Pioneering in Mortality

 

High Council Speaking Assignment

P.D. Laws

Milton & Pensacola First Wards

19 January 1997

 

1997 is a year of pioneers. This is the 150th since the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake valley from Winter Quarters which was near what is now Florence, Nebraska. The distance between the two points is 1031 miles! We in the Church today are the beneficiaries of the sacrifices and suffering of many an early Saint. We are not called upon to suffer as they did.

 

My third Great Grandmother on my father's side, was one of these pioneer Saints. Widowed with 7 children she made the trek across the plains with a handcart. I am humbled when I read of the trials that she and her family endured. They were members of the ill-fated Willie Handcart Company which was stranded with meager provisions in the snows of Wyoming. She and six of her seven children arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on the 9th of November 1856.

 

One of the great legacies left by the early pioneers and which may be freely obtained today is their sense of determination and dedication to the cause of Christ. Their "do it, or die trying" mentality of gospel dedication provided the required motivation to suffer all things that were placed at their feet. I rejoice in the opportunity we will have all of this year to commemorate these sweeping and significant events!

 

Today, the physical challenges we face as Saints have dissipated from handcarts to things like wrestling with unruly children in Sacrament Meeting, trying not to get hurt in a church basketball game, or dodging the Bishopric member who has that look in his eye which says "I don't think we've heard form you in a while in Sacrament Meeting!"

 

We are not however, any different from our early brothers and sisters as far as the eternal plans of our Heavenly Father go. His plan for each of his children is the same. In the second verse of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord declares:

For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.

 

The eternal plans of our Father apply to all of us. This truth was revealed to Moses in these words:

 

....and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.

 

For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

                    Moses 1:38-39

How many times have you and I heard this verse quoted? Where do we fit into this work that is mentioned?

 

As individuals, and more importantly as families, we have a unique and powerful eternal identity and destiny as it pertains to this plan. The framework of the Plan was revealed to each of us in advance of the creation of this earth and caused great excitement among us. My earthly fathers' Patriarchal Blessing eloquently describes these events with these words:

(The Lord)...would have you understand that you lived and grew and developed for countless ages before this earth was created and that you were one of the number who sang for joy when this planet on which we now live was created, when you learned that in due time you would have the privilege of dwelling here in a tabernacle of flesh and bones....

Patriarchal Blessing of David P. Laws 10 Jul 57

The idea of being there and witnessing the events which led to the planning and creation of this world has always stirred in me a great longing to remember! I am sure that you and I were intimately interested in these prospects! How we must have longed to become more like our father! The greatest thing to me about this whole Plan is that we have the knowledge of the reality of these events. The prophets through the ages have continually reminded us of our identities! President Joseph F Smith, 6th President of the Church said:

What a glorious thing it is to know and be true to that which has been revealed in these latter times through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was revealed anciently by the Savior himself, and he exemplified that glorious principle of which I wish to say a few words, and which has been renewed and emphasized more especially in these latter days through Joseph Smith-I refer to our identity, our indestructible, immortal identity. As in Christ we have the example, he was born of woman, he lived, he died, and he lived again in his own person and being, bearing even the marks of the wounds in his flesh, after his resurrection from the dead-so also a testimony has been given to you, in later days, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and others who have been blessed with knowledge, that the same individual Being still lives and will always live. Jesus is possessed of immortality, and eternal life; and in evidence of his existence and his immortality, and in evidence of the great and glorious truths of the gospel which he taught, the death which he died, and the resurrection that he wrought from the dead, he has revealed himself and borne his own record and testimony to those who have lived and still live in this day and age.

What a glorious thought it is, to me at least, and it must be to all who have conceived of the truth or received it in their hearts, that those from whom we have to part here, we will meet again and see as they are. We will meet the same identical being that we associated with here in the flesh-not some other soul, some other being, or the same being in some other form, but the same identity and the same form and likeness, the same person we knew and were associated with in our mortal existence, even to the wounds in the flesh. Not that a person will always be marred by scars, wounds, deformities, defects or infirmities, for these will be removed in their course, in their proper time, according to the merciful providence of God. Deformity will be removed; defects will be eliminated, and men and women shall attain to the perfection of their spirits, to the perfection that God designed in the beginning. It is his purpose that men and women, his children, born to become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, shall be made perfect, physically as well as spiritually, through obedience to the law by which he has provided the means that perfection shall come to all his children.

Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.23

 

 

Isn't this a marvelous concept? Doesn't it make you want to do all in your power to make it happen? I am anxious to be reunited with my departed ancestors, particularly my father who passed away nearly 20 years ago. Between the present day and our passage through the veil that separates this world and the world to come, we are called upon to experience all of the challenges and blessings which are designed to stretch us spiritually. In this progressive period we sometimes fall down, get caught in the thicket of sin, or get slogged with the vicissitudes of mortality. It is at times like these we may rely on the reassuring idea that others have indeed gone on ahead and are waiting for our successful return to our eternal home.

 

Many of us have had the experience of traveling great distances and enduring extended periods of separation from our earthly homes and families and know first hand the sweet feeling that the return trip provides as we anticipate the reunion with family that awaits. This feeling magnified intensely probably approaches some of what our Heavenly Father feels when it comes to the prospect of his returning children! This is why he has made such an effort to make it clear to us what his work and glory is! He desires so much to have us return to Him!

 

Thankfully, we do not need to rely on abstract concepts or nebulous principles to envision our relationship to God our Heavenly Father. The Prophet Joseph Smith delivered a sermon before about twenty thousand Saints at the April conference of the Church, 1844, it was a funeral sermon for Elder King Follett, a member of the church who was crushed when a tub of rock fell on him in a well. He said concerning the nature and being of God:

God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,-I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form-like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44, p.345

The Prophet Lorenzo Snow also had a revelation concerning the character of God. His simple couplet "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be." sparked in him gratitude and motivation. He wrote a poem which also expresses this theme:

 

Hast thou not been unwisely bold,

Man's destiny to thus unfold?

To raise, promote such high desire,

Such vast ambition thus inspire?

 

Still, 'tis no phantom that we trace

Man's ultimatum in life's race;

This royal path has long been trod

By righteous men, each now a God:

 

As Abra'm, Isaac, Jacob, too,

First babes, then men-to gods they grew.

As man now is, our God once was;

As now God is, so man may be, --

 

Which doth unfold man's destiny.

For John declares: When Christ we see

Like unto him we'll truly be.

And he who has this hope within,

 

Will purify himself from sin.

Who keep this object grand in view,

To folly, sin, will bid adieu,

Nor wallow in the mire anew;

 

Nor ever seek to carve his name

High on the shaft of worldly fame;

But here his ultimatum trace:

The head of all his spirit-race.

 

Ah, well, that taught by you, dear Paul,

Though much amazed, we see it all;

Our Father God, has ope'd our eyes,

We cannot view it otherwise.

 

The boy, like to his father grown,

Has but attained unto his own;

To grow to sire from state of son,

Is not 'gainst Nature's course to run.

 

A son of God, like God to be,

Would not be robbing Deity;

And he who has this hope within,

Will purify himself from sin.

 

You're right, St. John, supremely right:

Whoe'er essays to climb this height,

Will cleanse himself of sin entire --

Or else 'twere needless to aspire.

 

                 Lorenzo Snow

 

(IE, 22:660-61; the poem is dated 11 January 1892.)

 

What then is our place in this grand drama? Knowing that we are treading a well-worn path should provide for us the impetus necessary to "press forward" relying on the merits of our Savior who has prepared a way for our return to His Father's Kingdom. He has promised that there is a place prepared for us in His Father's house. (John 14:2) The "way" to His abode includes the basic principles of the Savior's Gospel, things like faith, repentance, Baptism, the Holy Ghost and endurance. Once we have entered the "narrow way" through baptism, we become prepared to make and keep additional covenants, and thus merit even greater blessings in the hereafter. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a "New and Everlasting Covenant" with these words:

 

For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

D&C 132:4,5

The covenants and blessings mentioned in Section 132 are available exclusively in the Temple and pertain to the highest state of eternal existence, usually called "eternal life". As we prepare ourselves through righteous living and obedience to all of our Heavenly Father's commandments we become eligible for this "greatest gift" (D&C 14:7).

 

President George Q. Cannon, counselor to 4 Prophets has written:

Men talk about evolution. This is the true evolution-being such as we are and developing and advancing and progressing in that upward and onward career until we shall become like Him, in truth, until we shall possess the powers that He possesses and exercise the dominion that He now exercises. This is the promise that is held out to us. It is an incentive to faithfulness on our part.

(April 7, 1889, DW 38:675-6) Gospel Truth, Vol. 1, p.131

 

We are immortal beings and we have an eternal destiny. Within the walls of sacred temples we have the opportunity and blessing to unite ourselves, our ancestors, and our progeny in one unbreakable family that will exist through all eternity! Through Jesus Christ's perfect life we have the gift of resurrection. Through covenants and their faithful observance we have the potential to be with and LIKE our Heavenly Father.

 

I will admit to you that I have pondered what it will be like to be on the other side of the veil looking back on my earthly life and knowing that I have an eternity ahead. The thoughts I get cause me deep reflection on my life now and what I need to do to more fully draw near to my Savior. He has shown the way. He has provided temples wherein we can partake of the divine and apply it to our daily lives that we may more fully tread in his footsteps, which will surely lead us back to His Fathers' holy presence is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ,

                    Amen.

Missionary Work

Goal for the year for baptisms is 100. As of Aug 4^th we had 16 as a Stake.

 

The Stake President has challenged all of the Stake Leadership (and I'm challenging you) to plead with the Lord for a missionary experience in the next 90 days. Finding someone (or a family of someones) for the missionaries to teach the Gospel.

 

 

D&C 15:

Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

 

For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.

 

And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone--

 

For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

 

Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

 

And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

 

What is the "desire" of your heart?

 

D&C 4:3

Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

 

What do you "wrestle" with the Lord or His Spirit about?

 

Enos vs 9:

 

Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.

Enos vs 11 & 12:

 

And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.

 

12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.

 

 

 

Is it all inward, personal, self-serving issues or is there a sense of urgency concerning "your brethren":

 

The Lord to Peter (shortly before revealing Peter's impending denials):

 

Luke 22:32

 

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

To each of us the Lord might say: "I have prayed for thee, that you will continue to believe and exercise faith in me as your Redeemer; and when your testimony of this is unshakable, share this message with your brothers and sisters."

 

Pres. Greenwood: Can't draw water from an empty well. Gospel Scholarship

 

Some thoughts derived from an address by President Gordon B. Hinckley given 21 Feb 1999 via satellite: (Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep)

 

 

Pres H: From the beginning of this work, missionary service has been a four-step process:

 

1. Finding the investigator.
   

 

Who is charged with this responsibility? Is it the FTM job?

 

Who do we as a family know? Who has the Lord prepared to hear the discussions? Who is waiting for us to open our mouth?

 

D&C 60:2

 

But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.

 

Dr. William Ghormley served as president of the stake in Corpus Christi, Texas. He bought his gasoline at a particular station. Each time he filled his tank he would leave a piece of Church literature with the station owner. It might have been a tract or a Church magazine or the Church News, but he never went there without leaving something. The man who ran the station was converted by the power of the Spirit as he read that literature. When last I checked, he was serving as a bishop.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Teaching the investigator.
   

 

Here is the primary job of the full-time missionaries. This teaching should take place within our homes. The spirit of a faithful member's home will permeate the discussions and underscore the conversion process within the heart and mind of the potential convert.

 

The member should bear heartlfelt testimony of the principles taught by the full-time missionaries adding real life experiences to topics like faith, repentance, the Wird of Wisdom, tithing, and other Church doctrines.

 

1. Baptizing the worthy convert:
   

 

The Lord expects the heart and a willing mind from us as members and no less is expected of those who are converted to the faith. We are not (should not) be seeking numbers! We are seeking the "elect" of God; those who predisposed because of influence of the Spirit with their spirit to believe in the Gospel. We are seeking the salvation of the souls of our brothers and sisters!

 

Sometimes, we're planting seeds:

 

 

Roy Canonizado One Article of Faith card.

 

 

4. Fellowshipping and strengthening the new member.

 

 

I have said before, and I repeat it, that every new convert needs three things:

1. A friend in the Church to whom he can constantly turn, who will walk beside him, who will answer his questions, who will understand his problems.
   
2. An assignment. Activity is the genius of this Church. It is the process by which we grow. Faith and love for the Lord are like the muscle of my arm. If I use them, they grow stronger. If I put them in a sling, they become weaker. Every convert deserves a responsibility. The bishop may feel that he is not qualified for responsibility. Take a chance on him. Think of the risk the Lord took when He called you.Of course the new convert will not know everything. He likely will make some mistakes. So what? We all make mistakes. The important thing is the growth that will come of activity. As a part of this process of giving responsibility, it is proper and very important that the new convert, if he be a man, is ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Then before too many months, he may be ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. He will have the fellowship of the elders quorum. He will become one of a vast body of priesthood throughout the world, men of integrity and faith who love the Lord and seek to move forward His work.
   
3. Every convert must be "nourished by the good word of God" (Moro. 6:4). It is imperative that he or she become affiliated with a priesthood quorum or the Relief Society, the Young Women, the Young Men, the Sunday School, or the Primary. He or she must be encouraged to come to sacrament meeting to partake of the sacrament, to renew the covenants made at the time of baptism.
   

 

 

Sensitivity to the unique needs of new members is of great value as well; helping them to learn and understand all of the mores of our faith is a long term effort. How many of your friends have misunderstood you when you spoke "LDSease" to them (i.e. going to the "steak" center for a meeting, attending a "ward" social, knowing what a steak president is or that a 12 year old can be a Deacon in the Church)?

 

This young woman was full of questions. She was filled with fear and anxiety. She did not wish to make a mistake, to say anything that was out of line that might embarrass her or cause others to laugh. Patiently this man and his wife brought the family to church, sat with them, put a shield around them, as it were, against anything that might happen to embarrass them. They spent one evening a week with them at their home, teaching them further concerning the gospel and answering their many questions. They led that little family along as a shepherd leads his sheep. Eventually, circumstances dictated that they move to another city. "But," he stated, "we still correspond with that woman. We feel a great appreciation for her. She is now firmly grounded in the Church, and we have no fear concerning her. What a joy it has been to work with her."

 

I am convinced that we will lose but very, very few of those who come into the Church if we take better care of them. They may not be thoroughly converted. How can they be, having had only six lessons? They may not meet all of the desirable qualifications. But they have been awakened to a new sense of values and opportunities. They have been taught that they are sons and daughters of God. They have been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They have been confirmed members of the Church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

 

Some ideas!

 

1. Ask the "Golden Question" i.e. "What do you know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?" "Would you like to know more?"
   

 

1. Tell a stranger about your testimony
   

 

1. Give a referral to the missionaries. Invite your referral to your home to meet with the missionaries
   

 

1. Write your testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon. Give the book with a commitment to read it to someone the Spirit prompts you to give it to. (having a copy of the BofM in your car is agreat idea.)
   

 

Out fishing; (That guy would make a great member of the Church!)

 

1. Invite a non-member to a Church function (i.e. the Fireside on 19 Sep with the new Mission President).
   

 

1. Invite neighbors and friends to your Family Home Evening (course you'd need to get to know them first!)
   

 

1. Hold a social in your home or sponsor an activity that will enable you to introduce members to your non-member friends
   

 

1. Participate in missionary work by going with the Elders or Sisters to teach a discussion.
   

 

1. Ask the missionaries who they are teaching that you could fellowship! Invite the missionaries investigators into your home to hear the discussions
   

 

1. Continually pray for uidance/inspiration on whom the Lord has prepared.
   

 

And finally a challenge:

 

Make this a matter of personal, couple, and family prayer:

 

We would like to have some one into our home in the next 90 days and have a missionary type experience with them. We'd like to cultivate someone for the missionaries to teach the Gospel to. We'd like to extend the blessings of the Gospel to our Father's children who don't yet have it in their lives.

The Pioneer Spirit

P.D. Laws

Combined 3 Ward Meeting,

Mothers Day 1997

11 May 1997

 

I would like to take a moment to talk to you about two great women. The first I have not met yet, and the second I know personally. On April 6th, 1830 the "Church of Christ" was incorporated at the Peter Whitmer Sr. Home in Fayette, N.Y. Six brethren constituted the gathering on that fateful first day. Exactly 10 years and one month later (on May 6, 1840) Elder Wilford Woodruff baptized my third great grandmother on my father's side at Nightengale Bower, England. I'm grateful that he did it!

 

Ann Jewell Rowley was a mother of seven children. Her husband John was baptized several weeks after Ann but died before they were to leave for the United States. Ann made the entire journey across the Great Plains as a widow with faith and determination to succeed in spite of all odds. As a member of the Willie Handcart Company she was called upon to suffer mightily. The comments of an aged Handcart veteran are characteristic of the travails through which these Saints traveled:

I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, "I will go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it..." I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

As a 46-year-old widow with seven young children, Ann Jewell Rowley made the long, arduous trip to the valley of the everlasting hills, the basin that we today call the Great Salt Lake. To Ann Jewell Rowley I owe a great debt. I feel gratitude to have descended from such great pioneer stock.

 

The second woman is my mother Carol Anne Boulware. She was born and raised in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Her desire to serve the Lord led her to serve a full time mission concurrently with her sweetheart David Laws. She served in the Northern States Mission. Shortly after their return from their missions my parents were married in the Manti Temple. I was the first of six children in our family (4 boys & 2 girls). When I was 13 years old my father passed away suddenly and left my mother with 6 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 13 years. What a pioneer she became in that fiery furnace of affliction!

 

I witnessed her challenges and tried to understand her needs the best way that I could. On this Mother's day I salute these two valiant widows and all mothers everywhere!

 

Latter-Day Saints whoever they are, are pioneers. Each of us has within him of her the opportunity to guide our posterity in paths of truth and righteousness. You and I may feel that there are no seas to sail, no plains to cross, and thus no need for pioneers in our day. I think this is far from the truth. Many of the qualities that were required of the pioneers of yester-year are needed today to insure our spiritual well being and survival. Faith, then and now, is a key ingredient "a knowledge of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1) (The headlight story in Price Canyon) We must trust in the Lord and in those whom He has appointed to lead and guide His church. We live in "perilous times" when warnings have been, and continue to be issued from the apostles and prophets, which God has called and chosen and appointed to be His spokesmen. As Latter-Day Saints we are a covenant people. With this added responsibility comes the burden too of additional blessings. Yes, a burden because I fear that we don't always bear our blessings so well. We begin to take them for granted and that is when we are led away from our upward progression. We begin to settle for less than we are capable of.

 

The 2,000 warriors that Helaman had the privilege to command exemplified and magnified the teachings of their mothers.

Alma 56:47-48:

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

 

Alma 57:21

21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

 

Perdido the Branch will become Perdido the Ward when the Saints of this area have sufficient faith and dedication to bear this blessing. Thankfully, until then, we have a core of pioneer saints no different from these faithful women. You must forge new paths; inviting those sheep who have strayed to return to the fold. On the whole, when the covenants and the blessings associated with them are truly understood most every person will sincerely desire to live them. We have got to find a way to touch the lives of our brothers and sisters who are not with us. Elder Hartman Rector Jr. of the Seventy, who was once the Mission President in the Florida Tallahassee Mission, shares a story about a missionary couple from Idaho named the Clawsons and their remarkable success as missionaries. They informed President Rector that they had come into the mission field to baptize 100 people, to which President Rector smilingly agreed. Then they set out to do it. They were stationed in Bonifay Florida where there was a small branch of the church. In the first month they baptized 26 people. They worked almost exclusively with part-member families. The goal of Elder Clawson was to make the patriarch of the home feel more of the church in his home so that he could feel more at home at church. He tutored these non-member brethren on how to be a leader and patriarch in their home and the power of three things.

    1) Family Home Evening

    2) Family Prayer

    3) Church Attendance

At the end of twelve months (having to go home early because of Elder Clawson's poor health) they had baptized 94 people! Nor can we under estimate the power of example. (The Roy Canonizado story)

 

We have a God-given responsibility to "Reach out" to those around us who are in the Church and out. This too is one of our covenants. We have promised to do it and the Lord has promised:

 

And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for 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)

Ward Status Report 2008

2008 Condition of Perdido Ward

 

 

Tithing

Number of Members in Perdido Ward:

Number of Individuals who attended Tithing Settlement:

Number of Unique Donors who paid any tithing:

Number of Full tithe payers:

Number of Adult Full Tithe payers:

Number of Part-Tithe Payers:

Number of Adults, Youth, & Children who paid no tithing:

 

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

            (Mal 3:8-10)

23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.

(D&C 64:23)

 

 

President James E. Faust:

The law of tithing is simple: we pay one-tenth of our individual increase annually. Increase has been interpreted by the First Presidency to mean income. What amounts to 10 percent of our individual income is between each of us and our Maker. There are no legalistic rules. As a convert in Korea once said: With tithing, it doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor. You pay 10 percent, and you don't have to be ashamed if you haven't earned very much. If you make lots of money, you pay 10 percent. If you make very little, you still pay 10 percent. Heavenly Father will love you for it. You can hold your head up proud.

Why should members worldwide, many of whom may not have enough for their daily needs, be encouraged to keep the Lords law of tithing? As President Hinckley said in Cebu in the Philippine Islands, if members even living in poverty and misery will accept the gospel and live it, pay their tithes and offerings, even though those be meager, they will have rice in their bowls and clothing on their backs and shelter over their heads. I do not see any other solution.

Some may feel that they cannot afford to pay tithing, but the Lord has promised that He would prepare a way for us to keep all of His commandments. To pay tithing takes a leap of faith in the beginning, but as Jesus said, If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.6 We learn about tithing by paying it. Indeed, I believe it is possible to break out of poverty by having the faith to give back to the Lord part of what little we have.

Members of the Church who do not tithe do not lose their membership; they only lose blessings. Through Malachi the Lord asks: Will a man rob God? But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. If we will trust in the Lord, He will open the windows of heaven to us as we give back to Him the one-tenth He asks of us. His promise is sure: I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Although tithing carries with it both temporal and spiritual blessings, the only absolute promise to the faithful is ye shall have the riches of eternity.9

President Heber J. Grant put it in context when he said: Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing. When I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone. What I count as real prosperity is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same. That is prosperity of the truest kind.10

(Opening the Windows of Heaven, Ensign (CR), November 1998, p.54)

 

I continue to be concerned about some of our youth who are not paying their tithing. This responsibility falls to them individually and to their parents as well. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve has said:

The Lord desires that all His children have the blessings of tithing. Too often we as parents do not teach and encourage our children to live this law because their contribution only amounts to a few cents. But without a testimony of tithing, they are vulnerable. In their teenage years, they become attracted to clothes, entertainment, and expensive possessions and risk losing the special protection that tithing provides.

We can and must do better. The time for teaching youth about tithing is not when they turn twelve. This important and vital teaching begins much much earlier. Equal in importance is the necessity of parents setting the example for their children. How would one expect a child to value and honor this great commandment of the Lord if they see no care and obedience on the part of their parents? Parents testify to your children about the blessings and opportunities associated with payment of a full and honest tithe. Over my years of serving as Bishop I have heard individuals complain that they cannot "afford" to pay tithing. The exact opposite is indeed the truth. You and I cannot afford to not pay tithing! I know first hand of the blessings and care of the Lord for myself and my family as we have observed this great commandment. I pray the same blessing for you and yours. None of us would desire the Lord to be casual in His blessings to us we must refuse to be casual in our tithes. To those of you who are full tithe payers, thanks, to those who are not stop not paying your tithing and start

The Lord has commanded us to tithe and allows us to also participate in the building of the kingdom through several other donation categories.

 

Fast Offerings:

Number of families who participated in fast offerings:

Amount Received in 2007: $11,301.42

Amount Disbursed in 2007: $7,054.50

 

Elder L. Tom Perry:

…I am a firm believer that you cannot give to the Church and to the building up of the kingdom of God and be any poorer financially. I remember a long time ago, over 50 years, when Brother [Melvin J.] Ballard laid his hands on my head and set me apart to go on a mission. He said in that prayer of blessing that a person could not give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return. That's been my experience. If the members of the Church would double their fast-offering contributions, the spirituality in the Church would double. We need to keep that in mind and be liberal in our contributions. (Welfare Agricultural Meeting, 3 Apr. 1971, p. 1.)

The Law of the Fast, Ensign (CR), May 1986, p.31

 

President Spencer W. Kimball:

Generous fast offering develops unselfishness. We wish to remind all the Saints of the blessings that come from observing the regular fast and contributing as generous a fast offering as we can.

This principle of promise, when lived in the spirit thereof, greatly blesses both giver and receiver. Upon practicing the law of the fast, one finds a personal wellspring of power to overcome self-indulgence and selfishness.

If we give a generous fast offering, we shall increase our own prosperity both spiritually and temporally.

Sometimes we have been a bit penurious and figured that we had for breakfast one egg and that cost so many cents and then we give that to the Lord. I think that when we are affluent, as many of us are, that we ought to be very, very generous.

I think we should ... give, instead of the amount saved by our two meals of fasting, perhaps much, much more-ten times more when we are in a position to do it.

            (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, edited by Edward L. Kimball, p.145-146)

 

Ward Missionary:

Number of individuals who participated in Ward Missionary fund:

Amount Received in 2007: $8,505.96

The cost per month for full time missionaries is $400. We will have Elder Bray out for another year and Elder Scott Tippetts will be home by 1 March 08.

 

Other Offering categories:

Number of participants:

    Book of Mormon: $30.45

    Humanitarian Aid: $316.75

    Temple Construction: $3.46

    General Missionary: $71.00

    Perpetual Education Fund: $676.35

    Ward Missionary: $8,505.96

 

Contention

 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

Contention consists in debating, quarreling and disputing about some contested matter. Disputation, debates, dissensions, arguments, controversies, quarrels, and strife or contention of any sort have no part in the gospel; they are of the devil. The gospel is one of peace, harmony, unity, and agreement. In it argument and debate are supplanted by discussion and study. Those who have the Spirit do not hang doggedly to a point of doctrine or philosophy for no other reason than to come off victorious in a disagreement. Their purpose, rather, is to seek truth by investigation, research, and inspiration. "Cease to contend one with another," the Lord has commanded. (D. & C. 136:23; Tit. 3:9.)

 

            (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.160)

 

In the later chapters of the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon the Nephites lost the support of the Lord (and their cities) as a result of "contentions and dissensions". As they contended with one another they lost the spirit of the Lord and were defeated in battle repeatedly.

Alma 51:16

For it was his (Capt Moroni's) first care to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass that it was granted according to the voice of the people.

Alma 53:8

And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land.

The Lord stated to the Nephites: (3 Nephi 11:29)

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

As your Bishop and as your brother I counsel and admonish you as my Ward family to refrain from contention in all of its forms. It is damaging to the spirituality of individuals and groups and is a delight to the devil rather than our Savior. We need to please the latter and not the former. In order to be as simple as I can, be kind, support your leaders, turn the other cheek, forgive more than you condemn, don't figure you are the only one who knows something, your way is not always best, sustaining is always better than complaining, and of course this one: If you don't have anything good to say it's always better that you say nothing at all!

 

Humility

Move the audience: 5 rows min from where you're sitting.

 

Now that you're out of your "comfort zone" and completely awake (and maybe even a little ruffled and irritated) let's take a minute and examine this thing called humility. Since you're now sitting in a different seat you have a different vantage point, I'm hoping by the end of my talk you'll have a different and better idea about humility itself.

 

How many of you have ever sat down to a meal and had dessert first? Don't answer that out loud! Just smile if the answer is yes and scowl if the answer is no! If you're scowling, maybe you should consider it! It's pretty cool!!

 

Have you ever noticed how when someone is concluding their talk and they begin their testimony you can hear scriptures being closed, hymn books rustling, and attention spans diminishing to near zero?

 

Have you ever been truly challenged by a talk to change one or more things within your life and then in response gone out and did what you resolved to do?

 

Have you ever sat through a Sacrament Talk and not once been asked to or felt inclined to open your scriptures and reference a verse?

 

Have you ever heard a Sacrament talk that poses more questions than it answers?

 

Have you ever just kind of mentally went on auto pilot in Sacrament because:

 

1. either you already know this and/or this doesn't apply to me
   
2. Especially for Mormons is so "yesterday" or that was taught in Sunday School/Priesthood/YW/YM etc.. just last week
   
3. Ensign is pronounced "N'Sign" and not "ensun" or you've heard the poem about the race only about 1,000 times (and you're a convert)
   
4. Because sitting in Sacrament Meeting is something you do each week never really expecting anything remarkable to happen?
   
5. You are sitting in the same exact spot as ALWAYS seeing every speaker from the exact same vantagepoint?
   
6. You are thinking to yourself: "Who is this crackpot"? and where does he/she get off saying this or that when I know he/she has this or that problem or situation that clearly indicates they are NOT qualified to speak on this topic.
   
7. Because you were up too late last night and even though the Church is only a stones throw from home 0900 is still too early for the sane and civilized to gather for a meeting.
   
8. Any of another hundred reasons…
   

 

To those of you who sit still, pay strict attention to every speaker, and get volumes out of every talk: I salute you! This talk is for you too!

 

Since I have pretty much your complete attention and as your probably wondering what I'll do next, let me Bear Testimony of 4 important principles of the Gospel (not the big 4):

• Love of God
  
• Patience of our Heavenly Father
  
• Grace of God as manifest by the gift of His Only Begotten Son
  
• Cleansing power of repentance
  

 

 

How many of you have fallen into a routine in your life that you'd like to get out of?

 

How many of you would like to improve yourself, your appearance, your education, lose 10 or 30 or 50 pounds, gain some hair, or anything else one might want in this life?

 

How many of your "to do's" could be considered to be of a spiritual nature?

 

How many of you consider yourself to be humble?

 

OH YEAH! That's what I'm supposed to be speaking on!!

 

Did you realize when it comes to humility, if you say or think you are, you probably aren't?

 

Speaking on Humility is no small task.

 

My brain went "SPOROOOINNNG" when Bro Harrison asked if I'd speak on "Ether 12 something". Why don't you just assign me morality and get it over with Bro H! Holyt Smokes!

 

In some ways speaking on humility like handling a snake (without having the skills of a snake charmer)…hoping to gain control of the topic, while not letting go, and importantly not getting bit!

 

Maybe there's a hint in there for me, a personal message (BTW I'll be going inactive right after this meeting, so I guess this is GOODBYE; a farewell talk of sorts!!!) or am I just the messenger (don't shoot by the way)!

 

Although I may offend one or two of you I think we'll all make it through this just fine! I've never been one to duck when someone yells "INCOMING" I'm more likely to want to stand up and look to see where EXACTLY danger is coming from. I guess there's one of the true thrills of skydiving…only 2 pulls lie between you and being a cartoon character, but then I digress…

 

I have struggled since the moment I was asked to think of something intelligent to say about humility….

 

Do you know what I came up with?

 

VERY LITTLE!!

 

I know what you're thinking…great! This'll be a short talk and we'll be out of here in no time! (just kidding)

 

So as time went on throughout the week I continued to ponder and indeed pray concerning what I might say on this topic.

 

I asked myself a few questions, which I will now pose to you…

 

Don't feel you need to answer out loud but do please think about what you might say if I questioned each of you individually and you felt inclined to answer.

 

What is humility?

 

Why should I care?

 

If humility is something I should value how do I get it?

 

Can I get it by myself?

 

What can I say about humility?

 

How should I demonstrate that I am cultivating this virtue in my life?

 

What do I know of this topic?

 

Easy stuff right?

 

As soon as I put my mind around it, it slips away…

 

Ether 12:27:

 

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.

 

Said another way: "If men come not unto me I will show them nothing. They won't have the first clue about their weakness (humility) or much of anything else.

 

For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.

Mosiah 16:3

 

Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.

Alma 42:10

 

And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.

Alma 41:11

 

And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

2 Ne 28:21

 

Remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.

Mosiah 16:5

 

Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

2 Ne 9:39

 

 

I give unto men weakness that they may be humble

 

Some men have said concerning humility:

 

"True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us."

— Tryon Edwards

 

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. 

 

--Benjamin Franklin

 

Life is a long lesson in humility."

• James M. Barrie
  

 

 

"After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser."

— Benjamin Franklin

 

 

"Humility is royalty without a crown."

 

— Spencer W. Kimball (Improvement Era, August 1963, Page 704)

 

 

"True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us."

• Tryon Edwards
  
• 
   

 

"Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right."

• Ezra Taft Benson
  

 

 

Do you suppose that the Lord has given us the right to forget about his promises?

 

Has he placed us here on the earth in this fallen state with no safety net; to forever drift further and further away from Him and His kingdom?

 

In what ways do we neglect to remember our place within the universe?

 

"Many people believe that humility is the opposite of pride, when, in fact, it is a point of equilibrium. The opposite of pride is actually a lack of self-esteem. A humble person is totally different from a person who cannot recognize and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels."

— Rabino Nilton Bonder

 

 

Think of this…

There are a billion people in China.  It's not easy to be an individual in a crowd of more than a billion people.  Think of it.  More than a BILLION people.  That means even if you're a one-in-a-million type of guy, there are still a thousand guys exactly like you.  ~A. Whitney Brown, The Big Picture

 

You and I tend to value and revel in our individuality and pride oursleves with a measure of sanctimoniousness when we consider how smart or wealthy or handsome or whatever else it may be that others don't share. Taken to it's extreme the sin of pride consumes the container of it similar to some highly toxic acid. Continual striving to rid ourselves of this enticing bondage is required of all who would enter His Kingdon and with Him there partake of Eternal Life.

 

"Pride goeth before destruction"

(Prov. 16:18).

Pride was the primary fault within the heart of Lucifer
(cf. Moses 4:1-3; 2 Ne. 24:12-15; D&C 29:36; 76:28)

 

Pride destroyed the city of Sodom
(Ezek. 16:49-50).

 

The prophet Mormon wrote, "Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction"
(Moro. 8:27).

 

Pride makes us incapable of seeing things as they really are and indeed incapable of caring enough about things that really matter that we neglect life's important lessons and flunk some of life's most valuable teaching moments. If we would be humble we in turn become teachable.

 

 

Humility in Contemporary Society:

• Regarded as weakness
  
• Scorned
  
• Taken advantage of
  
• Looked upon with disgust by the loud and obnoxious the irreverant and spiritually dumb (and I should say numb too)
  

 

They are indeed "past feeling"

 

 

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

 

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

 

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

 

But ye have not so learned Christ;

 

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

 

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

 

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

 

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:17- 24

 

For those of us who indulge in the appetites and passions of this world without restraint and a good sound judgement which can be borne LITERALLY only by and through the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ within us we do indeed see only through the "glass darkly".

 

One example I think most of us can relate to is the remarkable upswing of intelligence that is noticed in our parents and other authority figures about the time we leave our teens. How did they get so smart and so "dead-on" all of the sudden? The reality of it all is that our parents and others simply have a clearer more unobstructed view of the road on which we travel due largely to the fact that they themselves passed this very way at some point in the past. We are fools of the first order if we do not anticipate and know that the Father and His Son, our Lord does not see AND understand ALL THINGS and is therefore in the most specific way of highlighting for us (if we will allow it) all things pertaining to our eventual perfection. Is this without pain and lumps?

 

I think not!

 

Alma asked:

 

"Are ye stripped of pride?" (Alma 5:27–28).

 

The phraseology he uses is interesting…The term "stripped" appears exactly 2 times in the Book of Mormon in adjacent verses: once referring to pride and the other questioning about stripping oneself of envy (which is the evil step-mother of pride).

 

The imagery brings to mind the idea that it is not easy to rid oneself this condition.

 

Have we not all been (or continue to be) afflicted with pride?

 

Are there not some who commit sin or fail to commit righteousness because of their own personal avarice?

 

Of course they do! We ALL do! We get caught up in OUR OWN agenda and forget about God!

 

Some neglect or outright fail to honor and respect their spouses. I am personally growing weary of hearing the Brethren (& others) of the General leadership of the Church exhort the brethren of the Priesthood (as they tend to be the main culprits in this department)…

 

Does this sound familiar?

 

From "Dad Are You Awake" by Elder Melvin Hammond: (Oct 2002 GC)

 

If a father is guilty of inflicting verbal or physical abuse in any degree on his companion, his sons will resent him for it, perhaps even despise him for it. But interestingly enough, when they are grown and marry, they are likely to follow the same pattern of abuse with their wives. There is an urgent need in our society for fathers who respect their wives and treat them with sweet, tender love.

 

Recently I heard of a father who foolishly called his beautiful, intelligent wife "stupid" and "dumb" in a most degrading manner for some small mistake that she had innocently made. The children listened, embarrassed and frightened for their mother. She was belittled in front of those that she loved most. Although an apology and forgiveness were expressed, there still remained the hurt and shame of a senseless moment.

 

From "To the Men of the Priesthood" by President Hinckley:

 

Stay away from the erotic stuff of the Internet. It can only pull you down. It can lead to your destruction...

 

To you mature men I extend the same plea and the same warning. Small beginnings lead to great tragedies. We deal with them constantly. There is so much of heartache, resentment, disillusionment, and divorce among us....

 

May I again mention a matter with which I have dealt at length in the past. I speak of the evil and despicable sin of child abuse. We cannot tolerate it. We will not tolerate it…Child abuse is an affront toward God…To anyone who has an inclination that could lead to the abuse of childr4en, I say in the strongest language of which I am capable, discipline yourself. Seek help before you do injury to a child and bring ruin upon yourself."

(Oct 2002 GC)

 

Sister Chieko N. Okazaki:

 

…Mortality is designed as part of the gospel plan to bring us mingled experiences with good and evil, that we may learn from experience to make wise choices. And many of these experiences are painful. In most congregations of sisters, even in hearts and homes in apparently ideal circumstances, there are hidden heartaches and taxing challenges. At least some among you are survivors of abuse and other crimes of personal violence. Death or divorce can visit any home. Suffering comes from wasted potential, faltering faith, the decisions of a loved one who has used his or her free agency to make terrible choices that have wounded himself or herself and others. In your family, or in the family of someone close to you, is someone dealing with chronic mental, physical, or emotional illness; chemical dependency; financial insecurity; loneliness, sorrow, or discouragement?

(Ensign Nov 1995)

 

Some while not physically abusive leave deep, painful wounds with their mouths which ultimately don't heal half as well as a bruise or broken bone.

 

What are the fruits of Pride? Is this not a classic example? The man thinking he is "Lord and King" when in very fact he has his very life not to mention his spouse and family on loan for a finite amount of time designated by the one and only "Lord & King"?

 

Some decide they require all 100% of their income rather than rendering to the Lord that part that he requires. They can't afford tithing when the exact opposite is in fact true!

 

Some hold back their talents and abilities from those uses to which the Lord and His appointed servants might put them.

 

Some look down their "Mormon Nose" at their Non-Mormon neighbors with a sanctimonious pity so putrid and distasteful that conversion is frustrated or negated by their very attitude. This "Us" and "them" mentaility runs directly counter to the Lord's continual effort to demonstrate the marked difference between the "sinner and the sin".

 

Did you ever notice how many times he "hung out" with those of the "them" category?

 

The twin of this attitude is the prevalence of gossiping and backbiting among the "very elect". Are we immune to this foul & repugnant practice?

 

Do we raise our voices when we ought not? When they are raised is it in praise of our Redeemer or is it in the commission of castigating our neighbor for some real or merely perceived sleight?

 

 

 

 

My grace is sufficient for all men that humble
themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak
things become strong unto them.

 

 

Said another way: "For those who humble themselves not, even My grace will not be sufficient to bring you back into my presence for without faith your weakness will remain yours forever."

 

 

The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

(Psalms 34:18)

 

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

(Isa 57:15)

 

Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

(2 Ne 2:7)

 

But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs.

(D&C 56:18)

 

Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

(D&C 59:8)

 

Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice--yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command--they are accepted of me.

(D&C 97:8)

 

For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.

(D&C 136:33)

 

Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

(Matt 5:5)

 

Alas, none of us is exempt from the lifelong pursuit of humility. To me it's a journey on which never quite arrive. If we think we are there; we're probably not!!

We try and try and try and hope that after all of the trying we do become stripped of all of our pride! We hope to find ourselves in His courts above as a result of all of our effort and His infinite grace that makes up the difference!

Within the sacred life & ministry of our Lord we find a blueprint for success in this matter. Was it not He, the only sinless one, the only purely motivated one, the only one who ever was who was truly stripped of pride?

NO ONE compares to His PERFECT example!

Born in a manger in a stable with farm animals? Why not in a mansion befitting royalty?

A Carpenter's son? Why not a lawyer, a governer, or something more prominent?

Lived a life of relative anonymity what by some might be considered obscurity?

He had a gentle, loving, compassionate, long-suffering personality? Why not the assertive, aggressive attitude usually associated with great power or influence?

He surrounded Himself with everyday disciples who had many weaknesses to deal with? Where were the rich and learned among them?

Why when he performed His many miracles did He almost invariably end with the injunction: "See that you tell no man"?

Why did He say "Thy faith hath made thee whole"? Wasn't it more specifically a matter of His Divine power?

When the time of His great sacrifice came He allowed all manner of indignities to be heaped upon Him? Why when He had the power to vaporize His accusers and tormentors where they stood?

Why did He come forth on the 3^rd day and appear even to those who had so much doubt still within their hearts?

Why does he STILL love us so much? Why does he unconditionally offer us the perfect way?

The answer to these questions and so many more are the reason why we are commanded in these terms:

 

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Luke 18:17

 

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

JST Matt 18:2

 

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

 

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

D&C 64:34

 

And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

D&C 14:7

 

 

 

 

Personal examples of humility