Bishop Burton told this story in a CES firside a few years ago, I like the analogy he uses about keeping focused on our goal, not letting the things of the world distract us from what its most important like our family's, callings and what God expects us to become in life.
"Near the end of my mission, the World Cup Golf Tournament was held at the Royal Melbourne golf course in Melbourne, Australia, and amateur golfers were given an opportunity to play with a professional in the pretournament practice rounds. On the very last day of my mission, I was able to participate in this practice round, although I won’t bore you with the details of how that occurred. When it was my turn to draw from the hat the name of the professional I was to play with that day, I drew the name of Arnold Palmer. Talk about intimidation associated with speaking at general conference! That level of intimidation was only a very small part of the amount I felt the second I saw “Arnold Palmer” on my slip. I, of course, hadn’t had a golf club in my hands for over two years, and I was, to use the vernacular of today, totally stressed out!
I don’t remember much about the round of golf except that I played very poorly. On the 17th hole we hit our tee shots. We walked a few feet, and I hit my second shot, and shortly thereafter my third before we arrived at Mr. Palmer’s ball. The young Australian man caddying for Mr. Palmer was trying very, very hard to please him. I overheard the caddy tell Mr. Palmer that on the left the topography sloped, with a stream meandering down and hidden from view. He then said that on the right the grass had been allowed to grow very, very long and was really difficult to swing a club through.
"Mr. Palmer very precisely placed his club back into the bag and quietly but firmly said to the young caddy, “Please don’t clutter my mind with what is out on the right, and I’m not terribly interested in what is on the left. The only piece of information that I require from you is the exact distance from this ball to the flag on the green.”
"My, that was a powerful learning experience for me. I suddenly realized the criticality of focusing on what is important and not being distracted by what may be on the left or what might be on the right. Focus is so essential in achieving our goals. Too many of us are concerned about what’s on the right and what’s on the left, and we fail to adequately focus on the principal objective that is right down the middle. When we fail to focus on the right things, it is difficult to become the manner of men and women that we desperately want to be. In this endeavor, remember that the Lord has promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
"Morrow In The Bones"
I came across this touching story below about a young Boys fight with cancer. I was so touched by this that I have requested a kit from DKMS (http://www.dkmsamericas.org/) to see if i would be a match for anyone who is suffering from this kind of Cancer. This Group DKMS specializes in matching patients with donors. Here is a link to that story below, it is a video so all you have to do is watch. When I watched this all I could think about was being a parent of a son or daughter who's child was dying with this cancer, how frustrating it must be that the only thing standing between my child getting better was a donor. As you will watch it is very difficult to find matches but when they do they are very successful. I Hope you enjoy this and if you feel this is something you would want to do, call this number at 1866-340-DKMS (6567). They will ask you a few questions, then send you a kit to complete then send back to them to see if you are a match.
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip299727#clip299727
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip299727#clip299727
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"The Fallacy of Fairness"
Thomas Sowell is someone my father turned me onto a while back. He wrote this article in four parts that deal with what he calls the "fallacy of fairness". When I read this I could not help but think of Satan's plan in the premortal life. Satan proposed to alter fathers plan by saying he could save all of mankind. Which there was no way that was possible, salvation only comes through Christ. that topic will have to be addressed latter.
No doubt fairness and equality were among the arguments made by Satan in the premortal world. Satan takes truth and distorts it. We can see how he has distorted the virtue of equality in the arguments for same sex marriage. We can see how he has distorted the roles of men and woman all in the name of equality and how it has effected the family. We see in our society many trying to bring about “social justice” by taking from the rich and giving to the poor, all this is done in the name of fairness and equality. More then 60 Million people have died in the 20th century as a result of Communism. which at its heart is fairness and equality. One thing president Benson said the Book of Mormon does is expose the enemies of Christ. Just about all the enemies of Christ in the Book of Mormon use the argument of fairness and equality in one form or another to bring about there own power. That really is at the heart of those who champion equality and fairness; power, money and populariy. Anyway, Thomas Sowell wrote this article in four small instalments. It will probably take you 5 minutes to read. hope you like them.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/09/the_fallacy_of_fairness
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/10/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_ii
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/11/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_iii
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/12/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_iv
No doubt fairness and equality were among the arguments made by Satan in the premortal world. Satan takes truth and distorts it. We can see how he has distorted the virtue of equality in the arguments for same sex marriage. We can see how he has distorted the roles of men and woman all in the name of equality and how it has effected the family. We see in our society many trying to bring about “social justice” by taking from the rich and giving to the poor, all this is done in the name of fairness and equality. More then 60 Million people have died in the 20th century as a result of Communism. which at its heart is fairness and equality. One thing president Benson said the Book of Mormon does is expose the enemies of Christ. Just about all the enemies of Christ in the Book of Mormon use the argument of fairness and equality in one form or another to bring about there own power. That really is at the heart of those who champion equality and fairness; power, money and populariy. Anyway, Thomas Sowell wrote this article in four small instalments. It will probably take you 5 minutes to read. hope you like them.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/09/the_fallacy_of_fairness
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/10/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_ii
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/11/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_iii
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/02/12/the_fallacy_of_fairness_part_iv
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
"Mighty Change of Heart"
My favorite doctrine to learn about is the "mighty change" that can come to an individual who submits his will to God. No one falls outside the reach of the atonement no matter how far they have fallen, no one is without hope. Not only should the Atonement change how we view ourselves, but it also should change our view of others (BD Repentance). We are all subject to the fall of Adam, and because of that we all suffer one way or another from the consequences of a fallen world. Some suffer from depression, addictions, metal illness and so on. But many of other lifs problems come becouse of choices we make, but the good news is the lord has provide a way for us to have our natures changed through the Atonement. When we fall short, which we all do so often. We should never beat ourselves up, rather we should have hope in Christ through the atonement, knowing that the Atonment is there to remove the natural man from us.
As we move forward trying our hardest to submit to his will, we can become discouraged becouse we may percive a lack of progress in our life. Another thing we must understand is that his changing power will comes "in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will (D&C 88:68)."
The sooner we understand we do not have the power to overcome the natural man on our own, the sooner we will have hope in Christ and peace in our lives, even though we may fall short. A quick word about this mighty change and how we should view others, we should never look at someone and say they are without hope. Tomake that kind of judgement makes light of the power of the Atonement, the savior says he is "mighty to save." let us take him at his word and allow him to do his work (Moses 1:39). he was been doing it for a long time.
One of my favorite talks is from President Benson give in the October 1985 General Conference tittled, "Born of God." i have put some quotes from that talk below, pay attention to the adjectives that are used when it comes to having our natures changed.
“No man,” said President David O. McKay, “can sincerely resolve to apply in his daily life the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth without sensing a change in his own nature. The phrase ‘born again’ has a deeper significance than many people attach to it. This changed feeling may be indescribable, but it is real.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1962, p. 7.)
"Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course!... Our Lord told Nicodemus that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3.) Of these words President Kimball said, “This is the simple total answer to the weightiest of all questions. … To gain eternal life there must be a rebirth, a transformation.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1958, p. 14.)"
President McKay said "that Christ called for “an entire revolution” of Nicodemus’s “inner man.” “His manner of thinking, feeling, and acting with reference to spiritual things would have to undergo a fundamental and permanent change.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1960, p. 26.)
"Human nature can be changed, here and now,” said President McKay, and then he quoted the following:“ ‘You can change human nature. No man who has felt in him the Spirit of Christ even for half a minute can deny this truth. …"
"You do change human nature, your own human nature, if you surrender it to Christ. Human nature can be changed here and now. Human nature has been changed in the past. Human nature must be changed...(Quoting Beverly Nichols, in Stepping Stones to an Abundant Life, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971, pp. 23, 127.)
"Finally, men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. To paraphrase President Harold B. Lee, they set fire in others because they are on fire. (Stand Ye in Holy Places, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 192.)
Did you notice the words, transformation, Revolution, rebirth, and changed. This should be great news to all of us. the natural man is the root cause to all of our problems. we need our very natures to be changed, and that change comes only as we are "consumed in Christ, and "surrender to Christ," one point you can ponder is, what does it mean to be consumed in Christ? here are a few Scriptures that can give you some ideas. 2 Nephi 25:26, 2 Nephi 32:3, Alma 37:36, D&C 6:36, Enos 1:3, Moses 5:8.
As we move forward trying our hardest to submit to his will, we can become discouraged becouse we may percive a lack of progress in our life. Another thing we must understand is that his changing power will comes "in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will (D&C 88:68)."
The sooner we understand we do not have the power to overcome the natural man on our own, the sooner we will have hope in Christ and peace in our lives, even though we may fall short. A quick word about this mighty change and how we should view others, we should never look at someone and say they are without hope. Tomake that kind of judgement makes light of the power of the Atonement, the savior says he is "mighty to save." let us take him at his word and allow him to do his work (Moses 1:39). he was been doing it for a long time.
One of my favorite talks is from President Benson give in the October 1985 General Conference tittled, "Born of God." i have put some quotes from that talk below, pay attention to the adjectives that are used when it comes to having our natures changed.
“No man,” said President David O. McKay, “can sincerely resolve to apply in his daily life the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth without sensing a change in his own nature. The phrase ‘born again’ has a deeper significance than many people attach to it. This changed feeling may be indescribable, but it is real.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1962, p. 7.)
"Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course!... Our Lord told Nicodemus that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3.) Of these words President Kimball said, “This is the simple total answer to the weightiest of all questions. … To gain eternal life there must be a rebirth, a transformation.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1958, p. 14.)"
President McKay said "that Christ called for “an entire revolution” of Nicodemus’s “inner man.” “His manner of thinking, feeling, and acting with reference to spiritual things would have to undergo a fundamental and permanent change.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1960, p. 26.)
"Human nature can be changed, here and now,” said President McKay, and then he quoted the following:“ ‘You can change human nature. No man who has felt in him the Spirit of Christ even for half a minute can deny this truth. …"
"You do change human nature, your own human nature, if you surrender it to Christ. Human nature can be changed here and now. Human nature has been changed in the past. Human nature must be changed...(Quoting Beverly Nichols, in Stepping Stones to an Abundant Life, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971, pp. 23, 127.)
"Finally, men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. To paraphrase President Harold B. Lee, they set fire in others because they are on fire. (Stand Ye in Holy Places, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 192.)
Did you notice the words, transformation, Revolution, rebirth, and changed. This should be great news to all of us. the natural man is the root cause to all of our problems. we need our very natures to be changed, and that change comes only as we are "consumed in Christ, and "surrender to Christ," one point you can ponder is, what does it mean to be consumed in Christ? here are a few Scriptures that can give you some ideas. 2 Nephi 25:26, 2 Nephi 32:3, Alma 37:36, D&C 6:36, Enos 1:3, Moses 5:8.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Below is a listing of the known personages who appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith or who were seen by him in vision. We know from the prophet that he knew so much more then he was able to reveal to the saints. In fact, this is one thing that pained him very much. he yeared to give the saints more then what they had but the saints were unprepared to receive it.
We hear many times that we are to prepare for the second coming, but what exactly are we preparing for? The Book of Mormon gives us an insight into the answer to this question.
Alma 13:24
For behold, aangels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.
Alma 16:16
And there was ano inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their bhearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—
Alma 39:16
And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their achildren to hear the word at the time of his coming.
As we can see, we are to prepare our minds for the further light and knowledge that has been promised to be sent to us. we know the pattern in the book of Mormon is the same for our day. We are to prepare in the same Way they were to prepare. It is our charge to prepare out minds and the minds of our children for further light and knowledge when the savior comes. So how do we prepare our minds? through obedience to his commandments, we learn from section 93 that as we are obedient we receive further light and truth into our spirits. Thus giving us greater capacity to receive more light and knowledge. remember the words from Alma 12.
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to aknow the bmysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart conly according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
# Personage References
1. God the Father JS-H 1:17; HC 1:5; D&C 76:20
2. Jesus Christ JS-H 1:17; HC 1:5-6; D&C 76:20-24; D&C 110:2-10
3. Moroni JS-H 1:30-49; JD 17:374
4. Elijah D&C 110:13-16; JD 23:48
5. John the Baptist D&C 13; HC 1:39-40
6-8. Peter, James, John D&C 27:12; D&C 128:20; HC 1:40-42;
JD 18:326
9. Adam (Michael) HC 3:388; D&C 128:21; HC 2:380; JD 18:326
10. Noah (Gabriel) D&C 128:21; JD 21:94
11. Raphael D&C 128:21
12. Moses D&C 110:11; JD 21:65
13. Elias D&C 110:12; D&C 27:6; JD 23:48
14. Joseph, son of Jacob D&C 27:10
15. Abraham D&C 27:10; JD 21:94
16. Isaac D&C 27:10; JD 21:94
17. Jacob D&C 27:10; JD 21:94
18. Enoch JD 21:65
19-27. Twelve Jewish Apostles JD 21:94
(Peter, James, and John already counted above.) (Names are in Matt 10:1-4 & Luke 6:13-16)
28-39. Twelve Nephite Apostles JD 21:94
(Including Three Nephites; names are recorded in 3 Nephi 19:4)
40. Nephi JD 21:161; Orson Pratt Letter Box 3/11/1876 (CHO)
41. Seth JD 21:94; HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
42. Methuselah JD 21:94; HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
43. Enos JD 21:94; HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
44. Mahalaleel JD 21:94; HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
45. Jared (Bible) HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
46. Lamech JD 18:325
47. Abel JD 18:325; HC 3:388
48. Cainan HC 3:388; D&C 107:53-57
49. Zelph the Lamanite T&S 6:788
50. Alvin Smith HC 2:380
51. Mormon JD 17:374
52. Paul TPJS 180
53. Eve Oliver B. Huntington Diary, Part 2, 214, BYU Library
54. Alma JD 13:47
55. Unnamed Angel D&C 27 (Concerning wine in Sacrament) HC 1:106
56. Unnamed Angel Sent to accept dedication of Temple. Life of Heber C.
Kimball, 106; Temples of the Most High, 159
57. Unnamed angel Visited Joseph Smith three different times
and commanded him to practice polygamy-
Eliza R. Snow, Biography and Family Records of Lorenzo
Snow 69-70
58. "I saw many angels" Warren Cowdery's Account of the First Vision.
Joseph Smith's First Vision, 159
59. Satan, as an angel of Light (and his associates) D&C 128:20; JD 3:229-30
(Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate, Jr., eds., Joseph Smith: The Prophet, The Man, p.184-186)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Many articles have been written by scholars showing the possible connections between volcanic eruptions and the massive destruction that took place among the nephits at Christs Crucifixion. In light of the massive volcanic eruption in Iceland this past week I could not help but think of 3 nephi 8-9 which describes this destruction. Here are some pictures that were taken of the volcanic eruption in Iceland, notice the think dark clouds and the massive lightning storms. It reminds me of the description of in 3 nephi 8-9. below is a list of the distruction that took place.
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=3&num=1&id=54
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=2&num=1&id=22
http://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/EntireJournals/1997-1998_v37_n03%205a819570-a002-4dc4-8213-d5637c08cd2e.pdf
for more images see the following links:
a great and terrible tempest (3 Nephi 8:6)
terrible thunder that shook the whole earth (3 Nephi 8:6)
exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land (3 Nephi 8:7)
earth being carried up upon the city of Moronihah (3 Nephi 8:10)3
whirlwinds (3 Nephi 8:12)
earthquakes which roughened many smooth places and caused some cities to sink, some to burn, and the buildings of some to collapse (3 Nephi 8:13–14)
destruction for about three hours (3 Nephi 8:19)4
cities sunk in the sea (3 Nephi 9:4, 6–7)
the burning of cities (3 Nephi 9:9–10)
darkness to such an extent that not a glimmer of light was seen for three days (3 Nephi 6:20–22); indeed, according to the prophecy of Helaman, "darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days" (Helaman 14:27)
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=3&num=1&id=54
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=2&num=1&id=22
http://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/EntireJournals/1997-1998_v37_n03%205a819570-a002-4dc4-8213-d5637c08cd2e.pdf
for more images see the following links:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
I was listening to a CES firside by Elder Nelson yesterday and he gave the following council regarding music. he talked about good uplifting music as a protection to us spiritually. he also gave us council as to what kinds of music to avoid. i hope you enjoy this counsel. i have placed the words and sentences in bold that stood out to me, also i put my thoughts in parentheses.
"Worthy music not only has power, but it can also provide protection. For many years President Boyd K. Packer has taught this concept. He has often quoted another statement issued by the First Presidency many years ago:
"Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.
"Brethren and sisters, wherever we are, we should carefully choose what we see and hear. Some of you would not knowingly tolerate pornography in your homes, yet you would allow music into your lives that can be just as devastating. (Elder Nelson makes the link between pornography and unworthy music. do we underestimate the power and influence music can have.)
"Many youth listen to music that can be described as loud and fast, becoming louder and faster. It aims to agitate, not to pacify; to excite more than to calm. Beware of that kind of music. (we can know if music is good by the effects it has on our minds and hearts. to pacify is means to "end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in." music should bring us peace, not hype us up.)
"As you know, continued exposure to loud sounds will, in time, damage delicate organs of hearing. In like manner, if you overindulge in loud music, you will more likely become spiritually deaf. You may not be able to hear the still, small voice. A scripture states:
The Lord your God . . . hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words. [1 Nephi 17:45] (this is the most important point of all the counsel. music can effect our sensitivity to the spirit. we need to do everything we can to protect that channel of spiritual communication. we can easily conclude that good music will put us in a state where we can hear the spirit more readily.)
"Do not degrade yourself with the numbing shabbiness and irreverence of music that is not worthy of you. Delete the rubbish from your minds and your iPods. Protect your own personal standards! Be selective! Be wise!
Do not allow unworthy, raucous music to enter your life. It is not harmless. It can weaken your defense and allow unworthy thoughts into your mind and pave the way to unworthy acts. Please remember:
That which [does] not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
That which is of God is light. [D&C 50:23–24]
Dear brothers and sisters, please fill your minds with worthy sights and sounds. Cultivate your precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Protect it as the priceless gift that it is. Carefully listen for its quiet communication. You will be spiritually stronger if you do. You know the proverb “As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). As you control your thoughts, you control your actions. Indeed, worthy music can provide power and protection for your soul. (the above is taken from a CES fireside given by Elder Nelson.)
as i read this i could not help but think of the influence music will have on my family, particularly my children. if bad music will have a negative impact on my children. then i must teach them to love good music, one way i can do that is by learning to love good music myself and exposing that to them. we must lead by example.
please share your thougth's and ideas
"Worthy music not only has power, but it can also provide protection. For many years President Boyd K. Packer has taught this concept. He has often quoted another statement issued by the First Presidency many years ago:
"Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.
"Brethren and sisters, wherever we are, we should carefully choose what we see and hear. Some of you would not knowingly tolerate pornography in your homes, yet you would allow music into your lives that can be just as devastating. (Elder Nelson makes the link between pornography and unworthy music. do we underestimate the power and influence music can have.)
"Many youth listen to music that can be described as loud and fast, becoming louder and faster. It aims to agitate, not to pacify; to excite more than to calm. Beware of that kind of music. (we can know if music is good by the effects it has on our minds and hearts. to pacify is means to "end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in." music should bring us peace, not hype us up.)
"As you know, continued exposure to loud sounds will, in time, damage delicate organs of hearing. In like manner, if you overindulge in loud music, you will more likely become spiritually deaf. You may not be able to hear the still, small voice. A scripture states:
The Lord your God . . . hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words. [1 Nephi 17:45] (this is the most important point of all the counsel. music can effect our sensitivity to the spirit. we need to do everything we can to protect that channel of spiritual communication. we can easily conclude that good music will put us in a state where we can hear the spirit more readily.)
"Do not degrade yourself with the numbing shabbiness and irreverence of music that is not worthy of you. Delete the rubbish from your minds and your iPods. Protect your own personal standards! Be selective! Be wise!
Do not allow unworthy, raucous music to enter your life. It is not harmless. It can weaken your defense and allow unworthy thoughts into your mind and pave the way to unworthy acts. Please remember:
That which [does] not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
That which is of God is light. [D&C 50:23–24]
Dear brothers and sisters, please fill your minds with worthy sights and sounds. Cultivate your precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Protect it as the priceless gift that it is. Carefully listen for its quiet communication. You will be spiritually stronger if you do. You know the proverb “As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). As you control your thoughts, you control your actions. Indeed, worthy music can provide power and protection for your soul. (the above is taken from a CES fireside given by Elder Nelson.)
as i read this i could not help but think of the influence music will have on my family, particularly my children. if bad music will have a negative impact on my children. then i must teach them to love good music, one way i can do that is by learning to love good music myself and exposing that to them. we must lead by example.
please share your thougth's and ideas
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