2 Nephi 23:22
"...and her time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish."
The second coming of the Savior is coming and is soon at hand. This event is unavoidable. What side will we be on?
Monday, June 30, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Fear the Lord
2 Nephi 18:13
"Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
We should not fear what anyone thinks of us other than the Lord. He is the ultimate judge, and He alone knows our hearts. There is nothing we can hide from Him. He understands us perfectly and loves to listen to us as we pray to Him. Why fear anyone else?
"Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
We should not fear what anyone thinks of us other than the Lord. He is the ultimate judge, and He alone knows our hearts. There is nothing we can hide from Him. He understands us perfectly and loves to listen to us as we pray to Him. Why fear anyone else?
Friday, June 27, 2014
Tender Mercies
1 Nephi 1:20
"...Behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
This talk by Sister Jean A. Stevens is all about tender mercies and how the Lord answers our prayers. She urges us to have faith and trust in our Savior; that he will deliver us because of our faith. Tender mercies are real and prevalent. They happen everyday. We just need to look for them and be grateful for them.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Mixed up
2 Nephi 15:20
"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
In these days there is much confusion. Evil things, such as premarital sex and drinking, are not looked at as evil. Rather, they are normal and everyone seems to be doing them. This is not right. The commandments are still in play, and the Lord wants us to be righteous. Even though the world does so many evil things, it does not make them right. There is such a difference between the world's view and the Lord's view. Whose view do you want to follow?
"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
In these days there is much confusion. Evil things, such as premarital sex and drinking, are not looked at as evil. Rather, they are normal and everyone seems to be doing them. This is not right. The commandments are still in play, and the Lord wants us to be righteous. Even though the world does so many evil things, it does not make them right. There is such a difference between the world's view and the Lord's view. Whose view do you want to follow?
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Pride
2 Nephi 13:18
"In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon;"
We cannot create our confidence based on what we own, and how we ornament ourselves. It is nice to look our best, but we must not be consumed by it. Are we dressing to look better than others, or just to look as good as we can?
"In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon;"
We cannot create our confidence based on what we own, and how we ornament ourselves. It is nice to look our best, but we must not be consumed by it. Are we dressing to look better than others, or just to look as good as we can?
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Christ cometh
2 Nephi 11:6-7
"And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time."
Nephi delights in sharing his testimony of Christ with others. It brings him joy to help others know Christ as he does. There is no doubt that Nephi knew Christ personally and was filled with His love for everyone of us. There is a God, Christ lives, and He will come again. Spread the word!
"And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time."
Nephi delights in sharing his testimony of Christ with others. It brings him joy to help others know Christ as he does. There is no doubt that Nephi knew Christ personally and was filled with His love for everyone of us. There is a God, Christ lives, and He will come again. Spread the word!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Sabbath Day Observance/Tithes and Offerings
I am teaching Institute this week and the topics are from the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet. Here are some great quotes from General Authorities of the Church about these topics.
Sabbath Day Observance
"I personally believe that some of the destruction and suffering we see in the world today is the result of a people who mock God and who do not keep His basic commandments, such as properly observing the Sabbath day. One of the key messages of the Book of Mormon is how people suffer when they do not keep God’s commandments. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ezra Taft Benson quoted President George Albert Smith as saying that “much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his [God’s] admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1935, 120; quoted in “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign, May 1971, 7)."
-Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, Elder Earl C. Tingey, Feb 2000
"Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a covenant between man and the Lord for he said: 'Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.' All the Ten Commandments are everlasting covenants. The law of tithing is a form of an everlasting covenant, the covenant of revenue for the church, although some day we shall be given a higher form of this law known as consecration." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation)
"And the matter of Sabbath observance remains to this day as one of the great tests which divides the righteous from the worldly and wicked.
Sunday being the Lord's Day, it is a day on which men should do the Lord's work, and do it exclusively. There should be no recreation, no unnecessary travel, no joy riding, and the like. The Sabbath is a day for affirmative spiritual worship, aside from which, 'thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart.'(D&C 59:13)" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
*Questions:
-How can we teach our children about keeping the Sabbath Day holy?
-What are some activities we can do on the Sabbath Day as a family and as individuals?
Tithes and Offerings
"All of is can afford to pay tithing. In reality, none of us can afford not to pay tithing." (President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov 1996)
"Salaries, wages, gifts, bequests, inheritances, the increase of flocks, herds, and crops, and all income of whatever nature are subject to the law of tithing. (D&C 119)." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
"By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set on doing the will of God and keeping his commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion." (Joseph F. Smith)
"Spirit of inspiration in temporal and spiritual pursuits so that in the end he is ahead financially and temporally, to say nothing of spiritual growth that always attends such a course." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
"Further, since all saints are under covenant, made in the waters of baptism (Mos. 18:8-10) to keep all of the commandments of God, it is a serious defalcation on their part to fail to give Deity his tenth of their income." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
*Some blessings from paying tithing from Elder Hales:
-Feel more confidence asking God for what we need
-encourages us to be honest
-feel more gratitude
-faith to live a higher law
-feel an increase of love for God
(The Blessings of Tithing, Engisn June 2011)
*Tithing is used for many things. Here is a link that shows what it's used for.
*Questions:
-How can we teach our children about the importance of paying tithing?
-How has paying, or not paying, tithing affected your life?
Sabbath Day Observance
"I personally believe that some of the destruction and suffering we see in the world today is the result of a people who mock God and who do not keep His basic commandments, such as properly observing the Sabbath day. One of the key messages of the Book of Mormon is how people suffer when they do not keep God’s commandments. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ezra Taft Benson quoted President George Albert Smith as saying that “much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his [God’s] admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1935, 120; quoted in “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign, May 1971, 7)."
-Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, Elder Earl C. Tingey, Feb 2000
"Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a covenant between man and the Lord for he said: 'Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.' All the Ten Commandments are everlasting covenants. The law of tithing is a form of an everlasting covenant, the covenant of revenue for the church, although some day we shall be given a higher form of this law known as consecration." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation)
"And the matter of Sabbath observance remains to this day as one of the great tests which divides the righteous from the worldly and wicked.
Sunday being the Lord's Day, it is a day on which men should do the Lord's work, and do it exclusively. There should be no recreation, no unnecessary travel, no joy riding, and the like. The Sabbath is a day for affirmative spiritual worship, aside from which, 'thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart.'(D&C 59:13)" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
*Questions:
-How can we teach our children about keeping the Sabbath Day holy?
-What are some activities we can do on the Sabbath Day as a family and as individuals?
Tithes and Offerings
"All of is can afford to pay tithing. In reality, none of us can afford not to pay tithing." (President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov 1996)
"Salaries, wages, gifts, bequests, inheritances, the increase of flocks, herds, and crops, and all income of whatever nature are subject to the law of tithing. (D&C 119)." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
"By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set on doing the will of God and keeping his commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion." (Joseph F. Smith)
"Spirit of inspiration in temporal and spiritual pursuits so that in the end he is ahead financially and temporally, to say nothing of spiritual growth that always attends such a course." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
"Further, since all saints are under covenant, made in the waters of baptism (Mos. 18:8-10) to keep all of the commandments of God, it is a serious defalcation on their part to fail to give Deity his tenth of their income." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine)
*Some blessings from paying tithing from Elder Hales:
-Feel more confidence asking God for what we need
-encourages us to be honest
-feel more gratitude
-faith to live a higher law
-feel an increase of love for God
(The Blessings of Tithing, Engisn June 2011)
*Tithing is used for many things. Here is a link that shows what it's used for.
*Questions:
-How can we teach our children about the importance of paying tithing?
-How has paying, or not paying, tithing affected your life?
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Probation
2 Nephi 9:27
"But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!"
This is me, and it's something I fear. I do not want to waste this time I have. I should not waste time on wicked or unholy things, such as bad tv shows and music, laziness, and being mean. I should focus on holy things and try to make myself better each day. I know this will make me happier.
"But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!"
This is me, and it's something I fear. I do not want to waste this time I have. I should not waste time on wicked or unholy things, such as bad tv shows and music, laziness, and being mean. I should focus on holy things and try to make myself better each day. I know this will make me happier.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
House of Israel
2 Nephi 8:2
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him."
This verse, quoted from Isaiah, reminds me of the significance of the Old Testament. In the OT, the house of Israel is established and blessings are poured forth. These blessings are still in play and we must live up to them.
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him."
This verse, quoted from Isaiah, reminds me of the significance of the Old Testament. In the OT, the house of Israel is established and blessings are poured forth. These blessings are still in play and we must live up to them.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Look For Him
2 Nephi 6:13
"Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah."
The Lord, Jesus Christ, will come again. His second coming is at hand and will happen. There are people who deny this and make fun of those who wait for Him. They will regret this when the Savior comes again. Those of us who believe in Him and have covenanted with Him will be blessed and unashamed. There is nothing shameful about following God.
"Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah."
The Lord, Jesus Christ, will come again. His second coming is at hand and will happen. There are people who deny this and make fun of those who wait for Him. They will regret this when the Savior comes again. Those of us who believe in Him and have covenanted with Him will be blessed and unashamed. There is nothing shameful about following God.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
No Peace
1 Nephi 20:22
"And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked."
It's as simple as that. If you are wicked, then you will not have peace. The devil does not want peace, but wants war and turmoil.
"And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked."
It's as simple as that. If you are wicked, then you will not have peace. The devil does not want peace, but wants war and turmoil.
Monday, June 9, 2014
God Provides a Way
1 Nephi 17:50
"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done."
Nephi knew that whatever the Lord commanded him to do, he would be able to do it. The Lord would help him and provide ways to do what was commanded. Nephi had so many experiences where the Lord commanded him to do a hard thing and Nephi was able to do it.
"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done."
Nephi knew that whatever the Lord commanded him to do, he would be able to do it. The Lord would help him and provide ways to do what was commanded. Nephi had so many experiences where the Lord commanded him to do a hard thing and Nephi was able to do it.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Reliance
1 Nephi 16:39
"And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish."
Imagine relying so much on the Lord that disobedience to Him made it impossible to find food! Even Nephi, who remained faithful, suffered the want of food because his family murmured against the Lord. The Lord does not want us to occasionally obey Him. He wants us to hearken to Him all the time. We must heed Him so we can be blessed and guided.
"And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish."
Imagine relying so much on the Lord that disobedience to Him made it impossible to find food! Even Nephi, who remained faithful, suffered the want of food because his family murmured against the Lord. The Lord does not want us to occasionally obey Him. He wants us to hearken to Him all the time. We must heed Him so we can be blessed and guided.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Revelation
1 Nephi 15:11
"Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?- If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
This is the pattern of revelation. We can receive answers and personal inspiration from the Lord as we trust in him, believe that we will receive, and keep the commandments with diligence. We need to do all these things to have those answers. The Lord wants to tell us things, but we need to live our lives in a way that He can tell us.
"Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?- If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
This is the pattern of revelation. We can receive answers and personal inspiration from the Lord as we trust in him, believe that we will receive, and keep the commandments with diligence. We need to do all these things to have those answers. The Lord wants to tell us things, but we need to live our lives in a way that He can tell us.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Learn of Christ
D&C 19:23
"Learn of me, and listen to my words..."
Christ encourages all of us to learn of Him and listen to His words. We learn of him through His words which are included in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, General Conference addresses, and other Church publications. There are so many tools of study and so many ways to learn of Christ and hear His words. It should be a daily thing. It brings us closer to Him and so much happier. We learn more about why we are here and where we go after. We gain more purpose and an eternal perspective.
"Learn of me, and listen to my words..."
Christ encourages all of us to learn of Him and listen to His words. We learn of him through His words which are included in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, General Conference addresses, and other Church publications. There are so many tools of study and so many ways to learn of Christ and hear His words. It should be a daily thing. It brings us closer to Him and so much happier. We learn more about why we are here and where we go after. We gain more purpose and an eternal perspective.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Restoration
1 Nephi 14:7
"For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting..."
Here, about 600 years before Christ, Nephi is prophesying about the restoration of the gospel in that latter-days after the plain and precious truths are lost from the Church. The Church established by Christ Himself when He lived on the earth was broken down and a great apostasy occurred. Now, we live in a time where the gospel of Jesus Christ is restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We have the Book of Mormon, a book that foretells these things and includes the fullness of the gospel.
"For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting..."
Here, about 600 years before Christ, Nephi is prophesying about the restoration of the gospel in that latter-days after the plain and precious truths are lost from the Church. The Church established by Christ Himself when He lived on the earth was broken down and a great apostasy occurred. Now, we live in a time where the gospel of Jesus Christ is restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We have the Book of Mormon, a book that foretells these things and includes the fullness of the gospel.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Plain and Precious
1 Nephi 13:40
"And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved."
Many of the plain and precious things were taken out of the Bible in the past. They are not lost forever though. The Lord is still revealing these things to the Prophet and Apostles today. The 'last records' include the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, General Conference addresses, and much more. There is so much modern revelation that explains in today's language what the Lord wants us to do. They express the eternal truth of the divinity of Jesus Christ and how we must accept Him and follow Him or we cannot be saved.
"And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved."
Many of the plain and precious things were taken out of the Bible in the past. They are not lost forever though. The Lord is still revealing these things to the Prophet and Apostles today. The 'last records' include the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, General Conference addresses, and much more. There is so much modern revelation that explains in today's language what the Lord wants us to do. They express the eternal truth of the divinity of Jesus Christ and how we must accept Him and follow Him or we cannot be saved.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Faith
1 Nephi 12:11
"...And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him."
Faith may seem like an easy thing, but it involves so much more than saying "I believe." It involves not only belief, but action. Acting on the gospel and counsels from God is what faith is made of. When we do what He asks us and follow His Spirit, our faith increases and we become more like Him. With this faith we can be like our Savior and our sins can be forgiven through His atonement.
"...And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him."
Faith may seem like an easy thing, but it involves so much more than saying "I believe." It involves not only belief, but action. Acting on the gospel and counsels from God is what faith is made of. When we do what He asks us and follow His Spirit, our faith increases and we become more like Him. With this faith we can be like our Savior and our sins can be forgiven through His atonement.
Monday, June 2, 2014
The Most Joyous to the Soul!
1 Nephi 11:22-23
"And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is most desirable above all things.
And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul."
What is the most desirable thing? What is most joyous to the soul? In these verses, Nephi and the Spirit of the Lord proclaim that it is the love of God. This love is so pure and so powerful that it can pierce hearts and bring about so much good.
"And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is most desirable above all things.
And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul."
What is the most desirable thing? What is most joyous to the soul? In these verses, Nephi and the Spirit of the Lord proclaim that it is the love of God. This love is so pure and so powerful that it can pierce hearts and bring about so much good.
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