The Great Symbol of Our Membership
Howard W. Hunter
This counsel is still applicable: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119). No wonder He has said that in His holy house, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy” (D&C 110:7).
Gospel Library > Magazines > Ensign > October 1994
As we take a minute and look at our own lives and homes what do we need to change to make our homes a house of order? We can have pictures of the Savior and the temples throughout our homes; we can display our scriptures and church magazines in prominent places in our homes. We can even have clean and beautiful homes but is that what makes our home a house of order?
Our first and foremost responsibility in our home is to bring our children back to God. If there is not a spirit of love and compassion for each other in our home it is not a house of order. We need to help our family members feel, know and understand the divine within us. All that we do in the home should allow the Spirit to dwell within its walls.
Do we allow too much of the world to enter into our homes? We have to go out into the world but we do not have to be of the world and we must do everything we can to keep the negative influences out of our homes. Our family needs a safe haven they can come into where love is expressed and the Spirit felt. They need a place where they can grow in knowledge and wisdom so they will have the strength, courage and power to stand firm at all times and in all places.
What can we do to make our homes a house of order?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Help of angles
Now Let Us Rejoice
“Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause" (Eliza R Snow (D&C 58:27). We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’(J Reuben Clark)”
Are there any of us that don't need the help of angles in our lives? Could we ever get through a day without their guidance, I would hate to try. Our angles come in all sizes and shapes, from all aspects of life. They could be our neighbor next door that just says hello and knowing that they are there if we ever need them. They are usually found in that circle of friends and family that are always surrounding us. We as woman need to depend upon and rely upon the help and guidance that they can give. Sometimes we are just too stubborn to ask for help. If we want to succeed in this life and receive exaltation we must rely upon the angles around us.
President Boyd K. Packer,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has called each ward Relief Society a “circle of sisters.” He said:
“Each sister, no matter where in that circle she stands, can look to either side and feel the spirit of inspiration coming back as she extends the gentle hand of charity to those on either side. …
“…Your every need shall be fulfilled, now, and in the eternities; every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society.”
Being members of this great worldwide organization, Relief Society, will strengthen us, teach us and help us to step up and be strong. It will help us be the righteous example we need to be, and give us the ability to do our part in building up the kingdom of God, preparing this world for His return.
“Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause" (Eliza R Snow (D&C 58:27). We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’(J Reuben Clark)”
Are there any of us that don't need the help of angles in our lives? Could we ever get through a day without their guidance, I would hate to try. Our angles come in all sizes and shapes, from all aspects of life. They could be our neighbor next door that just says hello and knowing that they are there if we ever need them. They are usually found in that circle of friends and family that are always surrounding us. We as woman need to depend upon and rely upon the help and guidance that they can give. Sometimes we are just too stubborn to ask for help. If we want to succeed in this life and receive exaltation we must rely upon the angles around us.
President Boyd K. Packer,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has called each ward Relief Society a “circle of sisters.” He said:
“Each sister, no matter where in that circle she stands, can look to either side and feel the spirit of inspiration coming back as she extends the gentle hand of charity to those on either side. …
“…Your every need shall be fulfilled, now, and in the eternities; every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society.”
Being members of this great worldwide organization, Relief Society, will strengthen us, teach us and help us to step up and be strong. It will help us be the righteous example we need to be, and give us the ability to do our part in building up the kingdom of God, preparing this world for His return.
Monday, January 18, 2010
We are never alone!
In our darkest hours as we face our trials, heartache, and pain we almost always feel like we are in it alone. Even just everyday living, trying to get through the day is more than we can handle. Often times there are not enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done or enough money to get us through to the next pay check. Our burdens and responsibilities seem harder than we can bear.
I have been struggling for a few months, neglecting the spiritual things that I should be doing because I have felt heavy burdens of everyday living and have not used my time wisely. I have started reading my scriptures again and studying the conference talks. In my studies I came across this talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland from April 2009 conference. It made a huge impact on me. It is a review of the last days of our Saviors life and well worth the review.
None Were With Him
I now realize once again that I am never alone. That in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary the Lord felt everything that I feel. He knows through experience every sin and weakness that I have, he knows it and has paid the price to ransom me. He felt abandoned and alone as The Father withdrew, crying in ultimate loneliness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” After all was fulfilled and with complete faith in The Father and complete obedience He finally said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus was completely alone at that point, he felt the withdrawal of His Father, and he felt it and knows it. But, we will never have to be alone for we are blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, lift us, teach us, and comfort us in all things and at all times. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ and all who are called as leaders in this great organization. We have sisters and brothers both, in our family and in our ward family, to stand literally by our side as we need them. No, we are never alone; we are loved more than we can comprehend. All we have to do is ask.
I have been struggling for a few months, neglecting the spiritual things that I should be doing because I have felt heavy burdens of everyday living and have not used my time wisely. I have started reading my scriptures again and studying the conference talks. In my studies I came across this talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland from April 2009 conference. It made a huge impact on me. It is a review of the last days of our Saviors life and well worth the review.
None Were With Him
I now realize once again that I am never alone. That in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary the Lord felt everything that I feel. He knows through experience every sin and weakness that I have, he knows it and has paid the price to ransom me. He felt abandoned and alone as The Father withdrew, crying in ultimate loneliness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” After all was fulfilled and with complete faith in The Father and complete obedience He finally said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus was completely alone at that point, he felt the withdrawal of His Father, and he felt it and knows it. But, we will never have to be alone for we are blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, lift us, teach us, and comfort us in all things and at all times. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ and all who are called as leaders in this great organization. We have sisters and brothers both, in our family and in our ward family, to stand literally by our side as we need them. No, we are never alone; we are loved more than we can comprehend. All we have to do is ask.
Stand a Little Taller
As we move along in our lives each day there are two directions we can go. We can stay on the path we are on, making no changes in our lives and becoming a little stagnant, or we can take the harder path that has an incline. That incline can be as slight or as steep as we want to make it. Always that path is made easier if we have encouragement or help from someone else. Life is easier if we have someone to share it with. We are never alone! There is one who is aware of all that we are and all that we feel. There is one who knows us by name. There is one who loves us unconditionally. There is one who wants us to grow, to become greater than we are today.
President Hinckley in a conference talk said :
"I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence. There is need for a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.
Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart."
Decide today what changes you want to make in your life to become a little better. My choice today is to keep the TV off and use my time pondering upon the things of the Lord. Thinking of Him who made it possible for me to made changes in my life so that I can become more like Him. Knowing that because of Him and His great sacrifice through the atonement I can receive eternal life. My time is valuable I want to use it wisely.
President Hinckley in a conference talk said :
"I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence. There is need for a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.
Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart."
Decide today what changes you want to make in your life to become a little better. My choice today is to keep the TV off and use my time pondering upon the things of the Lord. Thinking of Him who made it possible for me to made changes in my life so that I can become more like Him. Knowing that because of Him and His great sacrifice through the atonement I can receive eternal life. My time is valuable I want to use it wisely.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tender Mercies of the Lord
Neal A Maxwell
“The Lord teaches us much about Himself through His ‘tender mercies.’ He also teaches us much about that which we may become, as we confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. His most apt pupils, of course, are the men and women of God. In those instances of record, the Lord has displayed much gentleness and tenderness in His tutoring of such individuals. The pattern usually involves His disclosing more about Himself and about His work, thus expanding the horizons of the person being tutored. He is likewise reassuring and assigns that favored individual a portion of His work, including declaring the gospel, while making special promises. The pattern, though mercifully scaled, is there in the lives of all true disciples.” (Meek and Lowly, p.115.)
Confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. Where am I on this scale? What does it take to be an apt pupil?
• Man or woman of God
o Willing to take upon us His name and His work
o Willing to be like Him
Giving of our time, talents and all that we have to the work of the Lord.
• Knowing that we cannot do it without the guidance of the Spirit.
What and how will I be taught?
• He will teach with much gentleness and tenderness
• Disclosing more about Himself
• Disclosing more about His work
• He will be reassuring and give a portion of His work to you
• There is always a special promise
The wonderful thing about the tender mercies of the Lord is that we do not have to be perfect; we must be willing, having a desire, and striving to do the things of the Lord. He has given us through His example here on earth what we must do. He has taught us and given us every needful thing for success. Through His tender mercy we can overcome all and become as He is.
“The Lord teaches us much about Himself through His ‘tender mercies.’ He also teaches us much about that which we may become, as we confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. His most apt pupils, of course, are the men and women of God. In those instances of record, the Lord has displayed much gentleness and tenderness in His tutoring of such individuals. The pattern usually involves His disclosing more about Himself and about His work, thus expanding the horizons of the person being tutored. He is likewise reassuring and assigns that favored individual a portion of His work, including declaring the gospel, while making special promises. The pattern, though mercifully scaled, is there in the lives of all true disciples.” (Meek and Lowly, p.115.)
Confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. Where am I on this scale? What does it take to be an apt pupil?
• Man or woman of God
o Willing to take upon us His name and His work
o Willing to be like Him
Giving of our time, talents and all that we have to the work of the Lord.
• Knowing that we cannot do it without the guidance of the Spirit.
What and how will I be taught?
• He will teach with much gentleness and tenderness
• Disclosing more about Himself
• Disclosing more about His work
• He will be reassuring and give a portion of His work to you
• There is always a special promise
The wonderful thing about the tender mercies of the Lord is that we do not have to be perfect; we must be willing, having a desire, and striving to do the things of the Lord. He has given us through His example here on earth what we must do. He has taught us and given us every needful thing for success. Through His tender mercy we can overcome all and become as He is.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tender mercies continued
"The Weightier Matters of the Law: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith"
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Tender Mercies continued
"The Tender Mercies of the Lord"
David A. Bednar, Liahona, May 2005, 99–102; or Ensign, May 2005, 99–102
The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience.
The persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties.
Faithfulness and obedience enable us to receive these important gifts.
Fortify and protect us in the troubled times.
Made mighty even unto the power of deliverance
The Tender Mercies Of The Lord
1Nephi 1:20
“I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved, and it is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father knows our weaknesses and sins. He shows mercy when He forgives us of our sins and helps us return to dwell in His presence.
The Savior stood in our place and suffered the penalty for our sins. Because of this selfless act, the Father can mercifully withhold punishment from us and welcome us into His presence.
Mercies that come from God through the Atonement
- Forgiveness, as we sincerely repent of our sins.
- Blessings we receive is an act of mercy
- Answers to prayers
- Guidance from the Holy Ghost
The Savior commanded: "Be ye . . . merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
We can strive to rid our life of arrogance, pride, and conceit.
We can seek ways to be compassionate, respectful, forgiving, gentle, and patient, even when we are aware of others' shortcomings.
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