Obedience Brings Blessings - Dec 2013, Teachings for Our Times

Obedience Brings Blessings


BY PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON

Introduction

A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.

LEARNER READINESS

READ A

A - Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness. Such a search is undertaken by each of us.

READ B

B - This knowledge and understanding are available to all mankind. They are contained in truths which are eternal. In Doctrine and Covenants section 1, verse 39, we read, “Behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.”

READ C

C - Some would ask, “Where is such truth to be found, and how are we to recognize it?” In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:

“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …

“The Spirit of truth is of God. …

“And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.

“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

Q: Why is keeping the commandments so important? [we will know all things]
Q: Will other people understand what you have learned through obedience?
Q: What does the natural man think about what we have learned through obedience?


READ D - Alma 12:10-11

READING 'D'

Alma 12:10-11

10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will notharden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.

Q: What does it mean "Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell"?  [they have lost their ability to see truth]

READ E  - D&C 93:1

READING  'E'

D&C 93 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;

Q: Is there path that is taught to us in the scriptures?  What are the elements of the path back to to God?

READ 'F'

F - There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.

SAY : Many of us, however, learn through experience the wisdom of being obedient.

[Tell the Story of when P. Monson was a boy burning the weeds]

Danny and I learned several difficult but important lessons that day—not the least of which was the importance of obedience.

Q: Can you give me any examples of following incorrect principles leading to poor results?

LEARNER APPLICATION 

Q: Who is our greatest example of obedience?

READ G

Quotation from President Monson

G - The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient.

SAY: Many verses of scriptures indicate a step by step pattern to return to the presence of God.  We have quoted a few today.
Q: What is the first rung of the ladder?

READ H - 3 Nephi 9:20-23

READING 'H' 3 Nephi 9:20-23

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, ...
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God...

Q: If we are were to keep the commandments without first sacrificing a broken heart and contrite spirit, becoming meek and humble as a little child, what happens? [we think we are better than others for keeping the commandments that we do keep, we judge others that aren't doing as well as we are, we become self rightieous]

SAY: The Lord then declares his doctrine in 3 Nephi 11.  He then declares his commandments in chapters 12 through 15.  After declaring his commandment, the Lord says in chapter 15 verse 10.

Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.

Read Gal 5:14

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Q: In what is Law fulfilled?

Q: How does this scripture relate to the keeping of the commandments?

CONCLUSION

SAY, At the end of the talk, President Monson state:

The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

This progression upward, back to God is enduring to the end.  And it take heart rending effort.

Amen

December 5,2013 - Kim Nelson

Today is Craig's birthday.  I forgot to wish him a happy birthday until 11:30am.  He wrote me back asked me to call him.  I got busy and didn't call him.  At 5:15pm he send me an email announcing that he did our brother's initiatory work at the temple and wanted me to do his endowment.  I printed out the FOR and put it in my pocket.  By 5:45pm I was texting my RB friends that I would be there to play at 6:00.  I kept on feeling impressed to go to the temple tonight and do Kim's work.  I texted everyone at 6:00pm, telling them that I was off to the temple.  It was an emotional experience.  Everytime I said Kim's name I got choked up.  I like it when I do the right thing.

HP Lesson - Dallin Oakes, Followers of Christ (November 2013)

Followers of Christ BY ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS (November 2013)

INTRODUCTION

Talk about Bayside Nondenominational Church.

I enjoyed the meeting - It was different than our meetings - the rock band was loud and irreverent - the lyrics were good - the energy was stirring - (we have less enthusiasim in our meetings) -

The pastor taught James 2

Less ward family flavor, no larger organization to be part of, less doctrinal unity (Becca comment)

LEARNER READINESS

READ A

A - Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.

READ B

Quotation B

“Come, follow me,” the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God’s own loved, begotten Son.

READ C

C - Like all other Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the life of our Savior as reported in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I will review examples and teachings contained in these four books of the Holy Bible and invite each of us and all other Christians to consider how this restored Church and each of us qualify as followers of Christ.

Q: According to Elder Oakes, Why do we study the life or our Savior? [one reason is to consider how each of us qualify as followers of Christ- and our Church as well]

SAY: Elder Oaks, in his talk, reviews many of the teachings of our Savior including:  Baptism, repenting and preaching repentance, keeping His commandments, sacrament, prayer and Chist like qualities.  We will get to as many as we can.

READ D 

D - [Jesus] affirmed that keeping His commandments would require His followers to leave what He called “that which is highly esteemed among men”  and “the tradition of men” He also warned, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you”.

SAY: Keeping His commandments would require His followers to leave what Jesus called that which is highly esteemed among men.

Q: What do think Jesus meant by this saying?  What is esteemed among men? [having money, power and influence]

Luke 6:13 ¶No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

READ E

E - Latter-day Saints understand that we should not be “of the world” or bound to “the tradition of men,” but like other followers of Christ, we sometimes find it difficult to separate ourselves from the world and its traditions. Some model themselves after worldly ways because, as Jesus said of some whom He taught, “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”). These failures to follow Christ are too numerous and too sensitive to list here. They range all the way from worldly practices like political correctness and extremes in dress and grooming to deviations from basic values like the eternal nature and function of the family.

Q: How can we tell if we are bound to the tradition of men? (I think it is hard since our traditions are part of our everyday lives).

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ F

F - Jesus’s teachings were not meant to be theoretical. Always they were to be acted upon. Jesus taught, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man” and “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing”.

READ G

G - As Jesus taught, those who love Him will keep His commandments. They will be obedient, as President Thomas S. Monson taught this morning. Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places. The Savior taught this principle and how we should be reminded and strengthened to follow it when He instituted the ordinance of the sacrament 

Q: How does partaking of the sacrament strengthen us to follow Him?

.... always remember Him Q: What do you do when you realized you forgot the Lord as you walk your daily path?

[I repent, I ask for forgiveness, I resolve to do better]

SAY: As we move from grace to grace, every improving, every progressing, are we encircled by Christ’s mercy?

READ Alma 34:15-16

15 And thus he shall bring asalvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

READ Alma 34:31

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

 Q: What does it mean for the great plan of redemption to immediately be brought unto to you?

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: Elder Oakes said that Jesus' teachings were not meant to be theoretical.

Q: What do you think He meant by that statement?

IF: Missionary work go to AA

IF: Rescue and Serve, go to BB

IF: Learning to Forgive, go to CC

IF: Helping the needy, go to DD

IF: Becoming perfect, go to EE

AA - Some whom Jesus called to follow Him did not respond immediately but sought a delay to attend to proper family obligations. Jesus replied, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”. Many Latter-day Saints practice the priority Jesus taught. This includes the wonderful example of thousands of senior missionaries and others who have left children and grandchildren to perform the missionary duties to which they have been called.

Q: How would we apply this counsel?

BB - In our efforts to rescue and serve, we follow our Savior’s unique example and tender teachings about love: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” . He even commanded us to love our enemies . And in His great teachings at the end of His mortal ministry, He said:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”.

Q: How would we apply this councel?

CC - As part of loving one another, Jesus taught that when we are wronged by persons, we should forgive them . While many struggle with this difficult commandment, we all know of inspiring examples of Latter-day Saints who have given loving forgiveness, even for the most serious wrongs. For example, Chris Williams drew upon his faith in Jesus Christ to forgive the drunken driver who caused the death of his wife and two of their children. Only two days after the tragedy and still deeply distraught, this forgiving man, then serving as one of our bishops, said, “As a disciple of Christ, I had no other choice.”

Q: How could we apply this counsel better in our lifes?

DD - Most Christians give to the poor and the needy, as Jesus taught. In following this teaching of our Savior, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members excel. Our members make generous contributions to charities and give personal service and other gifts to the poor and needy. In addition, our members fast for two meals each month and donate at least the cost of these meals as a fast offering, which our bishops and branch presidents use to help our needy members. Our fasting to help the hungry is an act of charity and, when done with pure intent, is a spiritual feast.

Q: How could we apply this counsel better in our lives?

EE - As part of His great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. The purpose of this teaching and the purpose of following our Savior is to come to the Father, whom our Savior referred to as “my Father, and your Father; and … my God, and your God”.

READ

From modern revelation, unique to the restored gospel, we know that the commandment to seek perfection is part of God the Father’s plan for the salvation of His children. Under that plan we are all heirs of our heavenly parents. “We are the children of God,” the Apostle Paul taught, “and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”. This means, as we are told in the New Testament, that we are “heirs … of eternal life”  and that if we come to the Father, we are to “inherit all things” —all that He has—a concept our mortal minds can hardly grasp. But at least we can understand that achieving this ultimate destiny in eternity is possible only if we follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught that “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. We seek to follow Him and become more like Him, here and hereafter.

CONCLUSION

I testify that as we are constantly changing to be more like Christ, we are actually repenting.  As the Hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints" tells us, Grace shall be as your Day.  We are in Christ grace as we exercise faith in Christ and change.  This is enduring to the end.  Amen.

"Come, Come ye saints,

No toil nor labor fear;

But with joy, wend your way.

Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day"

Thoughts on Law

I have been reading in 2 Nephi 2, Alma 42 and Alma 12 regarding law.  

Everybody coming to earth is give some level of law.  Some good law. Some bad law.  We sometimes get sucked into the bad law not evening knowing it.  We call evil good and good evil.  But, regardless, we all have a level of law.  We are given more law as we become enlightened enough to live it.  For example, there are laws  surrounding the establishment of Zion.  We are not ready to live those laws (apparently, as a church). 

Another example:  We have been given the Sermon on the Mount.  We all have read it but most of us barely understand it.  We don’t get it.  We haven’t been enlightened.

As a person doesn’t live certain laws those laws fall away.

Law is a good thing.  They are gifts from God as rewards for obedience to previous laws.

With all this in mind, everyone has some level of law to be judged by.  God doesn’t judge a person for his mental inability to obey a law.  He doesn’t judge a person that is incapable of living law.  He does, in the end, judge those who have been given law.  He does this by having us analyze our deeds in this life.  He does this by having us evaluate our level of seeking (desire for growth).  If we are justified for not  being able to live certain laws because of our upbringing, that will be obvious and no punishment can be affixed.  God will judge a righteous judgment.

To be dead spiritually is to  fight against God.  One can revive anytime during this life.  It seems to be more difficult as a spirit because if you made intentional choices in life to go against God and decided never to repair them (as demonstrated by evil deeds), then reparations are apparently more difficult.  Again, God will judge a person’s ability, desire, etc.  An evil man might be so  programmed by his evil environment, that God could be more merciful.  A victim, might be so conditioned and controlled (externally or internally) that he may seem capable but really isn’t. 

But that’s where seeking comes into play.  As one seeks, grace repairs the damage (or weakness).  If God chooses to not to repair it after repeated asking, then he is okay with that person going through life a little damaged.  That is no longer that person’s problem to worry about.

Book of Mormon Zion

I believe the Book of Mormon provides a transitional step to the establishment of Zion.  I don’t have to look at the Doctrine and Covenants to follow this  teaching in the Book of Mormon.  Here’s what I mean.  Alma’s church was built on a supply/demand economy (just like ours without all the regulation).  Those who had desires to their God and fellowman and wanted to walk uprightly before God could voluntarily participate.  Alma teaches that it is a fundamental tenet of Christ’s gospel to have temporal equality.  The Book of Mormon doesn’t make it optional.  We make it optional because of our false traditions and cultural bias. 

My point is, if the saints were taught in a clear way the importance of temporal equality (that would bring the blessing from heaven, to partake of the Heavenly Gift, etc.), that the rich give more - that it is walking in the pride of one’s heart to walk by the poor and notice them not, to have an abundance far exceeding what others have (to wear our ‘fine twine apparel’ with abandon) – that we could establish an order comparable to the order lived in most Book of Mormon periods.  If we did this we, as a people, would be prepared for Zion.

And we can do it right now in Babylon.  We just haven’t been taught.  Maybe being taught would bring about mass apostasy.  Maybe the Spirit hasn’t rested on the Apostles to make the transition to this Book of Mormon teaching.  Maybe we are steeped in so much false Calvinism that we have blind spots. 

I pray for the church that it might increase in righteousness and desire Zion.

The Justice Mindset

I was listening to Christian radio on the way to my wife’s BYU Christmas party.  The guy was talking about Sara having a baby at 90 years old and how everyone was laughing.  Later when Isaac was weaned, Ishmael starting laughing at her and the child in a mocking, derisive way.  Sarah wanted Ishmael and the mother banished.  Abraham goes to the Lord.  He must have been very disturbed to do what Sarah told him to do.  The Lord tell Abraham to do what Sarah requested.

The radio compared it to the law and mercy.  Ishmael is symbolic of the law and Isaac is symbolic of grace and mercy.  The law exacts justice, is hard, laughs at our weaknesses, tells us that there isn’t any redemption from past mistakes, that there isn’t anything that can be done.  Mercy is a miracle (like Isaac), that says anything is possible.  It is tied to forgiveness.  It is soft, kind, and patient. 

So, when Sarah boots Hagar and Ishmael out the camp, it’s like getting rid of the justice oriented mind set out of our own head.  If we are law (justice) oriented, we are hard on ourselves.  It’s all about the mindset.  We either believe we are under the law or in Christ.  I want to enveloped in the robes of mercy.  

HP Lesson - October 2013 - Your Wonderful Journey Home

Introduction - Three talks given to me to prepare a lesson from: Way too much to prepare.

1. President Uctdorf  - Your Wonderful Jouney Home
2. Elder Bednar
3. Elder  Ballard

The Opening line:

As you joyfully use the map your loving Father has provided for your journey, it will lead you to holy places and you will rise to your supernal potential.

LEARNER READINESS

SAY: Let's read about a journy that President Uctdorf took when he was young.

READ Quotation #1 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #1 – President Uctdorf

I grew up in Zwickau, in the former East Germany. When I was about 11 years old, my father fell under increased scrutiny as a political dissenter, and my parents felt that the only safe choice for our family would be to flee to West Germany. It was decided that the safest plan was to leave at different times and follow different routes to the West, leaving all our belongings behind.

Since my father was at greatest risk, he took the quickest journey, through Berlin. My older brothers headed north, and each found his own way west. My sister—who would have been the age of many of you here today—together with Helga Fassmann, her teacher in Young Women, and some others took a train that passed briefly through West Germany. They paid a porter to unlock one of the doors for them, and after the train crossed the West German border, they jumped from the moving train to freedom. How I admired my sister for her courage.

I was the youngest child, and my mother decided that she and I would walk across a mountain range separating the two countries. I remember that she packed a lunch as if we were going for a hike or a picnic in the mountains.

We took a train as far as we could and then walked for long hours, getting ever closer to the West German border. The borders were tightly controlled, but we had a map and knew of a time and a place where it might be safe to cross. I could sense my mother’s anxiety. She observed the area intensely to see if we were being followed. With each step, her legs and knees seemed to become weaker. I helped carry her heavy bag filled with food, vital documents, and family photos as we climbed up one last, long hill. Surely, she thought, we had passed the border by now. When she finally felt safe, we sat down and started to eat our picnic lunch. For the first time that day, I’m sure, she breathed more easily.

It was only then that we noticed the border sign. It was still far ahead of us! We were having our picnic on the wrong side of the border. We were still in East Germany!

Border guards could show up any moment!

My mother frantically packed up our lunch, and we hurried up the hillside as quickly as we could. This time we didn’t dare stop until we knew with certainty that we had reached the other side of the border.

Even though each member of our family had taken very different routes and experienced very different hardships along the way, eventually all of us made it to safety. We were finally reunited as a family. What a glorious day that was!

SAY: I found the story intriguing.  They all too different paths but ended up at the same place!

Q: Do we all have different paths on our journey on this earth?

READ Quotation #2 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #2 – President Uctdorf

What I have just told you is an experience that is to me a very precious journey. I can now look back on my life and recognize a number of such “journeys” I have taken over time. Not all of them involved crossing mountain ranges or political boundaries; some had more to do with overcoming trials or growing in spirituality. But they were all journeys. I believe that every life is a collection of individual “journey stories.”

SAY: Life is a collection of individual journey stories.  Be thinking about your own individual journey stories.  They may involve overcoming trials, growing in spirituality.

Q: What is the most important thing to have while traveling your path of life, your journey?  What have you found most useful? (money, grace, faith, knowledge of the plan, hope, health, a good companion, the Church, scriptures, etc.)

SAY: Elder Uchdorf goes on to discuss what we know about our pre earth life.  He then talks of what earth life would be like.

READ Quotation #3 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #3 – President Uctdorf

There were so many things that would be out of your control. Mortal life would be hard at times, filled with unexpected bends in the road: sickness, heartbreak, accidents, conflict.

Without a memory of your previous existence—without remembering that you once walked with your Father in Heaven—would you still recognize His voice amid all the noise and distractions of mortal life?

The journey ahead seemed so long and uncertain—so filled with risk.

It wouldn’t be easy, but you knew it was worth every effort.

READ Quotation #4 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #4 – President Uctdorf

So, there you stood on the edge of eternity, looking forward with unspeakable excitement and hope—and, I imagine, also with a degree of worry and fear.

In the end, you knew God would be just—that His goodness would triumph. You had participated in the great heavenly councils and knew that your Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, would provide a way for you to be cleansed from sin and rescued from physical death. You had faith that, in the end, you would rejoice and join your voice with a heavenly chorus singing praises to His holy name.

And so, you took a deep breath …

And a great step forward …

And here you are!

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY: So, here we are.

Q: How does if feel?

Q: Was it everything that you expected?

Q: How has the journey been?

Q: Why do we need a map?

READ Quotation #5 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #5 – President Uctdorf

He didn’t send you on this journey only to wander aimlessly on your own. He wants you to come home to Him. He has given you loving parents and faithful Church leaders, along with a map that describes the terrain and identifies the dangers; the map shows you where peace and happiness can be found and will help you plot your course back home.

SAY, President Uctdorf asks this question, Q: Now, where do you find this map?

1. In the sacred scriptures.
2. In the words of prophets and apostles.
3. And through personal revelation from the Holy Ghost.

This map is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news, and the joyful way of a disciple of Christ. It is the commandments and example given to us by our Advocate and Mentor, who knows the way because He is the way.

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: I wanted to go a little deeper on the subject of Jesus Christ.

READ #6 Quotation from Brad Wilcox Talk "His Grace is Sufficient"

#6 Quotation from Brad Wilcox Talk "His Grace is Sufficient"

I have born-again Christian friends who say to me, “You Mormons are trying to earn your way to heaven.”

I say, “No, we are not earning heaven. We are learning heaven. We are preparing for it (see D&C 78:7). We are practicing for it.”

They ask me, “Have you been saved by grace?”

I answer, “Yes. Absolutely, totally, completely, thankfully—yes!”

Then I ask them a question that perhaps they have not fully considered: “Have you been changed by grace?” They are so excited about being saved that maybe they are not thinking enough about what comes next. They are so happy the debt is paid that they may not have considered why the debt existed in the first place. Latter-day Saints know not only what Jesus has saved us from but also what He has saved us for. As my friend Brett Sanders puts it, “A life impacted by grace eventually begins to look like Christ’s life.” As my friend Omar Canals puts it, “While many Christians view Christ’s suffering as only a huge favor He did for us, Latter-day Saints also recognize it as a huge investment He made in us.” As Moroni puts it, grace isn’t just about being saved. It is also about becoming like the Savior (see Moroni 7:48).

Q: Any thoughts on being changed by grace?

READ #7  Quotation from Brad Wilcox Talk "His Grace is Sufficient"

#7 - Quotation from Brad Wilcox Talk "His Grace is Sufficient"

Grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted. Rather, it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light that moves us through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road. It is received right here and right now.

SAY: These ideas about grace may be foreign to some. I know is has been foreign to me but I am beginning to understand it.  Q: Why is grace our constant energy source?

READ Quotation #8 – President Uctdorf

Quotation #8 – President Uctdorf

Of course, simply having a map doesn’t do any good unless you study it—unless you use it to navigate through life. I invite you to make it a high priority to study and apply God’s word. Open your heart to the Holy Ghost so that He can direct you along your journey through life.

Q: How does having a map help you through the difficult parts of the journey?

READ Alma 26:19-22

19 Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?
20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.

Are there gulfs in journey?  What might they be?  How does one cross a deep chasim without going down to misery and woe, dirty waters of sin and forbidden paths?

READ Alma 26: 23-24

21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.
22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance ...

Conclusion

Christ came to the earth to be our Savior.  His journey included paying for our sins.  How do se show our love and appreciation for His sacrifice for His paying the debt?  By ever changing growing from grace to grace.  This is what is meant in the scriptures to exercise faith unto repentance.  If our journey has integrated these concepts we receive help we need from the Lord to endure to the end.

Amen.



The wilted tomato story




As we think about the imagery of succoring the weak, lifting up the hands which hang down, and strengthening feeble knees, I am reminded of a sweet seven-year-old showing her grandfather a small tomato plant she had started from seed as part of a second-grade school project.


She explained that from one tiny seed would come a plant. And if the plant were cared for, it would grow many tomatoes that would each have many seeds.


She said, “And if all of those seeds were planted and grew more tomatoes, and you planted all of those seeds, in a few seasons you would have millions of tomatoes.”


“All,” she said in amazement, “from one little seed.”


But then she said, “I almost killed my plant. I left it in a dark room and forgot to water it. When I remembered the plant, it was all wilted and dead looking. I cried because I thought of all of those millions of tomatoes that would never grow.”


She was then excited to tell her grandfather about the “miracle” that happened.


She explained, “Momma said maybe the plant wasn’t dead. Maybe all it needed was some water and some light to bring life back.


“And she was right. I gave the plant some water, and I put it in the window for light. And guess what?” she asked. “It came back to life, and now it’s going to grow millions of tomatoes!”


Her small tomato plant, so full of potential but so weakened and wilted from unintentional neglect, was strengthened and revived through the simple ministration of water and light by the little girl’s loving and caring hands.


Brothers and sisters, as the literal spirit children of our loving Heavenly Father, we have unlimited, divine potential. But if we are not careful, we can become like the wilted tomato plant. We can drift away from the true doctrine and gospel of Christ and become spiritually undernourished and wilted, having removed ourselves from the divine light and living waters of the Savior’s eternal love and priesthood power.


If any one of you feels your faith or your testimony of Heavenly Father’s plan is less than you know it should be, then turn more fully to the Savior. Let His light and His living water do for you and your family what a little water and light did in bringing life back to the weakened tomato plant.