOULD  KNOW YOU SENT IT ON!!!