March 31, 2016

"Visiting Teaching Message April 2016"


Visiting Teaching Message: Daughters of Our Eternal Father
Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” increase your faith in God and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

The scriptures teach us that “we are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29). God referred to Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as “my daughter” (D&C 25:1). The family proclamation teaches us that we are each “a beloved spirit … daughter of heavenly parents.”1 “In [the premortal] realm, we learned about our eternal female identity,” said Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.
“Our mortal journey to earth did not change those truths.”2
“Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations.”3
“We each belong to and are needed in the family of God,” said Sister Stephens. “Earthly families all look different. And while we do the best we can to create strong traditional families, membership in the family of God is not contingent upon any kind of status—marital status, parental status, financial status, social status, or even the kind of status we post on social media.”4


“We Are Blessed”

cji
4/1/16

Knowing we’re Father’s children
His offspring come to earth
mortal probation to mature
indeed this a  royal linage
sacred and ever special
part of an eternal family
accepted and acknowledged
we are blessed to be so!

Copyright © 2016 – cji



"Home Teaching Message April 2016"


“Knowing We Can Know”

cji
4/1/16

Awakening every morning
knowing we can know
there are no mysteries
all righteous can know
wither the Scriptures mean
each item able to clarify
nothing hidden from such
being obedient in all things
then asking of the Father
via the Son in purity
(see James 1:5-6)
knowing we can know!

Copyright © 2016 – cji


Home Teaching Message: Prophecy and Personal Revelation


First Counselor in the First Presidency

The true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and is on the earth today. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always been led by living prophets and apostles, who receive constant guidance from heaven.
That divine pattern was also true anciently. We learn in the Bible: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
God has again spoken in our time, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. He revealed through the Prophet Joseph the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. He restored His holy priesthood with its keys and all the rights, powers, and functions of the sacred power of the priesthood.
In our day, living prophets and apostles are authorized to speak, teach, and direct with authority from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior said to 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).
In general conference twice a year, we are blessed with the opportunity to hear the word of the Lord for us from His servants. That is a privilege beyond price. But the value of that opportunity depends on whether we receive the words under the influence of the same Spirit by which they were given to those servants (see D&C 50:19–22). Just as they receive guidance from heaven, so must we. And that requires of us the same spiritual effort.
“Do Your Homework”
Years ago one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asked me to read a conference talk he was preparing for general conference. I was a junior member of the quorum. I was honored by his confidence that I might help him find the words the Lord would have him speak. He said to me with a smile, “Oh, this is the 22nd draft of the talk.”
I remembered the counsel a loving and kind President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) had given me earlier with great emphasis: “Hal, if you want to get revelation, do your homework.”
I read, pondered, and prayed over that 22nd draft. I studied as best I could under the influence of the Holy Ghost. By the time that quorum member gave his talk, I had done my homework. I am not sure I helped, but I know that I was changed when I heard the talk given. Messages came to me far beyond the words that I had read and that he spoke. The words had greater meaning than the ones I had read in the draft. And the message seemed to be meant for me, fitted to my needs.
The servants of God fast and pray to receive the message He has for them to give to those who need revelation and inspiration. What I learned from that experience, and many others like it, is that to gain the great benefits available from hearing living prophets and apostles, we must pay the price ourselves of receiving revelation.
The Lord loves every person who might hear His message, and He knows the hearts and circumstances of each one. He knows what correction, what encouragement, and what gospel truth will best help each person to choose his or her way along the path to eternal life.
We who listen to and watch the messages of general conference sometimes think afterward, “What do I remember best?” The Lord’s hope for each of us is that our answer will be: “I will never forget the moments when I felt the voice of the Spirit in my mind and heart telling me what I could do to please my Heavenly Father and the Savior.”
We can receive that personal revelation when we hear prophets and apostles and as we work in faith to receive it, just as President Lee said we could. I know that is true from experience and by the witness of the Spirit.
Teaching from this message
Consider reading aloud President Eyring’s story about studying the draft of his quorum member’s conference talk. You might ask, “What is the price of receiving revelation?” After your discussion, you could invite those you visit to ponder and implement a plan to receive the upcoming general conference messages “under the influence of the same Spirit by which they were given to [God’s] servants.”
Heavenly Father Spoke to Me through a Conference Talk
By Anne Laleska Alves de Souza
The author lives in Sergipe, Brazil.
I was having doubts about what I should study at the university. Most people spoke badly about the course that I wanted to take, so I prayed to the Lord to see if He agreed with my decision.



March 30, 2016

"Playfulness 2" (Epilogue)



(Epilogue:

“Playfulness 2”

cji

3/31/16

Sleepy time coming on

my day fully used up

energy cells expended

knowing daddy will carry

gram-ma watching

playfulness near full

a bath and cereal

rubbed warm after

laid to sleep in love

ever being the child

knowing I’m loved!)

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji


(3) "Flying Ever High"



(3)

“Flying Ever High”

cji

3/31/16

Both feet off the ground

moving so fast and sure

recklessly some thinking

back and forth all about

flying ever high – higher

laughter and giggling

carrying on as a child

both feet off the ground!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji


(2) "Feet Wet"




(2)

“Feet Wet”

cji

3/31/16

Water’s cold that’s okay

in and out quickly going

darting here and there

all around loving ones

seeing nothing but free

feet wet – knees are too

darting in and out

all around my loving ones!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji

(1) "A Child Free"



(1)

“A Child Free”

cji

3/31/16

Unrestrained by the rules

politically correctness not

clothes are always optional

laughter without restraints

catch me if you can today

battery running full-charge

into the zone of pure love

a child free known today!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji

"Playfulness" (Prologue)



“Playfulness”

 

cji

3/31/16

 

(Prologue:

Wherein as a child free

wind in the hair feet wet

excitement beyond belief

water’s cold but so what

playfulness is within

exuberance without

caring not who sees

while flying ever high!)

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji


March 29, 2016

"Parades of Nature"



“Parades of Nature”

 

cji

3/30/16

 

Reaching into the coloring book

finding just the correct matches

bringing forth parades of nature

first in flowers and forests seen

then in the heavens sun rises

ending days in the awe of sunsets

then to find the animals all

the fish of the seas so deep

most of the wonder in fowls

magnificently flying over head

parades of nature ever pure!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji

 


"Diving High"



“Diving High”

 

cji

3/29/16

 

Circling overhead watching intent

wind lifting wings to discern movement

ocean waves cascading on the shore

the surf mixed and in awful turmoil

seeking their meals from on high

zeroing in on the prey seen

diving high into the surf below

speed direction engulfing all

watching intently from overhead!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji


"Distant Beauty"

Sorry been on back up computer - c/ork



“Distant Beauty”

 

cji

3/29/16

 

Rising in the morning

setting in the evening

distant beauty so viewed

embracing senses of awe

caressing the skyline

day coming or going

night leaving or beginning

distant beauty to capture

reminding and remembering!

 

Copyright © 2015 – cji

 

March 27, 2016

"Utter Confusion"


“Utter Confusion”

cji
3/28/16

From the beginning of time
an adversary has been working
overtime–triple time–all the time
never resting he cannot sleep
his minions the same as he
utter confusion spreading
twisting ever little bit of truth
bending and tying in knots
into the politics of every one
nations, tribes, cultures
none of us are to be immune
everyone will be attacked
how we endure will be marked
overtime–triple time–all the time
the adversary always working
till the end of all time!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

March 26, 2016

"Reality of it All"


“Reality of it All”

cji
3/27/16

This isn’t once upon a time
this is the reality of it all
the Son of God came to earth
he gave his life for each of us
but he did so much more for us
he lived and died to save us
each of us – everyone – all
all of the life on this earth
he suffered our sin/mistakes
he suffered that we might live
not just on this earth today
but to have eternal life
to be with him and Father
with our families eternally
with physical bodies flesh/bone
as he did when he arose
perfected as was our Father
this is the reality of it all
our Lord and Savior
Jesus the Christ
gave his all for us all
today, tomorrow, forever
only if we repent fully
read the Holy Bible
literally we believe
literally we’re obedient
yet the reality of it all
most will not listen
most will pay another
our Savior is alive
He’s with his Father
He wants us there
the reality of it all
is that most don’t believe
except what they want
justifying a little sin
paying to be taught
greek philosophy mixed
denying He’s alive
there are no more miracles
there is no more revelations
there are no Prophets
there is no one Church
the reality of it all
is it is all true today
the Savior is alive
he still works as he did
through his Prophets
one’s he has called
the reality of it all
the Son of God came to earth
he gave his life for all of us
and he was resurrected
he lives and I know he lives
as each of us to can live
when we’re obedient
to all of his Commandments
believing literally his word(s)
is the reality of it all!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

(consider this the Sabbath
Day - what do you believe?)


March 25, 2016

"Being Tired 2" (Epilogue)


“Being Tired 2”
cji
3/26/16

(Epilogue:
Carrying my dreams to day
knowing night has past by
wondering if rested or not
being tired but just not too
sinking into the daily mode
doing what must be done
wondering what tonight to be
what from the past to find
hoping there’s little to remind!)





Copyright © 2016 – cji