The Miraculous Transformation of the Creation

Lately I have been Reading 'The Hidden Christ' by James Ferrell. And there was a section of it, that really struck to the core of me, and I felt I should share it, since its a great insight.

In the beginning, before it had taken up orbit around a source of light, the earth was empty, desolate and dark. This seems a pretty good description of man's state so long as he insists on living for himself, on his own terms, refusing to hearken to the light of Christ. But the Spirit moved upon this darkness, and the earth moved into proximity with the light. Under the influence of the light, a "firmament" or atmosphere of life sustaining air was formed above and around the earth. In application to ourselves, we might consider this to be a representation of the nourishing influence of the Spirit in our lives. Under the influence of this light and within the protective canopy of this air or spirit, the earth began to come to life. Isn't this exactly what happens to us when we are nourished by the Spirit and bathed by its light? We, too, come to life, as it were, and begin to bring forth good fruit.
Interestingly it is at this point in the process,after the Lord has sown his seeds and nourished his creation by his own light and spirit, that he then guides that creation into the orbit of those that he has set up to govern-the "lights in the firmament of the heaven" the "greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night". This too, is analogous to what happens with us, as the light of Christ and the whisperings of the Spirit both enliven us and direct us to the Lord's representatives on earth. These representatives who have been called to govern in this sphere, then shed for the Lords light on the issues of our day, helping us to discern the light from the darkness. "And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness"
As we obey the counsel of these governing ones and follow in the light they reveal, our early spiritual growth flowers more fully under their influence, and we, like the earth, bring forth more abundantly. In fact, under the combined influence of the light of Christ, the Spirit, and the direction of those called to govern the earth, the earth itself becomes a sustaining source of life, nourishing and strengthening everything in its presence--fish, fowls, insects, animals. As the earth grows more abundant and more beautiful, finally the life that appears on the earth begins to be in the image of God.
Isn't this how we grow as well? As we stay in the orbit, as it were, of the light of Christ, the Spirit and the Lords representatives on earth, and as we observe and follow that light, do we not bring forth more abundantly? Do we not sustain and nourish all that is around us? Do we not ultimately receive the image of God in our countenances?
At this point in the Creation story, the parallelism between man and the heavenly body known as the earth becomes one: The earth in its abundant beauty, and man and woman joined together in innocence, are able to stand in the presence of God, this being the purpose of the process of creation, the fate of all linked through time and eternity.

The Spiritual Delights

We need to keep the Sabbath Day holy, we need a day of rest and rejuvination. During the sacrament we renews our baptismal and temple covenants and we then offer our own personal sacrifices. We need to meet together so we can serve one another. We also will come to know more and more of our Savior as we come to our meetings and serve those we meet together with. We need to remember the Lord and how good He is to us. What does it mean to keep it holy? We need to keep the Sabbath Day sanctified and consecrated. Its a holy day in which we do holy things. How does the Sabbath bless my life?
1. Physical need for rest and renewal
2. Rejuvination of our spiritual needs as well as emotional
3. Obedience to His commandments to show our love of God
When we partake of the Sacrament and renew our covenants and keep the dsy holy, its an expression of our love for our Heavenly Father.
We need to learn to overcome the natural man, especially on this holy day. The gospel should be pleasing and delightful. We need to find the Spirit and have a sweet appetite for the Spirit and the Gospel. The Sabbath Day is a way to find the Gospel delightful and delicious to us. We need to put aside the worldly things in life and make this day special to us personally. Once the Sabbath is a delight for us then the ways of the Lord will become delicious to us. We need to put aside the worldly delights and make sure it is set apart from the rest of the week. Its up to us to do so. We need to seek the Lord to know how to make the Sabbath a delight. We need to learn to appreciate the ways of the Lord. To learn not only to love the lord but to love his ways as well.

Our Journey to the Promised Land

There are many lessons that can be learned from those that have gone before us and had faith in God and doing His will. There are many who have trust in God and journeyed to the promised land. Such as Nephi & Lehi, Jaredites, Israel and the pioneers. Their journey's are allegorical to our lives. Our timeline may vary from the Lord's timeline. But when we listen to the spirit we shall be protected. Our trials may prepare us fro greater trials. Keeping the commandments also helps and assists us through our tribulation and challenges. As we learn in D&C 136 we have to learn to be self sufficient, so that when the hard times come that we will be able to stand on our own two feet, and have the opportunities to help others as well. As we help others we will be able to reach the promised land which is returning to our Heavenly Parents and becoming Exalted. Here are some of the ways that we will be able to heed God and His prophets:
1. We should be striving to become a better people, we should never let emotions suh as anger to take control of us, self discipline is the key. Repentance is not a chore or trial, its a blessing that we have been given. His arms are stretched out to us. We have felt His love and comfort, this is a invitation to repent. We need to be more than we are. As disciples of Christ we rejoice in the blessing of repentance. We also need to have a change of heart, which comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We must take great care of our changed hearts, We also need to be consistent in strengthening our changed hearts, so that they may become strong and be able to overcome the natural man-which tries to harden our hearts. Consistency is vital in the way we strengthen our spiritual changed hearts: such as Prayer, Obedience to the commandments, Gospel Study, and heeding the words of Latter Day Prophets and Apostles, ect.
2. Personal revelation can influence the decisions we make. We also need to have a love for the Savior and those around us, and to be more obedient and use our agency that we have been given, and use it wisely, which assists us in making the right decisions. We also need to act on inspiration we receive. We can also be given inspiration to know what to do. The power of spiritual guidance takes responsibility on our part. We have to learn how to use this power and gift we have been given. As we gain experience, our confidence in the Spirit will become more clear than what we see and hear. We have to CHOOSE to have the spirit and teach us and than He will. We also need to learn to write down the spiritual inspirations that come to us. So that we may look back on them later, to ponder and pray about them and than we will have more opportunities to be taught by the Spirit. We need to keep the channel of communication clear, clean and free from the clutter of the world. "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."-Moroni 10:4-5.
3. God has given each of us a GPS-Gospel Positioning System. Sometimes we have things that get in the way of our communication with our Heavenly Father. We must cultivate our sensitivity to that voice. We must work at being tuned in to the inspiration of the Spirit. It takes a lot of work to hear and understand the Spirit of the Lord. He doesn't want us to be lost, that's why we have been given our own GPS. The greatest security is by obedience from the words of the prophets and apostles and other church leaders. All of us are given tests which shape us to receive the greatest blessings and happiness!!!!!!!!!

Trusting Jesus Christ

We need to turn to God and trust in His only begotten son. We need to reaffirm our faith and we need to have our hope assured. When necessary we need to repent and we certainly need to pray. Its the absence of spiritual fidelity that has led us to moral disaray in this century. God has limitless love for His children and He has an unquenchable desire to help us heal our wounds. "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him." (D&C 59:5) We need to recognize that in the Lord, Jesus Christ is our only hope and our only salvation. Let him still the tempest and ride upon the storm. Believe that He can lift mankind from its bed of affliction, in time and in eternity.

2 Nephi 26 & 27 : A Marvelous Work and Wonder

Nephi and Isaiah were two great seers. In 2 Nephi 26 & 27 combine to unveil many things pertaining to the future starting with Chapter 26: 1-7: That there will be destruction in America at Christ's Death is prophecied. There would also be signs given to the people. As we have seen in the Bible, the promise of a sign is typical of divine instruction. Here are some examples that we see.
Judges 6: Message brought to Gideon by an angel of the Lord was affirmed by signs.
Isaiah 7-8: The Lord provided a sign for King Ahaz through Isaiah.
Luke 1: Gabriel striking Zacharias dumb as a sign of the verity of the birth of a child of promise to him and his aging wife.
Matthew 24: The twelve imploring the Master for a sign by which they know the time of nations destruction and the time of His return.
Our Day- Maroni promised Joseph Smith a sign by which he might know that all had been promised him would come to pass; Many would seek to overthrow his work, but it would increase more it was opposed. The spirit of the Lord will not always strive with Man. "The Holy Ghost doesn't strive or entice, His mission is to teach and testify."-Bruce R McConkie. If a person attends to the Light of Christ ( which is our internal moral monitering system)Than that person is further directed in righteous paths if he or she ignore/rejects this light within and lives in the manner of the world, than he will stifle that which is good and enabling. "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit"-D & C 11:12 In Vs 14-19 the Nephite will 'whisper out of the dust' to the righteous in the latter days. Although the wicked descendants of Nephi shall be destroyed but the words of the words of the righteous shall be written and sealed up. (Psalms 85:11) "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." God doesn't work in darkness. In Vs 20 they are blinded by pride, their's is a darkness of the mind. " And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced." (Moses 7:26) Those who give themselves over to worldliness have sealed themselves up to the god of this world (Satan). God's purpose is to save all those who can be saved.
Now for chapter 27 - Judgement comes on men because of their disobedience these judgements are to punish and also humble them so that they will turn to righteousness. The Book of Mormon was partly sealed and the sealed portion wasn't sealed, and it will become available in the Lords own time. The Lord will control the entire process. the Marvelous work and wonder included (but is more than) the Book of Mormon, Restoration of the church and the Priesthood, and Latter Day Prophets, a Restoration fo aLL things including the Zion's establishment. " Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began"- Acts 3:19-21 The Book of Mormon will heal all those who are spiritually deaf and blind.

Day One Closer with Christ: COME AND SEE

In John 1:50 " Thou shalt see greater things than these" Come and see- this simple invitation summarized the Master's ministry. He was always an invitation. He asked His followers to come and then He showed them the blessings that followed. Today we are given the same invitation: Set aside your nets and come and see.
But will we leave behind our nets, which are so full other interests?
If we are to reach our full potential, we must create a place for the Savior in our lives. The sacrifice is worth it. Elder Jeffrey R Holland said " My desire today is for all of us...to have a more straightforward personal experience with the Savior's example. Sometimes we seek heaven too obliquely, focusing on programs or history or the experience of others. Those are important but not as important as personal experience. True discipleship and the strength that comes from experience firsthand the majesty of His touch." In a talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry where he talked about true discipleship and he said that True discipleship comes from an ongoing and continual process of drawing closer to our Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can be numbered among His disciples. Where our success is our we live ourlives, and what we need to take on is known as spiritual cleaning in ourselves and in our families and our homes. Our success, individually and as a Church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home. Only as we see clearly the responsibilities of each individual and the role of families and homes can we properly understand that priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations, even wards and stakes, exist primarily to help members live the gospel in the home. Then we can understand that people are more important than programs, and that Church programs should always support and never detract from gospel-centered family activities.The central purpose of our mortal probation is to prepare to meet God and inherit the blessings He has promised to His worthy children. The Savior set the pattern during His earthly ministry and encouraged those who followed Him to become His disciples. We need to learn to listen for that quiet invitation of the Master, the times when He invites you to come and see. Hopefully you will come and see the comfort and peace His spirit makes possible. Today try to listen for the quiet invitations from the Lord to come and see.

Insights into General Conference Part 2

This morning started with President Henry B Eyering who said that we share a desire to become better than we are, as long as we live. Through living the gospel we can become like the Savior Jesus Christ. He has prepared the way through the Atonement and His example. Our life must be filled with the love of God and love of others is at the hear to be obedient. We need to learn to love as He does.
1. husbands and wives must pray for the love that makes it soften the load of their partner and put their comfort and happiness above their own.
2. Parents- the Savior is the perfect example of persisting in love. For example: the story of the prodigal son. Pray for your children and reach out to them in confidence.
3. Children- love your parents and honor them. We have the assurances that we are on the way to becoming like Him.

L Tom Perry- What a great heritage the pioneers have left us, a great legacy of faith, and embracing the gospel became a new lifestyle for them. They sacrificed much to do the Lord's will. The past can provide a way to prepare for the future. In the gospel there are eternal principles and truths. These are so important for our lives, the only way to face the future. We have the obligation to share the gospel with others. Preparation removies fear. How prepared are you to testify of the 3 basic missionary lessons? Let us have a desire to share the gospel with others. This plan is for our live and our happiness.

H. David Burton- Virtue traits form the foundation fo a christian life. If we follow the world, the results would be disastrous. We need to stand tall and have virtous traits. Integrity is the mother of all virtues. Its the light that shows from a disciplined conscience. The virtuous traits must never be forgotten, important relationships may be jeopordized. Now is the time to save that which is virtuous. God expects us to express the -ity virtues. Let us have the responsibility to act on these traits.

Ann M Dibb- There are many lessons to be learned. We feel we are going through a scary time in our lives. We are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He hasn't left us alone, He has given us all the safety requirements we need to guide us. We must choose to use it. We are invited to hold onto the Rod of Iron, hold tight until we reach our eternal role which is eternal life. We mus never let go. Its always possible to find our way back through repentance and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father. Use the safety equipment He has provided for us. May we hold on to the eternal truths- FOR THEY ARE EVERYTHING!!!!!

Russel M Nelson- There is great invitation for us to receive personal revelation. Its true!!!! 1. We must have firm faith and desire, real intent 2. Study gospel matter diligently . We must know and obey the revelent teachings of the Lord. The Lord will bless each prophet and those who heed his counsel. We seek to understand the will of God and carry it out. We need to have reverance toward deity. Line upon line, precept upon precept. One will learn wisdom, patience and perserverance which is important to learn in our lives. Revelation exists because this is HIS living church.

President Thomas S Monson- "Whosoever is in the service of your fellowbeings you are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17) All who will do this will grow and flourish. Man's greatest happiness is losing one self in service to others. Its the intentino of each o f us to serve one another, do we let the day to day living take over and neglect that which is important? We are surrounded by those in need of our attention. We are the Lord's hands, He is dependent on each of us to lift others. Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye bblessed of my Father, cinherit the dkingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an ahungred, and ye bgave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a cstranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye avisited me: I was in bprison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee asick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have adone it unto one of the bleast of these my cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.(Matt 25:34-40) Have I done any good today? He speaks to us to come unto Him, learn of Him, and find rest on our souls. Let us each qualify for this great blessing!

Jeffrey R Holland- The heart is the center of our faith and loyalty. We need protections for our hearts. In the parable of the 'Tree of Life' The successful travelers resisted ALL distractions. They press forward tenaciously. The Iron Rod marks the way of the solidary trail. The power of Christ is the safe harbor in public or private moments of despair. There is only one true way. The Book of Mormon is TRUE and Joseph Smith translated the work. God provides safety for the soul-the Book of Mormon is that safety.

Quentin L Cook- We do what we believe that the Lord would have us do. We are accountable for our own agency and thus the sins we commit. We are stewards over our bodies and families and the poor and needy. Morality in this world isn't protected. the well springs in life are to remain pure. Its our responsibility to teach His standard of morality. Some tend to rationalize their conduct. Through the Savior's atonement one can always repent. Then we can become pure again. 1. Religious observance is as important as temporal needs in the home. 2.Caring for the poor and those in need. We should be diligent and do all we can to do Christlike service to those in need; in all our efforts we should try to emulate Christ.

Brent Nielson- Lengthen your stride, enlarge your vision. We are part of the fulfillment of the prophecy-to go throughout the whole world, and so all ears may hear the message of the gospel, this is the work of the Lord, this work is a marvelous work and wonder. God will be with us always even unto the ends of the world. The Saviors call is to this rising generation. The need has never been greater, there is no greater call. The heavens are open, He is inviting us to follow Him and we will become Fishers of Men

Dale G Renlund- The ultimate operation is the spiritual change of hearts. Its just the beginning. Equal and greater care after the change of heart to endure to the heart. We need to be eager to please God, help others and to keep our covenants with God. We need to keep our hearts from hardening and turning to stone. We need to be constantly be praying and studying the scriptures, so that we never fall into the death trap. We need to be perfectly honest and upright in all things. We need to put temptations far out of reach. Press forward and endure joyfully to the end.

Michael T Ringwood- We need to have a willingness to believe in God. We have a legacy of faith who had soft hearts. We need to allow the words of god to be etched deep into our hearts. Obedience and repentance is a way for us to know God. Obedience will bring soft hearts and easiness to believe. We should find it easy for the spirit of the Lord to speak with us. he is our shepherd, we should know His voice.

Joseph Sitati- This gospel is a global faith. The love of our Father in Heaven is evident to us today. God's purposes are being fulfilled. We have seen the great fruits of Israel, and there are many who are finding an anchor to their faith. The spirit of the Lord is moving throughout the world.

D Todd Christofferson- Moral agency mus be accompanied by moral discipline. To make the right decisions despite how difficult that challenge may be. Our discipline is rooted in the Father and the Son. Moral discipline is learned at home, if we don't doubt then the Lord will deliver us. We must walk uprightly before him in a manner of reverence. There must be constant teaching including teaching by example. Our aim is for them ( children) to become disciples of Christ. We must know the truth to wisely use our agency. We must acknowledge Him for our children to see things clearly and make the right decisions. All of us are tempted but we choose whether or not to yield to temptation. Always there must be discipline which should be based upon God and His Son Jesus Christ. it can have an influence for good and inspire others to also have a moral discipline.

President Thomas S Monson- This is the final talk to end the conference and He told us to prepare ourselves, we must be ready for the storms. He is ready to bless us as we obey Him. We are a blessed people with prophets and apostles on the earth today. That we have a disposition to do good continually and become a better poeple we are one, all in this together, we all have a part toy and to play it well. MAy God bless you now and always!!

Insights into General Conference Part 1

It started with President Thomas S Monson announced 5 new temples that will be built, Brigham City, Utah; Concepcion, Chile; Fortaleza, Brazil; Fort Lauderdale, Florida.; and Sapporo, Japan, but he talked about how important it is to continue to be faithful in temple service. Through our efforts the light may shine upon those in the spirit world and rejoice with us in our duties as we perform work for the dead, he also counseled that we should reach our to new converts and surround them in love and friendship. May we be filled with the spirit of the Lord.


Richard G Scott- we are led to seek inspiration for our personal decisions, he created help for us to make the right decisions. Heavenly Father wants us to learn to seek divine help. Growth will come as we learn and strive the feelings and promptings of the spirit. Spirituality yields two fruits: 1. Inspiration 2. Power in 1 Nephi 3:7 Nephi vows to go and do as the Lord commands and that He will provide a way. We must exercise our agency to allow the spirit to teach us. Strong emotions can overcome the delicate promptings of the spirit. Pornography is one of the most damaging influences on earth, severely damaging, it degrades the mind and heart. It can cause emotional and spiritual damage. Its a deadly trap of the Adversary. Those that are involved need to make a commitment to overcome it NOW! DONT GIVE UP!!!!! Have patience at perfection to listening to the Holy Spirit. We can learn to be consistently guided by the Holy Spirit for the rest of our lives.

Vicki Matsumori- When we are trying to listen to the Holy Spirit, the influence of others can assist us. When we feel the Spiri, there are many things that we may feel such as: the pure intelligence, peace, hope, warmth, joy, and love. We will feel these things when the spirit speaks to our minds and hearts as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 which says "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." When we bear our testimony of the gospel we can help others to feel the influence of the Spirit. The challenge is to have an environment to invite the Spirit in our homes, to have a time of quiet in our lives. We will recognize answers to our prayers and guidance for our lives.

L Whitney Clayton- We all have burdens in our lives, many of us struggle beneath these burdens in our lives.
1. Burdens of the conditions of the world by which we live, such as sickness, economical, ect.
2. Burdens of misconduct of others such as sin, oppression, abuse, gossip and unkindness.
3. Burdens of our own mistakes, shortcomings and sins- what follows is immense pain and sorrow.
We were sent to earth for our own growth and progress. If we endure it well, God will Exalt us on high. Burdens help us to put off the natural man and helps us to become humble enough to come unto Him. Burdens can become a blessing for us. Work is a continual burden as well as a blessing for us. Our challenges may prepare us to hear the word of the Lord. We should bear one another's burdens to comfort and help each other, which helps relieve our own burdens as well as the burdens of others. The Savior offers us sustaining strength and warmth, which helps us to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. He offers us deliverance from the bondage of our sins. When we repent, forgiveness comes from what the Savior offers.

Russel Osguthorpe- Missionary works saves the spiritual lives of those that they teach. They save the lives by sharing their knowledge of the gospel. One way that they teach is through key doctrine, which they use though the manual 'Preach My Gospel' as well as drawing upon the Spirit as they teach. The aim is to have them to think, feel, and do what they are taught the gospel principles that they are taught. We are all teaching future church leaders. When a call comes, we need to accept it. We need to reach higher than we thought we could.

David A Bednar- "We need to be more diligent and concerned in our homes"
1. We need to express our love and show it do it sincerely and frequently express our love to our spouses, parents, children and other family members. We need to consistently DO more of what we know.
2. Bear our testimony and live it It needs not be lengthy or eloquent, in our homes we should bear testimony to those we love the most. We need to do more and become better. We need to bear, mean it and live it. Our testimony should be reflected in our words and deeds. We should look for these opportunities. Its the result of revelation, conveyed by the Holy Ghost.
3. Be consistent Consistency is a key principle. Hypocricy weakens the foundations of a great work.; We need to be and become more consistent. As we seek the Lord's help we can become more diligent and concerned at home in living the gospel. We will never be left alone, Our Heavenly Father and our Savior will help us in these endeavors.

Pres. Dieter F Uchtdorf-How do we become disciples of Jesus Christ? "If your love me keep my commandments" Is there a constant compass to prioritize our lives? Yes the Holy Ghost is constantly available to us. Love is the healing balm that unites families, communities and countries. Its the first that warms our lives. When we love as Christ does, our love becomes more profound and our obedience becomes a joy. We NEED to love God. What we love determines what we think and do, which determines who we are. Love defines us as individuals and as a church. The Father watches over us and brightens our darkness with light, He rejoices when we rejoice, He offers promises of a glorious existence, ALL that He has. We love Him because He first loved us. He loves us completely, perfectly, which encompasses us completely. we are important to Him because we are His children. Regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. How can we experience more love for God? When we seek Him with our hearst and keep His commandments. We need to align our thoughts and actions according to His will. Because we love Him. The first step is to try to do the things which He asks of us. Listen to His voice, in the gentle whisperings of the spirit. He will lead us on the course to experience the true love of Christ. The love God has for us is the center of the plan of happiness. Every commandment hangs on the principle of love, everything else will fall into place. Its the guiding light that fills our life with meaning and wonder. Loves is the way of the disciple. He is mindful of us and the greatest, deepest desire our our hearts, souls and minds.

Dallin H Oaks- Gods love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan. These are eternal principles. Nothing can seperate us from the love of God. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life' (John 3:16) That is the greatest evidence of His love. Those who understand his plan, know that mercy can't rob justice. Only through obedience to His laws can we be perfect like Him. Its universal so that it bestows many gifts for His children. We can feel His love even when we are disobedient. All blessings are predicated by obedience to that law. Agency is fundamental to the gospel plan. He will bless us to endure the consequences of others' choices. Love doesn't supercede his commandments. Real love doesn't support self destructive behavior. These are part of the doctrine of Christ.

Robert D Hales- These are dangerous times when there are many whose faith and belief in God are faltering. How can we know that He lives? We have felt his spirit confirm what we know to be true. We know that God and His son Jesus Christ have physical bodies and voices, and we were created in their likeness. We know that they have feelings for us, they are immortal perfect beings. Joseph Smith prepared the way for the second coming in this last dispensation. Joseph Smith bore witness of God and his son as the same likeness of us. The way to know of the truth of God is the Holy Ghost. If we don't submit to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we could become like Korihor who was a anti-christ-but he knew that God existed despite his efforts to convince others of the contrary. We need to learn of God and Jesus Christ. Cultivate a desire to know that He lives, that He loves us, and that there is much strength and peace that can come from knowing God, it will also give us the greatest joy we will ever have.

Jorge Zeballos- We are not alone. He is willing to forgive our sins and errors as we repent. We need to give the best of ourselves, because there are great blessings in store for us, these rewards given to those who will give their all to build the kingdom of God. The Lord doesn't expect us to do that which we are unable to do. He knows our capacities and abilities. Let us always give the best we can in everything in our lives. Let us do what is within reach, we will be fulfilling His requirements. Its possible to achieve the impossible through our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Tad R Callister- there were four things that Joseph Smith learned in the first vision. 1. God and Jesus Christ are two seperate beings 2. The Father and his son have bodies of flesh and bones 3. God still speaks to man today 4. The full gospel of Christ wasn't yet on the earth. Joseph Smith was the instrument in God's hands, through Joseph Smith the fullness of the gospel has been found. This is the only true and living church upon all of the earth.

Kent D Watson-We need to be temperate in all things. Temperance is a divine attribute of Christ, to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift through the Holy Ghost. Its to exercise control and be moderate in all things. We should be diligent and temperate in all things. A temperate soul is a person of increased spiritual strength. We can protect ourselves from dangers of today's world. Security for our families comes from self control. When we are filled with contention we should then humble ourselves and become like child. We should govern our homes in meekness and of love. Christ divine gift of temperance is available to all.

Neil L Anderson- Come unto Him and be spiritually wrapped in His arms. His arms are mighty, filled with safety and love. We have felt his forgiveness, love and comfort. This is often an invitation to repent ( wrapped in his arms). When we sin we turn from God, when we repent we turn to God. We rejoice in the blessing of repentance. We all need to feel His arms of mercy. The Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins. Divine forgiveness is one of the greatest fruits of the gospel. Change isn't easy, its difficult and it is a journey. We need to humbly approach the Lord. there is one who understands us, for He has engraven us in the palms of His hands. Don't be discouraged. As we improve we see our life more clearly. Healing come in the time of the Lord. In this life its never too late to repent. Repentance changes us but also blesses our families.

Boyd K Packer- Every child possess the light of Christ. we are the children of God. We are part of His great plan of happiness. We must use our agency wisely. Through the atonement our mistakes are wiped clean. the spirit can prompt and protect us. You can know the things you need to know. No matter what we have done, we can all pray. When temptation comes, your mind is in control-if a inappropriate image comes in your mind use your delete key in your mind by thinking of a hymn or listening to some uplifting music. Learn to pray often, its your personal key to heaven, the lock is on our side of the veil.

May Christ Lift Thee Up

In Moroni 9:25 " My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which i have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long suffering, and the hope of this glory and of eternal, rest in your mind forever" and in John 16:33 " These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". Jesus Christ. Our sign of life, our key to life in all of its majestic and meaningful simplicity, is Jesus Christ. He fits every door, every life experience, every death experience, than any mortal can possibly encounter. He is the ungirding of the daffodil days, the root which teams with the hope of life, even when its been pruned to the ground. He stand as the fountain in ancient times as well as today. He is our key to life. He is the LIGHT and the LIFE. In 3 Nephi 27:13 " Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me" We will live our covenants, because living them is a happy choice. Covenants are not restrictive burdens, they are offerings joyfully made. Sister Marjorie Hinckley said "We each do the best we can. The fact is we know when we are doing our best and when we are not. If we are not...it leaves us with a gnawing hunger and frustration. But when we do our best, we experience peace" And President Gordon B Hinckley said "The work in which we are engaged in is their work (Meaning the Father and His son) and we are their servants, who are answerable to them," How we regard ourselves is important. Something about our mortal life says that we cannot just give our lives to God in our hearts and then withdraw from daily living our temporal tasks. The Savior can turn negative things to our good. Rather than bitterness, when we turn to Him we can forgive. Then, our suffering can help us develop the capacity to withold judgement and to reach our compassionately to others who suffer. Turning to the Savior can also protect us against our successes. Success is a affliction of the soul unless it is recognized for what it is-God working in our lives. And He will do that, because each prayer we offer will somehow be an expression that we are joyfully, voluntarily, and quietly desiring to give our lives to Him our ongoing responsibility to keep offering ourselves and everything that we have and are to HIM-to work actively but to cease judging each task with our mortal measurements, in the total giving away, we receive total abundance, the only security available. In Moses 1:39 "For behold this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" in faith, each of us takes the only thing we really have-our agency and offers it back to Him joyfully, voluntarily and quietly.