Visiting Teaching Message January 2016

Visiting Teaching Message: January 2016
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World*”

Of the general Relief Society meeting in 1995, when President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) first read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president, said: “We were grateful for and valued the clarity, simplicity, and truth of this revelatory document. … The proclamation on the family has become our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world, and I testify that the principles set forth … are as true today as they were when they were given to us by a prophet of God nearly 20 years ago.”¹

“From the family proclamation,” adds Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, “we learn, ‘In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father’² …

“… We each belong to and are needed in the family of God.”³

We live in a time when parents must protect their homes and their families. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” can guide us.

Additional Scriptures

Mosiah 8:16–17; Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

Living Stories

“Lee Mei Chen Ho from the Tao Yuan Third Ward, Tao Yuan Taiwan Stake, said the proclamation has taught her that family relationships help develop divine characteristics such as faith, patience, and love. ‘When I try to improve myself according to the proclamation, I can experience real happiness,’ she said.”⁴

Barbara Thompson, who was present when the proclamation was read for the first time and later served as a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, said: “I thought for a moment that [the family proclamation] really didn’t pertain too much to me since I wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. But almost as quickly I thought, ‘But it does pertain to me. I am a member of a family. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a niece, and a granddaughter. … Even if I were the only living member of my family, I am still a member of God’s family.’”⁵

Consider This

How is “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” a document for our day?

“Hear Ye O the World”

cji

1/1/16

But left in deafness unable

too much chaotic noise about

beating drums and loud horns

screaming here and there

since the mortal probation began

the target is always the family

there is no let up from attack

government stumble in blindness

as lemmings to the cliff’s edge

how sweet then come the words

‘hear ye o the world, hear ye’

A Proclamation to the Family

showing the importance to all

none can deny or refuse to hear

even within the world’s deafness

the truth is given and shared

in the still small voice heard

piercing all deafness of choice!

Copyright © 2015 – cji

THE FAMILY

---

*A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

Home Teaching Message January 2016

“Follow the Prophets” by President Thomas S. Monson

 

I served in the United States Navy toward the end of World War II. I was a seaman, the lowest possible rank in the navy. Then I qualified to be Seaman First Class, after which I qualified to be Yeoman Third Class.

World War II ended, and I was later discharged. But I made a decision that if ever I went back into the military, I wanted to serve as a commissioned officer. I thought, “No more mess kitchens for me, no more scrubbing the decks, if I can avoid it.”

After I was discharged, I joined the United States Naval Reserve. I went to drill every Monday night. I studied hard that I might qualify academically. I took every kind of examination imaginable: mental, physical, and emotional. Finally, there came the beautiful news: “You have been accepted to receive the commission of an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve.”

I gleefully showed it to my wife, Frances, and said, “I made it! I made it!” She hugged me and said, “You’ve worked hard enough to achieve it.”

But then something happened. I was called to be a counselor in my ward bishopric. The bishop’s council meeting was on the same evening as my navy drill meeting. I knew there was a terrible conflict. I knew that I didn’t have the time to pursue the Naval Reserve and my bishopric duties. What was I to do? A decision had to be made.

I prayed about it. Then I went to see the man who was my stake president when I was a boy, Elder Harold B. Lee (1899–1973), then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I sat down across the table from him. I told him how much I valued that commission. In fact, I showed him the copy of the letter of appointment I had received. After pondering the matter for a moment, he said to me, “Here’s what you should do, Brother Monson. You write a letter to the Bureau of Naval Affairs and tell them that because of your call as a member of the bishopric, you can’t accept that commission in the United States Naval Reserve.”

My heart sank. He added, “Then write to the commandant of the Twelfth Naval District in San Francisco indicating that you would like to be discharged from the reserve.”

I said, “Elder Lee, you don’t understand the military. Of course they will decline to give me that commission if I refuse to accept it, but the Twelfth Naval District isn’t going to let me off. With a war brewing in Korea, a noncommissioned officer will surely be called up. If called back, I would rather go back as a commissioned officer, but I won’t if I don’t accept this commission. Are you sure this is the counsel you want me to receive?”

Elder Lee put his hand on my shoulder and in a fatherly way said, “Brother Monson, have more faith. The military is not for you.”

I went home. I placed a tear-stained commission back in its envelope with its accompanying letter and declined to accept it. Then I wrote a letter to the Twelfth Naval District and requested a discharge from the Naval Reserve.

My discharge from the Naval Reserve was in the last group processed before the outbreak of the Korean War. My headquarters outfit was activated. Six weeks after I was called to be a counselor in the bishopric, I was called to be the bishop of my ward.

I would not hold the position in the Church I hold today had I not followed the counsel of a prophet, had I not prayed about that decision, had I not come to an appreciation of an important truth: the wisdom of God oft times appears as foolishness to men.¹ But the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and His children obey, they will always be right.

It has been said that history turns on small hinges, and so do our lives. Decisions determine destiny. But we are not left unaided in our decisions.

If you want to see the light of heaven, if you want to feel the inspiration of Almighty God, if you want to have that feeling within your bosom that your Heavenly Father is guiding you, then follow the prophets of God. When you follow the prophets, you will be in safe territory.

Teaching from This Message

Not many members of the Church will receive one-on-one counsel from an Apostle, as President Monson did. But we can still be blessed as we follow the teachings of prophets and apostles. Consider reading President Monson’s addresses from the last general conference (remember his opening and closing remarks too). Look for specific directions or calls to action. You could discuss what you learn with those you visit and consider ways to apply President Monson’s counsel.

For ideas on how to teach this message to youth and children, see page 6.

Youth

Counsel for Hard Choices

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, told about a time when he followed prophetic counsel. During one general conference, President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) urged members to get out of debt—specifically mortgage debt.

President Eyring said: “I turned to my wife after the meeting and asked, ‘Do you think there is any way we could do that?’ At first we couldn’t.” But by that evening he thought of a property they had unsuccessfully tried to sell for years. “We trusted God and … His servant’s message, [so] we placed a phone call. … I heard an answer that to this day strengthens my trust in God and His servants.” That same day a man had placed an offer on the Eyrings’ property for an amount just greater than their mortgage. The Eyrings soon became free of debt (see “Trust in God, Then Go and Do,” Liahona, Nov. 2010, 72–73).

You may not have a mortgage to pay, but prophetic counsel can guide you here and now through difficult decisions regarding work, education, a mission, and dating. Discuss with your family or peers about how you can follow the prophet when you have to make decisions.

Children

Find Your Way

We have to make a lot of choices to get back to our Heavenly Father. We can make the best choices when we follow the prophet.

Find your way through the maze. When you come to a decision, look to the prophet’s counsel!

Read the scriptures

Go right

Pray

Go down and then right

Share your testimony

Go right

Help others

“Setting Goals”

cji

1/1/16

Priorities long term

determine the short term

thus obedience to Father

all Commandments follow

thus we must obey Prophets

those from the Scriptures

and those alive in our time

for there is a living Prophet

as the Church restored

Prophets proclaimed this

and thus it has occurred

seek within prayer to know

not of the world to find

but of the Father in heaven

and His Beloved Son sent

to atone for each of us

born into mortal probation

long term goals are thus:

Return to the Father

return to the Son beside him

keep all of the Commandments

follow the Prophets one and all

all of the time – always – forever

the short term goal obedience

leads to the journey eternal!

Copyright © 2015 – cji

"Needing Each Other"

Dear Sisters and Brothers – over the past several days over and over the prompting has been to write the following; Inviting each to come for their meetings – to fellowship others – lifting up especially the newer members. This applies to any Church you choose to belong to but since this is from me – it would be my Ward and Stake more especially. As our world is going Heavenly Father needs all those who are enlisted – and His Son and our Savior has said,  “if you love me Keep My Commandments.”   

(Note – remember you can each choose to delete this at any time!)

There is a Commandment given – 3 Nephi 26: 32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded men … that they should not contend one with another;  … and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish; and also another far more in importance, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” This we are told is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it, namely, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” [Mark 12:30–31.] 

Therefore my goal is to implore with love – that we each need each other!

We’ve some wonderful members of our Ward – who never attend – each with their personal reasons and each with their own choices. One of the three fold purposes of the Church is the ‘perfecting of the Saints’ which means you and I. Yet with so many non-attending for whatever reasons – this is most difficult to do. Yet, we’re to keep all of the Commandments. Thus neither you nor I can accomplish this Commandment by our self!

Yes we’ve many who attend regularly – and some once in a while. As many know I can only attend for the Sacrament due to my immune system – but it doesn’t mean I do not study – try to assist others – or in other ways participate in building up the Kingdom. Our roles change over the years – and we each are to do what we can.

Let me tell you a true story – it happened to my family and myself. When we first joined the Church over 42 years ago – in a very active Ward – it was filled to overflowing each Sabbath Day – and within every two or three months splits would occur. And with reason each Sabbath Day we would attend with high hopes – and invariably each Sabbath I’d find my bride in the Bishop’s office crying because of the mean things others would say about our oldest son. He was only 1 year old but had multiple birth defects – and people had some mean things to say about our exposing him to their children and scaring them. (Understand this was only a very small but vocal few – but even one is enough that it upset our feeling the spirit. We had serious choices to make – and the number one consideration was that we were going to attend Church every Sunday. The reason was the Church was true in spite of the meanness of some. It was difficult at times – but because we went for the right reason – to the right place and at the right time – we indeed could feel the Spirit that others apparently could not.

(Understand this is what happened to us – and most likely we’re in a very small minority.)

This is the same as today – we go not because of the members (which going for the other members is an excellent reason) – but because the Church is true and every Sunday it is the right place to be – at the right time and for the right reason. Yes we try to greet all - and make them feel welcome – we do all we can to try to lift the Spirit of others – and like some flourish others choose not to do so.

We will never let another interfere with our Testimony (which each must have) for it is our responsibility – and this means to have an active Temple Recommend – to be found fully in the service of our Heavenly Father – and to strive to learn and comprehend more and more of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I’ve indicated above – each is responsible for their testimony – yet for those new in the Church it is difficult without the strength of other’s testimonies and lifting up – to grasp this mighty change in their life.

Now each of those reading and receiving this must understand that they are fully responsible for their actions or in-actions.  Heavenly Father uses all of us as an example – a good example of a good example or a good example of a bad example – but all of us will be used – and sometimes the adversary steps in and uses us also.

Please understand this is written in love – we’re in the last days and our tribulations will continue to get more difficult the closer we live to the Commandments of God the Father and His Son. We’ll all experience the trials of Abraham – with no exceptions at some point in our lives.

None of us are perfect – we’ve been commanded to become as The Father and the Son are perfect (which in the Greek means – complete/whole) – and thus like them. Most of us feel this is one of the impossible commandments but none are impossible to attain. However, we need each other – to lift up – to cheer up and to set a good example of a good example.

This is the beginning of a new year – many are making resolutions – maybe one of them for each of us could be to reflect on our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – and where we are in relationship to where we should or could be or would like to be. Nothing is easy which has eternal worth – nothing! However, long ago I learned it is easier to stand up rather than to just lie on the ground and get stomped.

Again nothing will be easy – some will be the same as the last time you encountered them – tuning into the Spirit requires fine tuning – but it is worth it – for each of you and for me and my family. We need to love one another – thus keeping the 1^st Great Commandment to Love the Father and the Son.

Remember we’re the membership of those Churches we’ve chosen to associate with and the attendance of most is barely making us stand up and be counted – each of us must be counted – we’ve to sustain our leaders – and the way we do this is to respect them – as being called by the Son – most are only human – but in order for us to sustain we’ve to live to the covenants we made at Baptism – renewing these covenants each Sabbath Day with the Sacrament – honor is what sustains Heavenly Father and the Son – as it also does our brothers and sisters. May God bless each of you this year – if you need help call (912-464-7922) if you’ve questions ask – I need each of you – as you need each of us – your brother in the Gospel of Jesus Christ amen – chuck ingerson

“Needing Each Other”

cji

12/31/15

Shaking hands of hello

extending smiles of hope

concerned questions

of family members

Visiting Teaching

Home Teaching

needing each other

learning names each

discerning new members

inviting the Spirit within

understanding tribulations

jumping into the refiners fire

accepting Abrahams trial

we need each other

for none can do it alone!

Copyright © 2015 – cji

"Let's Complicate Things"

“Let’s Complicate Things”

cji

12/30/15

First we mix in lots of rhetoric

fast blend some rotten apples

tell some outright lies or fibs

deny any history as it happened

change dates and places

deny the Scriptures as literal

put Heavenly Father in isolation

(close down the heavens/Prophets)

spin up the music louder and louder

encourage drugs and dishonor

jump to racial hating conclusions

let’s just really screw things up

we’ve done it for several generations

however with the new year plan

let’s complicate things up right

unless of course you think better

are unafraid of peer pressures

able to withstand hatred/laughter

understand why you are here

where you came from before

and where you are going after

then seek truth and eternal life

knowing the Scriptures true

literally as translated correctly!

Copyright © 2015 – cji

"What Isn't Understood?"

Understand the whole world is in trouble - as long as another person feels entitled to murder another (which started a long time ago) and breeds contention, hatred and other than what is good as defined by our Heavenly Father and His Son - then what's below is just one aspect of those seeking world dominion - by any means possible. c/ork

http://www.billionbibles.org/sharia/sharia-law.html

According to the Sharia law:

•  Theft is punishable by amputation of the right hand (above).
•  Criticizing or denying any part of the Quran is punishable by death.
•  Criticizing or denying Muhammad is a prophet is punishable by death.
•  Criticizing or denying Allah, the moon god of Islam is punishable by death.
•  A Muslim who becomes a non-Muslim is punishable by death.
•  A non-Muslim who leads a Muslim away from Islam is punishable by death.
•  A non-Muslim man who marries a Muslim woman is punishable by death.
•  A man can marry an infant girl and consummate the marriage when she is 9 years old.
•  Girls' clitoris should be cut (per Muhammad's words in Book 41, Kitab Al-Adab, Hadith 5251).
•  A woman can have 1 husband, but a man can have up to 4 wives; Muhammad can have more.
•  A man can unilaterally divorce his wife but a woman needs her husband's consent to divorce.
•  A man can beat his wife for insubordination.
•  Testimonies of four male witnesses are required to prove rape against a woman.
•  A woman who has been raped cannot testify in court against her rapist(s).
•  A woman's testimony in court, allowed only in property cases, carries half the weight of a man's.
•  A female heir inherits half of what a male heir inherits.
•  A woman cannot drive a car, as it leads to fitnah (upheaval).
•  A woman cannot speak alone to a man who is not her husband or relative.
•  Meat to be eaten must come from animals that have been sacrificed to Allah - i.e., be Halal.
•  Muslims should engage in Taqiyya and lie to non-Muslims to advance Islam.
•  The list goes on.

“What Isn’t Understood?”

cji

12/29/15

We’ve a problem in our nation

it is within and without control

our leaders deny it is a problem

global warming in the problem

those who seek to change freedom

as was the platform of our potus

and the UN to change economics

leading to a one world government

with freedoms – without understanding

beguiling the under-privileged all

slavery under any name is the same

hatred and contention is not of God

(either the Muslim or Christian one)

what isn’t understood is the truth

literally found in the Scriptures

ignored by almost all alive today

and things will get much worse

while most buy their beverages

spend time at the local malls

destroy all moral fibers left

waiting for someone else

to step in and take control

chaos = martial law = slavery!

Copyright © 2015 – cji

"What's Forgotten"

http://constitution.com/a-day-that-should-live-in-infamy-december-26th-government-confiscates-land-guns-mass-executes-dakota-38/

(In the article – it is mentioned that those left alive were moved to Nebraska (one of the locations) – it is not mentioned that Nebraska was barren of trees until the 1880’s.)

Subject: A Day that Should Live in Infamy: December 26th, Government Confiscates Land, Guns, Mass Executes Dakota 38 ⋆ The Constitution

“What’s Forgotten”

cji

12/28/15

Over time much is changed

heroes become legends

while extermination ordered

government corruption

then and now continues

graft, greed, embezzlement

blatant and justice approved

like then as it is now happening

elimination of the few to many

grief of the nation ours/theirs

Black/White/Indian/Japanese

regardless of the location

deadly force or seduction

cribs in the major cities

starvation in the wilderness

the infamy of the government

today – tomorrow - yesterday

continuing and enduring

forgotten in our history

rewritten to justify

what’s forgotten

will never go away

while denied by heroes

trying to destroy

for their personal gains

legends begin to stink

over time much is changed!

Copyright © 2015 – cji