September 30, 2018

"Ministering October 2018 ; “Teach Us Tolerance and Love”



Dear Friends: Given the nature of what we’re seeing today – the hatred – vilification – and utter contempt of the Constitution – this is a very meaningful talk by President Nelson given 14 years ago but timely today even more so. c/ork


“Teach Us Tolerance and Love”


Upcoming this weekend:

October 2018 General Conference

·         OCTOBER 6–7, 2018
Date
October 6–7, 2018
Location
Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah; and via satellite or online streaming https://www.lds.org/church/events/october-2018-general-conference?cid=HP_FR-28-9-2018_dPTH_fCNWSxLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

Dear brothers and sisters, I join my brethren in extending Easter greetings to each of you, while expressing personal gratitude for the atonement of Jesus Christ, for His example, and for His teachings that have motivated my message today.
I have been impressed to speak on the subject of tolerance—a virtue much needed in our turbulent world. But in discussing this topic, we must recognize at the outset that there is a difference between tolerance and tolerate. Your gracious tolerance for an individual does not grant him or her license to do wrong, nor does your tolerance obligate you to tolerate his or her misdeed. That distinction is fundamental to an understanding of this vital virtue.
I attended a “laboratory of tolerance” some months ago when I had the privilege of participating in the Parliament of the World’s Religions. There I conversed with good men and women representing many religious groups. Again I sensed the advantages of ethnic and cultural diversity and reflected once more on the importance of religious freedom and tolerance.
I marvel at the inspiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith when he penned the eleventh article of faith: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” [A of F 1:11]
That noble expression of religious tolerance is particularly poignant in light of the Prophet’s personal persecution. On one occasion he wrote, “I am at this time persecuted the worst of any man on the earth, as well as this people, … all our sacred rights are trampled under the feet of the mob.”1
Joseph Smith endured incessant persecution and finally heartless martyrdom—at the hands of the intolerant. His brutal fate stands as a stark reminder that we must never be guilty of any sin sown by the seed of intolerance.
Two Great Commandments to Love
Revealed to that revered prophet was the fulness of the gospel. He was tutored by the resurrected Christ, whom Joseph adored. He taught doctrines declared by the Lord, including these He gave in response to the question of an exacting lawyer:
“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 neighbor as thyself.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”2
Hence, our highest priorities in life are to love God and to love our neighbors. That broadly includes neighbors in our own family, our community, our nation, and our world. Obedience to the second commandment facilitates obedience to the first commandment. “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”3
Parental Love
That concept is easy for mothers and fathers to understand. Parental love includes gratitude for service extended to any of their children, especially in their time of need.
I was amused recently when one of our grown children confided that she had always thought that she was her daddy’s favorite daughter. She was surprised to discover later that each of her eight sisters harbored that same feeling. Only when they had become mothers themselves did they realize that parents hardly have favorites. (Incidentally, our only son never had to wonder who was our favorite son.)
Our Father in Heaven loves all of His children, too. Peter taught that “God is no respecter of persons:
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”4
Yet His children can be so intolerant with one another. Neighboring factions, whether they be identified as groups or gangs, schools or states, counties or countries, often develop animosity. Such tendencies make me wonder: Cannot boundary lines exist without becoming battle lines? Could not people unite in waging war against the evils that beset mankind instead of waging war on each other? Sadly, answers to these questions are often no. Through the years, discrimination based on ethnic or religious identity has led to senseless slaughter, vicious pogroms, and countless acts of cruelty. The face of history is pocked by the ugly scars of intolerance.
How different our world would be if all parents would apply this inspired instruction from the Book of Mormon: “Ye will not suffer your children … that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another. …
“But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.”5
If such training occurred, children and parents around this globe would join in singing, “Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving; Teach us tolerance and love.”6 Men and women would respect their neighbors and the beliefs held sacred by them. No longer would ethnic jokes and cultural slurs be acceptable. The tongue of the tolerant speaks no guile.
Independence and Cooperation
While we strive for the virtue of tolerance, other commendable qualities need not be lost. Tolerance does not require the surrender of noble purpose or of individual identity. The Lord gave instruction to leaders of His restored church to establish and maintain institutional integrity—“that the church may stand independent.”7
Meanwhile, its members are encouraged to join with like-minded citizens in doing good.8 We are grateful for the many examples of heroic service rendered in times of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or other disasters. Such cooperative efforts to help neighbors in distress transcend any barriers posed by religion, race, or culture. Those good deeds are latter-day love in action!
Humanitarian relief rendered by members of this church is extensive, multinational, and generally unpublicized. Even so, there are doubtless many who wonder why we don’t do more to assist the innumerable worthy causes to which our hearts respond.
Of course we are concerned with the need for ambulances in the valley below. But at the same time, we cannot ignore the greater need for protective guardrails on the cliffs above. Limited resources needed for the accomplishment of the higher work cannot be depleted in rescue efforts that provide only temporary relief.
The biblical prophet Nehemiah must have felt that same commitment to his important calling. When he was asked to divert attention away from his primary purpose, he replied: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”9
Fortunately, we in the Church rarely have to make such a decision. We consider love of neighbor an integral part of our mission. And while we serve one another, we continue to build a spiritual house of refuge on the cliffs above. Such a sanctuary becomes a blessing for all mankind. We are but the builders; the architect is almighty God.
Missionary Responsibilities
Latter-day Saints throughout the world work side by side with others—regardless of race, color, or creed—hoping to be good examples worthy of emulation. The Savior said: “I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, … prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.
“And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.”10
This we are to do with tolerance. While in Moscow in June 1991, in that spirit of preparation and with sincere respect for leaders of other religious denominations, Elder Dallin H. Oaks and I had the privilege of meeting with the presiding official of the Russian Orthodox Church. We were accompanied by Elder Hans B. Ringger and the mission president, Gary L. Browning. Patriarch Aleksei was most gracious in sharing a memorable hour with us. We perceived the great difficulties endured for so many years by this kind man and his fellow believers. We thanked him for his perseverance and for his faith. Then we assured him of our good intentions and of the importance of the message that missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be teaching among his countrymen. We affirmed that ours is a global church and that we honor and obey the laws of each land in which we labor.11
To those with an interest in the fulness of the restored gospel—regardless of nationality or religious background—we say as did Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Keep all the truth and all the good that you have. Do not abandon any sound or proper principle. Do not forsake any standard of the past which is good, righteous, and true. Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe. But we also say this to all men—Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day. The more truth we have, the greater is our joy here and now; the more truth we receive, the greater is our reward in eternity. This is our invitation to men [and women] of good will everywhere.”12
Each of you with a testimony of the truth of the restored gospel has opportunity to share that precious gift. The Lord expects you to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness.”13
Baptism Transcends Background
On every continent and across isles of the sea, the faithful are being gathered into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Differences in cultural background, language, gender, and facial features fade into insignificance as members lose themselves in service to their beloved Savior. Paul’s declaration is being fulfilled: “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”14
Only the comprehension of the true Fatherhood of God can bring full appreciation of the true brotherhood of man. That understanding inspires desire to build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation.
Our Creator decreed “that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”15
Intolerance seeds contention; tolerance supersedes contention. Tolerance is the key that opens the door to mutual understanding and love.
Risks of Boundless Tolerance
Now may I offer an important note of caution. An erroneous assumption could be made that if a little of something is good, a lot must be better. Not so! Overdoses of needed medication can be toxic. Boundless mercy could oppose justice. So tolerance, without limit, could lead to spineless permissiveness.
The Lord drew boundary lines to define acceptable limits of tolerance. Danger rises when those divine limits are disobeyed. Just as parents teach little children not to run and play in the street, the Savior taught us that we need not tolerate evil. “Jesus went into the temple of God, and … and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers.”16 Though He loved the sinner, the Lord said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.”17 His Apostle Paul specified some of those sins in a letter to the Galatians. The list included “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, … wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.”18
To Paul’s list I might add the regrettable attitudes of bigotry, hypocrisy, and prejudice. These were also decried in 1834 by early Church leaders who foresaw the eventual rise of this church “amid the frowns of bigots and the calumny of hypocrites.”19 The Prophet Joseph Smith prayed that “prejudices may give way before the truth.”20 Hatred stirs up strife21 and digs beneath the dignity of mature men and women in our enlightened era.
Paul’s list included “uncleanness.” As members of the Church entrusted with its holy temples, we are commanded that “no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into [His] house to pollute it.”22
That assignment requires great fortitude as well as love. In former days, disciples of the Lord “were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin.”23 In latter days, devoted disciples of the Lord are just as firm. Real love for the sinner may compel courageous confrontation—not acquiescence! Real love does not support self-destructing behavior.
Tolerance and Mutual Respect
Our commitment to the Savior causes us to scorn sin yet heed His commandment to love our neighbors. Together we live on this earth, which is to be tended, subdued, and shared with gratitude.24 Each of us can help to make life in this world a more pleasant experience. Not long ago the First Presidency and the Twelve issued a public statement from which I quote: “It is morally wrong for any person or group to deny anyone his or her inalienable dignity on the tragic and abhorrent theory of racial or cultural superiority.
“We call upon all people everywhere to recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect. We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.”25
That pronouncement is a contemporary confirmation of the Prophet Joseph’s earlier entreaty for tolerance. Unitedly we may respond. Together we may stand, intolerant of transgression but tolerant of neighbors with differences they hold sacred. Our beloved brothers and sisters throughout the world are all children of God. He is our Father. His Son, Jesus, is the Christ. His church has been restored to the earth in these latter days to bless all of God’s children. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

“To Be Understanding”

cji
10/1/18

Understanding = tolerance
if one is blinded found
failing to understand
a failure to see clearly
feel the hurt in your being
listening to sickening world
chaotically confusing all
contention the rule of law
without understanding
one cannot be tolerant
therefore not in tune
failing to lift others up
being blinded unseeing
tolerance = understanding!

Copyright © 2018 – cji


September 29, 2018

"In His Image"



“In His Image”

cji
9/30/18

Each Sabbath Day
each night in prayer
each morning in prayer
we’ve time to commune
face to face/ear to ear
with the Father & Son
communications divine
via the Sacrament
via personal prayer
for we’re in His image
indeed in Their image
private communications
do we partake always
understanding it all
each time we pray
each Sabbath Day!

Copyright © 2018 – cji

September 28, 2018

"Now and Then a Feather"



“Now and Then a Feather”

cji
9/29/18

Now and then a feather
something clean/pure
innocent to the feelings
seemingly no logic
just common sense
telling the truthfulness
each in our own lives
now and then a feather!


Copyright © 2018 – cji


"Created a Spider"



“Created a Spider”

cji
9/29/18

Somehow sleeping
caught off guard
assignments being given
thus created a spider;

Now I’m not weeping
my feelings not hard
building webs driven
my life as a spider;

Not even big scary
not even very hairy
just an average size
limited my life’s prize;

Actually a friend
annoying bugs to end
amazing to photograph
within myself to laugh!

Copyright © 2018 – cji



September 27, 2018

"Created a Caterpillar"



“Created a Caterpillar”

cji
9/28/18

I’ve a happy sad story
was created a caterpillar
but it wasn’t too last
a lot of work to do
building a womb/tomb
all dark inside to wait
thinking I was maybe dead
till a bit of light showed
now I was different
stretching and pushing
till what! I was in light
no longer furry with legs
at least not as many
now multi-color wings
leaving the ground below
created a butterfly
how could this be
like an awaking
happiness all over
this my happy/sad story!

Copyright © 2018 – cji


September 26, 2018

"Freedom at Stake"



“Freedom at Stake”

cji
9/27/18

Who do you believe
does it matter much
truth or lies to touch
innocent or to deceive;

Freedom at stake
our nation bleeding
satan now succeeding
his markers to rake;

Our nation on God’s law
worldliness to claim
innocence to blame
hearing evil’s call!

Copyright © 2018 – cji



September 25, 2018

"Created a Rabbit"



“Created a Rabbit”

cji
9/26/18

Hip pity hop (not really)
as a rabbit I’ve tasks
helping care for the run
providing food so needed
sometimes entertaining
(we like little children)
we’re found in jokes
always the danger above
hawks, eagles, others
and on the ground snakes
osprey leave us alone
but created a rabbit
much to do always
even in survival!


Copyright © 2018 – cji

September 24, 2018

"Created a Flower"



“Created a Flower”

cji
9/25/18

Created a flower
putting forth sweetness
odor of pleasant smell
flying insect to succor
butterflies–humming birds
bumblebees-spiders
created a flower
tasks to do always
fulfilling my missions
doing Father’s will!

Copyright © 2018 – cji

September 23, 2018

"As a Child"



“As a Child”

cji
9/24/18

Thinking, playing, laughter
into tiny corners of love
finding memories a new
storing them for later
getting kisses and hugs
puppies do that you know
as a child believing truth
sheltered by Father
into the space of time
laughter, playing, thinking!

Copyright © 2018 – cji

"Ministering - RS/Priesthood Opportunities"



Dear friends and members of the Kingsland Ward and around the world:

When I first became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I was called as Junior Companion to Paul Toner to Home Teach the Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This was a great experience – sort’ve starting at the top. Soon after when I became an Elder and had my first Temple Recommend interview with my Bishop Dallin H. Dallon – he charged me to be a 100% Home Teacher to retain my recommend. As expected I said ‘yes!’

Somehow the Elder’s Quorum President learned of this and I was assigned 19 inactive families some who nobody knew where they lived or who they were. Eventually I learned as much as I could at least their addresses and phone numbers. My companion couldn’t believe we were going to visit each of their homes. So we prayed and had a plan. We wrote letters to each of the families introducing ourselves and that we would be calling for an appointment. Knowing this would give them a reason to refuse our visits we added a short note to each letter. We asked the question “would you steal from our families?” Hoping your answer would be a ‘no’ then I’ve been directed to be a 100% home teacher in order to retain my Temple Recommend. We’d just like to meet you – say ‘hi’ and see if there’s anything you need or we can assist your family. When we called for appointments each agreed (mostly reluctantly) but we set up appointments. By the end of the first month we visited all 19 families. During the second month we found out three of the families moved out of our Ward. However, we saw the remaining 16. The circumstances were dire – smoking, drinking, some profanity (not much) and we started to make friends. Apparently some called the Church and asked for us to be removed as their home teachers! Eventually we were down to 7 or 8 families and by the end of the year most of these had been reassigned. (Note: during this year I lost 2 companions who couldn’t take the situations we encountered.) At this our oldest son was about 3 years old and he started to go with me. And for the next 30 years both of our sons were my companions.

Why tell you this – because we need to be creative in how we minister to our brothers and sisters in the Church. We need to understand the Lord asks nothing of us which we cannot accomplish. (Note: 1 Nephi 3:And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.) However, I’ve learned over our 45 years in the Church that Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching causes a great reluctance and even inactivity for many in the Church. Why is this the case? Over those 45 years as my beginning experience I’ve had a very high number of inactive members assigned to be home taught as my wife with the Sisters to be visited. We’ve had home teachers who wouldn’t call us or come to visit us. We solved this by showing up at their homes to be home taught – smile – it worked. Therefore I believe I can say that between Joyce and I we’ve seen or communicated with every family assigned to be home taught or visited – and in turn we’ve been Home Taught and Visited. Sometimes these visits to us have been under very interesting circumstances. We’ve a record of every one of our Home Teachers and every family assigned to us. When I was recovering from my various heart surgeries – we would have families we home taught show up to our home knowing how important these visits were to them and us (many being inactive families).

Everyone needs someone – in the Church it is even more important especially if you’re inactive. Love is contagious – and can be felt. If you’re one of those who either inactive or have been offended remember we joined the Church because we had a testimony from the Holy Ghost that it was true. To those of my friends who get this and are not members that’s okay – you still let me reach out to you to share a friendship relationship and many have promised to feed the Missionaries if they call at your door. You see eternal life means to have eternal friends and to have eternal friends you’ve to make them in mortality and you are them!

The remainder of this message comes from President Russell M. Nelson – the living Prophet of God on this earth in these latter-days.

President Russell M. Nelson April 2018 General Conference:
Now, may I voice a concern? It is this: Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority. They act as though they would rather satisfy their own selfish desires and appetites than use the power of God to bless His children.
I fear that too many of our brothers and sisters do not grasp the privileges that could be theirs.3 Some of our brethren, for example, act like they do not understand what the priesthood is and what it enables them to do. Let me give you some specific examples.
Not long ago, I attended a sacrament meeting in which a new baby was to be given a name and a father’s blessing. The young father held his precious infant in his arms, gave her a name, and then offered a beautiful prayer. But he did not give that child a blessing. That sweet baby girl got a name but no blessing! That dear elder did not know the difference between a prayer and a priesthood blessing. With his priesthood authority and power, he could have blessed his infant, but he did not. I thought, “What a missed opportunity!”
Let me cite some other examples. We know of brethren who set sisters apart as Primary, Young Women, or Relief Society leaders and teachers but fail to bless them—to bless them with the power to fulfill their callings. They give only admonitions and instructions. We see a worthy father who fails to give his wife and his children priesthood blessings when that is exactly what they need. Priesthood power has been restored to this earth, and yet far too many brothers and sisters go through terrible trials in life without ever receiving a true priesthood blessing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy that we can eliminate.
Brethren, we hold the holy priesthood of God! We have His authority to bless His people. Just think of the remarkable assurance the Lord gave us when He said, “Whomsoever you bless I will bless.”4 It is our privilege to act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless God’s children according to His will for them. Stake presidents and bishops, please ensure that every member of the quorums within your stewardship understands how to give a priesthood blessing—including the personal worthiness and spiritual preparation required to call fully upon the power of God.5
To all brethren holding the priesthood, I invite you to inspire members to keep their covenants, fast and pray, study the scriptures, worship in the temple, and serve with faith as men and women of God. We can help all to see with the eye of faith that obedience and righteousness will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and experience joy in life!
A hallmark of the Lord’s true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families.6 Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did.7 We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness.
An experience I had more than 60 years ago in Boston taught me just how powerful the privilege of ministering one-on-one can be. I was then a resident surgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital—on duty every day, every other night, and every other weekend. I had limited time for my wife, our four children, and Church activity. Nonetheless, our branch president assigned me to visit the home of Wilbur and Leonora Cox with the hope that Brother Cox might come back into activity in the Church. He and Leonora had been sealed in the temple.8 Yet Wilbur had not participated for many years.
My companion and I went to their home. As we entered, Sister Cox welcomed us warmly,9 but Brother Cox abruptly walked into another room and closed the door.
I went to the closed door and knocked. After a moment, I heard a muffled “Come in.” I opened the door to find Brother Cox sitting beside an array of amateur radio equipment. In that small room, he lit up a cigar. Clearly, my visit was not all that welcome.
I gazed about the room with wonderment and said, “Brother Cox, I have always wanted to learn more about amateur radio work. Would you be willing to teach me about it? I’m sorry I can’t stay any longer tonight, but could I come back another time?”
He hesitated for a moment and then said yes. That was the beginning of what became a wonderful friendship. I returned and he taught me. I began to love and respect him. Through our subsequent visits, the greatness of this man emerged. We became very good friends, as did our dear eternal companions. Then, with the passage of time, our family moved away. Local leaders continued to nurture the Cox family.10
About eight years after that first visit, the Boston Stake was created.11 Can you guess who its first stake president was? Yes! Brother Cox! During subsequent years, he also served as a mission president and a temple president.
Years later, I, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was assigned to create a new stake in Sanpete County, Utah. During the usual interviews, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter again my dear friend Brother Cox! I felt impressed to call him as the new stake patriarch. After I ordained him, we embraced each other and wept. People in the room were wondering why these two grown men were crying. But we knew. And Sister Cox knew. Ours were tears of joy! We silently remembered the incredible journey of love and repentance that began more than 30 years ago, one night in their home.
The account doesn’t end there. Brother and Sister Cox’s family grew to include 3 children, 20 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren. Add to that their impact on hundreds of missionaries, on thousands more in the temple, and on hundreds more who received patriarchal blessings at the hands of Wilbur Cox. His and Leonora’s influence will continue to ripple through many generations throughout the world.
Experiences such as this with Wilbur and Leonora Cox occur every week—hopefully, every day—within this Church. Dedicated servants of the Lord Jesus Christ carry out His work, with His power and authority.
Brethren, there are doors we can open, priesthood blessings we can give, hearts we can heal, burdens we can lift, testimonies we can strengthen, lives we can save, and joy we can bring into the homes of the Latter-day Saints—all because we hold the priesthood of God. We are the men who have been “called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of [our] exceeding faith,” to do this work.12  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/ministering-with-the-power-and-authority-of-god?lang=eng 
The experience which President Nelson shares is one which many of us can share with the families we’ve met over the years. Hopefully if you’re inactive or struggling you’ll reach out – if you don’t know who to reach to – there’s our Bishopric – RS Presidency – or you could reach to Joyce or I.

“Into Darkness’s Light”

cji
9/23/18

Assigned to call on you
warned of darkness
knowing there’s light
you’ve a new infant
needing a blessing
asking someone to do
in turn being asked
‘why not you?’
after time and caring
understanding Priesthood
you accepted responsibility
into darkness’s light view
finding love and friendship
Father’s call to you!

Copyright © 2018 – cji