February 28, 2018

"Praying With a Name" Visiting Teaching Message March 2018

Pray for Each Sister by Name

Our love for and inspiration concerning those we visit will increase when we humbly pray for each sister by name.

One sister related that during a difficult period in her life, a phone call or simple text message often came from her visiting teachers on “particularly dark days.” They seemed to know just when she needed a lift. She knew that they prayed for her, both during their visits and on their own.

The scriptures share many examples of men and women who prayed for others by name. Among the most dramatic is the father of Alma the Younger. An angel spoke to Alma the Younger, telling him that his father “ha[d] prayed with much faith concerning thee … ; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith” (Mosiah 27:14).

Praying for others not only invokes Heavenly Father’s blessings upon them but also helps us know how we can bless them too. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord.”¹

“Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded,” said Julie B. Beck, former General Relief Society President.²Praying for those we visit strengthens us as individuals and as Latter-day Saint women.

President Henry B. Eyring, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “Pray for the way to know their hearts. … You will need to know what God would have you do to help them and to do it all, as nearly as you can, feeling God’s love for them.”³

Faith, Family, Relief

Consider This

What recent inspiration and ideas have come to you as you have prayed for the individual sisters you visit?

Ministering

Rather than provide a specific message, this page will feature a different principle each month to help us minister more effectively to each other. As you pray and seek inspiration, you will know the spiritual message and service each sister needs.

“Praying With a Name”

cji

3/1/18

Prayers are to be specific

to the point no rambling

speaking with Heavenly Father

through the Savior as one

singling out those we pray for

inquiring for their needs

special blessings or requests

therefore more meaningful

direct and impassioned

knowing Father knows

that you know he knows!

"We Are His Children" Home Teaching Message March 2018

FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

The Word of God to His Children

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Listen Download Print Share

The scriptures tell us that the first thing God did after creating man and woman was speak to them.¹ He had vital information and precious instructions to give them. His purpose was not to burden or worry them but to guide them to happiness and eternal glory.

And that was just the beginning. From that day to this, God has continued to communicate with His children. His words have been preserved, treasured, and studied by disciples of every generation. They are revered by those who seek to know the will of God, and they bear witness to the truth that “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”²

This has been the pattern since the beginning of time, and the pattern continues today. It is not just a nice Biblestory; it is God’s established way of communicating essential messages to His children. He raises up individuals from our midst, calls them to be prophets, and gives them words to say, which we are invited to “receive, as if from [His] own mouth.”³ He has declared, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”⁴

This is one of the most glorious, encouraging, and hopeful messages of the Restoration—God is not silent! He loves His children. He has not left us to wander in darkness.

Twice each year, in April and October, we have the opportunity to hear the voice of the Lord through His servants in our wonderful general conferences.

I give you my personal witness that long before a speaker in general conference makes that long walk to the podium, he or she has invested immense effort, prayer, and study in response to the assignment to speak. Every conference message represents countless hours of preparation and heartfelt pleading to understand what the Lord wishes His Saints to hear.

What might happen if we as listeners matched the speakers’ preparation with our own? How might our approach to general conference be different if we saw conference as an opportunity to receive messages from the Lord Himself? Through the words and music of general conference, we can expect to receive personalized answers to whatever questions or problems we might be facing.

If you ever wonder whether Heavenly Father will truly speak to you, I would remind you of the simple yet profound words that our Primary children sing: “[You are] a child of God, and he has sent [you] here.” His purpose is to help you return “to live with him someday.”

If you approach Heavenly Father as His child, you can ask Him with a sincere heart, “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do.” He will speak to you through His Holy Spirit, and it is then up to you “to do his will.” I promise that if you do, “rich blessings are in store.”⁵

The Lord’s guidance is needed today as much as it ever has been in the world’s history. As we prepare to hear the word of the Lord, may we diligently seek the Spirit of truth so that when the Lord speaks through His servants, we can understand, become edified, and rejoice together.⁶

I testify that “by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against [us]; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before [us], and cause the heavens to shake for [our] good, and his name’s glory.”⁷

This message was prepared before the First Presidency was reorganized.

Teaching from This Message

During general conference we can receive personalized answers to our questions and problems as we listen to God’s appointed servants. Consider discussing the following with those you teach: How can you prepare to receive such answers during general conference? President Uchtdorf encourages us to “diligently seek the Spirit of truth.” What do you think that means, and how can you incorporate this into your preparation? In addition to the blessings mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 21:6, what other blessings come as you prepare to hear the words of the Lord through His servants? You could invite those you teach to write in a journal what the Spirit teaches them in this general conference.

“We Are His Children”

cji

3/1/18

Many have sought not to be

many adopting other parents

refusing the word of God today

retconning his word to theirs

never the less of no avail

we are his children – fully

comes the day of account

reporting on our actions/word

understanding no adoption

understanding no divorce

understanding the Word of God!

February 27, 2018

"Acceleration" (short essay)

“Acceleration”

cji

2/28/18

Remember we’re in the last days

whether it be two hundred years

or another two thousand we’re here

wickedness daily steals the day

media, follywood, video games

real life cheating, lying, stealing

one cannot name one Command

not broken daily by ever so many

the minuet ones obedient .002%

consider what men/women do

we’ve msm with every description

putting Sodom and Gomorrah

and Pompeii to shame openly

acceleration to the new depths

but a blinking of the eye today

one cannot blame anyone

unless found guiltless before God

and even then never to judge

but loving God/family/freedoms

with acceleration toward light

unlike the acceleration to night!

Recently many have felt to blame DT to bringing quicker than any president in the history of the US – my reply:

“One would guess the left is speeding the world to destruction faster than anyone can comprehend - if you love Israel, freedom, family, the Constitution you better be glad the dnc didn't win - because you wouldn't exist nor would your freedoms - remember the signs of the times - wickedness means not adhering to God's Law – ISIS/dnc and others have no law(s) - certainly none that were left by supposed world religious leaders – which have been altered/mis-translated/added to with philosophy- you're wrong - every president with the exception of RR and possibly JFK has directed this nation to destruction - and the US is the only nation which stands between the success of satan/soros and those seeking a 1984 for our world regardless of the cost in lives. It'll get much worse beyond anyone's imagination - but there is still room for those who're are righteous - not much as many think - and one can start with (if you call yourself a Christian) how many do you know who keep all of the Commandments all of the time? Not many!” c/ork 2/27/18

February 26, 2018

"Coming to America" (soon)

A Scandinavian Paradise

This is the result of not having Immigration laws that really vet those who are permitted to enter a country and enforce them. A country should not allow anyone to enter their country illegally. President Trump is so correct on this issue and I hope every citizen will support him. It is most important of what you see in the video below will take place in this country. We are lucky to receive this alert and act now to prevent this from happening in our great country.

A MUST SEE Subject: A Scandinavian Paradise

Wow – it is amazing how quickly a country can be ruined!!

Soundtrack by ABBA

http://allthatstreaming.com/ media/ats/video/sweden-multi- cultural-utopia.mp4

“Coming to America”

cji

2/27/18

Waiting with baited breath

bo and soros their kinds

dnc and leftist’s liberals

un-wanting freedoms here

rather sell souls to recuse

thinking enough money

protection from their evil

forgetting victims faces

lying in front of cameras

inviting crime and chaos

coming to America soon

coming to America soon!

February 25, 2018

"Entwined Shadows"

“Entwined Shadows”

cji

2/26/18

Arriving at early dusk

watching fog lift slowly

moon lit was this night

feeling first two sentries

seeking all around quiet

then approaching a tomb

indicating ‘all is clear, Sir!’

then the soft call of bugles

slowly emerging soldiers

mixed with enlisted first

securing the area/bounds

then the officers dashing

calling troops to order

then mustering SNCO’s

presenting arms ready

calls to dress right dress

to attention eyes front

passing then by ranks

tomb of the unknown

returning to first formation

command given-at ease

moving to small groups

old soldiers giving heed

to the newest among

each evening at dusk

till prior to the early dawn

double taps played

entwined shadows

returning to graves

till tomorrow dusk!

"Sketching From Our Brains"

Hi All – this is a melding between our son and myself – c/ork

“Sketching From Our Brains”

mdi/cji

2/25/18

Nightmares in the day

Names without flashbacks

Nearer to death.

Angels hovering over

Alertness finding cover

Attacks without warning

Night without fog within mists

No light and shadows remain

Nearer to my brothers lost.

Bravery never questioned

Bravado the shiny boots

Beginnings within ends

Notes and letters found

Never forgotten the men

Nearer the nemesis awaits

Clarity without knowing

Clashing cymbals soundless

Careening into caverns

Noises without sound

Nights without days over again

Nearer to the enemy

Doubtless is the vision

Daring in preparations

Death there lingering

Not knowing a return

Never fearing death silently stealth

Nearer the approach

Anger fully under control

Anticipation gladly vacant

Angels hovering over

Not now, not then over again

Neither today nor yesterday

Nearer my God to thee!

February 24, 2018

"We Know"

“We Know”

cji

2/25/18

We know where we should be

this is the Sabbath Day most

others have different days

however each knows where

too many too lazy to care

thus in slumbering delays

in their Spiritual life coast

being where they want to be!

"Let's Talk Nonsense"

“Let’s Talk Nonsense”

cji

2/24/18

Drinking fancy drinks

in plush locations

talking nonsense

like peace in our time

or let’s divide and quit

or make schools safe

other absurd discussions

had by politicians

while in the streets

murder daily occurs

rape, drugs, harassment

school are neither safe

inside or outside

movie cams in showers

since the invention

let’s talk nonsense

size of the table

more die and more

design of the table

many more to die

(China’s not here)

10,000 Chinese killed

Korean War over again

Vietnam LBJ gets rich

while still more die

no anger from idiots

end the war – peace now

while thousand killed

genocide in the world

‘let’s go to the mall’

cnn nbc abc and more

fake news kill truth

let’s talk nonsense

more and more die

illegals have rights

American’s have none

listen to the banging

political nonsense

oligarchy ‘no way’

follow the money

and then understand

let’s talk nonsense!

February 23, 2018

"Being Un-Prepared"

“One must consider – combat conditions require a controlled anger – this cannot be taught which is why we’ve so many useless cop killing before understanding what’s happening – sadly – many wear the badge and have no thoughts of environments – awareness of potential dangers – and thus 90% of non-combat veterans – police – common citizens would have done the same thing – sadly – I repeat – which is why us with PTSD having no claim on intelligence/brains – rush in where fools stay away – we’ve an advantage we’ve prepared ahead for almost every possible situation – we know who safe and who isn’t who has your six and whose run away. Controlled anger – then you come out alive when the odds are clearly against you – in any situation – great faith in Heavenly Father – and He always expects us to do our homework – boy scouts – be prepared – always – even when asleep – I could be sound asleep – Joyce would ask who’s up – and I would tell her and where they were in the home – and never wake up. Nothing can be done to train this – however, one can always be brave when carrying a weapon – but when the other person has one – it’s a different story. This is why if you’ve to think it out – you’ve already lost – simple and sure.’ c/ork

“Being Un-Prepared”

cji

2/24/18

Reaction time is very unsafe

one has to think unclearly

giving time too much pause

too late still unable to move

then only cowardice prove

being up-prepared cause

having now to pay dearly

humanity amid hate’s strafe

February 22, 2018

"Any Longer Spurn"

“Any Longer Spurn”

cji

2/23/18

We live in wicked days

everyone seems to know

most feel it’s just the times

forgetting nation after nation

into wickedness has fallen

led by priestcrafts/scholars

teaching Plato versus God

playing on the sweet sound

rhetorical and whimsical

inviting to come and join

paying and embracing

millions upon millions

in people and headlines

the last days promised

and they are here as well

foretold before and now

while most spurn warnings

better for one and for all

not any longer to spurn

we do live in wicked days!