Which Way Do You Face? By Lynn Robbin, Teaching for our times lesson, Feb 2015

Which Way Do You Face?
BY ELDER LYNN G. ROBBINS  - Of the Presidency of the Seventy

READ:

Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments.

Introduction

When I say LGBT does everyone know what I am talking about?

Tell Story about two Christmases ago when we had among 22 guests four LGBT people in our home for dinner and games. Pan sexual, gay and transexual.  Q: Was it wrong for me to have invited them into my home?  I personally don't think so.

SAY: I bring this story up because I sometimes think about where the line is that we don't cross.

SAY: This seems to be similar to Elder Robbins' ideas about pleasing others or pleasing God.

SAY: I also have a concern that we may believe we are pleasing God in our rigidness or liberalness when in reality we doing nothing or the sort. Without charity we offend or approve.

Learner Readiness

READ A

A - “Which way do you face?” President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. “A Seventy,” he continued, “does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people. Never forget which way you face!” It was a powerful lesson.

SAY: Let's read a few scriptures Br. Robbins refers to
READ Matthew 22:37–39

B - Matthew 22:37–39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 READ C 2 Nephi 8:7

C - 2 Nephi 8:7

7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

READ D 1 Nephi 8:25–28

D - 1 Nephi 8:25–28

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

Q: What caused some of the people to drop their fruit? [they were ashamed]
Q: What are we ashamed of when it comes to the gospel and the church?

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ E - Elder Robbins

Elder Robbins

E - This peer pressure tries to change a person’s attitudes, if not behavior, by making one feel guilty for giving offense. We seek respectful coexistence with those who point fingers, but when this fear of men tempts us to condone sin, it becomes a “snare” according to the book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 29:25). The snare may be cleverly baited to appeal to our compassionate side to tolerate or even approve of something that has been condemned by God.

SAY: Let's read F - Proverbs 29:25

F - Proverbs 29:25

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Q: What are some of the snares that Elder Robbins saying that are cleverly baited to appeal to our compassionate side to tolerate or even approve of something that has been condemned by God? [no snares?, move on]

Q: By accepting a person and not judging him or her, are we approving of their behavior?
Q: When are we snared? [condoning sin, approve of something condemned by God]
Q: What does the savior say on these matters?

Resist not = Don't contend
Agree with = Don't contend, walk away

READ G

Elder Robbins

G - While it certainly takes courage to face perils, the true badge of courage is overcoming the fear of men. For example, Daniel’s prayers helped him face lions, but what made him lionhearted was defying King Darius. That kind of courage is a gift of the Spirit to the God-fearing who have said their prayers. Queen Esther’s prayers also gave her that same courage to confront her husband, King Ahasuerus, knowing that she risked her life in doing so.

SAY : Let's read Elder Robbins examples of people who failed to do the right thing:

READ H Elder Robbins

Elder Robbins

H - Courage is not just one of the cardinal virtues, but as C. S. Lewis observed: “Courage is … the form of every virtue at the testing point. … Pilate was merciful till it became risky.”1 King Herod was sorrowful at the request to behead John the Baptist but wanted to please “them which sat with him at meat”. King Noah was ready to free Abinadi until peer pressure from his wicked priests caused him to waver. King Saul disobeyed the word of the Lord by keeping the spoils of war because he “feared the people, and obeyed their voice”. To appease rebellious Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai, Aaron crafted a golden calf, forgetting which way he faced. Many of the New Testament chief rulers “believed on [the Lord]; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”. The scriptures are full of such examples.

SAY: Courage is the form of every virtue at the testing point.
Q: What does that mean?
Q: [If necessary] If Daniel, after he prayed, pleaded with the King not kill him, what happened at the testing point?

LEARNER APPLICATION

Appllication Question - How do we overcome the fear of man?
Q: How can we strengthen ourselves, build our character, so we can stay true?
Q: How do we face God yet not judge or condemn others?

[IF THERE IS TIME, READ THE FOLLOWING QUOTES BY ELDER ROBBINS]

READ

Prophets through the ages have always come under attack by the finger of scorn. Why? According to the scriptures, it is because “the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center” (1 Nephi 16:2), or as President Harold B. Lee observed, “The hit bird flutters!”2 Their scornful reaction is, in reality, guilt trying to reassure itself, just as with Korihor, who finally admitted, “I always knew that there was a God” (Alma 30:52). Korihor was so convincing in his deception that he came to believe his own lie (see Alma 30:53).

SAY: Perhaps we give people the benefit of the doubt too much.

READ

The scornful often accuse prophets of not living in the 21st century or of being bigoted. They attempt to persuade or even pressure the Church into lowering God’s standards to the level of their own inappropriate behavior, which in the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, will “develop self-contentment instead of seeking self-improvement” and repentance. Lowering the Lord’s standards to the level of a society’s inappropriate behavior is—apostasy. Many of the churches among the Nephites two centuries after the Savior’s visit to them began to “dumb down” the doctrine, borrowing a phrase from Elder Holland.

Q: Why is it apostasy to lower the Lord's standards to the level of society?

READ [about lowering our standards]

As you listen to this passage from 4 Nephi, look for parallels in our day: “And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness” (4 Nephi 1:27).

Déjà vu in the latter days! Some members don’t realize they are falling into the same snare when they lobby for acceptance of local or ethnic “tradition[s] of their fathers” (D&C 93:39) that are not in harmony with the gospel culture. Still others, self-deceived and in self-denial, plead or demand that bishops lower the standard on temple recommends, school endorsements, or missionary applications. It isn’t easy being a bishop under that kind of pressure. However, like the Savior who cleansed the temple to defend its sanctity (see John 2:15–16), bishops today are called upon to boldly defend the temple standard. It was the Savior who said, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy … if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house” (D&C 110:7–8).

READ [about the Savior being fearless]

The Savior, the only perfect being who ever lived, was the most fearless. In His life, He was confronted by scores of accusers but never yielded to their finger of scorn. He is the only person who never once forgot which way He faced: “I do always those things that please [the Father]” (John 8:29; emphasis added), and “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

Conclusion

SAY: In conclusion I want to quote Elder Robbins

May [the Saviors] inspiring example strengthen us against the pitfalls of flattery from without or of conceit from within. May it give us courage to never cower or fawn at the feet of intimidation. May it inspire us to go about doing good as anonymously as possible and not “aspire to the honors of men” (D&C 121:35). And may His incomparable example help us always remember which is “the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:38). When others demand approval in defiance of God’s commandments, may we always remember whose disciples we are, and which way we face, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Lesson on Sacrifice - Dallen Oakes 2012

Teaching For Our Times, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Sacrifice

August 25, 2012

Learner Readiness

Today, the lesson which I have been assigned is on Sacrifice.

When we think of the word, 'sacrifice' all sorts of images come up in our minds.  I sometimes think of sacrifice in the context of good, better, and best.  When we sacrifice, we choose to use our time for something better than the many good things that we could be doing.

When I think of sacrifice, I put that term within the context of covenants.  If I willing sacrifice for the Kingdom of God, in whatever way that is, I am keeping my covenants.  I believe this is why the brethren try to instill in us the need to sacrifice.  We advance spiritually, this we are happier and able to hear more advance doctrine.

I have heard my times over the years, the statement, 'Oh, that was no sacrifice at all, I wanted to do it'.

Q: If we enjoy keeping our covenant to sacrifice, does that mean we aren't sacrificing?
Q: Does sacrificing have to have a negative connotation?
Q: If we give a grudging gift is it counted unto us as righteousness?

Elder Oaks, in his talk brings up many ways in which we as latter day saints sacrifice.

Let's list some ways in which we sacrifice on the BOARD:

1. broken heart and contrite spirit'
2. missionary work
3. Temple work
4. in our families
5. in our church calllings
6. Catholic devotion
7. Selfless service

Learner Involvement

READ A (broken heart and contrite spirit)


A The incomprehensible suffering of Jesus Christ ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood, but it did not end the importance of sacrifice in the gospel plan. Our Savior requires us to continue to offer sacrifices, but the sacrifices He now commands are that we “offer for a sacrifice unto [Him] a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20).



READ B (Selfless Service,and Progression)


B  He also commands each of us to love and serve one another—in effect, to offer a small imitation of His own sacrifice by making sacrifices of our own time and selfish priorities. In an inspired hymn, we sing, “Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.”




Q: How does sacrifice bring forth the blessings of heaven?
     Q: Have any of you had experiences in which you know that the sacrifices you have made brought forth the blessings of heaven your life?
     Q: If we don't believe this principle, what are we lacking?  (faith, sacrifice is an unseen principle, that we are told from the prophets and scriptures that it is true.  From the natural man perspective, it could be viewed as a foolish principle).

READ C

C  I am grateful for the marvelous examples of Christian love, service, and sacrifice I have seen among the Latter-day Saints. I see you performing your Church callings, often at great sacrifice of time and means. I see you serving missions at your own expense. I see you cheerfully donating your professional skills in service to your fellowmen. I see you caring for the poor through personal efforts and through supporting Church welfare and humanitarian contributions.¹⁰ All of this is affirmed in a nationwide study which concluded that active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “volunteer and donate significantly more than the average American and are even more generous in time and money than the upper [20 percent] of religious people in America.”¹¹

Such examples of giving to others strengthen all of us. They remind us of the Savior’s teaching:

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. …

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25).

Q: How do the scripture verses just read tie to sacrifice?


READ D


D  I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity. This is a truth revealed in the Lectures on Faith, which teach that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. … It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.”13




Q: How important is it to learn to sacrifice properly?

READ E


E   I will speak of these mortal sacrifices our Savior asks us to make. This will not include sacrifices we are compelled to make or actions that may be motivated by personal advantage rather than service or sacrifice.



Q: Why don't these kind of sacrifices count toward blessings?


READ  F Moroni 7:4-8

F  And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men.

5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.

6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth itgrudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.



Q: Why is having the right intent so important when we sacrifice or give service (it shows our motives, it shows us where our heart is)

READ  G


G  We are frequently asked, “How do you persuade your young people and your older members to leave their schooling or their retirement to sacrifice in this way?” I have heard many give this explanation: “Knowing what my Savior did for me—His grace in suffering for my sins and in overcoming death so I can live again—I feel privileged to make the small sacrifice I am asked to make in His service. I want to share the understanding He has given me.” How do we persuade such followers of Christ to serve? As a prophet explained, “We [just] ask them.”7



Q: If we don't like to sacrifice, what might be the problem?

Board: Write the word sacrifice. Q: What does sacrificing do for us?

- it helps us to change or hearts
- it softens us to be able to feel the love of God which sheddeth itself forth unto the children of men.
- it keeps us humble
- it prepare us for living the law of the gospel
- we are following the mandate which the Lord gave: He that loses his life shall save it and he saveth his life shall lose it.

READ H



H  Prior to the rededication of one of our temples, a Christian minister asked President Gordon B. Hinckley why it did not contain any representation of the cross, the most common symbol of the Christian faith. President Hinckley replied that the symbols of our Christian faith are “the lives of our people.”



Q: What is the symbol of our Christian faith?

LEARNER APPLICATION

Say, Being ordained to the Melchesidek Priesthood means we  have special responsibilities that tie to Sacrifice.

Alma 13:1-3

And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.

 2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in amanner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

 3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—beingcalled and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

Q: What are we as High Priests supposed to be examples of?  (that great and last sacrifice)  What are the people to look to us for?

Bednar:  Going from bad to good.  Now we move from good to better.  How do we do this?

Conclusion:  Keeping our covenant to sacrifice is an integral step that we must take in this mortal life.

One of the first things God commands us is to sacrifice.  Sacrifice prepares our hearts and our minds.


Elder Bednar .... The gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. Help from the Savior is available for the entire journey of mortality—from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.

I am not suggesting that the redeeming and enabling powers of the Atonement are separate and discrete. Rather, these two dimensions of the Atonement are connected and complementary; they both need to be operational during all phases of the journey of life. And it is eternally important for all of us to recognize that both of these essential elements of the journey of mortality—both putting off the natural man and becoming a saint, both overcoming bad and becoming good—are accomplished through the power of the Atonement. Individual willpower, personal determination and motivation, effective planning and goal setting are necessary but ultimately insufficient for us to triumphantly complete this mortal journey. Truly, we must come to rely upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8).

Q: How does sacrifice fit into the big picture?
Q: How does it fit into truth?

Daughters of the Covenant - HP Lesson - October 2014

Daughters in the Covenant

BY PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING

Introduction

Learner Readiness  (can you feel so now)

SAY: The path … we must take on our journey back to our Heavenly Father … is marked by sacred covenants with God.

SAY: Before we start into the President Eyring's conference talk let's review the fundamentals about covenants.

Q: What does the word covenant mean?
Q: What is the purpose of God covenanting with man and man with God?
Q: What are our covenants designed to do?
Q: Is there a progression in the covenants we make?
Q: What happens when we fully keep one of our covenants?
Q: What are some of the covenants that we make and what are the blessings associated with each covenant?

SAY:  Let's read a quotation from President Eyring's talk.

READ A - Daughters in the Covenant

A - I will speak tonight about the path—which in such beautiful ways has been described today—that we must take on our journey back to our Heavenly Father. That path is marked by sacred covenants with God. I will talk with you about the joy of making and keeping those covenants and helping others keep them.

Q: Why is there joy of making and keeping covenants?  Isn't it a burden to keep on having to do better?

READ B - Daughters in the Covenant

B - No two of us will have the same memories of the day when we made that sacred baptismal covenant and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. But we each felt God’s approval. And we felt a desire to forgive and to be forgiven and an increased determination to do right... How deeply those feelings went down into your heart was determined largely by the way you were prepared by loving people.

Q: Why does President Eyring tie one's baptism to desires and feelings?
Q: Where can we renew these desires and feelings?  (sacrament, temple, attending baptisms, fasting and prayer)

READ C - Alma 5:26

C - Alma 5:26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Q: Why is it important to feel so now?

Q: What is relationship between keeping our covenants and feeling the joy the gospel brings?

Q: Can any of you describe this joy?

Q: What keeps these feelings of alive within us?

Leaner Involvement (what stops us from feeling so now)

SAY: While reading last month's conference addresses I was impressed by the talk given by Elder Ballard.  Let's read and excerpt.

READ D

D - Elder M. Russell Ballard, Stay on the Boat and Hold On!

Given the challenges we all face today, how do we stay on the Old Ship Zion?

Here is how. We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives—not just once but regularly.

Q: What does experiencing a continuing conversion mean?

Q: How does a continuing conversion relate to feeling to sing the song of redeeming love?

Q: Regarding the covenants we all have made, what can happen if we don't experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith?

Q: What stops us from feeling so now?

Q: If we are in a place where our testimonies aren't so bright, what could we do?

READ E

E - Elder M. Russell Ballard, Stay on the Boat and Hold On!

The important questions focus on what matters most—Heavenly Father’s plan and the Savior’s Atonement. Our search should lead us to become kind, gentle, loving, forgiving, patient, and dedicated disciples.

Q: Why does focus on our Heavenly Father;s plan and the Savior's atonement matter the most?
Q:  How doe we know that our search has been fruitful?

Learner Application (what can we do to feel stay connected

What behavior do we exhibit when we are all filled with the love of God?

SAY:  President Eyring uses this passage of scripture to describe a group of people who felt that joy and desired to covenant with their God

READ F - Mosiah 18:8–11.

F - Mosiah 18:8–11. Quotation by President Eyring, Daughters in the Covenant

“And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection that ye may have eternal life—

“Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

“And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.”

SAY: This is an introspective question: Are these the desires or our heart?  If they have been in our memories in the past, can you feel so now?

READ G -  Elder M. Russell Ballard, Stay on the Boat and Hold On!

G - Elder M. Russell Ballard, Stay on the Boat and Hold On!

To bear another’s burdens includes helping, supporting, and understanding everyone, including the sick, the infirm, the poor in spirit and body, the seeker and the troubled, and also other member-disciples—including Church leaders who have been called by the Lord to serve for a season.

Q: Anything pop out that you previously hadn't though of?
Q: How do we bear another's burden who is seeking at this time or trouble at this time?
Q: Do we get defense or angry?

Conclusion

As President Eyring said, making and keeping covenant should be a joyful process.  As Elder Ballard says, We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives—not just once but regularly.

I testify that these things are true.

Elder Ballard says this:

Elder M. Russell Ballard, Stay on the Boat and Hold On!

We need to become like the sons of Mosiah, who “waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth.” We can become men and women “of a sound understanding.” This can be accomplished only by our “search[ing] the scriptures diligently, that [we] might know the word of God.”7

In searching the scriptures and the words of past and current apostles and prophets, we should focus on studying, living, and loving the doctrine of Christ.

Decisions for Eternity
By Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity.

Learner Readiness

BOARD: Decisions for Eternity  and CHANGE

Say: as I was thinking about Elder Nelson's talk on our freedom to make our own decisions, I remembered a quote from Joseph Smith.

READ A

READING A - I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty. (History of the Church, 5:401.)

Q: How do we become polish shafts it the quiver of the Almighty? [just be thinking about this]

Q: Does this quote about Joseph Smith have anything to do with decisions for eternity?

I also thought of a talk by Elder Bednar.  I felt that it applied to topic, Decisions for Eternity.

READ B

READING B - The grand objective of the Savior’s gospel was summarized succinctly by President David O. McKay (1873–1970): “The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.” Thus, the journey of mortality is to progress from bad to good to better and to experience the mighty change of heart—to have our fallen natures changed (see Mosiah 5:2).

Q: What does this quote have to do with our freedom to make your own decisions for our spiritual growth?

Let's read a quote from Elder Nelson:

READ C

READING C - The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change.

READ D

READING D -The aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God’s great plan of happiness. Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return home to Him. From an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God.

Some of the decisions that will determine your eternal destiny include:

• How will you choose to care for and use your body?

• What spiritual attributes will you choose to develop?

Learner Involvement

Say, So, we are back to decision and choice.

Q: What spiritual attributes do you still need to develop? [list on the board]

SAY, let's read another quote from Elder Nelson.  He lists some spiritual attributes: [add them to the board]

READ E

READING E  -Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth. You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes, such as bravery, courage, integrity of heart, a thirst for truth, a hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve others.

Q: It is easy to talk about all the good attributes that we need to develop in this live.  It's another thing to actually develop them.  How do we make the changes in ourselves? 

READ F

READING F -A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery—the strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. Fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites.

Q:  Why does self mastery build a strong conscience?

Q: Why is it important to have strong self conscience?

READ G

READING G - We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!

Q: Why does true change require the power of the atonement?

SAY - I would like to read a few quote from Elder Bednar's talk to help us with this;

READ H

READING H -The Book of Mormon is our handbook of instructions as we travel the pathway from bad to good to better and strive to have our hearts changed. King Benjamin teaches about the journey of mortality and the role of the Atonement in navigating successfully that journey: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 3:19; emphasis added).

SAY - So first we need to put off the natural man.  [in Moroni, this is called denying ourselves all ungodliness] Let's read the second quote:

READ I

READING I - I draw your attention to two specific phrases. First—“putteth off the natural man.” The journey from bad to good is the process of putting off the natural man or the natural woman in each of us. In mortality we all are tempted by the flesh. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death. But we can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations “through the atonement of Christ.” When we make mistakes, as we transgress and sin, we can repent and become clean through the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

SAY - and the we become saints.

READ J

READING J     Second—“becometh a saint.” This phrase describes the continuation and second phase of life’s journey to make “good men better” or, in other words, to become more like a saint. This second part of the journey, this process of going from good to better, is a topic about which we do not study or teach frequently enough nor understand adequately.

Learner Application

Q: Why do you think Elder Bednar says that we do not study or teach this topic frequently enough not understand it adequately?  Why don't we teach it? [we don't understand it, it hasn't happened in our lives - becoming a saint].

READ K

READING K - I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. We may mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves, through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities

Q: Why is this approach incorrect?
Q: Have you had experience in changing a bad habit to a good habit?  What did it involve?
SAY: Here's an idea: focus on one goal at at time.  Ask God for assistance in discerning what that one goal is.

Q:  How do we develop an attribute or character trait that we don't currently have?

SAY: Here's a few things that I am working on:

Self mastery over judging others
Self mastery over contending
Self mastery over reviling
Self mastery over pride

Conclusion

READ L

READING L -You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands.No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.

Q: Do you believe God Knows who you are? Do you believe that God cares about you personally?  If not, what would allow you to believe that?

READ M

READING M -Why the need for self-mastery? God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated. When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.

HP Lesson - October 2014

Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home

INTRODUCTION

SAY: A little over three weeks ago I had a partial knee replacement. Besides all the drugs, being very tired, dealing with deep pain and physical therapy the most difficult thing has been the breaking of the spiritual routines that I practice everyday. I like my spiritual routines like reading and pondering the scriptures, writing down my insights, praying with real intent, attending the temple and responding affirmatively to calls to serve. During this recovery, I have felt at times a spiritual lacking. I become more susceptible to sin and my natural man tendencies. I can appreciate President Kimball's quotes:

Reading A

A - “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel.”

Reading B

B - Of prayer, President Kimball taught: “Prayer is such a privilege—not only to speak to our Father in Heaven, but also to receive love and inspiration from him. At the end of our prayers, we need to do some intense listening—even for several minutes. We have prayed for counsel and help. Now we must ‘be still, and know that [he is] God.’ (Ps. 46:10.)”

LEARNER READINESS

SAY: I've been instructed to give a lesson based on a talk given at April conference by Linda S. Reeves, 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. The name of the talk is "Protection from Pornography - a Christ-Focused Home".

SAY - As I have been pondering how to present this lesson I found four main areas of focus:

1, Chirst Focused home, teaching Christ to our children, inadvertant viewing
     2. Constant Spiritual Renewal
3. Buiding bonds between husband and wife
4. Getting Help and how to respond

SAY: Let's review review Sister Reeves' talk with these themes in mind.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY - Let's read a quote from Sister Reeves. Who has reading A?

READ C

C - Dear brothers and sisters, today I am blessed to have my 13 oldest grandchildren in the congregation. This has caused me to ask, “What do I want my grandchildren to know?” This morning I would like to talk frankly to my family and to yours.

Q: What do we want our children and grandchildren to know about pornography and other evils out there in the world?

SAY: Sister Reeves then talks about building bonds between husbands and wives.

READ D

D - One reason we are here on earth is to learn to manage the passions and feelings of our mortal bodies. These God-given feelings help us want to marry and have children. The intimate marriage relationship between a man and a woman that brings children into mortality is also meant to be a beautiful, loving experience that binds together two devoted hearts, unites both spirit and body, and brings a fulness of joy and happiness as we learn to put each other first. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that in marriage, “the spouse … becomes preeminent in the life of the husband or wife, and … [no] other interest [or] person [or] thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse. … “Marriage presupposes total allegiance and total fidelity."

Q: How does the sacred marriage bond relate to pornography?

SAY: Let's read a story of innocence that sister Reeves relates in her talk.

READ E

E - Many years ago one of our children was noticeably distressed. I stepped into her bedroom, where she opened up her heart and explained to me that she had been at a friend’s home and had accidentally seen startling and disturbing images and actions on the television between a man and a woman without clothing. She began sobbing and expressed how horrible she felt about what she had seen and wished she could get it out of her mind. I was so grateful that she would confide in me, giving me a chance to soothe her innocent and aching heart and help her know how to get relief through our Savior’s Atonement. I remember the sacred feelings I had as we knelt together, as mother and daughter, and petitioned the help of our Heavenly Father.

Q: What is the message that Sister Reeves wants to us get from?
Q: Sister Reeves pointed her daughter to the Savior's Atonement?  How can the Savior's Atonement and petitioning the help of our Heavenly Father help help a child or perhaps ourselves when we a soiled by exposure to the world?

SAY: Let read another quote

READ F

F - Many children, youth, and adults are innocently exposed to pornography, but a growing number of both men and women are choosing to view it and are drawn back repeatedly until it becomes an addiction. These individuals may desire with all of their hearts to get out of this trap but often cannot overcome it on their own. How grateful we are when these loved ones choose to confide in us as parents or a Church leader. We would be wise not to react with shock, anger, or rejection, which may cause them to be silent again.

Q: Why is our reaction so important?

READ G

G - We as parents and leaders need to counsel with our children and youth on an ongoing basis, listening with love and understanding. They need to know the dangers of pornography and how it overtakes lives, causing loss of the Spirit, distorted feelings, deceit, damaged relationships, loss of self-control, and nearly total consumption of time, thought, and energy.

Q: Is this depiction true of what pornography can do?  [tell story of intern who was involved, lost family, graduation was in the balance]
Gettting Help

LEARNER APPLICATION

READ H

H - Young people and adults, if you are caught in Satan’s trap of pornography, remember how merciful our beloved Savior is. Do you realize how deeply the Lord loves and cherishes you, even now? Our Savior has the power to cleanse and heal you. He can remove the pain and sorrow you feel and make you clean again through the power of His Atonement.

Q: What can a person do if he or she is caught in the trap?

READ I


I - The greatest filter in the world … is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony.

Q: Why are we less prone to getting caught in traps like pornography or other sins if we are focused on developing our discipleship, building our faith?

READ J

J - How do we lead our children [and ourselves] to deep conversion and to access our Savior’s Atonement? I love the prophet Nephi’s declaration of what his people did to fortify the youth of his day: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, [and] we prophesy of Christ … that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

SAY: Sister Reeves then talks about prioritizing our homes and our lives so that the most important things are not left undone.

Q: What should we be doing on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to reinforce spiritual growth, to deepen our conversion?

Q: When challenges strike ourselves or our family, why is it so important to stay have stayed close to the Lord?

SAY: Sister Reeves says regarding challenges"Then, if pornography or other challenges do strike our families, we can petition the Lord for help and expect great guidance from the Spirit, knowing that we have done what our Father has asked us to do."

CONCLUSION

What do I want my grandchildren to know? I want them and you to know that I know the Savior lives and loves us. He has paid the price for our sins, but we must kneel before our Father in Heaven, in deep humility, confessing our sins, and plead with Him for forgiveness. We must want to change our hearts and our desires and be humble enough to seek the help and forgiveness of those we may have hurt or forsaken.

High Priest Lesson - September 2014 Keeping Covenants

Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us

Outline

A. Introduction and Learner Readiness

BY ROSEMARY M. WIXOM

Primary General President

SAY: Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us

SAY: We are covenant-making women of all ages walking the path of mortality back to His presence.

SAY: Be thinking about your favorite scriptures that help you understand and keep your covenants. I will be asking you to share your favorite scripture later in the lesson.

SAY: Let's start with one of my favorite scriptures.  I was reading the book of Moroni last week.  As I was reading chapter 7 verse 45, I gave myself a test.  My grade was lower than I expected.  Here's the test.  Answer the following question yes or no.  You can use sometimes if you want to soften the blow.

1. Am I long suffering?
2. Am I kind?
3. Do I have envy for others?
4. Am I puffed up?  Do I think I am better than others?
5. Am I easily provoked?
6. Do I think evil?  Do I think evil of others?
7. Do I rejoice in iniquity? 
8. Do I rejoice in the truth?
9. Do I bear all things?
10. Do I believe all things?
11. Do I have a hope of a glorious resurrection?
12. Do I endure all things?
13. Am I happy?

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 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.

Q: What does this introspective test have to do with covenant keeping?
SAY: Are not these the attributes we take with us when we die?
SAY: There must be covenants we make associated with changing our inner self, developing Christ-like attributes.Q: What covenant to we make most closely ties to charity?
Q: Any ideas?

C. Learner Involvement

SAY: We are going to read some of Sister Wixom's talk.  Since it was addressed to young women of the church you will need to substitute the words "women" and "daughters" to "men" and "sons".

READ A

A - Tonight we gather together all over the world as His disciples, with a desire to defend and sustain the kingdom of God. We are daughters of our Heavenly Father. We are covenant-making women of all ages walking the path of mortality back to His presence. Keeping covenants protects us, prepares us, and empowers us.

 Q: How does covenant keeping protect us?
 Q: How does keeping covenants prepare us?
 Q: How does covenant keeping  empower us?

Q: What is the first covenant we make with our Heavenly Father? [Baptism]
Q: Who can explain the covenant of baptism?
Q: What is the Father's side of the covenant? [Give of the Holy Ghost, Saved in the Kingdom of God]

READ B

B - [Robert D Hales] also explained that “when we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God."

Q: What has the Lord given us to remember baptismal covenant (and all our covenants)?

READ C

Each week as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenant. Elder David A. Bednar said: “As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple.”

Q: Is it possible to keep all our covenants in this life?

Q: Why would something like being unforgiving be not in keeping with our baptismal covenant?
Q: Who is forgiveness for?
Q: What are we doing when we forgive?
Q: If we are easily provoked are we breaking a covenant?

READ D

Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They are those ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. As we strive to keep our covenants, our feelings of inadequacy and imperfection begin to fade, while the ordinances and the covenants of the temple come alive. Everyone is welcome to walk that path to eternal life.

Q: Why do or feelings of inadequacy and imperfection fade away as we strive to keep our covenants?

Q: Where do go to learn about the covenants we make in the temple?

D. Learner Application

Q: Do you have any favorite scriptures that help you understand, remember and keep your baptismal and temple covenants?

3 Nephi 9:19-20 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

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,

Alma 1:19-24 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.

20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, withoutmoney and without price.

21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.

22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.

24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrewthemselves from among them.

Mosiah 18:9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of thefirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life

2 Nephi 11:5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

D&C 121:45-46 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Alma 1:27-30 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.

30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

READ E

E - A single woman I know values the weekly ordinance of the sacrament and its sacred promise “that [she] may always have his Spirit to be with [her].”That constant companionship is a promise that softens the waves of her loneliness. It gives her strength to immerse herself in developing her talents and a desire to serve the Lord. She has discovered great joy in adoring all the children in her life, and when she seeks serene peace, you will find her in the temple.

READ F

F - Lastly, an elderly woman in her 90s has watched her children and grandchildren grow up and her great-grandchildren come into the world. Like many of us, she has had a life filled with sorrows, afflictions, and incomprehensible joy. She confesses that if she were rewriting her life story, she would not choose to include some of the chapters that have been written. Yet, with a smile, she says, “I just must live a little longer and see how it all turns out!” She continues to hold fast to the covenants on the path.

E. Conclusion

As Sister Wixom teaches, As we strive to keep our covenants, our feelings of inadequacy and imperfection begin to fade, while the ordinances and the covenants of the temple come alive.  The way back becomes easier and our burdens become light.

Amen.

This Order Does Not Foster Brotherhood

I read in the Doctrine and Covenants about different orders related to the gospel and kingdom on this earth.  The order in which we live today as a church is not a Zion order.  We call ourselves stakes of Zion which indicates something or our direction or desires.  But, watch what we do, not what we say, and I see something different - a different order than Zion.  The Order of Enoch is an all in common order where temporal equality exists among the participants.  The participants, over time, have become enlightened, partaking of the heavenly gift, understanding the true nature of the meaning of charity.  They understand that one man shouldn't be above above another.  And, that this is sin.  They understand that the love of money is root of all evil and this make complete sense to them.  Once in the order and seeing the pouring out of blessings their testimony of the order grows into knowledge. They can see the incorrectness of the old order clearly now.  How faithless the old order was.  How selfish the old order was.  In the new order it is self evident that all things are gifts from God.  In contrast to the old order where darkness prevailed, temporal talents to acquire wealth are not gifts but some strange indicator of self worth and how blessed one is.  Mormon explains it this way, "why to you love your money more than you love the needy and the poor?" and "why do you walk by the poor and needy and notice them not?".  Mormon is viewing the church order in which we live from the vantage point of all in common order in which lived.  He seems to be shocked by what he sees.

The order of the church in which we live today doesn't foster brotherhood.  Friends and family foster brotherhood in our society today.  Lacking temporal unity causes everyone to fend for themselves.  The stress of doing this results in all sorts of unbrotherly conduct.  Seeing other with their wealth untold take is toll on the pychies of everyone in the church.  We all learn quickly that in this order it is a matter of individual righteousness and nothing about group righteousness.

I believe the Book of Mormon is teaching us what the higher order is like and what it takes to live it.  Anyone with eyes and ears wide open easily sees the contrast between how we live today and how the righteous in the Book of Mormon lived. This way of writing is deliberate among the Nephite prophets.  They see our day and wrote a book that would help us (the Latter-day Saints) transition from Babylon to Zion.