I Said It...

Funeral Address For Misty Lee Nanney

2008-10-27T04:22:00.000-07:00

I never had the opportunity to meet Misty. I nonetheless am her Bishop (or Pastor) and therefore have the privilege to address you today and say a few words in Misty's behalf. It is my understanding that Misty encountered an inordinate number of challenges throughout her brief life. We are told in the scriptures that one of the primary purposes we were sent to this earth is to be "tried and tested" to see if "we will obey all of the commandments the Lord our God should give unto us". Misty was tested greatly. And now the period of her testing is over. No more pain, no more tears, no more worries, no more fears. Misty has now departed this life and you and I remain to sort it all out and make sense of it all. Misty's untimely departure leaves us all with a few questions on our minds.

Before I address some of these questions and their answers let me say a word or two about Misty's death. Most of you are aware of the difficult circumstances of Misty's passing. As Misty's Bishop, her spiritual leader, and most importantly her brother might I venture an assessment? I will use the words of Joseph Smith the Prophet to provide basis for my assessment of Misty's situation:

"While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard. . . . He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not
according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but, "according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil. . . ." We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts . . . and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right.' " (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 218.)"

For Misty too, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross, for Misty too, He suffered in both body and spirit, for Misty too, He "shrank not" from the bitter cup that was offered Him. Nothing can change that. Nothing! You and I must leave judgement in the only completely clean pair of hands in our universe, namely Jesus Christ's. Now, inasmuch as we have a casket with a Misty physical body set here in front of us, we are challenged with several questions.

Where is Misty? Should we mourn her passing? Will we see each other again? What do each of us face when we step through death's door?

I would say to you friends and family here assembled, and to each and every one of you that hears my voice this day:

I know where she's at, and I know what she's doing!

When one of our loved ones passes beyond the veil of this mortal existence the parting brings a deep sadness and longing to each of us that is left behind. We feel disconnected and left behind, we pause and consider our own mortality and what we are doing with our lives. We long to know for sure what the future holds for us beyond the certain step with uncertain dimensions we call death. The passing of a loved one invites deep reflection. The Psalmist testified:

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

JST Psalms 30:Verse 5

But how can joy arise from the ashes of sorrow, when we are so clearly left behind? When our sorrow is so painfully fresh? How can we recover from the incredible and awful vacancy that enters our lives? To begin with we must realize and remember the eternal nature of God's Plan for our Happiness.

The Poet William Wordsworth wrote in his famous poem "Intimations of Immortality":

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

Heaven lies about us in our infancy!

Each of us treads a path that leads to a destiny of our choosing. Our choices mark the way and determine our ultimate destination. Key to this personal destiny is the concept of pre-mortality. To fully understand where Misty is we must understand where she, and each of us was before. Since we existed as beings capable of rational thought and choice prior to coming to this earth, we were able to do, say, and accomplish many things. One of the most important things we were not able to do in our pre-earth existence was obtain a physical body. We came to this planet to do just that. We know we are required to learn many things while in our bodies. The scriptures reveal the conversation of our Deity with these words:

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; (Abraham 3:25)

Our strict heed of the words of God is so important! Because our Heavenly Father loves us so much He desires the maximum amount of joy to be our reward in the hereafter. Latter-Day scripture reveals that the unification of the body and spirit forms the "Soul of Man" and leads to a "Fullness of Joy". One scripture (D&C 93:33-35) states:

The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;

And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy.

The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God...

Key to this destiny is the marvelous truth is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has provided a way for us to be reunited with our physical bodies and our loved ones on the other side! He has prepared a plan with God our Heavenly Father that ensures eternal happiness and joy awaits each one of us. John chapter 3 verse 16 records probably the most often quoted passage in all of scripture:

"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

Everlasting life...this sounds like a long-term affair! When we come to terms with the eternal truth that we are eternal beings and that we will exist forever a massive measure of comfort enters our hearts. Job the righteous and afflicted prophet of old declared:

For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19: 25-26

The glorious remarkable truth which applies to Misty and to each of us that we will have the ability in a future day to regain our physical bodies only with the added blessing of inheriting a perfected immortal body which is incapable of, and irresponsible for suffering all of the vicissitudes we face in this life. Along with this amazing new incorruptible body comes peace of mind and soul as well. The cares and sorrows of this life will be a memory at that point. For now, we move forward step by sometimes agonizing step. A living apostle reminds us with a thought and resurrects a truth revealed by another prophet in ancient times:

The plan always points the way, but does not always smooth the way, since individual development requires an "opposition in all things." (2 Nephi 2:11.) (Neal A. Maxwell Ensign, May 1984, p. 22.)

Misty had a knowledge of what awaited her on the other side. As a Latter-Day Saint she was taught the principles I have thus far shared with you today. Her 28 years of mortality seem far too few. For some reason I imagine none of us can adequately explain her passage was hastened to that place of waiting we know to be the Spirit World. A place where the righteous and the wicked await resurrection and judgement. Meanwhile, the Holy Scriptures continue to testify to us of the plan of God for his children's happiness. Let me share three of my favorites with you:

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 5: 28-29

In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

John 14: 2-3

A Prophet declared, speaking of those who mourn for their deceased relatives:

....when I talk to these mourners, what have they lost? Their relatives and friends are only separated from their bodies for a short season: their spirits which existed with God have left the tabernacle of clay only for a little moment, as it were; and they now exist in a place where they converse together the same as we do on the earth,

I have a father, brothers, children, and friends who have gone to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again. The time will soon arrive when the trumpet shall sound. When we depart, we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and all whom we love...

Let us not unduly mourn the passing of Misty. She is not gone forever nor doth she sleep! Only her physical tabernacle resides in this chapel, her magnificent eternal spirit has taken its place among the millions that have gone before!

I know that Misty is certainly marveling in her newfound state of peace and clarity and that each of us as we move ever closer to our transition to the next world should feel peace in knowing that there is indeed a place "prepared for us".

Funeral for Helen Williams

2008-10-20T04:22:00.000-07:00

I met Sister Williams at Church for the first time 11 years ago. Since then I have served in the Church with her and been her Bishop or Pastor twice. In 1997 I was ordained a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Helen was a member of the congregation over which I presided then. This last Sunday the 30^th of May I was called once again to serve as Helen's Bishop. In that self-same afternoon I had the privilege of visiting Helen's home and along with one of her good sons and one of my counselors bidding her farewell in the form of a priesthood blessing. It was a sobering yet spiritually rich moment as we administered one last time to Sister Williams, she who had served so many so well for so many years. In my relatively short association with Helen I learned and observed at least 3 things:

She was an excellent cook. Her pot roast and vegetable dinner she provided at the birth of our last child is still fondly remembered. When I remarked on the nice pot she brought the roast in she reminded me I could have the contents but not the pot!
She had a tenacious personality. Through probably equal parts her upbringing and her generation her matter-of-fact nature and her way of "telling it like it is" was appreciated by all her knew her.
She had a remarkably firm testimony of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. My wife remarked on her deep love for the Savior and her ability to share her feelings convincingly with the sisters in Relief Society (the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

When she left us last Sunday there was a wake in her departure, one which will not soon fill. She was fond of saying she was quote "ready to go" when the Lord should call and that she was anxious to meet up with other relatives who had gone on before. Those of us who remain behind might wonder where Helen has gone.

Where is Helen?

Should we mourn her passing?

Will we see each other again?

What do we each face when we step through death's door?

When Helen passed through the veil of death she transitioned to the next phase of her existence as an immortal spirit waiting the morning of the first resurrection.

I would say to you children Raymond, John, Evan, & Denise and to all of the rest of you here assembled:

I know where she's at, and I know what she's doing!

When one of our loved ones passes beyond the veil of this mortal existence the parting brings a deep sadness and longing to each of us that is left behind. We feel disconnected and alone, we pause and consider our own mortality and what we are doing with our lives. We long to know for sure what the future holds for us beyond the certain step with uncertain dimensions we call death. The passing of a loved one invites deep reflection. I believe we may come to know and understand what the Psalmist testified of in the 30th Psalm:

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

JST Psalms 30:Verse 5

But how can joy arise from the ashes of sorrow, when we are so clearly left behind? When our sorrow is so painfully fresh? How can we recover from the incredible vacancy that enters our lives?

The marvelous truth is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has provided a way for us to be reunited with our loved ones on the other side! He has prepared a plan with God our Heavenly Father that ensures eternal happiness and joy awaits each one of us. John chapter 3 verse 16 records probably the most often quoted passage in all of scripture:

"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

For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19: 25-26

The glorious remarkable truth which applies to Helen and to each of us that we will have the ability in a future day to regain our physical bodies only with the added blessing of inheriting a perfected immortal body which is incapable of suffering all of the vicissitudes of this life.

The other day John and I took a moment to reflect on how wonderful it must have been for Helen to arrive on the other side and find herself alert and free from the cares and worries of this world! How marvelous must have been the reunion with Roy and other family and friends in that elevated sphere! What a great blessing to know we have the opportunity to receive the same welcome home when we depart this world! The Holy Scriptures testify to us of the plan of God for his children's happiness. Let me share three of my favorites with you:

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life…

John 5: 28-29

In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

John 14: 2-3

A Prophet declared, speaking of those who mourn for their deceased relatives:

Let us not unduly mourn the passing of Helen. She is not gone forever nor doth she sleep! Her physical tabernacle resides in this chapel, her magnificent eternal spirit has taken its place among the millions that have gone before!

After Hurricane paid a visit to the Gulf Coast last fall Helen made the rounds to check on her sisters in the Church even though this was a real chore for her because of health concerns she was struggling with. I admire the quality of her perseverance in the face of adversity, and I hope that as we take a moment today to remember Helen, we might consider what more we can do in this world to be like her in this way.

I know that Helen is marveling in the splendor of the paradise in which she is a new citizen. We too are drawing ever closer to the transition to eternity we call "death". May we each have peace and clarity knowing that there is indeed a place "prepared for us".

10 Secrets of Successful Families

2008-10-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

Introduction: What is the criteria for a great family?

Decay of Families (in the U.S.)

1. Values decaying

2. Crime/Delinquency

3. Lack of parental concern

Question: What are the elements that contribute to successful family relationships?

Question: What formula will bring joy and happiness to our individual families?

Discussion of the LDS (Latter-Day Saint) philosophy on families:

1. The basic (and most important) unit in the church

2. No other success can compensate for failure in the home. President David O. McKay

3. Homes are the center of our church activity.

The Ten Principles:

1. PRAY TOGETHER (Provides spiritual strength)

1. Pray together as a family

2. Thank Heavenly Father for His blessings to you family

3. Ask for guidance/assistance on family concerns

4. Pray for your children in family prayers

5. Pray as parents for wisdom in rearing the children

2. BUILD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP AS HUSBAND AND WIFE (This is the glue that holds the family together)

1. Power of the pyramid (Make Christ the center)

Lord

Husband Wife

2. Be willing to go the extra mile

3. Walk in his/her moccasins

4. Say "I love you" frequently

5. Show "I love you" always

6. Hold your tongue; a word spoken stands forever

3. CULTIVATE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CHILDREN/FAMILY MEMBERS.

1. Learn your children's favorites. (show a genuine interest).

2. Participate with them in their activities. (whatever it is)

3. Be slow to criticize and quick to praise

Example: Critical dad of teen son's car washing

Son: "C'mon dad lighten up, I've never been a
teenager before

Dad: You know son, now that I think about it, I've never been a parent before.

Moral: Everyone take it easy and don't be overly critical

Story: Mother who at her own daughter's bridal

shower was unable to guess her daughter's favorite
things.

4. ATTEND TO THE DUAL NATURE OF FAMILY MEMBERS (PHYSICAL/SPIRITUAL)

1. Provide Physical Necessities

1. Food

2. Shelter

3. Clothing etc...

2. Provide Spiritual Necessities

1. Sense of self

2. Spiritual heritage

3. Spiritual family (the family of God)

5. SEARCH OUT YOUR ROOTS/GENEALOGY

1. Find where your family name came from

1. Its meaning

2. Your nationality

3. Your heritage

4. Learn the accomplishments/activities of your ancestors

2. Compile a family history

1. Personal: Journal or tell a story

2. Family: scrapbook or family generated

6. TEACH YOUR FAMILY BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE

1. Learning begins young

2. "What you do thunders so loudly in my ears, I can't hear
what you say."

3. Practice what you preach

4. The divine attribute of Free Agency must be allowed:

1. Joseph Smith: "Teach them correct principles, then let them govern themselves".

2. God will force no man to heaven

3. Early church leaders dream of his grandfather who asked him, "What have you done with my name?" we too, have names to carry on.

7. GIVE FAMILY LIFE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AT THE PINNACLE OF YOUR LIFE.

Nurture the lasting /meaningful relationships in your life: those that you create with your family.
Example of the Navy man who spent 18 1/2 yrs. of the first 20 yrs. of marriage away from his family. He doesn't know his children! (nor his wife for that matter)
Cherish each moment as an island in time; there is only one today. The years fly by.

8. DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

    1. Most of marriage's rough spots are encountered over small     things.
    2. Remember Agency! The only person that can change a     person, is that person     themself!
    3. Be Unselfish. All problems (nearly all) stem from one or both partners being selfish.
    4. Math of Marriage: 110%+110%=100%

9. CHERISH THE WORTH AND IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FAMILY: IT IS GOD'S TUTORING SYSTEM.
    1. Things you find in a family:
        Your best friends
        Funny times
        Sad/happy times
        Challenges/blessings
    Article of Faith #13: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, and in doing good to all men. Indeed, we may say     that we follow the admonition of Paul, we believe all things, we     hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be     able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

10. SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER DOING A FAMILY ACTIVITY.
    1. Set time aside each week specifically for family time.
        "Family Home Evening"
        1. Pray together
        2. Sing together/read together
        3. Teach one another
        4. Encourage one another
        5. Refreshments! (of course)

2. Cherish each moment as an island

Baptism

2008-10-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

1 ¶ THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:1-5

Baptism is the key to the gate that leads to the path, which leads to eternal life.
We signify our willingness to follow our Heavenly Father's commandments when we are baptized.

Cahrles W. Penrose, an early leader in the Church has written concerning baptism:

Baptism was instituted for the remission of sins by divine command. It is therefore essential. It is a sign of cleansing, purification, death to sin, burial from the world and resurrection to a new life in Christ Jesus. For, baptism means immersion. The sprinkling or pouring of water on the body is not baptism. The ordinance of baptism preached by John, the forerunner, by Christ himself, and by the apostles whom he sent as his messengers, was both a burial and a birth. When Jesus was baptized by John it was in the river Jordan: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. iii:13-17.)

Charles W. Penrose, Rays of Living Light, Handbook of the Restoration, p.120

Elder James E. Talmage described the nature of Baptism in his book the Articles of Faith in these words….

In the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, water baptism ranks as the third principle and the first essential ordinance of the Gospel. Baptism is the gateway leading into the fold of Christ, the portal to the Church, the established rite of naturalization in the kingdom of God. The candidate for admission into the Church, having obtained and professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and having sincerely repented of his sins, is properly required to give evidence of this spiritual sanctification by some outward ordinance, prescribed by authority as the sign or symbol of his new profession. The initiatory ordinance is baptism by water, to be followed by the higher baptism of the Holy Spirit; and, as a result of this act of obedience, remission of sins is granted.

James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, Ch.6, p.120

Being baptized is a commandment and a blessing. When we obey this commandment and make this sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father our lives are blessed and we draw nearer to our Savior, who died for us and promises us eternal life through our repentance, baptism, and enduring to the end.

The Book of Mormon Prohet Alma testified:

14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. Alma 7:14

Pioneering in Mortality

2008-09-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.
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.
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!

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?"

Tell a stranger about your testimony

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

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!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

2008-09-15T04:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-01T04:22:00.000-07:00

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:

either you already know this and/or this doesn't apply to me
Especially for Mormons is so "yesterday" or that was taught in Sunday School/Priesthood/YW/YM etc.. just last week
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)
Because sitting in Sacrament Meeting is something you do each week never really expecting anything remarkable to happen?
You are sitting in the same exact spot as ALWAYS seeing every speaker from the exact same vantagepoint?
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.
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.
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 humblethemselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weakthings 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

Happiness

2008-08-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

Places we've lived
Things we've seen
Our history with Perdido
The Lord's plan…does he use us as instruments of His divine will?

Our family has talked about happiness today. You've probably noticed that we all have had a different take on this topic; we each have addressed various facets of the same phenomenon. The phenomenon of real and lasting happiness may seem somewhat slippery and hard to put labels on. Any of you that have taken a philosophy course know that many of the so-called great philosophers had their disparate opinions on the place of happiness within the mileau of the human experience. To me it seems happiness and its twin "misery" are inextricably entwined! A brief sampling of aphorisms on the topic of happiness illustrates: LISTEN CAREFULLY!!

Happiness is good health and a bad memory. (Ingrid Bergman)

All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin. (Lord Byron)

Expect everything, and anything seems nothing. Expect nothing, and anything seems everything. (Samuel Hazo)

If you suffer, thank God! It is a sure sign that you are alive. (Elbert Hubbard)

Life is short. Live it up. (Nikita Khrushchev)

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified. (Aesop)

Joy is not in things, it is in us. (Jess Lair)

Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember. (Oscar LeVant)

Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you will cease to be so. (John Stuart Mill)

A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants. (Arthur Schopenhauer)

Live each day as if it were the last day of your life, because so far, it is. (Unknown)

Misery is optional. (S. Gilmary Beagle)

I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. (Joe Walsh)

A string of excited, fugitive, miscellaneous pleasures is not happiness; happiness resides in imaginative reflection and judgment, when the picture of one's life, or of human life, as it truly has been or is, satisfies the will, and is gladly accepted. (George Santayana )

Let me ask a few rhetorical questions:

How many of you have looked in the mirror recently?
A real hard look?
For the ladies: Not one to straighten your hair up or apply your make up
For the guys: Not one to check out how devilishly handsome you are or one involved with a check of where else hair is growing now!
I mean a gaze with these questions in mind:
- Who am I?
- Why am I here?
- Where am I going after this life is over?
- What is my purpose here on earth?
- I'm accelerating towards some sort of destiny….what is it?
- I've reflected on who and what you and I are and how and why you and I are entitled to happiness.
Have you considered that among all of the creations of the Supreme ruler of this universe and He who is Lord over this and infinite worlds, you represent his primary concern AND His crowning achievement?
Do you realize that He has allowed His only begotten Son to condescend to live on this very planet just over 2000 years ago to ensure your everlasting happiness?
Have you paused to acknowledge that among all of the millions upon millions of God's children there is no other individual precisely like you?
We like to think we're unique amongst ourselves and we are, but as humans with limited capacity for appreciating variability even we can see some patterns reoccurring!

While travelling recently for the Air Force I was held by the Salt Lake Airport Security for approximately 30 minutes because someone has been using the name "Paul Laws" for less than desirable purposes! I was informed my name is on a "watch list" and security procdure may be a regular occurrence for the rest of my life! I will have to certify I am indeed the "good and upright" Paul Laws vs. the other one who is out there using "my" name for foul purposes!

Fortunately, our father above has numbered all of His creations and you can bet "He who notes the fall of a sparrow" is intimately concerned with all of the days and events of our individual probations.

Inasmuch as we are allotted a finite amount of time here on the planet I feel it behooves us all to ascertain as soon as possible what course will reconcile us to Him!

The "pursuit of happiness" is termed an "inalienable right" within the very framework of our republic, the Declaration of Independence. As a people we value the idea of personal liberties and freedom so much we actively promulgate these principles worldwide, even at the peril of lives!

Joseph Smith said:

Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. . . .

. . . . [A]s God has designed our happiness—and the happiness of all His creatures, he never has—He never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed, and which will not end in the greatest amount of good and glory to those who become the recipients of his law and ordinances. (An essay recorded in the Journal History [HC5:134-35] Aug. 27, 1842) TPJS:255-56; DGSM:27

This brings me back to an earlier point; The Father of us all; the omniscient, omnipotent controller of all things HAS A PLAN for our HAPPINESS!

Lorenzo Snow once taught:

There is nothing the Latter-day Saints can imagine that would afford them happiness that God has not unfolded to us. He has prepared everything for the Latter-day Saints that they could possibly wish or imagine in order to effect their complete happiness throughout the vast eternities. (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p. 63) DGSM:28

Lehi, the ancient Prophet knew this truth when he taught his sons:

Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. 2Ne.2:25

Adam himself got this revelation early on as is recorded in Moses 5:10-11:

And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

George Q. Cannon taught:

It is not given to men and women on the earth to be entirely satisfied, if they seek for satisfaction and happiness in worldly things. There is only one way in which perfect happiness can be obtained, and that is by having the Spirit of God. (Gospel Truth, 2:317-18) TLDP:319

This is so true! I recall a small poem I first heard as a missionary too many years ago:

As a rule

Man's a fool

When it's hot

He wants it cool

When it's cool

He wants it hot

Always wanting what its' not!

Personal Story "Red Truck, Blue Truck, Black Truck, VAN"

Life is a challenge and a struggle mingled with happiness and joy. Some of you have heard my witticism on the subject: "Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug!"

On Friday I found a ten dollar bill fluttering along the ground in a parking lot. I of course pounced on it like the first worm of the day for a ravenous robin and then mused that my fortune was tied to the misfortune of the hapless soul who had lost the 10 spot. This too is the opposition factor at work. If we had no opposition in life there'd be nothing opposing our forward progress and therefore no "realness" to the test. What kind of test would life be if there were no way to fail? Conversely how likely would be our chances of successfully navigating the labyrinth of paths in life without the "iron rod" to cling to? Lehi's vision of the tree of life is highly instructive and vital when taken in the context of the tests and trials of mortality.

One other point I should not neglect to make here; we are immortal beings in mortal bodies pursuing happiness in this transitory state and hoping for happiness that extends into all eternity. Ponder that one for a minute! When we forget the important element of eternity looming we may tend to lower our sights from the ultimate goal!

The Lord's prophets through all of recorded human history have taught that keeping the commandments results in happiness.:

King Benjamin:

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 2:41

In Proverbs:

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverb of Solomon, king of Israel) Prov.29:18

Brigham Young (in Discourses of…)

To make ourselves happy is incorporated in the great design of man's existence. I have learned not to fret myself about that which I cannot help. If I can do good, I will do it; and if I cannot reach a thing, I will content myself to be without it. This makes me happy all the day long. 2:95.

Truly happy is that man or woman, or that people, who enjoys the privileges of the Gospel of the Son of God, and who know how to appreciate his blessings. 1:309.

236

… We are all searching for happiness; we hope for it, we think we live for it, it is our aim in this life. But do we live so as to enjoy the happiness we so much desire? There is only one way for Latter-day Saints to be happy, which is simply to live their religion, or in other words believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every part, obeying the gospel of liberty with full purpose of heart, which sets us free indeed. If we will, as a community, obey the law of God and comply with the ordinances of salvation, then we may expect to find the happiness we so much desire, but if we do not pursue this course we cannot enjoy the unalloyed happiness which is to be found in the Gospel. To profess to be a Saint, and not enjoy the spirit of it, tries every fibre of the heart, and is one of the most painful experiences that man can suffer. 12:168.

We must smile more and gripe less

Lift more than cause distress

Cheer rather than jeer

Forget sleights

And most of all Accentuate the positive!!

Funeral for Roberta Fenwick

2008-08-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

I met Sister Roberta at Church for the first time 12 years ago. That was over in the 9th Avenue Building where the Pensacola Ward meets. Since then I have served in the Church with her and been her Bishop or Pastor twice. In 1997 I was ordained a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Roberta was an original member of the Perdido Branch and later the Perdido Ward. On 30 May of this year I was once again called as Bishop of the Perdido Ward and was once again Roberta's Bishop. Several personal observations about Roberta

She had an extraordinary wit: If you've ever seen the prototypical Roberta grin you know what I mean! That look always seemed to show a remarkable sense of humor and underneath it seemed to indicate that she was up to something and she may or may not tell you what it was!!
She was remarkably generous: Roberta had a great love of literature and in particular childrens literature. She enjoyed immensely sharing this love with our 4 children. For all of the years that we knew Roberta she took it upon herself (over our half-hearted objections; she said "it's my money ! I'll spend it how I want, thank you!) to give the gift of multiple magazine subscriptions to our children to enlighten and excite their imaginations! Her enthusiasm for the written word was a halmark of the Roberta we knew and loved
She had a remarkably firm testimony of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Gospel Doctrine (adult Sunday School) teacher she was very effective and persuasive in her teaching style. Her lovingly (if not always legible) handwritten instructional aids were a testament to her dedication to this call to sereve. It was always a joy to hear her testify of her love for the Savior Jesus Christ. She often remarked she didn't feel worthy to invite the Spirit into the class... Now that you're gone Roberta, I'll say one last time RUBBISH!! You we're a true Saint in our midst!

Near the end of her mortal sojourn Roberta experienced a lot of pain. She wondered aloud to me what was left for her to accomplish...what she still lacked...I was a little taken aback by this thought and assured her that all she yet lacked was the ability to cross the finish line of life with her head held high. One last trial lay ahead; patience with the Lord. One last refining test.

I read her a verse from the Book of Mormon found in Alma chapter 7 verse 23:

"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do recieve."

After this interlude Bro LJ Carter and I gave Roberta a Priesthood blessing during which she was issued an honorable release from this life. This was a spiritual event I will cherish for the remainder of my life.

Where is Roberta?

Should we mourn her passing?

Will we see each other again?

What do we each face when we step through death's door?

When Roberta passed through the veil of death she transitioned to the next phase of her existence as an immortal spirit waiting the morning of the first resurrection.

I would say to friends and family and all of the rest of you here assembled:

I know where she's at, and I know what she's doing!

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

JST Psalms 30:Verse 5

But how can joy arise from the ashes of sorrow, when we are so clearly left behind? When our sorrow is so painfully fresh? How can we recover from the incredible vacancy that enters our lives?

"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

For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19: 25-26

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life…

John 5: 28-29

In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

John 14: 2-3

A Prophet declared, speaking of those who mourn for their deceased relatives:

Let us not unduly mourn the passing of Roberta. She is not gone forever nor doth she sleep! Her physical tabernacle resides in this chapel, her magnificent eternal spirit has taken its place among the millions that have gone before!

Near the end the faithfulness of Roberta was given one more stiff test through which she marvelously forged ahead. All of this was a real chore for her because of health concerns she was struggling with. I admire the quality of her perseverance in the face of adversity, and I hope that as we take a moment today to remember Roberta, we might consider what more we can do in this world to be like her in this way.

I feel confident that Roberta is marveling in the splendor of the paradise in which she is a new citizen. We too are drawing ever closer to the transition to eternity we call "death". May we each have peace and clarity knowing that there is indeed a place "prepared for us".

Love

2008-08-11T04:22:00.000-07:00

P.D. Laws

Roy 24^th Ward Sacrament Meeting Address 28 Jan 2001

How do you define love?

How do you grab a bar of wet soap in the shower?

Getting your hands around the subject of love is like trying to catch the wind.

Love is an emotion.

Love is a state of mind.

Love can be a state of body.

A state of being.

It can be expressed or repressed.

It is compulsive and sometimes obsessive.

It can kill or heal

Love is a phase of the heart.

It can be warm, cold, tough, or even puppy. Sensual, sexual, public, or private.

Love has 1,001 permutations.

Usually not served a la Carte, it is much better buffet-style.

You can think you are in it, but be light-years from it.

Love can be judgmental, although it shouldn't be conditional.

It should be preferential, although all-to-often our love compasses don't point to the direct-route to happiness

Love is not loud, boastful, brash, or demanding.

It is patient, kind, and long-suffering but not in an "un-cool" way.

Love is everything!

You will die without it, and do anything for it.

Love is something we all must learn how to do, and do well and right in order to be truly happy and fulfilled as human beings.

Love is open to free interpretation.

Let me illustrate with a brief list of things I love and don't love.

Things I Love…	Things I Don't Love…
The skin of fried chicken…	Chicken Liver…
Jumping out of anything that flies…	Horse Flies…
Fast Computers…	My Pentium 120…
Ketchup…	Tomatoes…
Being Right…	Always Being Right…
Flannel Sheets…	The First 20 Seconds…
Myself…	Others More…
Breathing Underwater…	Getting Out of the Water…
Pork & Beans…	Lima Beans…
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream	Chocolate Ice Cream
Being on Time…	Being Behind Someone Slow…
College Football…	Professional Football…
Our New President…	Our Old President…
A Good Clean Joke…	The Fact that so Few Exist…
Honesty…	Compromise…
Becky's Home-made Wheat Bread	Store-bought White Bread
A Box of Chocolates…	Having to Bite them all to Find a Good one…

As I related my personal preferences I'm sure there were many other opinions among those of you that are here today. We are all different people! We represent different genders, ethnic and social backgrounds, and even different lifestyles. Each of us has been blessed or cursed (just kidding) with a certain personality and a whole bag of propensities about life. We all have a view, a take, an opinion.

Opinions are a truly universal part of life; everyone has them! Whose opinion truly matters? Is there a chief opinion-aire?

What and where is the common denominator?

What IS truly important? And why?

Will any of the things I have listed as my loves save me from sin and death- the two truly awful forces in our universe?

The answer is NO!

Let me give you another list of loves and not loves:

Things I Love…	Things I Don't Love
My Heavenly Father and Savior	Satan and his followers
His Commandments and Prophets	The Teachings and Philosophies of Man
Myself as One of His Choice Sons	When I Forget My Divine Heritage
My Personal Covenants With Him	When I don't fulfill My Promises
My Wife and Family	The Thought of Being Without Them

Lehi taught his sons that: "Men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).

Joseph Smith further illuminated this concept with this statement:

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God" (Smith 255-56).

Of all of the loves that we must pursue in life; of all of the things that we chase after with our hearts and heads, I believe there are at least 5 loves that we must understand and demonstrate in order to be saved in our Father's Kingdom:

They are:

Love of the Godhead for Man (the greatest love story ever told)
Love of Man for God
Love of Man and Wife
Love of Family
Love of all Mankind

Love of the Godhead for Man (the greatest love story ever told)

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--

Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken…

D&C 19: 16-20

What more can be said than this! Our Heavenly Father condescended to allow His only perfect son; His best and most righteous son to suffer the weight and responsibility for the sins of all mankind. He looked on as evil men colluded in an awful plan to wrongfully accuse and crucify the first among all of His favorite sons. Then he allowed the humiliation of interrogations, scourgings, the open scorn and ridicule of the creator of the very earth upon which they stood. I know of no greater love than that. No love that is of greater worth or enduring value. No love that redeems so perfectly and completely every spirit that take up flesh on this and other worlds.

Love of Man for God

In Ancient times a lawyer tried to accuse the Savior with this question:

Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22: 36-40

We are required by our Heavenly Father to love him in order to gain Celestial Exaltation because it is only through love that we will value His program and commandments enough to do all that is commanded of us. In a simplified manner, almost to a circumstance, earthly parents require certain things of their children because they believe/know ultimately what will lead to the most happiness for the child. They know these things not through some magical power that parents possess, but because they are more experienced in the matters they are attempting to teach the child. Just as children are generally well served to heed to earthly parental guidance so to are we all infinitely better off to heed to our Heavenly Father!! Religion i.e. the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the tool with which eternal promises and eternal Life are realized and made possible. We must be knowledgeable of its doctrines!

Joseph Fielding McConkie has written:

…how does one gain such a knowledge? How do we come to know that we are on course, that our lives are in order and thus approved of the heavens? The members of the School of the Prophets were taught-and this is one of the transcendent verities of the Restoration-that we must be willing to sacrifice all things for the gospel cause. If we would become inheritors of all that the Father has, we must be willing to give up all that we have. With us, it must be the kingdom of God or nothing. We must be willing to yield our hearts unto God (see Helaman 3:35), have an eye single to his glory (see D&C 88:67), and be willing to surrender to the Captain of our souls. Like the father of Lamoni, we must be willing to give up all we possess, forsake our individual kingdoms, and give away all our sins to know God (see Alma 22:15, 18). "Let us here observe," the Prophet declared, "that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation" (Lectures on Faith 6:7). Only a church that will ask everything of its members-everything!-is in a position to promise its members the riches of eternity. Total surrender is always prerequisite to total victory. Only those who reach the point in their spiritual development where they are at last able and willing to fully consecrate themselves to the Lord and his church and kingdom and to do so without hindrance can gain that confidence before God of which the scriptures speak (see D&C 121:45), a confidence that results in the promise of eternal life.

3. Love of Man and Wife

We know that the Scriptures say "man cannot live by bread alone". It is also a verity that a man cannot make it into the royal courts of the Father without a woman at his side. And not just any woman! The woman at his side is a daughter of God! She is one of God's grandest achievements. She is pure and holy and without guile. She is the mother of his children. She is the Queen to his King. She has made sacred covenants in His holy house along side of her husband, that bind them together throughout all eternity!

In my opinion the love of a righteous man & woman is one of the crowning jewels of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

With this bright future in store what husband would ridicule or demean his spouse? What husband would have two faces, one for public consumption and one within the walls or bedrooms of his home?

What husband would fail to treat his wife now like what she will be then?

I answer: Only a fool!

Only a man who has lost sight of what he has within his grasp if he will but reach for it. It is all too common (and sad) to see sealed couples treating each other as if there really were no tomorrow or that eternity will never come! The possibilities are so great!

President Spencer W. Kimball has said:

Happiness in marriage requires continued effort. Two people coming from different backgrounds soon learn after the ceremony is performed that stark reality must be faced. There is no longer a life of fantasy or of make-believe; we must come out of the clouds and put our feet firmly on the earth. Responsibility must be assumed and new duties must be accepted. Some personal freedoms must be relinquished and many adjustments, unselfish adjustments, must be made.

One comes to realize very soon after the marriage that the spouse has weaknesses not previously revealed nor discovered. The virtues which were constantly magnified during courtship now grow relatively smaller, and the weaknesses which seemed so small and insignificant during courtship now grow to sizeable proportions. The hour has come for understanding hearts, for self-appraisal, and for good common sense, reasoning, and planning. The habits of years now show themselves; the spouse may be stingy or prodigal, lazy or industrious, devout or irreligious, may be kind and cooperative or petulant and cross, demanding or giving, egotistical or self-effacing. The in-law problem comes closer into focus and the relationships of the spouses to them are again magnified.

Love of Family

We get to choose many things in this life, to include Baskin Robbins "thirty-wonderful" flavors, BUT we don't get to choose our families or the members thereof. We can't "return" a family member to the "point-of-sale" because we don't like their performance or the weird noises they make (see 4-year-old). We are placed together for a reason. Our mission in life is to discover every wonderful aspect of the divine spirit of every member of our family! When we can't agree, we need to seek peaceful, constructive means to resolve our differences. The mortal testing that we each are taking part of has some of its most trying tests within the walls of our homes. Listen to the Lord's words concerning contention:

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.

3 Nephi 11:Verse 30

30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

Contention has no place in our homes

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22

5. Love of all Mankind

We are commanded to love others. What's more, we are commanded to love others as we love ourselves. For most of us self-love is a deep and abiding love that knows no limits! We would do well to do "unto the least of these my brethren" (

Matt 25:40)

1 John 4:15-21:

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

D&C 121:Verse 45-46

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

General Priesthood Meeting

2008-08-04T04:22:00.000-07:00

13 Aug 2006

"The Mission of the Aaronic Priesthood"

Bishop Paul D. Laws

All Young Men of the Aaronic Priesthood please stand.

Let me get a look at the Priesthood leaders of tomorrow!

I suppose the rest of you are Melchizedek Priesthood holders or prospective Elders.

You are an interesting looking group; not necessarily for how you look (which is open to debate) but more importantly for who you are and even more important than that WHOSE you are…

History of the Beret:

The first use of the modern beret in the U.S. military was in 1943, when a battalion of the 509th Parachute Infantry was given maroon berets by their British counterparts for their service in the war…

The first widespread use of the headgear by U.S. forces came… when a new Army organization that was specially trained for insurgency and counterguerrilla warfare began wearing a green variety in 1953. It took another eight years for the Army's Special Forces — the "Green Berets" — to win presidential approval from John F. Kennedy to make their headgear official.

(Source: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/berethistory.htm)

SERE Beret:

Distinguishes wearer as part of a select or specific group (SERE career Field)

Indicates Qualification within that group

Worn as a matter of privilege to those who earn the right to wear it

Has a distinctive "flash" w/ the inscription "USAF SERE: Return With Honor"

That inscription seems especially appropriate given the context of our meeting tonight and the topic I have been assigned.

The Apostle Peter, then president of the Church, counseled the Saints in 1 Peter 2:9:

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Have you ever wondered what makes us you a royal priesthood holder or a peculiar person?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented that…

…The priesthood which makes a man a king and a priest is thus a royal priesthood." (McConkie, DNTC, 3:294.)

Concerning the word Peculiar…

… as used in the King James Version (it) comes from the Latin peculium, meaning "private property." Though today it has come to mean "strange or unusual," it really carries the same idea—a characteristic or quality belonging to something. The marginal reading is "purchased" and means that the saints are God's own, private people, a people for God's own possession.

(The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles COURSE MANUAL (Religion 211–212))

Allow me to insert the actual meaning into this verse…

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a PRIVATE PROPERTY people…

Or…

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a PURCHASED people…

UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. (D&C 13)

So said John the Baptist, he who had the privilege of baptizing the Son of God and he, who under the direction of Peter, James and John, returned to earth as a glorified, resurrected being to begin the "restoration of all things" (D&C 27:6)

President Hinckley has said concerning this passage:

Even though he came as a servant of God and acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John, he did not place himself above Joseph and Oliver. He put them on his same level when he addressed them as "my fellow servants."

What does that make you young men, and indeed all of us who are members of this ROYAL PRIESTHOOD? (fellow servants of Him who has purchased us and whose private property we are!)

President Hinckley goes on to say:

I want to emphasize, boys, that the holding of the Aaronic Priesthood, and the exercise of its power, is not a small or unimportant thing. The bestowal of these keys in this dispensation was one of the greatest and most significant things incident to the entire Restoration. It was the first bestowal of divine authority in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. It is the priesthood of God, with authority to act in the name of the Savior of mankind.

It is the authority under which the emblems of the Lord's Supper are administered to the membership of the Church. That great and important sacrament was instituted by the Savior himself shortly before His crucifixion. It was He who first gave to those He loved the emblems of His flesh and blood and commanded that all should partake of them in remembrance of Him and as a token of a covenant between God and man.

When you priests of the Aaronic Priesthood administer the sacrament, you are doing what Jesus did while He was yet in the flesh, and which He also did when He ministered among the Nephites following His resurrection.

When you, as a priest, kneel at the sacrament table and offer up the prayer, which came by revelation, you place the entire congregation under covenant with the Lord. Is this a small thing? It is a most important and remarkable thing.

Now, my dear young brethren, if we are to enjoy the ministering of angels, if we are to teach the gospel of repentance, if we are to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins, if we are to administer to the membership of the Church the emblems of the sacrifice of our Lord, then we must be worthy to do so.

So what then is our duty, our responsibility as holders of the Aaronic Priesthood?

Every time the Young Men of the Perdido Ward meet together they recite the following:

I am a son of my Heavenly Father and I represent Him through the power of the Aaronic Priesthood which He has entrusted to me. Worthily using this gift will help me and others to - "COME UNTO CHRIST"

My mission is to:

Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings.
Serve faithfully in priesthood callings, and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices.
Give meaningful service.
Prepare and live worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances.
Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission.
Obtain as much education as possible.
Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.

How does our Heavenly Father intend to ensure our success in this endeavor?

Is God speaking to His ROYAL PRIESTHOOD members today?

If He were speaking to HIS ROYAL PRIESTHOOD how would He do it?

THROUGH HIS MOUTHPIECE THE PROPHET!!

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (D&C 1:38)

Let me proffer just one recent example of how our Father in Heaven is speaking to His ROYAL PRIESTHOOD through His personal mouthpiece President Gordon B. Hinclkley. Did you realize that President Hinckley has been the concluding speaker in every single Priesthood session of Conference since he was made the Lord's primary mouthpiece in April of 1995? That's 23 General Conferences in a row for those who may be counting… Starting with April of 1995 and going to April of 2006:

This Work Is Concerned with People (Apr 95)

Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship (Oct 95)

"Be Ye Clean" (Apr 96)
"This Thing Was Not Done in a Corner" (Oct 96)

Converts and Young Men (Apr 97)

Some Thoughts on Temples, Retention of Converts, and Missionary Service (Oct 97)

Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry (Apr 98)

To the Boys and to the Men (Oct 98)

The Shepherds of the Flock (Apr 99)

Why We Do Some of the Things We Do (Oct 99)

The Stake President (Apr 00)

"Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children" (Oct 00)

The Perpetual Education Fund (Apr 01)

Reaching Down to Lift Another (Oct 01)

Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood (Apr 02)

To Men of the Priesthood (Oct 02)

Loyalty (Apr 03)

The Shepherds of Israel (Oct 03)

"I Was an Hungred, and Ye Gave Me Meat" (Apr 04)

A Tragic Evil among Us (Oct 04)

Gambling (Apr 05)

If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear (Oct 05)

The Need for Greater Kindness (Apr 06)

All of these talks are worthy of a diligent review but I would draw your attention, to the following in particular, with a small sound bite from each:

"Be Ye Clean" (Apr 96)

I speak particularly to the boys, but I hope the men will also listen and hear. We all constantly need reminding. Our bodies are sacred. They were created in the image of God. They are marvelous, the crowning creation of Deity. No camera has ever matched the wonder of the human eye. No pump was ever built that could run so long and carry such heavy duty as the human heart. The ear and the brain constitute a miracle. The capacity to pick up sound waves and convert them into language is almost beyond imagination. Look at your finger and contemplate the wonder of it. Clever men have tried to match it, but have never fully succeeded. These, with others of our parts and organs, represent the divine, omnipotent genius of God, who is our Eternal Father.

To the Boys and to the Men (Oct 98)

I recently received a proclamation from a group of LDS young men from the northern area of California. They are from 19 stakes, and as they gathered in the mountains, they visited the scene of a pioneer tragedy. As the boys pondered the things they saw and the reminders of their inheritance, they were invited to sign a Mormon Trail Scout Encampment Proclamation. I should like to read this pledge to you:

"Be it known to all that we are Boy Scouts . . . and bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood of God. We pledge our allegiance to the values and principles that guided the men of the Mormon Battalion and the Latter-day Saint Pioneer men and women who helped establish this state of California. As their grateful sons, we rejoice in our heritage of service.

"On this 18th day of July 1998 we pledge to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will study the scriptures. We will pray for strength to obey. We will work. We will strive with all our hearts to follow the example of Jesus.

"We will magnify the priesthood we have been given by serving other people. We will keep ourselves worthy to administer the sacrament of the Lord's supper. Wherever there is a need for help, like our forefathers, we will step forward.

"We will prove ourselves worthy of the greater, Melchizedek Priesthood. We commit ourselves to the Lord's army and will go forth as full-time missionaries to invite all to come unto Christ.

"We are young men of the covenant. We will prepare ourselves to receive the covenant of eternal marriage. We pray for righteous wives and children whom we will honor and protect with our own lives.

"Be it known that whatever the risks, whatever the temptations, whatever the state of the world around us, as our forefathers were faithful, so we will be. Like those who have gone before, we will turn away from self-aggrandizement and set aside personal gain in order to build a peaceful society, governed by God.

"At all times and in all places, we will be true to our pledge."

Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood (Apr 02)

Our behavior in public must be above reproach. Our behavior in private is even more important. It must clear the standard set by the Lord... Personal worthiness becomes the standard of eligibility to receive and exercise this sacred power…
The manner of our living, the words we speak, and our everyday behavior have a bearing upon our effectiveness as men and boys holding the priesthood.

A Tragic Evil among Us (Oct 04)

" [Pornography] is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful."… I recently read that pornography has become a $57 billion industry worldwide. Twelve billion of this is derived in the United States by evil and "conspiring men" (see D&C 89:4) who seek riches at the expense of the gullible. It is reported that it produces more revenue in the United States than the "combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises or the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC" …
The excuse is given that it is hard to avoid, that it is right at our fingertips and there is no escape.

Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you. You find yourself unable to stop it. But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you… Brethren, we can do better than this. When the Savior taught the multitude, He said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). Could anyone wish for a greater blessing than this? The high road of decency, of self-discipline, of wholesome living is the road for men, both young and old, who hold the priesthood of God… Now brethren, the time has come for any one of us who is so involved to pull himself out of the mire, to stand above this evil thing, to "look to God and live" (Alma 37:47).

Bonus: Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Pornography" April 2005 GC

To become all that we are destined to be (A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD) we need to know, understand, and live the requirements of the mission of the Aaronic Priesthood whether we are 12, 20, 40, 60 or beyond. We are all a part of the same elite cadre of Priesthood holders!!

So what is your beret ROYAL
PRIESTHOOD holders of the Pensacola Florida Stake?

What distinguishes you from among all men? What makes you distinctive?

A groomed appearance, a clean white shirt, a tie, clean hands and a pure heart endowed with Priesthood power emanating from the throne of deity. All of these things "qualify you for the work" (D&C 4)

And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

(D&C 84: 43-44)

That we may do so as the ROYAL PRIESTHOOD that we are is my humble prayer.