February 28, 2015

“Undecided Yet”

cji

3/1/15

Who to follow and when

undecided in one’s mind

is this the Sabbath Day

time for the big game

or time to go to Church

time to go to a movie

or time to rest at home

time to go fishing true

or time with family alone

it is the Sabbath Day

forgotten but in show

an hour maybe worship

the rest of the day play

undecided yet so often

who to follow and when!

Visiting Teaching Message 1 March 2015

VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE The Attributes of Jesus Christ: Long-suffering and Patient

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring attributes of the Savior.

Patience is often thought of as a quiet, passive trait, but as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something … even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”

In our premortal life, our Heavenly Father prepared a plan for us—His spirit children—and we shouted for joy at the opportunity to come to earth (see Job 38:7). As we choose to align our will with His during our earthly life, He “will make an instrument of [us] in [His] hands unto the salvation of many souls” (Alma 17:11).

President Uchtdorf continued, “Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means being ‘willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father’ [Mosiah 3:19]. Ultimately, patience means being ‘firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord’ [1 Nephi 2:10] every hour of every day, even when it is hard to do so.”¹

Additional Scriptures

Psalm 40:1; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Peter 1:6; Alma 17:11

From the Scriptures

The scriptures tell us that in our earthly life, we should “be patient in afflictions, for [we shall] have many.” God then gives us this comforting promise, “Endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days” (D&C 24:8).

The following Bible story is an example of patience and faith.

“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years … touched the border of [Christ’s] garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched [stopped].

“And Jesus said, … Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

“And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” (Luke 8:43–48).

Like her, we can find blessings and comfort, and even healing, as we reach out to Jesus Christ—whose Atonement can heal us.

Consider This

From the account in Luke 8, how was this woman’s years of patience and then her faith in Jesus Christrewarded?

“In-between Tears”

cji

3/1/15

Doing all am able to do

expecting to reach deeper

into a well of understanding

striving to be like Jesus

unable to be so perfect

thus tears flowing freely

putting all I’ve on the line

each and every time

called by the whisperings

promptings of what to do

in-between tears smiles

knowing my Savior’s love

longsuffering and patient

with one such as me!

Home Teaching Message 1 March 2015 "Encircled in His Gentle Arms"

“Encircled in His Gentle Arms”

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Like many others, I have often been inspired by beautiful works of art and music. One such occasion was when I stood before a masterful painting created by the Danish artist Frans Schwartz titled The Agony in the Garden.¹

This achingly beautiful painting depicts the Savior kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He prays, an angel stands next to Him, enfolding Him in gentle arms, offering comfort, heavenly succor, and support.

The longer I contemplate this painting, the more my heart and mind swell with inexpressible feelings of tenderness and gratitude. I can sense, in small part, what it must have been like to be present as the Savior began His great culminating work of mortality by taking upon Himself the sins of the world. I marvel at the infinite love and compassion the Father has for His children. I am overwhelmed with profound gratitude for what the sinless Son did for all mankind and for me.

The Sacrifice of the Son of God

Each year at this time we commemorate and ponder the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all mankind.

What the Savior did from Gethsemane to Golgotha on our behalf is beyond my ability to grasp. He took upon Himself the burden of our sins and paid an eternal and binding ransom not only for Adam’s original transgression but also for the sins and transgressions of the billions upon billions of souls who have ever lived. This eternal, sacred sacrifice caused “even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit” (D&C 19:18).

He suffered for me.

He suffered for you.

My soul overflows with gratitude when I contemplate the precious meaning of this sacrifice. It humbles me to know that all who accept this gift and incline their hearts to Him can be forgiven and cleansed of their sins, no matter how dark their blemish or how oppressive their burden.

We can be made spotless and pure once again. We can be redeemed by the eternal sacrifice of our beloved Savior.

Who Will Comfort Us?

Though none of us will ever have to experience the depth of what our Lord suffered, we each will have our own dark and bitter hours—times when our sorrow and grief may appear to be greater than we can bear. There will be times when the weight and remorse of our sins will press mercilessly upon us.

Even so, if we will lift our hearts to the Lord during those times, surely He will know and understand. He who suffered so selflessly for us in the garden and on the cross will not leave us comfortless now. He will strengthen, encourage, and bless us. He will encircle us in His gentle arms.

He will be more than an angel to us.

He will bring us blessed comfort, healing, hope, and forgiveness.

For He is our Redeemer.

Our Deliverer.

Our merciful Savior and our blessed God.

Teaching from this Message

Before you teach, seek the Spirit’s guidance to help you understand the specific needs of those you teach. As you share excerpts from President Uchtdorf’s message, bear testimony of the Savior and of His redeeming sacrifice. Consider asking those you teach what His Atonement means to them and how they have felt the Lord’s comfort during their “dark and bitter hours.”

Youth

Victory through Jesus Christ

I had a problem with overeating. My repeated bouts of gorging resulted in a harrowing mass of guilt, frustration, and disappointment. I felt so weak when I tried to overcome my problem.

For a long time I neglected the fact that the Savior’s Atonement not only saves us but also redeems us and perfects us, and that this even applies to my obviously imperfect habit of overeating.

I decided to give myself to my Savior. I prayed. I sincerely admitted my weakness and my need for grace, and then I asked Heavenly Father to bless me with His divine assistance in the upcoming day. That night I felt the assurance of a loving Father that He had the immeasurable desire to help His son and the unquestionable power to fulfill His will.

Since that night, food no longer has the same overwhelming influence over me. I know Jesus Christ is the reason for my success. Just like Paul, I am learning that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). And I’m trying to never forget another lesson from Paul: “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Children

The Savior Will Comfort You

Ask a family member or a friend about a time when he or she felt comforted by the Savior. Try to think of a time when the Savior comforted you. You could draw a picture of the experience and hang it by your bed to remind you that Jesus Christ will always be there to comfort you.

“Overwhelmed”

cji

3/1/15

Encompassed by perfect love

even though I’m so imperfect

feeling the eternal warmth given

knowing truly I’m a child of God;

Seeking always to share love

being in Father’s service here

overwhelmed by awesomeness

at times to comfort another;

Tears flowing freely most times

knowing such comfort I’m given

through trials and tribulations

knowing truly I’m a child of God!

February 27, 2015

"Sounds Like a Plan"

http://freedomoutpost.com/2015/02/veterans-place-corrupt-county-board-under-citizens-arrest-they-laugh-until-the-sheriff-shows-up/

“Sounds Like a Plan”

cji

2/28/15

Wondering what to do

how to be more involved

starting at the grass roots

working towards the top

bringing to accountability

sounds like a plan to act

understanding the laws

violating none to be sure

awakening the nation

now to be more involved

knowing what to do!

February 26, 2015

“Maybe”

cji

2/27/15

Maybe it’s all a mistake

freak accident of chance

out of nothing something

infinitesimal statistical odds

throwing a deck of cards

from the top of cliff

having all 52 end in order

from an open loose deck

maybe it’s all a mistake

such faith an unbeliever

exhaust human thought

this freak chance

something from nothing!

"Floundering"

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng#listen=audio

Alma 6:38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

(It is highly recommended to read/listen to this whole chapter – about 151/2 minutes.)

“Floundering”

cji

2/27/15

As if history repeating

changing titles-names

creating the illusions

when the Savior lived

upon this earth long ago

same messages taught

‘no revelations’ ‘imposter’

most believed Pharisees

most believed Sadducees

most believed philosophers

most believed scholars

very few believed their eyes

very few believed Prophets

very few believed Apostles

very few believed Christ

same then as it is today

priests, teachers, rabbis

ministers, clergy, clerics

media, follywood, others

just different names/titles

while once were Prophets

today there is a Prophet

while once revelations

today are revelations

while once miracles

today there are miracles

once the truth to obey

today the truth to obey

once the Father and Son

today the Father and Son

sadly most the worldly

even proclaiming loving

reject the messengers

taught there are none

therefore missing them

as once then long ago

same today being taught

believe some – pay pelf

believe not literally

thus only the few do

ridiculed and ignored

when giving the warning

called a zealot-radical

honest in all their ways

deluded as to the truth

a nation – a world all

left floundering adrift

partial truths only

a bare mast’ed ship

without rudder wetted

turning 360’s daily

pushed here and there

comfortable in illusions

same when He lived

same today as we live!

February 25, 2015

“Feet on the Ground”

cji

2/26/15

Running hard and fast

quick to respond often

feet on the ground

heart beating faster

resting only when able

into the fray brutally

hating war instinctively

knowing but to win only

feet on the ground

enduring and assuring

freedom is the goal

tyranny to defeat

even if at our door

even if at our door!

February 24, 2015

“Why So Difficult”

cji

2/25/15

Pondering the Scriptures

why so many didn’t believe

Savior with them teaching

but leaders–clergy–lawyers

refused to believe then

so why so difficult today

that so many disbelieve

using same words/actions

living Prophets called

the Church Restored

why so difficult asked

because so much alike

those before who denied

those today do so also

pelf-power-lusts-avarice!

February 23, 2015

“Sheets and Cleats”

cji

2/24/15

Snugging down in storms

not too tight or loose

making sure free to run

requiting tangled messes

manning the winches all

frequently changing sails

halyards kept free to run

storm jibs to reefed mains

sheets and cleats tended

as in our lives the same

never locking down wrong

never to loose or tight

snugging never locking!

February 22, 2015

"How Can it Be"

From a friend: “Thought you heard it all ?........... Now we have a top ranking State Dept. talking head suggesting that if these poor Radical Islamic ISIS types had more job opportunities things may be different. Right...........maybe a meat cutter, pyro maniacal expert? We reach an all-time low with this stupid talk. Children of God my butt. Evil is as evil does........... Things are so upside down I feel comfort in a Christian radio station while it is allowed. As I said before....but for the Pope.....surprise ? MOST religions and large groups remain silent doing harm with their lack of real voice. … How can it be?”

Those who lead our Church do so by example not chatter – thus the media fails to understand what we’re doing – however, those who generate better sales are those which the media cater.

How can it be? – excellent question and you know most of the answer (so in part a rhetorical question) – but still a question. First and foremost Paul foretold that there would be an apostasy – where the church would lose all or most all of the gnosis (truth). Those who took over the church – inside and outside would turn to logismoi and their logismoi would be from the world i.e. Greek Philosophy and anything which waters down the teachings of the Savior and those called as Prophets to lead his Church.

Soon popular (money mixed with power) would offer multiple churches, religions, beliefs and generally create so much confusion most will say, “It doesn’t matter which church as long as they go.” Matters not which god as long as they pray. Matters not what they believe or which commandments they keep as long as they’re generally a good person (as least to what their friends and associates see). All of this is not found in the Bible – but just the opposite! So who is leading these churches in such confusion? I’ll leave this as a rhetorical question as almost all refuse to believe the only answer possible. However, I would recommend a careful reading of the Bible – cover to cover – without asking other to define what can be easily looked up or researched by each individual. The Scriptures are literally true – even with all of the translations, transmissions, political corrections and changes made to them since first written.

What has resulted is called confusion and confusion is of the adversary! It’s called lying, beguiling, altering, and otherwise all the things of which Satan is known to employ to fool even the very elect. Thus they contain some truth (ever so little) so one can hang their hats on them – but still and all the common sense and logical understanding is gone from them.

However, when a Church is led by a Prophet of God – which Thomas S. Monson is today – they thus act on behalf of the Father and the Son and in their name. They give the guidance which those of the world are to follow – but as in the days of the dead Prophets most do not listen – certainly don’t obey and seek to kill a living Prophet (of which President Monson is under constant threats). As the Scribes and Pharisee’s then so are the preachers, ministers, clerics, rabbis, priests, and any other worldly ordained clergy – they simply do not accept living Prophets. Their living is made off of the people who they service – while no person ever called of God the Father or the Son our Savior has ever lived off of the labor of another. They also (those called) live the law of consecration fully is such service. While those at Regional, Stake, Ward and Branch levels live and work within their communities receiving no monies from the Church ever!

They can teach only truth – literal understanding of the Scriptures – and they’ve continued revelations from the Father and the Son whose Church it is and always has been. It is called by the Savior’s name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – as during the period of the Savior’s ministry and until the apostasy – The Church of Jesus Christ (reference Paul’s writings).

Further clarification starts with what each Church professes to be their core beliefs or their Creeds. My suspicion is that most have no clue what their creeds state in fact. However there is one truth supreme above all others, The Father and the Son are two separate and distinct individuals with both having resurrected physical bodies of flesh and bone. (This is repeatedly testified to throughout the Scriptures) which all of the creeds of men/women reject except one.

There should be no mistake in that anyone can believe what they want to believe and in so doing make themselves accountable and responsible to those beliefs – every church on this earth (even those of Satan) have some truth – some more than others. Each person who honors the commandments – in full obedience within their beliefs should be recognized and appreciated. All can do good – some do more than others. Sadly most do little at all – which is why the world is in the sad condition which it is in. We’ve to remember this is by design and choices made by those who’ve influence over others.

Matters not what one ultimately calls themselves or others – matters whether or not they’re obedient to the Commandments of God and not those of men/women! The Savior repeated over and over – ‘If you love me – keep my Commandments’ and there are far more than just ten – but the first two are the most important. Yet we’ve to remember also the Savior said, ‘if you break the least of my Commandments it’s the same as if you broke them all.’

There is no easy answer to the turmoil of the worldly – therefore we’ve been commanded to do what we can where we can – even if only by example – knowing the adversary will do all in his power to destroy any good to be found. Therefore – ourselves – our families – our communities – require our work to be done where we can be of most value. Hopefully we’ll be found anxiously engaged in doing what we can – and poorly engaged in doing what we can’t.

“How Can it Be”

cji

2/23/15

The world of religions

idle away their time

crossing not PC lines

watching in horror

or some in delight

world hemorrhaging

blood, burning, evil

how can it be …

can no one step in

is everyone so afraid

can no one stem the tide

or is it as Prophet’s wrote

all things to be fulfilled

ever jot and tittle

and in ignorance

much like those past

refusing to believe

the Prophets of God!