Engaging, Capacity to Act and Feeling Love for Others

This selection comes from this talk.

6. We need always to make allowance in the kingdom for the fact that this is a divine church full of imperfect people! Indeed, “the net gathereth of every kind.” For instance, some members among us have an unfortunate and exclusionary condescension toward others, while other members have a quiet certitude that causes them to assert their testimonies humbly because the Spirit has witnessed to them; they witness to others to maintain their integrity; they tell others the truth of salvational things “as they were, as they are, and as they shall become.” These two kinds of members read the same scriptures, but one disengages, Jonah-like, almost with delight, while the other will not leave his post in “Nineveh” so long as there are any souls to be saved. Probably the differing response is rooted in the differing capacity to love. The presence of absolute truth or apocalyptic insights in one who lacks the capacity to love is likely to produce some behavioral anomalies. Love leads us into—not away from—Nineveh: into the fray, just as Jesus was involved with mankind, for as G. K. Chesterton observed, He carried his five wounds in the front of the fray.

Some want involvement without giving themselves. Some want the wonders of religion without the work—there is no way. Others want the thrills of theology without the hard doctrines—there is no way! When we are serious about change, it is “not enough to merely leave Egypt: one must also travel to the Promised Land!”

commentary: the above speaks of commitment and engaging others.  you either engage in service and the cause of helping others, or you don't.  the gospel is about action.  and what causes you to act?  keep on reading.

7. We must make place for the gospel and the Church more generously in our lives if we are to grow in our capacity to both feel and to act. Education, the media, and what we know from the scriptures have enlarged our circles of concern and feeling. But within each of our circles of concern, there is a much smaller circle of competency, and it needs to grow too.

C. S. Lewis observed, “The more often a man feels without acting, the less often he will be able to act, and in the long run, the less often he will be able to feel.” In countless ways the Church not only enlarges our circles of concern, but it also helps us to carry out the concerns we have. Significantly, Nephi, Paul, and Moroni—cultures and centuries apart—each observed that individuals and whole cultures can, by sin, reach a point where they are past feeling. Ironically, lasciviousness, which exploits sensuous feelings, results finally in a loss of a capacity to feel. In our own society the sad consequences of too much exulting in feeling—of sex divorced from love, and the emptiness of emotion without principle—will wash over us for generations. In the declining society of Moroni’s time, citizens were described as being without order, without mercy, without civilization, and past feeling after they had “lost their love, one towards another. …” (Moro. 9:5.)

commentary: love brings about wanting and desire.  love and desire should spur us to action.  but when we disassociate love and action, we begin to lose the capacity to feel.  when we don't feel, we don't care, when we don't care, we don't act and when we don't act evil triumphs.

8. We must be more quick to realize the enormous implications of the doctrine of immortality and how our knowledge of that reality will set us apart in this era. One can’t help but admire the cosmic heroism of those decent people who persist in goodness in spite of their agnosticism, but we still should see others differently because of this doctrine. Ours is no mere biological brotherhood with life as a brief encounter, but ours is a brotherhood that is fashioned in the realization that relationships will persist a million years from now, and more. Where we do not so relate to each other, we diminish the credibility of our commitment to this doctrine in the eyes of others. For a peculiar people, our friendships should be peculiarly rich.

commentary: to me, the above really hits home and answers the question - why the gospel?  if mankind is to become immortal, do we want immortal evil or immortal goodness running the universe?

In summary, we see the world, life, and death differently. This is not a random, mutant planet with people who will be enveloped in nothingness; it is a special place, a planet with a purpose, for, as Isaiah observed, the Lord created it to be inhabited. (See Isa. 45:18.)

We are all stewards, and we ought to approach this planet and its resources as carefully as Adam dressed the Garden. In seeking to establish dominion over the earth, it ought to be a righteous dominion. Still, this earth is not a place we need to be so reluctant to leave. As G. K. Chesterton wrote, Christian courage rests on a love of life that may need to take the form of a willingness to die; it is not the willingness to die that reflects a disdain or disaffection for life.

Without immortality there can be no real and lasting meaning to life. Jesus has not only immunized us against the lasting sting of the grave, but his teachings can also help us not to “look upon death with any degree of terror.” (Alma 27:28.) The same Jesus promised us, through one of his prophets, that if we could live according to his word, we would have, in this life, a knowledge of what is “just and true and render every man his due” (justice and discernment); we would live peaceably with others (peacefulness); we would rear our families without fighting and quarreling, teaching them to love one another (the capacity to love learned in happy homes); and we would care for the needy (a program for poverty). (See Mosiah 4.) In a sense, while others have the slogans, we have the solutions that, if applied, will carry us to “a state of happiness which hath no end.” (Morm. 7:7.)

"A Cup of Maxwell" Series

I can't remember when it was - maybe when I was a recently returned full-time missionary - but I had this desire to read and study all the talks by Neal A. Maxwell.  The way he articulates the gospel clicks with me can causes introspection.
And so I decided to start a study series call A Cup of Maxwell in which as I read all his talks, I will copy some of the most thought and action provoking passages.

Now, all his talks deserve to be read in their entirety, and therefore, I invite the reader to click on this link or this link.

Let me kick off this series from one of his first talks ... one that I read today.

Referring to the gosple, he closed this talk with: With such a great message, can we afford not to be articulate in our homes and wherever we are? Passivity and inarticulateness about this “marvelous work and a wonder” can diminish the faith of others, for as Austin Farrer observed, “Though argument does not create belief, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced, but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it nourishes a climate in which belief may flourish.”

This is the main reason to read his talks: he articulates the "why" of the gospel so well ... and in the above quote, he articulates why we need to be able to articulate the why so well.

LDS Study Notebook and Ideas for Use

Jill and I upgraded our cell phones this week.  She went from a text phone to a smart phone and I upgraded to a bigger smart phone.  So, I've been playing w/ my new phone for the last few days.

Yesterday, I started tinkering w/ the Gospel Library app.  I set it up to synch w/ my LDS account.  As I was playing around w/ it to see how it works, an idea came to me: why not put all my scripture highlights into my virtual LDS "Study Notebook"?  I could also put a link, at the beginning of each chapter, to the respective Book of Mormon Inspection post (from my other blog).  So, as I read the Book of Mormon yesterday, I copied the highlighted parts from my physical copy to my smart phone and then synched it w/ my virtual "Study Notebook".  Unfortunately, a lot of the LDS web content was down yesterday - they must have had an outage or were performing some upgrades (more likely the former).

So, this morning I logged on to my LDS account, went to my "Study Notebook" and checked to see if my annotations were synched - they were.

Then another idea came to me: when our kids are adults or maybe when they enter seminary, I could share my virtual "Study Notebook" w/ them so they could see all the highlighted parts of my set of scriptures, along w/ the annotations I made.  Together w/ this and all my other blogs, they would have a spring board for their own study of the scriptures.

June 3 Fast & Testimony Meeting - Wayward Children

Today's meeting was unusual and wonderful.  It all started when everyone began to realize that there was no bread for the sacrament.  Usually, someone will bring an extra loaf as backup, but today, even the backup plan failed.  So after the sacrament song, the 1st counselor got up and cracked a joke about how someone told him he needs to spice up the meeting more.  He announced that we'd proceed with the testimonies and then have the last 10 minutes for administration of the sacrament.

He then proceeded to bear his testimony about what he was fasting for that day - a wayward child.  It was a tender testimony and you could feel the anguish of his soul.  His testimony set the theme of the meeting - everyone seemed to make a remark about a wayward child.

As is usually the case when my heart beats extremely rapidly, I felt prompted to get up and bear my testimony.  Thoughts of my parents fasting and praying for my older brother entered my heart and I felt I should share my insights into the topic of wayward children.

As I bore my testimony, I was reminded of those quotes by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and President Packer.  I know those quotes had brought much peace and comfort to my parents.  I talked a bit about those quotes and the struggle my parents have had with my older brother.  Being the youngest in the family, I had a unique insight to their struggle.  Every prayer and every fast in our home always included a plea for my older brother.  I then bore my testimony of the sealing power of the Priesthood and why temple marriage is so important.

Below are the quotes I referred to above.  You can find all of the quotes in the September 2002 Ensign.

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught a more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).

Brigham Young said, “Let the father and mother, who are members of this Church and Kingdom, take a righteous course, and strive with all their might never to do a wrong, but to do good all their lives; if they have one child or one hundred children, if they conduct themselves towards them as they should, binding them to the Lord by their faith and prayers, I care not where those children go, they are bound up to their parents by an everlasting tie, and no power of earth or hell can separate them from their parents in eternity; they will return again to the fountain from whence they sprang” (quoted in Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:90–91).

Lorenzo Snow said, “If you succeed in passing through these trials and afflictions and receive a resurrection, you will, by the power of the Priesthood, work and labor, as the Son of God has, until you get all your sons and daughters in the path of exaltation and glory. This is just as sure as that the sun rose this morning over yonder mountains. Therefore, mourn not because all your sons and daughters do not follow in the path that you have marked out to them, or give heed to your counsels. Inasmuch as we succeed in securing eternal glory, and stand as saviors, and as kings and priests to our God, we will save our posterity” (in Collected Discourses, comp. Brian H. Stuy, 5 vols. [1987–92], 3:364).

President Packer said, “The measure of our success as parents … will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible.

“It is not uncommon for responsible parents to lose one of their children, for a time, to influences over which they have no control. They agonize over rebellious sons or daughters. They are puzzled over why they are so helpless when they have tried so hard to do what they should.

“It is my conviction that those wicked influences one day will be overruled. …

“We cannot overemphasize the value of temple marriage, the binding ties of the sealing ordinance, and the standards of worthiness required of them. When parents keep the covenants they have made at the altar of the temple, their children will be forever bound to them” (“Our Moral Environment,” Ensign, May 1992, 68).

The last testimony of the meeting was from one of the members of the Stake Presdidency who lives in our ward.  He read a scripture from the Book of Mormon in the context of wayward children.

In 2 Nephi 10:2, it reads, "For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer."

It was a very emotional meeting and everyone's hearts were tender and they bore their testimonies.  It will be a testimony meeting I will not forget.

Recap of April 2012 Conference

Here is the re-cap of the April 2012 General Conference.  The technology of the Church is pretty incredible.  Those Church IT guys have done a tremendous job making GC available so quickly after it's over.  I remember several years ago when they first started steaming GC on-line.  Then it would take about 3 weeks for the videos or text to be available.  Now it's practically instantaneous.  The videos and mp3s are up the next day and the text is up by the Thursday after GC.

My wife and I were talking about whether we should force the kids to watch GC all day Saturday or not.  My point is that if you watch everything at once, you just don't get everything.  So we decided not to sit through all 10 hours at once.  Rather, we are going to watch one or two talks each Sunday as a family and then discuss the talk.  We did watch conference on Sunday though.

One other thought - I think I've successfully stayed awake through an entire GC once or twice in my life.  It is nearly impossible for me to sit in my living room and listen to talk after talk after talk and stay awake and alert.  I love that I can listen to or watch and read along the weeks after GC is over.  I get so much more out of the talks this way.

So BIG KUDOS to the Church IT guys!!  If tithing money is spent on this technology, then I think it is very well-spent!

President Thomas S. Monson - As We Gather Once Again
why we meet: strengthen, encouragement, comfort, build faith, to learn
if changes need to be made in your life, may you find the courage to do so
oppose evil whereever it is found
be instructed and be inspired
be filled with the Lord's spirit

President Boyd K. Packer - And a Little Child Shall Lead Them
the ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see husband and wife with their family happy at home.
too often, someone comes to me and says, "President Packer, wouldn't it be nice if ..." I usually stop them and say, "No" because I suspect what follows will be a new activity or program that is going to add the burden of time or financial means on the family."
personal application: what can i do, as scout leader, to promote family time?
the goal of scouts, according to this talk, would be to help fathers spend meaningful time with their sons - to provide opportunities to let fathers and sons learn and grow together.
if scouting becomes a burden, then it would seems it has failed the mission of "supporting the family"
if we get all the eagles scouts in the world, but no real fathers, we've accomplished nothing.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks - Sacrifice
Mormon Pioneers example of sacrifices
Husband left wife and family to serve a mission
Symbols of our Christian faith (Mormons) is our daily sacrifice
Home teaching and visiting teaching
full-time missionaries (time spent to save money, actual time serving, family sacrifices time they are not with their child)
converts' sacrifices: loss of family temple service: time spent to save money to be sealed with family in temple

President Henry B. Eyring - Mountains to Climb
there are giant opportunies (challenges) to be met.
give me this mountain; give me these challenges and adversities he prayed for a challenge
1) god heard his prayer and answered it
2) he learned that a great blessing could come from adversity
repent have faith that the way through trials is the balm of gilead
foundation for faith = personal integrity (consistently choosing the right) curing that faith takes time and patience and experience

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - The Laborers in the Vineyard
do not covet, do not pout or tear others down; do not demean others to improve yourself
do not throw away your good fortune in protest of the perceived injustice - accept the good fortune (mercy from God) and rejoice in the mercy He gives to "late" repenters.
don't dwell on old issues or grievences (of self, of neighbor or even the Church)
simply accept the Atonement of Christ, don't dwell on anything else, enjoy the fellowship of the labor

accept mercy and be merciful

personal thoughts: the key premise in this parable, in my mind, is that there is a shortage of work for the laborers.  Laborers are standing around, waiting for work. The need the work or else they don't feed their families.  Anything to do for work would be great - and it doesn't matter when they get the work - they will take it first thing in the morning and work all day or take the job in the late afternoon and get something rather than nothing.  so how does this apply to our life today?  perhaps it can be said there is a shortage of "good fortune" in the world - just like there was a shortage of jobs to be done in the parable.  so, if someone is blessed with abundance from the time they were born until the time they die, that person should be grateful and thank God for what they've been blessed with.  That person should also learn not to be envious when good fortune comes to those who receive it later in life.  If they are envious of another's good fortune, despite having good fortune their entire life, they choose to experience ill feelings toward another person who has received good fortune!  As Elder Holland puts it, they drink a quart of pickle juice every time someone else receives good fortune, rather than pondering their own good fortune.

another thought: similarly to what I stated above, we can envision a person who was "born in the Church", who was faithful all his life - who went to Church, Boy Scouts, service projects, received the Priesthood - was a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, became an Elder; served a difficult mission - maybe not even baptizing a single convert; returned honorably, married in the temple; started family and continued serving faithfully day after day - week after week for his whole life.

Meanwhile, his younger brother chose the opposite all his days, indulged in all his desires rather than being obedient and serving others.  He ate, drank and was merry all the days of his life.  Then, when he reached the end of his rope, he found he was not happy.  He decided to clean up his life - it was a difficult process back into the fold.

Now they both die and are both granted eternal life - the reward of living in the presence of God for eternity.  Does the faithful brother act like the other son who is not the prodigal son?  Does he refuse eternal life because his "unfaithful" brother receives it?  Or does he act like the father and rejoice in the mercy of Christ?

Elder Robert D. Hales - Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and the Sacrifice in Service
prepare to worthily take the sacrament before coming to sacrament meeting; leave the daily work and recreation behind; do not think of worldly thoughts or concerns.  then ponder the Atonement; ponder the sacrifice of Christ
sing the sacrament hymn; listen to the sacrament prayers; partake of the emblems
seek forgiveness of sins and shortcomings of previous week; make specific commitments for the coming week.
search from the scriptures
live the gospel standards
obtain a temple recommend
gain a testimony of God, Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Atonement, Joseph Smith, the Restoration
sustain leaders; be kind, stand as a witness of Christ, attend Church meetings, honor covenants, be a good parent, be virtuous
assist the youth to prepare for lifelong service
learn to work; live within your means; avoid debt, save money now so that we can give full-time service later in our lives; to be able to lift others.

Elder Quentin L. Cook - In Tune with the Music of Faith
a great divide between those who love, worship and feel accountable to God and those who do not
destroyers of faith: pride, vanity & foolishness
love the Lord; love His gospel; continually try to live and share His message - especially with your families.
be in harmony with the promptings of the Spirit
observe religion in your home
strive to be a disciple of Christ
with regard to his paragraph that starts out "We recognize how busy you are"  From that paragraph, I hear "if you are serving; don't feel guilty for not serving enough"
don't judge others
rescue those who have "fallen away"
avoid being judgemental about conduct that is foolish or unwise, but is not sinful
be an example in action, not just words (as a parent to your children)
read and gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon

Elder Richard G. Scott - How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life
revelation = crisp, clear and essential communication from the Holy Ghost
inspiration = series of promptings that guide us step by step toward a worthy goal
we are supposed to ask the Lord to receive revelation
fast, pray for finding scriptures that will be helpful with the answer for the question, read those scriptures, ponder, pray, write down what the Lord would have you do, pray again
don't let daily activities distract us from the spirit

Elder David A. Bednar - The Powers of Heaven
distinguishing feature of the church is priesthood (the authority of god delegated to man on earth to act in all things for the salvation of mankind)
be active in priesthood service - promote the cause of righteousness in the earth
by not doing your duties, you break your priesthood covenant
be righteous; faithful; obedient; diligent; worthy; willing to serve
lift souls, teach, testify, bless, council, advance the work of salvation
take the lead in scripture study, family prayer, fhe - be a strong leader - preside - protect

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - The Why of Priesthood Service
the why of priesthood service is to motivate others; to awaken their spirit; to inspire action
be enthusiastic about the gospel as you teach others.
let the fire of your testimony bring light and warmth and joy to the hearts of those you teach
priesthood service is to provide a vision of what it means to establish the kingdom of god on earth
building the kingdom of god on earth means building personal testimonies and strengthening families
priesthood service helps us prioritize between good, better, best - it helps us stay focused on the most important things
the most important things are: increase our love for god and our fellowmen, invigorate marriages, strengthen families and build the kingdom of god on earth
how we specifically decide on our priorities: study the scriptures, heed the prophets, hold serious and dedicated prayer
act before being acted upon; the value of an idea is in using it

President Henry B. Eyring - Families Under Covenant
four things you can do as a priesthood father to lift and lead your family home again to heaven
1. gain & keep a sure witness that the keys of the priesthood are with us & held by the president of the church - pray for that every day.
2. love your wife
3. enlist the entire family to love each other
4. discipline when needed - d&c 121:41-44

President Thomas S. Monson - Willing and Worthy to Serve
various definitions of priesthood ...
1. joseph smith - priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with god from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years.
2. wilford woodruff -  the holy priesthood is the channel through which god communicates and deals with man upon the earth; and the heavenly messengers that have visited the earth to communicate with man are men who held and honored the priesthood while in the flesh; and everythign that god has caused to be done for the salvation of man, from the coming of man upon the earth to the redemption of the world, has been and will be by virtue of the everlasting priesthood.
3. joseph f. smith -  the priesthood is the power of god delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family, in the name of the father and the son and the holy ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority, nor borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the presense of almighty god.
4. john taylor - it is the governmant of god, whether on the earth or in the heavens, for it is by that power, agency, or principle that all things are governed on the earth and in the heavens, and by that power that all things are upheald and sustained.  it governs all things - it directs all things - it sustains all things - and has to do with all things that god and truth are associated with.
stories of examples of priesthood service - soldier blessing injured soldier on beach; saving his life.  writing letters of encouragement to servicemen
there are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspirt and souls to save

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - The Merciful Obtain Mercy
required to forgive all men - including ourselves
stop hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges or wanting to cause harm
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
be kind
forgive
talk peacefully with others
do good unto all men
people will be people; learn to rise above the fray, forgive and forget.  this talk had a very similar feel as elder holland's talk

Elder Russell M. Nelson - Thanks Be to God
gives thanks to god
be mindful of the various gifts from god ...
the world, the universe, his son jesus christ, our bodies, the resurrection, spiritual gifts, gospel gifts

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - The Doctrine of Christ
believe in christ; be baptized

President Thomas S. Monson - The Race of Life
personal thoughts: how often do you ask yourself: if you know you are going to die tomorrow ... in a week ... in a month ... in a year; how does that change your current priorities?
endure to the end
we have the power to (and must) think, reason and achieve
pray; listen to the holy ghost, search the scriptures; heed the prophets

Elder L. Tom Perry - The Power of Deliverance
both the people of limhi and the people of alma were delivered
both suffered
limhi's people chose to fight; alma's people chose to pray
what do you need to be delivered from?
which way is your "door" facing? to the world or to the alter of god?

Elder M. Russell Ballard - That the Lost May be Found
our liahona/gps is the holy ghost - the promptings of the holy ghost
new york times: "the share of children born to unmarried women has crossed a threshold: more than half of births to american women under 30 occur outside of marriage"
the most important cause in our lifetime is our family
prioritize - put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support of what happens inside your home.
organize - your personal life to provide time for prayer, scripture study and family activities
teach your childen to work and give them responsibilities
marriage first, then family
read family proclamation often, understand it, follow it.

Elder Neil L. Andersen - What Thinks Christ of Me?
pay attention to who and what christ labels in the scriptures ... see 3rd paragraph in this talk
love christ, trust christ, believe christ, follow christ and you will feel his love and approval

President Thomas S. Monson - As We Close This Conference
pray always
fill your homes with love and the spirit of the lord
love your family
settle disagreements
do god's will, serve him, serve others
ponder the words you've heard from this conference

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman

I read Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling in the summer 2007.  I, like many other members who read this book, found and learned things, for the first time, about the history of the Church and that they were very different that the stories I had been taught in Primary, Sunday School, at BYU, at the MTC and on my mission.  It was a real eye-opener.  Generally speaking, I was taught (or at the very least, I was impressed upon) to avoid the controversial issues of Church History - rather I should stick to the the narrative the Church lesson books offered.  The authors of those "other" controversial Church History books would just fill my head with apostasy.  That was my reality until the Bushman book came along - then all of a sudden, it was OK to read about these issues.

I have to admit, my testimony has gone through several phases since that first reading of the book.  I started reading it for a second time in January of 2012 - this time reading it more in depth and considering the words of Bushman.

Below, I've written about a few things that have stuck out to me, that I consider significant for my own testimony.  In some cases, I expound a bit more.  For other parts, I just state things as they are.

The First Vision
Joseph received the "First Vision" in the early part of 1820.  There are many accounts of the vision.  Bushman talks of two main accounts; the one in 1832 and the one in 1838.

It is interesting to note, that we never really know if Joseph told his parents and family of the "First Vision".  As Bushman notes in the book, many of the early converts were drawn to the religion because of the restoration gifts of God and the idea of gathering Zion before the coming of Christ.  The "First Vision" did not play into their conversion, unlike today's introduction of the Church to investigators.

In the 1832 account, the emphasis was on receiving forgiveness of sins.  The "pillar of light" was present and it was "the Lord" who he saw and spoke with.

In 1835 and subsequent versions, more details emerged - the dark power that kept him from speaking; that he heard sounds of walking.  In these other versions, he saw two personages and they both spoke to him.  In the 1838 version, he made it clear the two personages were God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.  In 1835 and 1838 versions, emphasis was placed on the lack of truth in other churches.

Another thing that Bushman notes about the First Vision as well as other visions, is that Joseph was very slow to say anything about them to other people.  In fact, Moroni had to command him to tell his father about his visit from Moroni.  The vision in the Kirtland temple is another example ... see below for more info on this.  In a podcast, Bushman thinks that perhaps the reason Joseph was slow to share these experiences was because of the culture.  There were many people proclaiming visions, but that they may have been seen as "kooks" and Joseph did not want to be seen as in the same vein as these people.

I've often thought about this.  We are taught that "sacred experiences" are indeed sacred and should usually not be shared with others.  It's the whole "pearls before the swine" idea.  But we, as a Church today, are OK with sharing the First Vision and other visions of the prophet.  We are comfortable with Lehi's and Nephi's vision; with Alma's visitation from an angel; with Enos' experience; with Paul's conversion and on and on and on.  But why are we reluctant to speak of experiences that are happening today - right now?  Why are we taught not to share those experiences?  Would we quickly discount others' spiritual experiences?  Would we react the same way the Methodist minister did when Joseph told him?  Is that why we don't share them?  If that is the case, then it's the lack of faith on the hearer's part, while, perhaps, others who would hear it would be edified.

The Book of Mormon
The traditional story of how the Book of Mormon was translated is Joseph putting on the breastplate and Urim and Thummim, casting his gaze onto the plates and seeing the reformed Egyptian turn into English words.  Furthermore, it would seem that Joseph just knew to "put on" the breastplate and spectacles and begin the translation - but this was not so.  As Bushman states on page 63, "Developing a method took time."

The whole process is not really known.  But we do know that he copied characters; had them sent to scholars to translate and to verify.  There is also this passage from Bushman: "Neither Joseph nor Oliver explained how translation worked, but Joseph did not pretend to look at the 'reformed Egyptian' words, the language on the plates, according to the book's own description.  The plates lay covered on the table, while Joseph's head was in a hat looking at the seerstone which by this time had replaced the interpreters.  The varying explanations of the perplexing process fall roughly into two categories: composition and transcription.  The first holds that Joseph was the author of the book.  He composed it out of knowledge and imaginings collected in his own mind, perhaps aided by inspiration.  He had stuffed his head with ideas for sermons, Christian doctrine, biblical language, multiple characters, stories of adventure, social criticism, theories of Indian origins, ideas about Mesoamerican civilization, and many other matters.  During translation, he composed it all into a narrative dictated over the space of three months in Harmony and Fayette."

Bushman describes the 'composition' method, but I'm not going to quote that here.  I will quote what he wrote about 'transcription.'

"The transcription theory has Joseph Smith 'seeing' the Book of Mormon text in the seerstone or the Urim and Thummim.  He saw the words in the stone as he had seen lost objects or treasure and dictated them to his secretary.  The eyewitnesses who described translation, Joseph Knight, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, who was in the house during the last weeks of translation, understood translation as transcription.  Referring to the seerstone as a Urim and Thummim, Knight said: 'Now the way he translated was he put the urim and thummim into his hat and Darkned his Eyes then he would take a sentance and it would apper in Brite Roman Letters.  Then he would tell the writer and he would write it.  Then that would go away the next sentance would Come and so on.'"

"Joseph himself said almost nothing about his method but implied transcription when he said that 'the Lord had prepared spectacles for to read the Book.'  Close scrutiny of the original manuscript (by a believing scholar) seems to support transcription.  Judging from the way Cowdery wrote down the words, Joseph saw twenty to thirty words at a time, dictated them, and then waited for the next twenty to appear.  Difficult names (Zenoch, Amalickiah) were spelled out.  By any measure, transcription was a miraculous process, calling for a huge leap of faith to believe, yet, paradoxically, it is more in harmony with the young Joseph of the historical record than is composition.  Transcription theory gives us a Joseph with a miraculous gift that evolved naturally out of his earlier treasure-seeking.  The boy who gazed into stones and saw treasure grew up to become a translator who looked into a stone and saw words."

A word about the seerstone (or seer stone as found on lds.org).  The image of Joseph putting his head into his hat to see his seerstone is not a common image in the Church.  I've never even seen an image of Joseph using the Urim & Thummim and breastplate.  Rather, the image that does come to mind is Joseph gazing on the plates (sans seerstone or U&T) while Oliver sits across the table writing.  But the fact that a stone Joseph found in 1822 was being used in the translation of the Book of Mormon is an interesting one.  Bushman talks about this in his book - the theory is that Joseph learned of the Gospel in the context of the treasure and magic culture that existed at that time.

Comparing my childhood/teenage view of the translation of the Book of Mormon with this new (to me), more accurate description of the translation is interesting. In my mind, the two views are vastly different.  My childhood view is simple and very clean.  The reality view is more enticing.  But my fundamental question is this: why, as a child, did I have to be taught the clean version of the story?  If anything, it would have been far easier to believe as a child, the story of Joseph finding a stone while digging a well and then using that stone to translate the Book of Mormon.  Perhaps the "clean" version is told so as not to distract the learner with the idea that there are seerstones just laying around the earth - rather the focus should be on the work of God.  That's just a thought.  But to finish that thought - why would the Church jump to that conclusion?  Is it because others found a seerstone too?  And to prevent others from from finding a using a seerstone (a true one or a false one)?  I don't know.  But the fact remains - the version I was taught was not the whole truth and this is not an isolated example - it's a pattern.

Kirtland Temple Dedication
D&C 110 is an important section in the scriptures and Church History.  As a seminary student, I was taught (or at least I viewed it as being taught) that during the dedication of the Kirtland temple, Joseph and Oliver saw Jesus Christ "standing on the breast work of the pulpit before them, and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber: his eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was like the pure snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the Voice of Jehovah, saying I am the first and the last, I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain. I am your Advocate with the Father."  They also saw Moses, Elias and Elijah, who in turn delivered keys to Joseph and Oliver.  In my mind, I saw them stepping behind a veil, while the rest of the congregation waited for them. After being visited, they return to the congregation to tell them the marvelous experience ... but they don't.

Bushman informs us the "vision was not included in editions of the Doctrine and Covenants published during Joseph's lifetime, and no manuscript copies exist save Warren Cowdery's and the one Willard Richards copied into Joseph's history for the Church newspaper in 1843.  Joseph never mentioned the event in his other writings.  There is no evidence he told the Kirtland Saints."

"The episode behind the veil is mysteriously suspended at the end of the diary without comment or explanation, as if Joseph was stilled by the event."  Bushman goes on to say that the formal revelations the Saints were used to receiving from Joseph seem to stop and that he was receiving "incommunicable revelations" the Saints "could not bear."

This was something new to me.  Again, I viewed this revelation of Joseph and Oliver seeing Christ in the Kirtland temple as something grand - a bulwark of doctrine for the Saints.  But they never knew this vision happened until seven years later.  In fact, the sole purpose of building the temple was so that the Saints could receive their endowment - to see and know Christ personally.  Meetings occurred in the temple from January to April - many outpourings of the Spirit occurred, but not as many saw the face of God as was hoped.  Bushman writes, "Not many saw the face of God or the Savior, but enough had been given to say that the endowment was now theirs.  As one brother wrote later, 'Some brethren expressed themselves as being disappointed at not receiving more and greater manifestations of the power of God, but for our part, we had found the pearl of great price, and our soul was happy and contented, and we rejoiced in the Lord.'  Joseph told the quorums 'that I had now completed the organization of the church and we had passed through all the necessary ceremonies, that I had given them all the instruction they needed.'  Now they needed to 'build up the kingdom of God." (pp. 318-19).  And then, when Joseph and Oliver thought the endowment was essentially over, they see the greatest of all the visions - Jesus Christ ... and then they don't say a word.  Maybe, as Bushman alludes, more was revealed than the Saints were ready for and this is why they didn't say anything at the time.

Zion
I don't have anything specific to say about Zion.  I've always held the same belief and opinion about Zion and the book just reaffirmed my opinion.  Namely - that the Saints kept having to give up on it over and over again.  Almost from the start of the church, they had a dream of Zion.  And whenever they tried to establish it, they failed.  All the knowledge that was given to the Saints has stayed with us.  But perhaps the single most important thing to them was establishing Zion - and that was the one thing they could not get and keep.  Now, Zion is not so much a central place for the Saints to live in, rather it's a watered-down Region-Stake-Ward concept.  It's palatable, but not necessarily satisfying.

Word of Wisdom
Just some minor observations abot the WoW as I read the book.

The WoW was given in February 1833.  I've always been taught that the WoW at the time it was give was just that - a word for the wise, but not necessarily a commandment.  It was later codified by the Saints living in Utah, along with the interpretations of what "hot drinks" meant.

In first few months of 1838, Oliver was accused of "various infractions of the Word of Wisdom ... Cowdery admitted to drinking tea three times a day for his health, and the Whitmers contended tea and coffee were not covered by the revelation."  It would seem the WoW had some force back then.

Another passage from when Joseph was in Nauvoo: "Through the late fall and winter of 1843 and 1844, Joseph and Emma's relationship broke down only once.  During Sunday dinner on November 5, Joseph became ill, rushed to the door, and vomited so violently that he dislocated his jaw.  'Every symptom of poison,' Richards noted in Joseph's diary.  That night at the prayer meeting, Richards wrote in code that Joseph and Emma did not dress in the usual special clothing, a sign they were too much at odds to participate.  The next day, Richards wrote that Joseph was 'busy with domestic concerns.'  Years later, in the anti-Emma atmosphere of Utah, Brigham Young spoke of a meeting where Joseph accused his wife of slipping poison into his coffee.  Brigham interpreted Emma's refusal to answer as an admission of guilt."  Bushman later goes on to say the accusation was "unfounded" and that Joseph was prone to violent vomiting and that he had dislocated his jaw before.  But in all this, what caught my attention was Joseph drinking coffee in 1843.

At time of his leg operation, he would not drink a strong drink.  But later, there were numerous times when he drank wine.  In fact, during the Nauvoo chapters of the book, I was surprised at how many parties and social dinners they had at the mansion.  Wine seemed to be served often at these parties.  Perhaps there was a fundamental difference, in peoples' minds, between strong drink and mere wine.

Polygamy
This seems like such a burned-over topic in Church History.  But the key thing that I learned from Bushman's book was that the original teaching of "Celestial" marriage was marrying multiple "spiritual" wives and that in order to obtain the highest kingdom, a man must enter into this new and everlasting covenant.  This teaching has since shifted from polygamy to mean one man marrying one woman in the temple for time and eternity.

Other things to note on this topic ... Bushman alludes that this doctrine began around the time of the dedication of the Kirtland temple.  It was never openly taught.  This doctrine was always taught in secret.  Joseph denied it publicly.  Emma hated the doctrine and the thought of polygamy - Joseph was stuck between eternal damnation (for not practicing it) and his wrathful wife (who he loved dearly).

I see the practicality of most doctrines.  But I don't see it for polygamy.  Yeah, there's Jacob 2, but I don't think there was a great need to "raise seed" back in 1836-88.  Maybe it was for the point of "restoring all things", but if that was the case, wouldn't it have been sufficient to introduce it; perform it once and call it good until it was actually needed?

King Follet Discourse
Every missionary wanted a copy of the King Follett Sermon.  When I worked in the copy center at the MTC my freshman year at BYU, we had copies of it on standby to sell to missionaries.  I don't know if my memory is accurate or not, but I seem to remember we could not sell copies of the sermon anymore at one point.

As Bushman notes, it was the doctrine of polygamy and multiple gods that essentially got Joseph killed.  It was just too much for people in that day.  But the feeling I got from reading Bushman was that this was major, major doctrine for the 20,000 Saints assembled on April 7, 1844.  But to this day, the sermon remains absent from the D&C.

One of his last quotes
About a week after the King Follett discourse, Joseph gave his final public sermon on June 16, 1844.  From Bushman's book: "Joseph new his leaps would terrify less intrepid souls.  'I despise the idea of be scared to death,' he said upon completing his proof of God the Father having a father.  'When things that are great are passed over with[ou]t. even a thot I want to see all in all its bearings & hug it to my bosom.'  Then came a sentence that captured his spirit perfectly: 'I never hear[d] of a man being d[amne]d for bel[ievin]g too much but they are d[amne]d for unbel[ief].'  A few minutes later he stopped talking.  The sky was pouring rain."

And that seems to sum it up - Joseph brought a lot of ideas into the world.  The final few ideas cost him his life, but the fact remains that we have those ideas because of Joseph's desire to believe and gain knowledge from God.

Final Thoughts
Rough Stone Rolling is a fantastic book.  For someone who was raised in the Chruch and was taught all the wonderful things about Joseph Smith and Church History and never taught a thing about the "dark secrets" of the Church, reading this book was a bit like reading the journal of someone you look up to ... and when you read it, you realize they really aren't the person you perceived them to be.  You realize they are human - just like you - they have faults, sins and short-comings.  There is a bit of a let-down.  But then you realize no one is perfect except Christ.

If anything, you should feel confident that if the Lord approves of and loves Joseph, then he also loves us!  Joseph and the church were in debt.  They broke the law of the land.  They didn't always keep the commandments.  They were forced to make tough Adam/Eve/Fruit and Nephi/Laban/Thou-shalt-not-kill choices.  When all was said and done, Joseph just wanted to do what the Lord wanted him to do.  And if we can say that all we did was what the Lord wanted us to do, then despite all our faults and short-comings, we can feel confident in the Lord's love and approval for us.

Quote on Temptation

I came across the C.S. Lewis quote on temptation years ago.  In yesterday's Elder's Quorum lesson, I heard the quote again.  This time it came from Elder Tad Callister's book The Infinite Atonement.

Here's the quote:

No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.  A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means.  This is an obvious lie.  Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.  After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting it, not by giving in.  You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down.  A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.  That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness.  They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.  We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means - the only complete realist.

"Like" Stats on Apostles' Talks April 2012

from most facebook 'likes' to least:
6500+ holland: the laborers in the vineyard
5400+ uchtdorf: merciful obtain mercy
2200+ eyring: mountains to climb
1400+ scott: how to obtain revelation
951 monson: race of life
796 anderson: what thinks christ of me
683 packer: little child shall lead them
610 oaks: sacrifice
572 ballard: that the lost may be found
363 nelson: thanks be to god
264 bednar: powers of heaven (priesthood session)
239 christofferson: doctrine of christ
231 monson: as we gather once again
214 eyring: families under covenant (priesthood session)
191 hales: coming to ourselves
176 monson: willing and worthy to serve (priesthood session)
148 cook: in tune with the music of faith
147 uchtdorf: why priesthood service (priesthood session)
122 perry: power of deliverance
79 monson: as we close

elder holland having the most likes is no surprise.  his talks are regularly amazing and inspiring.  after you watch his talk, you feel uplifted.  as you read his talks, you really have something to think about and chew on.

president uchtdorf's talk on mercy is interesting.  he's fairly "popular" and liked overall.  my parents, when they were serving in prague, had the chance to listen to him and work with him.  they've always raved about him.  does the mercy topic strike a chord with members?  are we really looking for mercy and forgiveness from others?  are others judging us to harshly?  the beginning of his talks seems to indicate this is a big problem among the members.  and thinking about this a bit more, holland's talk seems to hit on the same subject as uchtdorf's talk - just in a different light.

president eyring's talk was about overcoming adversity ... i can see why this talk is popular.  and the same goes for elder scott's talk on revelation.  in fact, that was the talk i was reading and listening to again and as i was reading it, i noticed how much i liked it.  then i noted how many others 'liked'; and that prompted me to make the comparison.

anyway, it's an interesting view into general conference.

"Like" Stats on Apostles' Talks October 2011

following up from the previous post; here are the stats from october 2011
6700+ uchtdorf: you matter to him
3500+ scott: power of scripture
3200+ packer: counsel to youth
2800+ ballard: importance of a name
2400+ monson: stand in holy places
2200+ hales: waiting upon the lord ...
2100+ anderson: children
2000+ monson: dare to stand alone (priesthood)
1800+ holland: we are all enlisted (priesthood)
1200+ oaks: teachings of jesus
1000+ cook: the songs they could not sing
974 christofferson: divine gift of repentance
763 perry: perfect love ...
733 bednar: hearts of children ...
673 eyring: a witness
474 uchtdorf: providing in the lord's way (priesthood)
418 monson: as we meet again
382 nelson: covenants
214 eyring: preparation in the priesthood (priesthood)
172 monson: until we meet again

i'll have to revisit the april 2012 stats in about five months to see how they've changed.  i noticed that there are, overall, a lot more likes in the october 2011 general conference.

again, president uchtdorf is very popular.  scott is also up high on the list as well.

The Other Daily Quotes on Desire

Yesterday I wrote about one quote I read or recite daily.  There are four other quotes that I try to review on a daily basis.  I wanted to share those as well.  I've already shared a couple of them in a previous post on the topic of desire.  But I'll share them again here.

"Desire denotes a real longing or craving. Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Of course our genes, circumstances, and environments matter very much, and they shape us significantly. Yet there remains an inner zone in which we are sovereign, unless we abdicate. In this zone lies the essence of our individuality and our personal accountability. Therefore, what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity." -Neal A. Maxwell

"Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, 'the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.' Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors." - Neal A. Maxwell

"When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously." If our righteous desires are sufficiently intense, they will motivate us to cut and carve ourselves free from addictions and other sinful pressures and priorities that prevent our eternal progress. We should remember that righteous desires cannot be superficial, impulsive, or temporary. They must be heartfelt, unwavering, and permanent. So motivated, we will seek for that condition described by the Prophet Joseph Smith, where we have 'overcome the evils of [our lives] and lost every desire for sin.' That is a very personal decision." - Dallin H. Oaks

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers." - Abraham. 1:2

Sacrifice, Desire and What's Most Important in Life

Sacrifice & Desire

A few years ago, I came accross an article while searching LDS.org and found a reference to a book by James Allen.  The book was entitled after the Proverb: As a Man Thinketh.

You can read that entire book and many other books by James Allen by referencing the link to the James Allen Library.

Much of the book As a Man Thinketh is very quotable.  But there is one quote that I read and recite almost every day.

It goes: "The man who shrinks from self-crucifixion can never accomplish the object upon which his heart is set ... the sole and supreme use of suffering is to purify; to burn out all that is useless and impure."

The world is full of distractions and attractions.  If we are not careful, we can be easily led astray from our real goals - our deepest desires - what's most important to us in life.  If we are not careful, useless and impure things can creep into our lives.  If they already have, then we must shift our focus and then maintain our focus on our desires.  It takes commitment and sacrifice.  To shed our lives of useless and impure things will take sacrifice, but we will be the happier for it as we purify ourselves and maintain focus on what's most important.

What's Most Important

The author of a blog I read recently wrote a post entitled On Remembering What's Most Important.  His post was spot on.

Last year, I spent several months thinking about what is most important to me in my life.  I wanted to think about and document what I want my life to be.  I used a mind map (Mind Manager) to brain storm and then refine my thoughts.  Next, I created a scorecard in Excel to track my daily, weekly and monthly performance.  With these two tools, along with my weekly journal, I keep a sufficient focus on the things that are most imporant to me.

As is often the case, when I see myself beginning to drift from the path, I simply review my mind map and scorecard more regularly and my course is corrected.

The mind map has since morphed into my "to do" list, but it still has retained the core of my desires in life.  But now, all the big, medium and daily goals are tracked.  I read another blogger's post about this "to do" list (link here) which is based on Personal Kanban.

In the spirit of sharing, I wanted to pass along these nuggets and lessons I've learned over the past year.  They have been extremely helpful for me and I've seen a large improvment in my life and search for happiness.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I have heard in many Sunday School and seminary lessons about how this life is so short compared to eternity. When we think of roughly 70 or 80 years of life on this earth compared to the eternities, we quickly begin to grasp how short and how important this life is. Our afflictions then become light and are mere moments in the eternal scheme of things.

Immortality & Eternal Life

There is a very small article in the November 2006 New Era by David B. Haight.

It discusses the difference between immortality and eternal life (Moses 1:39).

Bringing to pass immortality is essentially a work of creation.

Immortality is about quantity.  Eternal life is about quality.

To use a metaphor, immortality is how long the dinner lasts.  Eternal life is what is on the menu and who is with us at the table.

Eternal life is the culmination of existence.

If immortality is God's work, then eternal life is God's glory.  However, eternal life does not come automatically.  We must purge our hearts of evil and fill them with the desire to do good continually.  [God] desires each of us to partake of this greatest of all gifts: eternal life.

2012 Study and Spiritual Goals

Sacrament Meeting was really good this week.  With it being New Year's Day, our Stake decided to hold off on Fast Sunday until next week.  As such, we were treated to some wonderful talks about goals and resolutions.

As for myself - I've made New Year's Resolutions in the past.  But more often than not, I've made quite a few mid-year resolutions.  I've come to learn that just because you fail at something, it doesn't mean you're destined to forever fail that thing.  Like the Phoenix, today's ashes become tomorrow's victories.

2011 proved this axiom true for me many times.

Through the years - through all the General Conferences and Stake Conferences and Ward Conferences and Priesthood meetings and leadership meetings, I've been on the receiving end of so many invitations to do something - to change something.  I would usually have some set goal already with regard to reading the Book of Mormon or scripture study and then after the meeting, I'd feel somewhat obligated to add another goal or to try a new method of study.  This year was no different.  I tried many things, but just couldn't get traction.  But a few things stuck and continue to stick.  I've refined these goals and plans to the point that I think they will work.

My goals, when it comes to spirituality and scripture study, is essentially to keep up my resolve on these things I've identified in 2011.

Specifically, they are spelled out here:
1) Read the Book of Mormon every day.  Usually, it will be one chapter.  As I discover new things and learn new lessons, I'll update my Book of Mormon Inspection blog.

2) Read and study the Sunday School lesson.  Since we are studying the Book of Mormon this year in Sunday School, I will not have any assignments to read per se.  But, I will take notes in class and add them to my Book of Mormon Inspection blog if I find them noteworthy.

3) Read the General Conference Ensign issues; make notes; consolidate "commandments" and post to this blog.

4) Since I'll have extra "study" time (Book of Mormon overlap), I plan on studying the life of Joseph Smith this year.  I have a handful of books I plan to read - Rough Stone Rolling, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, History of Joseph Smith By His Mother, The Journal of Joseph Smith, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith and Lectures on Faith.

As for serving ... I need to do better at being a good home teacher; and of course I intend to fulfill my calling as one of the Boy Scouts leaders in our ward.

My wife and I still have the goal of going to the temple every month.  We did fairly well in 2011.  I think she attended every month, while I missed a couple of months.

In 2011, I started (again) going on 'dates' with each of our kids every week.  That worked well for several months and I plan to continue that tradition into 2012.

FHE's will continue, as will family scripture study and prayer.  Personal prayer can be better and more consistent and I've a goal to improve that.

And of course dates with my wife - 2011 went very well on that front and I don't see it changing in 2012.

Here's to a great year!

Romans 15:1-2

Romans 15:1-2 ~ WE then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

I’m not sure when I found this scripture the first time, but I was reading from my mission set of scriptures a few weeks ago and found that I had especially marked this scripture.  I read it again and realized that all this scripture says is that we ought to be like Jesus.  We ought to serve others and when we serve others, we are edified and find joy.  I know from experience that when I focus on myself and my “hobbies” instead of my family or my home-teaching families, I am not happy at all.  Only when I re-focus my efforts and serve others do I find the joy that I always want to have.

Recap of October 2011 Conference

Right before October Conference, I did a recap of the April 2011 Conference.  Our Stake President, from what I've heard, highlights all the 'commandments' from each conference.  He then summarizes these on a sheet of paper and then laminates this paper to remind him what he needs to work on between conferences.

This is the best method I've heard of for trying to study, remember and implement what we hear in General Conference.

Taking that as my basis, I created my own little procedure for studying conference talks.  I work my conference talks studies into my daily scripture study.  First I read a chapter or two from the Book of Mormon.  Then I read a bit from the Sunday School weekly reading assignment.  After that, I read a talk from the conference edition of the Ensign.  I usually read one talk a day.

As for order of talks ... first I will read all the Apostle's talks (1st Presidency and Council of the Twelve).  I highlight "commandments" in each talk.  I will underline key ideas and comments as well.  After I've done this for all the Apostles' talks, I summarize the 'commandments' in a post - which is this post.

After that, I will go back and read all the non-Apostle talks.

Here's the October 2011 recap:

Elder Richard G. Scott - The Power of Scripture
learn, ponder, search and memorize scripture.
methods unlock revelation, provide guidance and inspiration; accelerates physical healing.
mark your copy of the scriptures
put notes in the margin
use all the standard works (OT, NT, BoM, D&C, PoGP)
"those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the divinity of the Son of God."

President Boyd K. Packer - Counsel to Youth
only employ sacred power of procreation when you are wedded as a husband and wife.
the voice of the Spirit comes as a feeling; as a thought
you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit
you hold the key (repentance) that will unlock the prison door from the inside
youth today are being raised in enemy territory
dress modestly, talk reverently; listen to uplifting music, avoid all immorality and personally degrading practices.
take hold of your life and be valiant.
trust in the Lord with all your heart
be trustworthy
surround yourself with friends who desire to be trustworthy as well

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - You Matter to Him
man is nothing
always retain in your memory that we are nothing and that God is great
the worth of the souls is great in the eyes of God
Satan appeals to us with prideful tendencies as well as the fantasy of our own self-importance and invincibility.
Satan also tries to discourage us.
do your best; incline your heart to God and be willing to help those who are around you.
God loves you
what you see and experience now is not what forever will be.  you will feel loneliness, sorrow, pain or discouragement from time to time, but it will not last forever.

Elder David A. Bednar - The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn
"The spirit, power and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and to obtain all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God
it is sealing authority - it is essential for priesthood ordinances to be binding both on earth and in heaven.
greatest work is to seek after our dead
seal our children and our dead
the Saints come up as saviors on Mount Zion
Spirit of Elijah is a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family.
identify, document and cherish ancestors and family members
don't wait for some arbitrary age limit to begin family history work.
learn and experience the Spirit of Elijah
"And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary.  As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives."
help your children to learn and experience Spirit of Elijah
devote more time to family history and less time playing video games, facebooking and surfing the Internet

Elder Neil L. Andersen - Children
be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth - commandment remains in force.
reject false concepts and false teachings and remain true to that which God has commanded.
he cited a blog post by a Christian mother (link)
express gratitude and love for wife - for bearing and caring for children
act in faith; never forget, dismiss or neglect God's commandment to multiply and replenish earth
do not be judgemental of others in this private and sacred responsibility
humbly seek to understand and accept God's commandments by reverently listening to Holy Ghost.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - The Divine Gift of Repentance
"If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves."
pray for mercy
pray for time and opportunity to work and strive to overcome
desire to come to judgement worthily
replace weakness with strength
improve your capacity to live the celestial law
abandon sin; commit to obedience
persevere
feel it
confess

Elder L. Tom Perry - Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
help "disabuse the public mind" and correct misinformation when we are portrayed as something we are not
share who we are
be righteous examples to others - let your light shine
speak up about the church; share you beliefs with others
accept their invitations; engage in two-way conversations
be respectful and civil; honest and open
avoid arguing; avoid becoming defensive
use the Internet and social media to reach out and share beliefs
add your voice to Internet conversations
do not put a 'spin' on our message

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - We Are All Enlisted
care enough; sign on; speak up
do not voluntarily bind your tongue; open your mouth and speak miracles
sit up; take notice
be more morally clean than you are now
stay on the team; stop dribbling out of bounds; get in the game; play your hearts out!
be active, be clean; get active, get clean
need stronger, more devoted voice - a voice not only against evil, but voice for good - a voice for the gospel - a voice for God
unbind your tongue; watch your words work wonders

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - Providing in the Lord's Way
remember the poor, the needy, the sick, the afflicted
love God, love your neighbor - all other goals and actions should spring from those two great commandments
have self-reliance
serve your neighbor
care for the poor
"the lord's way is not to sit at the side of the stream and wait for the water to pass before we cross.  it is to come together, roll up our sleeves, go to work, and build a bridge or a boat to cross the waters of our challenges."
study the revealed principles and doctrines - read the handbooks
providentliving.org
reread the June 2011 Ensign
seek to apply what you have learned - you need to figure it out for yourself
individuals are responsible for personal self-reliance
sacrifice your time, talents, resources

President Henry B. Eyring - Preparation in the Priesthood: "I Need Your Help"
work with all your heart, mind and strength
serve and teach others
we must strive to have more and more self-discipline every day of our lives
build your faith through service
give more effort than you think you can give

President Thomas S. Monson - Dare to Stand Alone
have the moral courage to stand firm
be worthy
stand in holy places
do not be immoral
do not be dishonest; do not cheat or lie or use filthy language
repent
read the book of mormon and ponder its teachings - ask heavenly father if it is true
share your testimony with others
be ready, always, give give an answer to your hope in Christ

President Henry B. Eyring - A Witness
mourn with those that mourn; stand in need of comfort, stand as a witness of god at all times and places; be redeemed, be numbered with those of the first resurrection
be charitable
be a witness of god
endure
have courage to be a witness
"in one who is wholly converted, desire for things contrary to the gospel of jesus christ has actually died, and substituted therefor is a love of god with a fixed and controlling determination to keep his commandments" marion g. romney
drink deeply and often from the pages of the book of mormon

Elder Robert D. Hales - Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will be Done
accept and carry out father's plan
wait on the lord
purpose of life is to grow, develop and be strengthened
wait upon the lord
mortal challenges allow us and heavenly father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow his son
wait means to hop, to anticipate and to trust
plant seeds of faith and nourish them
ponder things in our heart
continue in patience
stand fast and press forward
rely alone on the merits of christ
cast not away your confidence
watch with him and wait upon him

Elder M. Russell Ballard - The Importance of a Name
take upon you the name of Christ
be obedient unto the end of your lives
do not transgress the name
take the name of Christ upon you
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... not the Mormon church
teach the world this correct usage
follow Jesus Christ
remember to retain Christ's name always in your heart
stand as a witness
be willing to let others know whom we follow and to whose church we belong
we don't need to stop using the name Mormon, but we should emphasize correct usage of the correct name of the church
develop the habit within families and church activities and daily interactions by making it clear the name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Thomas S. Monson - Stand in Holy Places
behaviors which were once considered inappropriate and immoral are now not only tolerated but also viewed by ever so many as acceptable
"we have been spending our moral capital with the same reckless abandon that we have been spending our financial capital" (Rabbi Sacks)
there is no counter-voice to the culture of but it, spent it, wear it, flaunt it, because you're worth it - the message is that morality is passe
our code of conduct = ten commandments and sermon on the mount
there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the spirit which can come to us as we follow the savior and keep the commandments
be vigilant!
reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing ... to surrender ... eternal life
refuse to surrender eternal life
the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever
communicate with heavenly father through prayer
watch and pray always
work toward the goal of establishing a daily relationship with god through prayer
learn to recognize the holy ghost - trust it - follow it
trust in inspiration
be worthy to receive inspiration - trust it - follow it
draw near to the lord - seek him diligently ... as we do so, his spirit will provide us the desire and courage to stand strong and firm in righteousness ... to stand in holy places and be not moved.

Elder Russell M. Nelson - Covenants
make, keep and honor sacred covenants (a promise with God)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks - Teachings of Jesus
The way is desire and obedience.
As to desire, Jesus taught, 'ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.'
As to obedience, 'if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of god, or whether i speak of myself.'

Elder Quentin L. Cook - The Songs They Could Not Sing
mourn and strive to bear one another's burdens
god is no respecter of persons **personal commentary on this point - i wonder if this phrase also means that god is no respecter of persons when it comes to trials or tragedies?  as the story of the titanic notes, some returning missionaries were "saved" from the tragic fate because one of the elders was late, while another member of the church (a faithful sister) was not spared and suffered the same fate of many passengers**
righteousness, prayer and faithfulness will not always result in happy endings in mortality
**more personal commentary - are we sometimes too quick to attribute good behavior as to why we are blessed?  good fortune and tragic circumstances fall on both the righteous and wicked.  as elder cook notes, we should be grateful for blessings.  but, personally speaking, i wonder if we should not be quick to attribute our blessings to righteous living.  similarly, we should not be quick to attribute misfortune to dis-obedience.  blessedness/misfortune should be considered independent of wickedness/righteousness.**
"adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our father in heaven's overall plan."
trials perfect us and purify us and prepare us to meet god
these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good
the righteous are not lost ... the wicked will be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate
avoid dwelling on lost opportunities in this life (unfulfilled potential)
look through the wide and clear lens of the gospel instead of the limited lens of mere mortal existence

President Thomas S. Monson - Until We Meet Again
express thanks
i acknowledge His hand in all things
personal gratitude
express our deep appreciation
express profound appreciation
thank my brethren
express my gratitude
express my appreciation
strive to keep the commandments and seek Him through prayer
how blessed we are
thank you
thank you
express my gratitude
show increased kindness
be found doing the work of the lord
constantly nourish your testimony
remember me and all general authorities in your prayers

Mormon.org Profile

I finally got around to making a Mormon.org profile!

You can read it here.

Enjoy!

FHE on Prayer

I had to pull together a last-minute FHE lesson after dinner last night.  I usually will find a Friend article, in these situations, and read the article and discuss it.  So as I was flipping through the Friend, I found a nice short article on prayer.  It was about a couple of kids who used prayer in their lives.  The article also had some activities that you could do to help re-inforce the message.  One of these had an activity to find examples of prayer in the scriptures, but a better idea came to me and it turned out really well.

I asked my son to get the "blue box" of Church pictures.  I put the box in the middle of the floor.  Then, before I read the article, I told the kids that I was going to start a sentence and I wanted them to finish it.  I started the sentence, "Prayer is ..."  They each came up with their ideas ... beautiful, reverent, talking to God, quiet.  Then I read the article.  We talked about it a bit and then each of them wanted to share their own experiences with personal prayer and so we all listend to their personal experiences.

Then we all sat on the floor around the "blue box."  I split the pictures up between everyone in the family.  I then asked them to put the pictures that dealt with prayer in one pile and then put all the other pictures in another pile.  Then I took all their non-prayer pictures and put them back in the box.  Then I showed them how many scripture story pictures were about prayer.  I quickly went through each one; briefly recounting the story or having one of the kids recount the story.  Then I asked them, "was their prayer answered?"  Of course they were!  And just seeing all the stories in the scriptures and talking about how those prayers were answered not only helped the kids, but it really strengthened my faith too.

Israel Surrounded

This article, by Victor Davis Hanson, really raised my eyebrows ... especially the last paragraph.

So brace yourself. The next war against Israel is no longer a matter of if — only when. And it will be far more deadly than any we’ve witnessed in quite some time.

Recap of April 2011 Conference

With the October 2011 General Conference a couple of weeks away, I thought I'd do a recap of all the Apostle's talks - with emphasis on what we should do.

President Monson - opening remarks
pay your tithes and offerings and be generous with them.  contribute to other funds of the church.  consider making a donation to the general missionary fund of the church.

Elder Perry - The Sabbath and the Sacrament
commit to study and treasure the new testament.
go to the house of prayer (sacrament meeting & church meetings).
avoid worldly distractions, business and recreational activities on sunday.
confess & forsake our errors to heavenly father.
dress appropriately on the sabbath.
teach our children to love the sabbath by going to church

Elder Cook - LDS Women Are Incredible!
wives are equal to their husbands.  marriage requires full partnership - husbands and wives work side by side. to meet the needs of the family.

President Eyring - Opportunities to Do Good
consecrate your time, means and yourself to serve others.
keep your covenants by acting on feelings of sympathy.
provide for youself, your family and then reach out to help others.
spend less than you earn; with the surplus, give to others.
draw your family into the work of helping others; so they can learn from your example.
seek out the poor - it is a commandment.
prepare yourself.  be pureified, strengthened; serve god and others

President Packer - Guided by the Holy Spirit
refer to members of the church properly i.e. latter-day saints
be responsible, caring, devoted to your wife and children and revere womanhood.  nurture spiritual growth in your children.
love one another and frankly forgive offenses.
leave it alone ... forgive, forget and leave it alone.
mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need it, be a witness of god always.
do a lot of forgiving and a little repenting.

Elder Nelson - Face the Future with Faith
combat fear by strengthening your faith.
strengthen the faith of your children.
focus your faith on heavenly father and jesus christ.  teach children they are a child of god.  teach faith in the plan of salvation; that this life is a probation - a trial - a test.
keep all of god's commandments.
faith and obedience will provide physical and spiritual protection.
faith is fortified through heartfelt prayer - intense & impassioned prayers.
enduring commitment to being a full tithe-payer is essential.
why do we need faith?  because difficult days are ahead.
the saints will suffer persecution - how you react to that persecution will either crush you or motivate you.
the future is as bright as your faith.

Elder Oaks - Desire
search your heart to determine what you really desire; determine how you rank your most important desires.
you develop desire when you have a vision of what you can become.  when you have that vision, your power to act increases enormously.
desires must be heartfelt - unwavering - permanent.
deliberately decide to lose wrong desires.
insist over and over again what you desire to become and you will become it.
work for the qualities required to become an eternal being.
do all that you can do to preserve your temple marriage.

Elder Ballard - Finding Joy through Loving Service
strive to keep your life simple and unencumbered by extraneous influences; focus on those things that matter most.
love god & christ with all your heart and share that love through acts of kindness.
when charity envelops us, our motivation and heartfelt desires are like christ's.
let the golden rule govern your home.  speak words of support and encouragement; be sensitive to other's needs.
rescue.
kindness is the essence of greatness.
discern needs and then respond to those needs.
be sensitive to the promptings of the holy ghost.
help with mundane tasks.
unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.
desire the gift of charity.

Elder Anderson - Preparing the World for the Second Coming
sidney going (rugby star athlete) said, "the blessing of bringing others into the gospel far outweighs anything you will ever sacrifice.
thousands have not asked "what will i get from my mission" rather they've asked "what can i give?"
prepare for service as a missionary - keep clean, pure and worthy to represent the lord.

President Uchtdorf - Your Potential, Your Privilege
partake of the abundant feast of spiritual opportunities and universal blessings the priesthood provides.
when impressed upon by the spirit, do it now.
read the scriptures - listen to the prophets with all your heart and mind.
don't let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the holy ghost.
commit to reading the scriptures and handbooks with more purpose and focus.
read d&c 84, 107, 121
study the purpose, potential and practical use of the priesthood.
become experts in the doctrines of the gospel - especially the doctrine of the priesthood.
seek personal revelation.
plead with the lord to provide us with a spark of faith that will enable us to receive revelation.
experience the bliss of daily, practical priesthood service.
never become hardened at the wonder and awe of what the lord has entrusted to us.

President Eyring - Learning in the Priesthood
learn your duties in the priesthood and grow in the power to perform them.
love each other and don't find fault with each other.
be a peacemaker - someone who helps people find common ground when others see differences.
with enough desire to be a peacemake and to have charity, unity is possible; but it takes patience and humilty.
labor for the salvation of men.
"in the priesthood we share the sacred duty to labor for the souls of men.  we must do more than learn that this is our duty.  it must go down into our hearts so deeply that neither the many demans on our efforts in the bloom of life nor the trials that come with age can turn us from that purpose."
be determined to do something that matters.

President Monson - Priesthood Power
"the moral compass of the masses has gradually shifted to an 'almost anything goes' position."
do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth from today's media (tv, movies)
stay completely away from pornography.  avoid alcohol & tabacco, drugs and addictions.
read the book of mormon.
keep your testimony alive through obedience and regular prayer and scripture study and chuch attendance.
cease any unrighteousness.
reject false concepts and teachings; and remain true to god's commandments.
get married.
in most cases, divorce does not have to be the outcome.
choose your love; love your choice.
be the right person in your marriage.  do your part.
be committed to your wife.

President Uchtdorf - Waiting on the Road to Damascus
look back on your life experiences and see that the savior has been with you.
move forward with faith and do not wait too long.
turn down the volume control on the worldly noise in your life.
learn to hearken to the promptings of the holy ghost and then be eager to heed them.
rely on and respond to the promptings of the holy ghost.
study it out in your mind, pray for guidance.
often the answer does not come on our knees, but on our feet while we are serving the lord and those around us.
open your mouth at all times.
"preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

Elder Bednar - The Spirit of Revelation
the spirit of revelation typically functions as thoughts and feelings that come into our minds and hearts from the holy ghost.
consider seriously and ponder prayfully how we can reject the devil's enticements
revelation comes in small increments according to our desire for it, our worthiness and preparation.
appreciate and don't overlook the customary pattern by which the holy ghost accomplishes his work.
keep pressing forward obediently.
trust in god - pray to him.

President Monson - The Holy Temple - a Beacon to the World
temples are filled with faith and fasting; built by trials and testimonies; sanctified by sacrifice and service.
set aside time in your busy life to visit the temple regularly.
there is no more important goal for you than to be worthy to go to the temple.
secure a temple recommend and regard it as a precious possession.
always have the temple in your sights.
indoctrinate your children to love the temple.

Elder Scott - The Eternal Blessing of Marriage
don't waste your time on idle pursuits if you are a young man and are not married.
be faithful to your wife - mentally, physically.
support your wife and children.
lead in scripture study, family prayer, fhe.
tell your wife, often, that you love her, hug her, express gratitude, don't hold back heart-felt expressions of love.
give, share, don't think of yourself first.
get married early in life so as to avoid developing inappropriate character traits that are hard to change.

Elder Christofferson - As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten
"the god portrayed in both the hebrew and christian scriptures asks, not just for commitment, but for our very lifes.  the god of the bible traffics in life and death, not niceness, and calls for sacrificial love, not benign whatever-ism."
be willing to accept and even seek correction.
rejoice that god considers us worth the time and trouble to correct.
repent; refine yourself; sanctify yourself; redirect your life course when god knows a better path.
parents can and must correct and even chasten.
"when a person in a position to correct another fails to do so, he is thinking of himself."
"if we resist correction, others may discontinue offering it altogether.  if we repeatedly fail to act on the chastening of a loving god, then he too will desist."
become self-correcting
analyze your peformance in every assignment and task; determine what could be done better.
pray for god's love-inspired correction.

Elder Holland - An Ensign to the Nations
elder holland's talk is one of those talks that you just have to listen to.  it can't be summarized.  his talks are always powerful and inspiring.  with that said, there was one part i felt was especially good.
"as the path of discipleship ascends, that trail gets ever more narrow until we come to that knee-buckling pinnacle of the sermon of which elder christofferson just spoke: 'be ye therefore perfect, even as your father which is in heaven is perfect.'  what was gentle in the lowlands of initial loyalty becomes deeply strenuous and very demanding at the summit of true discipleship.

President Monson - At Parting
be good citizen of the nations and communities.
reach out to those of other faiths as well as those of our own.
be examples of honesty and integrity wherever you go and whatever you do.