SEE AS HE SEES - Understanding the Truth:
a. For the next week, review this section on: "How to be thankful in your adversities." it is important to have some experience with seeing all things spiritually (thought pattern #4) and some experience using enticements for spiritual growth (thought pattern #5), before working on this thought pattern.
b. Understanding the importance of being thankful for ALL things.
THINK AS HE THINKS - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day.
a. Several times a day, talk with Heavenly Father about the purpose of adversities and how you will be steadfast by keeping a spiritual focus. If you do not have any adversities to work on, then keep working on using enticements to practice remaining steadfast in Christ. The adversary will come, and when it comes, you will be well prepared to remain steadfast in Christ.
b. Practice being thankful with each enticement. Feel the difference of how being thankful keeps the shield of faith up.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to pray about these truths until you receive a witness by the spirit that each is good.
a. Seek to feel the Spirit confirm this truth of the purpose of adversities and experience the power of Christ being released on your behalf.
b. Transferring the pain, sorrow, and suffering to the spiritual world takes faith in Christ. It takes patience, diligence, long suffering before you will receive the fruit you desire. (Alma 32:43).
DO AS HE DOES:
Doing all these faith exercises out of the love you have for the Heavenly Father & the Savior makes it easier, and gives you increased strength to continue. Experience the joy of being thankful in all things.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
HOW TO RELEASE THE POWERS OF HEAVEN
THE 3 BASIS PRINCIPLES IN ALL ADVERSITIES
1. By thanking Heavenly Father for the adversity, we become spiritually focused.
2. By focusing spiritually, we can receive the spiritual strength to overcome (transcend) the adversity.
3. As we remain steadfast during the adversity, we release the powers of heaven by which miracles occur.
Elder M. Russell Ballard in October 1992, General Conference said:
"Of course, that does not necessarily mean that we will be spared personal suffering and heartache. Righteousness has never precluded adversity. But faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--real faith, whole souled and unshakable--is a power to be reckoned with in the universe. It can be a causative force through which miracles are wrought. Or it can be a source of inner strength, through which we find peace, comfort, and the courage to cope." (Ensign, Nov. 1992, pp.32-33)
In 1914 the First Presidency taught the same principle:
"...God, doubtless, could avert war, prevent crime, destroy poverty, chase away darkness, overcome error, and make all things bright, beautiful, and joyful. But this would involve the destruction of a vital and fundamental attribute in man, the right of agency. It is for the benefit of His sons and daughters that they become acquainted with evil as well as good, with darkness, as well as light, with error as well as truth, and with the results of the infraction of eternal laws. Therefore, He has permitted the evils, which have been brought about by the acts of His creatures, but will control their ultimate results for His own glory and the progress and exaltation of his sons and daughters when they have learned obedience by the things they suffer. The contrasts experienced in this world of mingled sorrow and joy are educational in their nature and will be the means to raising humanity to a full appreciation of all that is right and true and good. The foreknowledge of God does not imply His action in bringing about that which he foresees, nor makes Him responsible in any degree for that which man does or refuses to do." (Christmas newsletter, the First Presidency, Deseret News, Dec 19, 1914)
Elder Russell M. Nelson Testified:
"Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. We shall be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son." (Ensign, May 1995, p. 34)
Apostle Paul lived and taught the same principles about adversity, and he was able to use all his adversities to grow spiritually. How serious were his adversities?
a. Five times received 39 stripes (40 stripes meant death)
b. Beaten with rods, 3 times
c. Once was stoned
d. Three times suffered shipwreck (a day and a night he was in the sea)
e. In his various travels he was in perils of: robbers, heathens, in wilderness, the sea, among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst often, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.
f. Besides all this he had the daily cares of all the churches.
(2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
How did Paul describe these adversities?
"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." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Paul even asked the Lord three times to remove the thorn in his side, but he was turned down. The answer he received from the Lord was,
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
Then Paul makes this impressive statement about the purpose of adversities in his spiritual growth and development:
"...for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the POWER OF CHRIST may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR HIM WHO SUFFERED FOR YOU
Keep in mind the reality of the pain & suffering one goes through in adversity. It hurts, it can be extremely painful, it is not fair, and it seems like it will never end. One of the benefits of going to the spiritual world for help & the strength to endure and overcome the adversity, is the transferring of this pain & suffering to the spiritual world. By thanking Heavenly Father for the adversity this will change our focus from the temporal to the spiritual. With a spiritual focus, the Lord will ask if we are willing to go through this for Him. As we think of what the Savior went through for our sins, it helps us to be willing to go through it for Him. As we endure the pain & suffering for Him, we are transferring the pain to the spiritual world where the powers of heaven will help us to endure and overcome. The heavens are rejoicing because they know that our spiritual steadfastness will release the powers of heaven to bless us, to sustain us, and to make this journey worthwhile. In this process we become spiritually stronger. We feel the powers of heaven in greater abundance, which causes us to rejoice, as it did Apostle Paul.
*AS ONE EXPANDS HIS CAPACITY TO FEEL SORROW, HE IS ALSO EXPANDING HIS CAPACITY TO FEEL JOY, AND HIS CAPACITY TO FEEL GOD'S PERFECT LOVE.
As one takes this sorrow unto the spiritual world, and is willing to go through it out of the love he feels for the Savior and Heavenly Father, the healing begins. These deep feelings of sorrow or pain expand one's capacity to feel the perfect love that Heavenly Father has for him. This process is evident in the lives of many of the past prophets such as; Paul, Peter & Moses. It was evident in the life of President Spencer W. Kimball and Howard W. Hunter. Each suffered much, but thanked Heavenly Father for the experience of drawing closer to Him and becoming more dependant upon Him.
Brother George Q Cannon testifies of this process:
"We of all people should be happy and joyful. When the clouds seem the darkest and most threatening, and as though the storm is ready to burst upon us with all its fury, we should be calm, serene and undisturbed, for if we have the faith we profess to have, we know that God is in the storm, in the cloud, or in the threatened danger, and that he will not let it come upon us only as far as it is necessary for our good and for our salvation; and we should, even then, be calm and rejoice before God and praise Him..." (JD, 15:375)
RESULTS THAT COME FROM BEING THANKFUL FOR MY ADVERSITIES
(Helaman 3:35)
1. The adversity helps me to grow stronger in my dependency upon God. (humility)
2. It helped me to grow firmer in my faith in Christ.
3. I was able to progress on becoming sanctified by yielding my heart unto God and not on the adversity.
4. I was prepared to use any other adversity that might occur that day for continued spiritual growth and development.
5. I was able to find worthwhileness in my adversity, to rejoice, and to experience the peace the gospel promises. (D & C 59:23)
IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE DAY IT REQUIRES A SPIRITUAL FOCUS.
Thought patterns #4, #5 & #6 are helpful in learning to enjoy and making every day worthwhile.
THOUGHT PATTERN #4 - Seeing all things Spiritually
I now count every day unto the Lord, that is, I use each day and the activities of the day therein to become one with Christ. I see all of my activities as stewardships in which I carry them out for Heavenly Father. This helps me to use all my roles, goals & activities for spiritual growth. It makes no difference if I serve Heavenly Father this day in my profession, or with my wife, or with my children or all three. As long as I seek spiritual input to help me select stewardship priorities for the day and then carry each one out for Heavenly Father. it is all the same.
This thought pattern has taught me that my priorities in this life are to develop:
1. A perfect brightness of hope for me to be raised unto eternal life.
2. A steadfastness in Christ (to see, think, feel & do as He does)
3. and to love God & all men with the pure love of Christ.
I discovered that through stewardships I am able to develop all three of these priorities. In fact, this life has been designed perfectly with all the conditions necessary for me to develop these God like attributes.
THOUGHT PATTERN #5 - Using Enticements for Spiritual Growth
I am now learning how to see all things spiritually, while doing all things for Heavenly Father. I have found that spiritual strength that comes from all enticements. I now see them as opportunities to get me to choose between a temporal focus or a spiritual focus. Since I am practicing using enticements for a spiritual focus, I am enjoying each day more because I can see how the enticements are helping me to draw closer unto my Father in Heaven.
THOUGHT PATTERN #6 - How to be Thankful in my Adversities
This thought pattern is critical in helping me to always make the day worthwhile. If I am learning to see more and more things spiritually, and I have experienced the power from using enticements for spiritual growth, then I am ready to learn how to be thankful even in my adversities.
Our goal is to become steadfast in Christ. This is to see, think, feel & do what Christ would do in the same situation.
What some of the prophets have said concerning being thankful in all things.
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." (James 1:2)
"Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks waiting patiently on the Lord...and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord."
(D & C 98:1-3)
"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D & C 78:19)
"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church." (D & C 100:15)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
"If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful... My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom. Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear; For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite..."
(D & C 136:29-33)
"Nevertheless, Jacob, my first-born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." (2 Nephi 2:2)
"If thou art called to pass through tribulation...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D & C 122:5-7)
"For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." (D & C 58:2-4)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am persuaded, that...(nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God..." (Romans 8:35-39)
Brigham Young counseled: "By the natural mind we cannot see and understand the things of God, therefore we must then seek unto the Lord, and get His Spirit and the light thereof, to understand His will. And when He is calling us to pass through that which we call afflictions, trials, temptations & difficulties, did we possess the light of the Spirit, we would consider this the greatest blessing that could be bestowed upon us." (JD, p. 303)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
THE IMPORTANCE OF OVERCOMING OUR WEAKNESSES
Elder Melvin J. Ballard:
"I grant you that the righteous dead will be at peace, but I tell you that when we go out of this life, leave this body, we will yearn to do a thousand things that we cannot do at all without the body, and how handicapped we will be, and realize then like a man who has suddenly lost both arms and his legs. We will be seriously handicapped, and we will long for the body; we will crave it; we will pray for that early reunion with our bodies. We will know then what advantage it was to have a body. Then, every man and woman who is putting off until the next life the task of correcting and overcoming the weakness of the flesh are sentencing themselves to that man years of bondage, for no man or woman will come forth in the resurrection until they have completed their work, until they have overcome, until they have corrected, until they have done as much as they can do. That is why Jesus said in the resurrection there is neither marriage or giving in marriage, for all such contracts agreements will be provided for those who are worthy of it before men and women come forth in the resurrection of the Lord, and those who are complying in this life with these conditions are shortening their sentences, for every one of us will have a matter of years in that spirit state to complete and finish their salvation. And some may attain, by reason of their righteousness in this life, the right to do post-graduate work, to be admitted into the Celestial Kingdom, but others will lose absolutely the right to that glory, all they can do will not avail after death to bring them into the Celestial Kingdom.
The point I have in mind is that we are sentencing ourselves to long periods of bond- age, separating our spirits from our bodies, or we are shortening that period, according to the way in which we overcome and master ourselves." (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, Bryant S. Hinckley. pp. 241-242)
"A man may receive the priesthood and all its privileges and blessings, but until he learns to overcome the flesh, his temper, his tongue, his disposition to indulge in the things God has forbidden, he cannot come into the Celestial Kingdom of God until he overcomes either in this life or in the life to come."
"...it is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could in ten years when they are dead." (Ibid pp. 240-241)
" It is true that some have greater power of resistance than others, but everyone has the power to close his heart against doubt, against darkness, against unbelief, against anger, against hatred, against jealousy, against malice, against envy. God has given this power by calling upon Him for that which we lack. If it were not so, how could we be condemned for giving way to wrong influences?" (George Q Cannon, Gospel Truth. pp. 19-20)
"I grant you that the righteous dead will be at peace, but I tell you that when we go out of this life, leave this body, we will yearn to do a thousand things that we cannot do at all without the body, and how handicapped we will be, and realize then like a man who has suddenly lost both arms and his legs. We will be seriously handicapped, and we will long for the body; we will crave it; we will pray for that early reunion with our bodies. We will know then what advantage it was to have a body. Then, every man and woman who is putting off until the next life the task of correcting and overcoming the weakness of the flesh are sentencing themselves to that man years of bondage, for no man or woman will come forth in the resurrection until they have completed their work, until they have overcome, until they have corrected, until they have done as much as they can do. That is why Jesus said in the resurrection there is neither marriage or giving in marriage, for all such contracts agreements will be provided for those who are worthy of it before men and women come forth in the resurrection of the Lord, and those who are complying in this life with these conditions are shortening their sentences, for every one of us will have a matter of years in that spirit state to complete and finish their salvation. And some may attain, by reason of their righteousness in this life, the right to do post-graduate work, to be admitted into the Celestial Kingdom, but others will lose absolutely the right to that glory, all they can do will not avail after death to bring them into the Celestial Kingdom.
The point I have in mind is that we are sentencing ourselves to long periods of bond- age, separating our spirits from our bodies, or we are shortening that period, according to the way in which we overcome and master ourselves." (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, Bryant S. Hinckley. pp. 241-242)
"A man may receive the priesthood and all its privileges and blessings, but until he learns to overcome the flesh, his temper, his tongue, his disposition to indulge in the things God has forbidden, he cannot come into the Celestial Kingdom of God until he overcomes either in this life or in the life to come."
"...it is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could in ten years when they are dead." (Ibid pp. 240-241)
" It is true that some have greater power of resistance than others, but everyone has the power to close his heart against doubt, against darkness, against unbelief, against anger, against hatred, against jealousy, against malice, against envy. God has given this power by calling upon Him for that which we lack. If it were not so, how could we be condemned for giving way to wrong influences?" (George Q Cannon, Gospel Truth. pp. 19-20)
USING YOUR LIFE'S ENERGY
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S ENERGY?
Each person only has so much energy in any given day to use. This energy varies from day to day and from individual to individual. This energy for life comes from Heavenly Father through the light of Christ.
"...This is the light of Christ. As also he is the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made."
"And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understanding;
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space---
The light which is in all things, WHICH GIVETH LIFE TO ALL THINGS, which is the law by which all things are governed..." (D & C 88:7, 11-13).
FOR WHAT ARE YOUR SPENDING YOUR LIFE'S ENERGY?
1. To grow spiritually and become like Heavenly Father?
2. To develop the mind of Christ?
3. To think, feel, act, and vote as they He would?
4. To develop the capacity to love God, self and others with God's perfect love?
Do you use your life's energy to obtain possessions? To raise a family? To relate to your spouse? To increase your happiness in the home? To build a business or ear a living? To obtain knowledge? To get your "to do" list done? To exercise, eat, sleep or watch TV?
Our life's energy is like money. We only have so much of it, but we can decide ahead of time where we want to spend it. That is, one can decide ahead of time how and what he will do with this energy. He can focus it on one item or he can choose to use it on several items throughout any given day. He can also let the demands of this temporal world decide what he will use hi life's energy on. One can decide to sit and do nothing, mentally or physically, but when one does, the energy is still used up. One's life energy cannot be saved or accumulated. Each new day we receive so much energy to use as we see fit.
Our objective here in this life is to find out how the Savior recommends we use our life's energy to bring peace to us in this life and use it to qualify for Eternal Life in the next life.
Each person only has so much energy in any given day to use. This energy varies from day to day and from individual to individual. This energy for life comes from Heavenly Father through the light of Christ.
"...This is the light of Christ. As also he is the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made."
"And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understanding;
Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space---
The light which is in all things, WHICH GIVETH LIFE TO ALL THINGS, which is the law by which all things are governed..." (D & C 88:7, 11-13).
FOR WHAT ARE YOUR SPENDING YOUR LIFE'S ENERGY?
1. To grow spiritually and become like Heavenly Father?
2. To develop the mind of Christ?
3. To think, feel, act, and vote as they He would?
4. To develop the capacity to love God, self and others with God's perfect love?
Do you use your life's energy to obtain possessions? To raise a family? To relate to your spouse? To increase your happiness in the home? To build a business or ear a living? To obtain knowledge? To get your "to do" list done? To exercise, eat, sleep or watch TV?
Our life's energy is like money. We only have so much of it, but we can decide ahead of time where we want to spend it. That is, one can decide ahead of time how and what he will do with this energy. He can focus it on one item or he can choose to use it on several items throughout any given day. He can also let the demands of this temporal world decide what he will use hi life's energy on. One can decide to sit and do nothing, mentally or physically, but when one does, the energy is still used up. One's life energy cannot be saved or accumulated. Each new day we receive so much energy to use as we see fit.
Our objective here in this life is to find out how the Savior recommends we use our life's energy to bring peace to us in this life and use it to qualify for Eternal Life in the next life.
PUTING ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD
EPHESIANS 6:10-18
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching hereunto with all perseverance & supplication for all saints."
WHAT IS THE ARMOUR WE ARE TO WEAR?
FEET - SHOD WITH PREPARATION:
A. SPIRITUAL FOCUS
B. PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY & MENTALLY PREPARED
HELMET - SEE LIFE IN RELATIONSHIP TO OVERALL PLAN OF SALVATION
BREAST PLATE - I SEEK TO WALK IN THE STRAIGHT & NARROW PATH TODAY (WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS DONE OUT OF THE LOVE I FEEL FOR HEAVENLY FATHER & THE SAVIOR
LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH - I FOLLOW THE 4 STEPS FOR CHANGING & IMPROVING THOUGHT PATTERNS IN ORDER TO MATCH THE SAVIOR. I THEN SEEK TO WALK IN THE LIGHT & AVOID DARKNESS ( I SEE WHO I AM, I SEE THE VALUE IN MY PERFORMANCE TODAY)
SHIELD OF FAITH -
A. SHIELD OF FAITH IS UP WHEN MY FACULTIES ARE FOCUSED ON ONE OF THE THOUGHT PATTERNS OF CHRIST
B. SHIELD IS DOWN WHEN TEMPORALLY FOCUSED
THE SWORD OF SPIRIT - I ATTACK & DEFEND SELF SPIRITUALLY. MY CONFIDENCE WAXES STRONG IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. SINE I SEEK THE MIND OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS, I HAVE GREAT STRENGTH, BOLDNESS & MEEKNESS.
2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every height thing that exalteth itself against the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of CHRIST"
Romans 14:5-8
"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it."
D & C 27:15
"Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armour, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching hereunto with all perseverance & supplication for all saints."
WHAT IS THE ARMOUR WE ARE TO WEAR?
FEET - SHOD WITH PREPARATION:
A. SPIRITUAL FOCUS
B. PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY & MENTALLY PREPARED
HELMET - SEE LIFE IN RELATIONSHIP TO OVERALL PLAN OF SALVATION
BREAST PLATE - I SEEK TO WALK IN THE STRAIGHT & NARROW PATH TODAY (WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS DONE OUT OF THE LOVE I FEEL FOR HEAVENLY FATHER & THE SAVIOR
LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH - I FOLLOW THE 4 STEPS FOR CHANGING & IMPROVING THOUGHT PATTERNS IN ORDER TO MATCH THE SAVIOR. I THEN SEEK TO WALK IN THE LIGHT & AVOID DARKNESS ( I SEE WHO I AM, I SEE THE VALUE IN MY PERFORMANCE TODAY)
SHIELD OF FAITH -
A. SHIELD OF FAITH IS UP WHEN MY FACULTIES ARE FOCUSED ON ONE OF THE THOUGHT PATTERNS OF CHRIST
B. SHIELD IS DOWN WHEN TEMPORALLY FOCUSED
THE SWORD OF SPIRIT - I ATTACK & DEFEND SELF SPIRITUALLY. MY CONFIDENCE WAXES STRONG IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. SINE I SEEK THE MIND OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS, I HAVE GREAT STRENGTH, BOLDNESS & MEEKNESS.
2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every height thing that exalteth itself against the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of CHRIST"
Romans 14:5-8
"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it."
D & C 27:15
"Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armour, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand."
Friday, March 27, 2009
THE PURPOSE OF ENTICEMENTS
Lehi teaches that this world has been set up with enticements for the purpose of forcing us to act.
"Wherefore, the Lord gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." (2 Nephi 2:16)
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR ENTICEMENTS?
1. Food
2. Drivers in traffic
3. Fighting children
4. Swearing at work
5. Telephone
6. Neighbors
7. TV
8. Internet
9. World news
10. Bills
11. Health problems
12. Politics
13. Chocolate
Each of us have the choice to either focus on the enticement and let it consume our thoughts & feelings. Or we can use the enticement to remind us to seek spiritual help. What would happen if we decided to use all our enticements to remind ourselves to focus spiritually? We would find it easier to pray always.
Why are we upon this earth?
-To overcome this world. To master our body, to become steadfast in Christ. To grow spiritually until we overcome all things. To prove to God that we will "submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us." (Mosiah 3:19)
How can we master the body, overcome the world, and become one with Christ without focusing our minds & hearts spiritually? Enticements are provided in this world to help us choose between focusing spiritually or temporally. A temporal focus is easy. It takes no effort to let the enticements of this world take control of your thoughts & feelings, and the results are not good. A temporal focus puts us in a position of being tossed to & fro in this world.
It does take effort to focus our thoughts & feelings unto the spiritual world. As we change our paradigm, which matches the Saviors, we are able to use the enticements of this world as stepping stones for our spiritual growth. Let us assume that we now believe, and the Spirit has now confirmed that the purpose of the day is for us to:
1. Increase our hope to be raised unto eternal life
2. practice exercising our faith in Jesus Christ, and
3. Seeking to love God and all men.
Therefore, the first thing in the morning, before getting into the days activities, I pray, read from the Book of Mormon, and seek a confirmation that I am in the straight & narrow path. Next, I ask Heavenly Father to help me use the enticements of the day to draw closer to Him. Then I prepare my mind & heart to handle at least 20 enticements throughout the day for Him.
While driving to work, someone pulls out in front of me causing me to slow down very quickly (an enticement). I immediately thank Heavenly Father for protecting me, and for the opportunity to practice transcending the temporal enticements and come unto Him. I feel the Spirit come upon me and then I rejoice that I was counted worthy to receive. Throughout the day, I had 15 to 16 enticements, all of which helped me to draw closer to my Father in Heaven. I now understand how to use the enticements of this world to help me ENJOY THE DAY, and make it worthwhile.
EVEN WEAKNESSES ARE ENTICEMENTS!
The Prophet Ether received instructions from the Lord on how to overcome weaknesses.
" And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)
Weaknesses are developed from a temporal focus. They become strength as we use them to refocus unto the spiritual world for help. For example, food can be a weakness. It can entice me several times a day. The world is set up perfectly to entice me to eat. The TV is constantly encouraging me to eat or drink something. There is a restaurant every where I look, telling me about their specials. People are inviting me out to eat. And my body loves to eat, even if I am not hungry.
I have two choices when it comes to this food weakness.
Choice #1 I can do whatever my body urges me to do, as it is enticed by food.
Choice #2 Or I can use the enticing of food to remind me to pray for help, as I learn to master this body.
The Savior recommends that I bring the weakness unto Him and He will make weak things become strong unto me. Therefore, I decided to get rooted the second thought pattern of Christ, which is developing high feelings of self worth the Saviors way. I now use the emotional enticements of food to remind me to pray & review with Heavenly Father how He feels about me, who I am and how He wants me to treat myself. Every time I am enticed, rather than struggling with food, I am now using the enticement to help me feel who I am, and how much Heavenly Father loves me. The Holy Ghost is confirming this truth and I am growing spiritually stronger. This weakness is helping me to become a stronger person.
The weakness is getting weaker, because I am no longer feeding the weakness. I am no longer letting the urges of my body tell me what to do, and I just obey. I am in charge of what I think, feel & do, not my body. The physical world has a lesser hold on me, because I am using the enticements of the physical world to become spiritually centered. My love for Heavenly Father and the Savior is increasing which gives me stronger emotions to overcome the emotional pull of the temporal world.
I am enjoying my days more because even my weaknesses are helping me to become spiritually stronger. I am able to use everything that happens to me each day for spiritual growth. And now that I am in charge of me, not my body, my body is getting the kind of foods that are healthy, which also reduces the addictions for certain foods.
"Wherefore, the Lord gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." (2 Nephi 2:16)
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR ENTICEMENTS?
1. Food
2. Drivers in traffic
3. Fighting children
4. Swearing at work
5. Telephone
6. Neighbors
7. TV
8. Internet
9. World news
10. Bills
11. Health problems
12. Politics
13. Chocolate
Each of us have the choice to either focus on the enticement and let it consume our thoughts & feelings. Or we can use the enticement to remind us to seek spiritual help. What would happen if we decided to use all our enticements to remind ourselves to focus spiritually? We would find it easier to pray always.
Why are we upon this earth?
-To overcome this world. To master our body, to become steadfast in Christ. To grow spiritually until we overcome all things. To prove to God that we will "submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us." (Mosiah 3:19)
How can we master the body, overcome the world, and become one with Christ without focusing our minds & hearts spiritually? Enticements are provided in this world to help us choose between focusing spiritually or temporally. A temporal focus is easy. It takes no effort to let the enticements of this world take control of your thoughts & feelings, and the results are not good. A temporal focus puts us in a position of being tossed to & fro in this world.
It does take effort to focus our thoughts & feelings unto the spiritual world. As we change our paradigm, which matches the Saviors, we are able to use the enticements of this world as stepping stones for our spiritual growth. Let us assume that we now believe, and the Spirit has now confirmed that the purpose of the day is for us to:
1. Increase our hope to be raised unto eternal life
2. practice exercising our faith in Jesus Christ, and
3. Seeking to love God and all men.
Therefore, the first thing in the morning, before getting into the days activities, I pray, read from the Book of Mormon, and seek a confirmation that I am in the straight & narrow path. Next, I ask Heavenly Father to help me use the enticements of the day to draw closer to Him. Then I prepare my mind & heart to handle at least 20 enticements throughout the day for Him.
While driving to work, someone pulls out in front of me causing me to slow down very quickly (an enticement). I immediately thank Heavenly Father for protecting me, and for the opportunity to practice transcending the temporal enticements and come unto Him. I feel the Spirit come upon me and then I rejoice that I was counted worthy to receive. Throughout the day, I had 15 to 16 enticements, all of which helped me to draw closer to my Father in Heaven. I now understand how to use the enticements of this world to help me ENJOY THE DAY, and make it worthwhile.
EVEN WEAKNESSES ARE ENTICEMENTS!
The Prophet Ether received instructions from the Lord on how to overcome weaknesses.
" And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)
Weaknesses are developed from a temporal focus. They become strength as we use them to refocus unto the spiritual world for help. For example, food can be a weakness. It can entice me several times a day. The world is set up perfectly to entice me to eat. The TV is constantly encouraging me to eat or drink something. There is a restaurant every where I look, telling me about their specials. People are inviting me out to eat. And my body loves to eat, even if I am not hungry.
I have two choices when it comes to this food weakness.
Choice #1 I can do whatever my body urges me to do, as it is enticed by food.
Choice #2 Or I can use the enticing of food to remind me to pray for help, as I learn to master this body.
The Savior recommends that I bring the weakness unto Him and He will make weak things become strong unto me. Therefore, I decided to get rooted the second thought pattern of Christ, which is developing high feelings of self worth the Saviors way. I now use the emotional enticements of food to remind me to pray & review with Heavenly Father how He feels about me, who I am and how He wants me to treat myself. Every time I am enticed, rather than struggling with food, I am now using the enticement to help me feel who I am, and how much Heavenly Father loves me. The Holy Ghost is confirming this truth and I am growing spiritually stronger. This weakness is helping me to become a stronger person.
The weakness is getting weaker, because I am no longer feeding the weakness. I am no longer letting the urges of my body tell me what to do, and I just obey. I am in charge of what I think, feel & do, not my body. The physical world has a lesser hold on me, because I am using the enticements of the physical world to become spiritually centered. My love for Heavenly Father and the Savior is increasing which gives me stronger emotions to overcome the emotional pull of the temporal world.
I am enjoying my days more because even my weaknesses are helping me to become spiritually stronger. I am able to use everything that happens to me each day for spiritual growth. And now that I am in charge of me, not my body, my body is getting the kind of foods that are healthy, which also reduces the addictions for certain foods.
ALMA"S PROCESS to become one with Christ EXERCISING MY FAITH TO KNOW THE SEED IS GOOD Thought Pattern #4
SEE AS HE SEES - Understanding the Truth.
a. For the next week review this section on the purpose of seeing all things spiritually.
b. Decide what are the priorities of this life.
c. Decide to see all assignments as stewardships.
THINK AS HE THINKS - Hold the Truth in your Mind, by Prayer, throughout the day.
Prepare a principle to pray about for each of the week
i.e., Father, help me to see all things spiritually this day. Help me to see Thy purposes in all things that transpires and occurs in my life this day.
i.e., Father, help me to become steadfast in Christ. Help me to use the problems of this day for what they are designed; to draw closer to Thee and stay spiritually focused.
i.e., Help me father to carry out my stewardships for Thee this day.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to Pray about these Truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are Good.
Over the next seven days seek to feel the Spirit confirm this truth about the importance of seeing all things spiritually, the truth of what the priorities of this life are and how stewardships can help facilitate my capacity to remain spiritually centered.
DO AS HE DOES:
A. List all your stewardship assignments.
b. Each day, select those stewardships that you feel impressed to work on for the day.
c. Seek to carry each out for Heavenly Father out of love.
d. Record the benefits gained from this assignment.
a. For the next week review this section on the purpose of seeing all things spiritually.
b. Decide what are the priorities of this life.
c. Decide to see all assignments as stewardships.
THINK AS HE THINKS - Hold the Truth in your Mind, by Prayer, throughout the day.
Prepare a principle to pray about for each of the week
i.e., Father, help me to see all things spiritually this day. Help me to see Thy purposes in all things that transpires and occurs in my life this day.
i.e., Father, help me to become steadfast in Christ. Help me to use the problems of this day for what they are designed; to draw closer to Thee and stay spiritually focused.
i.e., Help me father to carry out my stewardships for Thee this day.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to Pray about these Truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are Good.
Over the next seven days seek to feel the Spirit confirm this truth about the importance of seeing all things spiritually, the truth of what the priorities of this life are and how stewardships can help facilitate my capacity to remain spiritually centered.
DO AS HE DOES:
A. List all your stewardship assignments.
b. Each day, select those stewardships that you feel impressed to work on for the day.
c. Seek to carry each out for Heavenly Father out of love.
d. Record the benefits gained from this assignment.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES OF THIS LIFE?
Once one has entered the Straight & Narrow Path and is seeking to quallify for Eternal, what are the priorities?
Moroni 10:21 "And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither if ye have no hope."
2 Nephi: 19-21 Once you are in the Straight & Narrow Path, Nephi asks, "Is all done?" He answers, "No." Then in verse 20 he tells what we must do to inherit Eternal Life.
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
THE PRIORITIES ARE: Developing the capacity to:
1. Have a perfect brightness of hope to be raised up unto life eternal
2. Be steadfast in Christ (see, think, fee, & do as He does)
3. To love God and all men.
ALL STEWARDSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT because they are the very vehicle to develop the capacity to receive the gift of Charity. When my spouse doesn't give me the attention I desire, I seek for spiritual help to handle it and remove all negative feelings from my temple. Therefore, my stewardship with my spouse provides me the opportunity to draw closer to Heavenly Father so I can practice being steadfast in Christ, and develop my capacity to love my spouse regardless of how she treats me at any given moment.
When my pay is reduced at work, I am now able to refocus spiritually and gain the strength to transcend it, because I was able to see it clearly as an opportunity to practice being steadfast in Christ.
When I exercise this body, I see it as carrying out a stewardship assignment for Heavenly Father. Therefore, I pray before, during, and after the work out. The physical exercise is secondary to the spiritual exercise I receive by carrying out the stewardship assignment for Him whom I love. When I carry out the assignment for Heavenly Father I am also qualifying for the gifts of eternity. Because the most important purpose of the physical exercise is to expand my capacity to love Heavenly Father with all my heart & exercise faith in him.
Moroni 10:21 "And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither if ye have no hope."
2 Nephi: 19-21 Once you are in the Straight & Narrow Path, Nephi asks, "Is all done?" He answers, "No." Then in verse 20 he tells what we must do to inherit Eternal Life.
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
THE PRIORITIES ARE: Developing the capacity to:
1. Have a perfect brightness of hope to be raised up unto life eternal
2. Be steadfast in Christ (see, think, fee, & do as He does)
3. To love God and all men.
ALL STEWARDSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT because they are the very vehicle to develop the capacity to receive the gift of Charity. When my spouse doesn't give me the attention I desire, I seek for spiritual help to handle it and remove all negative feelings from my temple. Therefore, my stewardship with my spouse provides me the opportunity to draw closer to Heavenly Father so I can practice being steadfast in Christ, and develop my capacity to love my spouse regardless of how she treats me at any given moment.
When my pay is reduced at work, I am now able to refocus spiritually and gain the strength to transcend it, because I was able to see it clearly as an opportunity to practice being steadfast in Christ.
When I exercise this body, I see it as carrying out a stewardship assignment for Heavenly Father. Therefore, I pray before, during, and after the work out. The physical exercise is secondary to the spiritual exercise I receive by carrying out the stewardship assignment for Him whom I love. When I carry out the assignment for Heavenly Father I am also qualifying for the gifts of eternity. Because the most important purpose of the physical exercise is to expand my capacity to love Heavenly Father with all my heart & exercise faith in him.
THE LAW OF CONSECRATION
Under the Law of Consecration, an individual dedicates his time, talents, possessions, and everything he has or ever will have unto Heavenly Father. In turn, Heavenly Father gives back to him certain responsibilities under the title of STEWARDSHIPS. Some examples of stewardships would be:
1. Time 2. Spouse 3. Job
4. Talents 5. Children 6. Community
7. Assets 8. Parents
9. Bills 10. Neighbor
11. Body 12. Church Callings
Now that I have accepted these stewardships, I seek constant divine guidance in carrying them out. For example, I receive a call from the High School that my teenage son has been kicked out of the school for cheating. What is my paradigm going to be? This son belongs to belongs to Heavenly Father. He has given me a stewardship to bring him into the world and help him return home. Heavenly Father has all the solutions to all problems, therefore, I will turn to Him for guidance. As I pray, I seek to get the beam out of my own eye, so I can be an instrument in the hands of Heavenly Father, who is concerned about this son.
If I am temporally focused, when the high school calls, I would do an upset by focusing on what my son did wrong, my embarrassment as a parent, and then I would try to make the son feel the same as I feel. Since I have lost the Spirit, when the son walks in I will reject him by preaching to him. All of which is destructive for the short term and the long term relationship.
My neighbor borrowed my lawnmower, and when he returned it I discovered it no longer is working. Since I see all things spiritually, I know that this is an opportunity for me to grow spiritually. I see the lawn mower as belonging to Heavenly Father, therefore, I immediately pray about this situation. You see, it makes no difference to me whether we fix His lawn mower from His funds in my bank account, or if we use the funds from the neighbors account. If I initially do an upset (temporal focus), the first requirement is for me to get the beam out of my eye. Once I have no need to correct the neighbor, the Lord may inspire me to approach the neighbor to see if he will accept responsibility to repair it. If the neighbor says yes, all is well. If the neighbor says no, I am prepared to handle that response, because I have no need to win.
Some people would question this approach by saying, "But you are not teaching your neighbor to accept responsibility for his actions. You are letting others use you."
The response to that statement, is one of spiritual focus. Everything that happens to me is designed for my spiritual growth. Once I learn to handle any event, circumstance as Christ would, then I am prepared to help others in their stewardships, if so directed by Heavenly Father. By the same token, if the neighbor wanted to borrow Heavenly Father's lawn mower again, I would seek divine guidance, since I am accountable to Him in how I carry out my several stewardships.
Most people have no problem giving the Bishop the money to fix the Wards lawn mower if so asked (and if they have the money). Even if the reason it needed repairing, is because the same neighbor who borrowed and is responsible for its not working. Why doesn't this seem to bother me as much as when the neighbor borrowed my lawn mower? IT IS CALLED STEWARDSHIP. The wards lawn mower belongs to the Lord. My lawn mower belongs to me. If you ruin something that belongs to me, you must pay! Why? Because if I let you get away with it, I lose and you win. And I do not like to lose.
When I do it the Lord's way, I always win. Even if the neighbor doesn't decide to repair it and I have to do it, I still win. How? The neighbor won temporally and I won spiritually. I use the problem to pray, to seek Heavenly Fathers help, and to carry out the assignment to glorify Him. I did not let the neighbor's attitude or decisions divert me from a spiritual focus. I am able to rejoice, regardless of the outcome because I was steadfast in Christ during the entire interaction. It was a spiritual growth experience for me. By the same token, the neighbor lost spiritually because he did not choose to use the situation to grow spiritually. He only saw the situation temporally.
Some years ago, a good friend of mine went home teaching, him and his companion arrived on time after parking the car in the driveway. When inside, the brother asked if we could watch their son while he ran over to the church to get his wife. A few moments later, he came upstairs with some excitement. He was so embarrassed, because he had electronically lifted the garage door and as he drove his four wheel drive vehicle into the smaller ford escort parked in the driveway.
He said, "Brother Cox, I am so sorry for smashing your car. I didn't see it. I did not know it was behind my car." My friend replied, "Brother I do not have a car, you did not hit my car."
It took him a few moments to remember the many discussions they had had on seeing all things spiritually and on the subject of stewardships. You see, he had no emotional attachment to that car, since he had already resolved the issue that it was Heavenly Father's car. He had accepted a stewardship assignment to take care of it for Him, but He could let anyone run into it that He wanted. Heavenly Father could have inspired my friend to park it on the street, but He did not.
He also believe that this accident was for his spiritual growth. Heavenly Father allowed it to happen to he would handle the event. This was my opportunity to see if he really believed in the law of consecration and stewardship. He was able to rejoice from this accident because from the time the car was hit, and through the process of repairing it and getting the insurance company to pay and our only having one car for a time, he kept spiritually focused. What a great laboratory this earth life is for us all learn how to overcome the world by being steadfast in Christ.
HOW CAN ONE LEARN TO ENJOY EACH DAY IF HE DOES NOT SEE ALL THINGS SPIRITUALLY?
Or how can one at least make the day worthwhile without walking with an eye of faith? The car incident mentioned above was worthwhile because of seeing it spiritually from when it all began until it was over and resolved. If my good friend would have been temporally centered, the accident would have been a burden on him.
Orsan Pratt said, "Covetousness is that which leads to ownership." (J.D. 126:5) If one takes ownership for his children, his spouse, his finances, his mind, his body, and his happiness, he has chosen to rely on himself for their achievement. His focus becomes temporal. There may be some spiritual seeking, but the load is on the man. He sees his happiness, his success, his very life, dependant upon temporal achievements.
If man recognizes that he is a steward over these areas of life, then he will focus unto the spiritual world for instruction, guidance, and strength. For it was never intended that man should walk alone upon this earth. It is the Savior's mission to help us overcome this world and gain eternal life.
A person who yells at his family has an ownership problem. When his children perform well, he is proud, and he feels he had done well as a parent. When the child does poorly, he feels worthless, upset, and condemns himself for not being a good parent. A parent who sees the child as a stewardship assignment will feel bad when the child makes a mistake, but then he prays to get himself in tune to carry out the stewardship assignment of helping the child learn from his mistakes. Since he has chosen to be steadfast in Christ, he is able to truly help the child have learning experience and grow spiritually from the event.
ARE WE TO SEE ALL THINGS SPIRITUALLY?
D & C 88:67-68 "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God,..."
I Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Romans 8:7 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Elder Marvin Ashton: "Sadly, it's easy to become so encumbered by the press of daily life that we lose our focus. One definition of the word focus is "directed attention," or "emphasis" ...we need to focus and direct our attention on the things that really matter. And simply, what really matters is
1. A personal testimony of Jesus Christ,
2. An understanding of who we are, and
3. An absolute determination to return home... but how much more tragic for someone who, equipped with a testimony of the truth and a knowledge of the purpose, becomes more absorbed in life today than in life forever...who's just a little more concerned about his or her status and standing in mortality than in eternity...whose focus is not directed to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, with whom it is possible to have a glorious connection and bond."
(Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 23)
How can I live in this telestial world and still see all things spiritually?
The easiest way to make major changes in one's spiritual growth is by changing his/her paradigm. That is, to see as Christ sees and thereby changing one's inner thought patterns. One of the best ways to see all things spiritually is to see all things as stewardship assignments under the law of consecration.
THE LAW OF THE HARVEST
It takes work or effort to grow spiritually, or raise a family, or experiencing joy and happiness. It takes work to grow spiritually and become one with Christ. To qualify for the gifts of eternity takes effort. Work is required to maintain good health. Work is required to raise a family, keep the yard up, feed oneself and others, and to feel the Spirit. Even church work is called missionary WORK, Genealogy WORK, and temple WORK. It takes effort to enjoy the day, walk in the light, and especially to remove oneself from spiritual darkness. The First Presidency in 1936 taugtht the importance of work in reference to the newly formulated system.
"Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and Independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help people to help themselves. Work is to be reenthroned as the ruling principles of the lives of our Church membership." (Conference Report, October 1936, p.3)
Our main focus for each day is to put forth the effort to progress spiritually and qualify for the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom. And that is determined by our WORKS and for WHOM we do it. (D & C 137:9) It takes effort to pray, read scriptures, focus on a thought pattern of Christ throughout the day. It takes effort to make the bed, cook the meals, help the children overcome their self defeating behaviors. But this is the very work that makes one eligible for the Celestial Kingdom today, if the desires of one's heart is to do it out of love for Heavenly Father & the Savior. These two steps are not hard to understand and apply. However, if one chooses to do a "slothful and forget to exercise their faith and diligence.." the heavens withdraw, miracles cease, and one will not travel in a direct course and he will be afflicted with problems that are not necessary for one qualifying for the riches of eternity. (Alma 37:40-43)
"Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and Independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help people to help themselves. Work is to be reenthroned as the ruling principles of the lives of our Church membership." (Conference Report, October 1936, p.3)
Our main focus for each day is to put forth the effort to progress spiritually and qualify for the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom. And that is determined by our WORKS and for WHOM we do it. (D & C 137:9) It takes effort to pray, read scriptures, focus on a thought pattern of Christ throughout the day. It takes effort to make the bed, cook the meals, help the children overcome their self defeating behaviors. But this is the very work that makes one eligible for the Celestial Kingdom today, if the desires of one's heart is to do it out of love for Heavenly Father & the Savior. These two steps are not hard to understand and apply. However, if one chooses to do a "slothful and forget to exercise their faith and diligence.." the heavens withdraw, miracles cease, and one will not travel in a direct course and he will be afflicted with problems that are not necessary for one qualifying for the riches of eternity. (Alma 37:40-43)
Work is a blessing, an opportunity, to become joint heir with Christ.
ALMA"S PROCESS to become one with Christ EXERCISING MY FAITH TO KNOW THE SEED IS GOOD Thought Pattern #3
SEE AS HE SEES - Understanding the Truth:
a. For the next week review this section on the purpose of performance
b. Put in writing the truth about performance and the real purpose of your daily activities.
c. What is charity and how does your daily performances serve Heavenly Father?
THINK AS HE THINKS - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day.
Find some short statement about the purpose of your performance for the day. Put it in the form of a prayer. At least once each hour throughout the day, talk with Heavenly Father about helping you use the activity to grow spiritually and to glorify Him.
i.e., Father, help me to serve Thee this day in all things. Help me carry out each of my "to do' list items as Thou would have me do.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to pray about these truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are good.
a. Over the next week seek to feel the Spirit confirm this truth about the purpose of your performances and the truth that your performance has nothing to do with your worth or value.
DO AS HE DOES:
a. Review with Heavenly Father morning & evening the purpose of performance:
b. Seek to do all your "to do" list out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior. Ask for enlightenment.
a. For the next week review this section on the purpose of performance
b. Put in writing the truth about performance and the real purpose of your daily activities.
c. What is charity and how does your daily performances serve Heavenly Father?
THINK AS HE THINKS - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day.
Find some short statement about the purpose of your performance for the day. Put it in the form of a prayer. At least once each hour throughout the day, talk with Heavenly Father about helping you use the activity to grow spiritually and to glorify Him.
i.e., Father, help me to serve Thee this day in all things. Help me carry out each of my "to do' list items as Thou would have me do.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to pray about these truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are good.
a. Over the next week seek to feel the Spirit confirm this truth about the purpose of your performances and the truth that your performance has nothing to do with your worth or value.
DO AS HE DOES:
a. Review with Heavenly Father morning & evening the purpose of performance:
b. Seek to do all your "to do" list out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior. Ask for enlightenment.
CHARITY "And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God:.." (Moroni 10:21)
What is Charity?
JESUS SAID: "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him." (D & C 59:5)
APOSTLE PAUL COUNSELED: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he doth not regard it." (Romans 14:4-6)
MALACHI defines the righteous from the wicked: "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." (Malachi 3:18)
The best way to love Heavenly Father with all our hearts is to serve Him all day long. Those individuals who have made the decision to do all activities throughout the day for Him, have found that it was easier to feel the Holy Ghost, the were happier, able to handle the stresses of the day better, and they felt Heavenly Fathers love. How did they do it? They look at their "to do list" and committed to using it for spiritual growth. They viewed each item as a stewardship assignment to be carried out on Heavenly Fathers behalf, to glorify Him. By praying over each activity, they sought for wisdom, and the strength to do it well.
Apostle Paul's comment on esteeming one day above another comes from a temporal focus. That is, one day is better than another, depending on what the world throws at you. When one esteems every day alike, he is now spiritually focused. That is, he uses every event, every activity of the day for spiritual growth. When he picks up the laundry, he sees the person behind the counter as a son or daughter of God, born and reared in the courts of glory. He is able to now create good feelings for that person. His feelings for other people are no longer based upon how he is treated by others. The results match the prophets definition of what will occur when one has charity in his heart.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;...' (I Corinth 13:3-5)
As one does a project for his boss, he prays about it, and seeks insight and help. Why? Because this is how one becomes spiritually centered. This is how one overcomes the world. This is how one puts God first in his life. This is how one becomes one with Christ. This is how one qualifies for the gift of charity.
JESUS SAID: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:5)
NEPHI COUNSELED: "But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performances may be for the welfare of thy soul."
(2 Nephi 32:9)
1. You become spiritually centered.
2. You have the shield of faith up, which will help you to handle the enticements of the world.
3. You are learning to "pray always" which is a must in order to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. (D & C 19:38)
4. You are using all activities of the day for spiritual growth, which is the main reason of our being on this earth.
5. Your RIGHTEOUS WORKS will be recorded in the book of life, by the Holy Ghost.
("...the scriptures indicate that a heavenly record is kept of the faithful, whose names are recorded, as well as an account of their righteous deeds." LDS bible dictionary, p. 626) (D & C 132:7)
6. For the same amount of effort you can multiply the results by 100 times, yea more. That is, when you prepare those meals, change diapers, do them for Heavenly Father & the Savior in love. Pray for His guidance, enlightenment, and enjoyment.
The SAVIOR says: "Verily, verily, I say unto you ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in His own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer,
1. for I will lead you along.
2. The kingdom is yours and
3. the blessings thereof are yours, and
4. the riches of eternity are yours.
And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D & C 78:17-19)
1. "...charity is the pure love of Christ..." (Moroni 7:47)
2. Nephi defines charity as, "...love God and all men" (2 Nephi 31:20)
3. Alma defines charity as, "...having the love of God always in your hearts..." ( Alma 13:29)
JESUS SAID: "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him." (D & C 59:5)
APOSTLE PAUL COUNSELED: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he doth not regard it." (Romans 14:4-6)
MALACHI defines the righteous from the wicked: "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." (Malachi 3:18)
The best way to love Heavenly Father with all our hearts is to serve Him all day long. Those individuals who have made the decision to do all activities throughout the day for Him, have found that it was easier to feel the Holy Ghost, the were happier, able to handle the stresses of the day better, and they felt Heavenly Fathers love. How did they do it? They look at their "to do list" and committed to using it for spiritual growth. They viewed each item as a stewardship assignment to be carried out on Heavenly Fathers behalf, to glorify Him. By praying over each activity, they sought for wisdom, and the strength to do it well.
Apostle Paul's comment on esteeming one day above another comes from a temporal focus. That is, one day is better than another, depending on what the world throws at you. When one esteems every day alike, he is now spiritually focused. That is, he uses every event, every activity of the day for spiritual growth. When he picks up the laundry, he sees the person behind the counter as a son or daughter of God, born and reared in the courts of glory. He is able to now create good feelings for that person. His feelings for other people are no longer based upon how he is treated by others. The results match the prophets definition of what will occur when one has charity in his heart.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;...' (I Corinth 13:3-5)
As one does a project for his boss, he prays about it, and seeks insight and help. Why? Because this is how one becomes spiritually centered. This is how one overcomes the world. This is how one puts God first in his life. This is how one becomes one with Christ. This is how one qualifies for the gift of charity.
JESUS SAID: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:5)
NEPHI COUNSELED: "But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performances may be for the welfare of thy soul."
(2 Nephi 32:9)
ONE CAN GET HIS DAILY PERFORMANCES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE! HOW?
-By doing all his activities out of the love he has for Heavenly Father & the Savior. When he pays the bills, mows the lawn, shovels the snow in the driveway, changes diapers, or prepares a meal, he does these things for Them. Why? There are several reasons:
1. You become spiritually centered.
2. You have the shield of faith up, which will help you to handle the enticements of the world.
3. You are learning to "pray always" which is a must in order to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. (D & C 19:38)
4. You are using all activities of the day for spiritual growth, which is the main reason of our being on this earth.
5. Your RIGHTEOUS WORKS will be recorded in the book of life, by the Holy Ghost.
("...the scriptures indicate that a heavenly record is kept of the faithful, whose names are recorded, as well as an account of their righteous deeds." LDS bible dictionary, p. 626) (D & C 132:7)
6. For the same amount of effort you can multiply the results by 100 times, yea more. That is, when you prepare those meals, change diapers, do them for Heavenly Father & the Savior in love. Pray for His guidance, enlightenment, and enjoyment.
The SAVIOR says: "Verily, verily, I say unto you ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in His own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer,
1. for I will lead you along.
2. The kingdom is yours and
3. the blessings thereof are yours, and
4. the riches of eternity are yours.
And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D & C 78:17-19)
WHY DO OUR WORKS GET MULTIPLIED 100 FOLD WHEN WE PERFORM OUT OF THE LOVE WE FEEL FOR HEAVENLY FATHER & THE SAVIOR?
Because this is how one qualifies for the grace of Christ. The prophets hath said that what we do is 'nothing' & if we served Him with our whole souls we would still be 'unprofitable servants." But when we seek to do our 'to do list' out of the love we feel for Him, we now qualify for His divine grace, and therefore, for the riches of eternity. It is not so much a question of greater effort, as it is of a higher spiritual focus.
7. And finally, that which one does out of the love he feels for Heavenly Father & the Savior is inspired of God.
"...wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:13)
Our Father in Heaven is grateful when we seek to serve Him our of the love we feel for Him. No act is too small, nor of little consequence to Him that rules the heavens. For even the hairs on our head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
Spiritual Performance is essential to developing HIGH FEELINGS OF SELF WORTH
Principle #1 The Holy Ghost, the comforter, will help one feel & expand one's capacity to feel God's perfect love.
"...which comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer,..."
(Moroni 8:26)
Principle #2 One must walk in the light in order to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
(I John 1:6-7)
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
(John 15:10)
Principle #3 The heavens standard for judging is based upon one's works, and the desire of one's heart.
"For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."
(D & C 137:9)
Principle #4 The more one performs out of the love he has for Heavenly Father, the greater the seperation of worth from performance, and the greater hope on has to receive the riches of eternity.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Purpose of Performace
1. I perform to glorify my Father In Heaven
Matt 5:16 Ephesians 6:5-8 Mosiah 13:29-30 Alma 42:4
2. I perform to become like the Savior
Matt 5:48
3. I perform to qualif for divine grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 I John 1:5-7 Moroni 10:32-33
4. I perform to qualify for the riches of eternity
Romans 8:14-18 D & C 78:17-19
5. I perform to build the Kingdom of God
Baptismal Covenant (D & C 98:14-15)
6. I perform to qualify for the powers of Heaven
D & C 121:36-37
Matt 5:16 Ephesians 6:5-8 Mosiah 13:29-30 Alma 42:4
2. I perform to become like the Savior
Matt 5:48
3. I perform to qualif for divine grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 I John 1:5-7 Moroni 10:32-33
4. I perform to qualify for the riches of eternity
Romans 8:14-18 D & C 78:17-19
5. I perform to build the Kingdom of God
Baptismal Covenant (D & C 98:14-15)
6. I perform to qualify for the powers of Heaven
D & C 121:36-37
ALMA'S PROCESS to become ONE WITH CHRIST EXERCISING MY FAITH TO KNOW THE SEED IS GOOD Thought Pattern #2
SEE AS HE SEES - Understanding the Truth:
Put in writing the truth about who you are, why you are here on earth & how Heavenly Father & the Savior feel about you. Talk with Heavenly Father each morning midday and night about how He values you.
THING AS HE THINKS - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day:
Find some short statement about how God feels about you. Put it in the form of a prayer. At least once each hour throughout the day, talk with Heavenly Father about who you are.
i.e., Father, I am Thy son, born & reared in Thy courts of glory I know Thou lovest me with perfect love. Help me to feel Thy love this day.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to pray about this truth until you receive a witness by the SPIRIT that the seed is good:
a. Use something in the temporal world to remind you to pray about the truth. Below are listed some examples;
1. Their daily planners b. A coin in the shoe c. Putting their watch on the other arm d. Using the pain they are going through to remind them to pray e. ext...
DO AS HE DOES :
Do these faith exercises out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior.
Note:
How someone feels about another person is only a reflection of how he sees and feels about himself. How someone feels about you is determined by what he or she holds in the mind. If he doesn't like you, he has to hold inhis mind & heart something negative about you. If he likes you he has to hold in his mind & heart something positive about you. Therefore, he is in charge of what he feels about you.
You are in charge of how you feel about yourself and all others. The more you can feel your worth as a son or daughter of God, the easier it is to see & feel the worth of others, regardless of their performance or how choose to feel about you.
Put in writing the truth about who you are, why you are here on earth & how Heavenly Father & the Savior feel about you. Talk with Heavenly Father each morning midday and night about how He values you.
THING AS HE THINKS - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day:
Find some short statement about how God feels about you. Put it in the form of a prayer. At least once each hour throughout the day, talk with Heavenly Father about who you are.
i.e., Father, I am Thy son, born & reared in Thy courts of glory I know Thou lovest me with perfect love. Help me to feel Thy love this day.
FEEL AS HE FEELS - Continue to pray about this truth until you receive a witness by the SPIRIT that the seed is good:
a. Use something in the temporal world to remind you to pray about the truth. Below are listed some examples;
1. Their daily planners b. A coin in the shoe c. Putting their watch on the other arm d. Using the pain they are going through to remind them to pray e. ext...
DO AS HE DOES :
Do these faith exercises out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior.
Note:
How someone feels about another person is only a reflection of how he sees and feels about himself. How someone feels about you is determined by what he or she holds in the mind. If he doesn't like you, he has to hold inhis mind & heart something negative about you. If he likes you he has to hold in his mind & heart something positive about you. Therefore, he is in charge of what he feels about you.
You are in charge of how you feel about yourself and all others. The more you can feel your worth as a son or daughter of God, the easier it is to see & feel the worth of others, regardless of their performance or how choose to feel about you.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
HOW TO CREATE LOW FEELINGS OF SELF - WORTH
IT IS EASY - Just create a dependancy upon the World to make you feel of value.
You may use any of the following for your main source(s).
(However, some of these sources you believe in more than others & therefore, those sources will work much faster for you. Why? Because you have greater emotion attached to them, and you can maximize these negative feelings very quickly)
PERFORMANCE (weight-job-children-marriage)
1. When you gain 20 lbs, use this to make yourself feel of lesser of value
2. When you lose 20 lbs, use this to make yourself feel of greater value
3. When you lose your job, or get a promotion, use it to create feelings of worth
4. Use your children's performance (good or bad). This is a good source.
5. Use your divorce or your good marriage as a source for worth.
POSSESSIONS (bills-home-car-clothes)
1. When you cannot pay your bills, use these negative emotions to create low feelings of self worth. This is an effective source.
2. When you have a new home, or a new car, or new clothes, use these good feelings to confirm that you are a person of great worth.
3. Or if your home is the poorest on the block. Your car keeps quitting on you. And your clothes are never as nice as others. Use these feelings to determine your worth.
OPINIONS (approval-acceptance-appreciation)
1. Making other people your main source to determine your worth, is one of the greatest sources to create low feelings of self worth. Why? It creates a dependency upon the world (others) to make you feel of worth. And with that dependency, Satan can send people to find fault with your performance, or to have people not pay any attention to you.
2. Appreciation for what I do helps me determine if I will serve others or not. If someone appreciates my service I will continue. If they do not, I quit. Therefore, I let others determine what I will or will not do.
HONORS (positions-degrees-profession)
1. If I am not called to be Bishop, or quorum president, or Relief Society officer I feel that even Heavenly Father feels I am not as valuable as others. These kind of feelings are very good to transfer over to determine my value.
2. Or if I am called to leadership assignment, I use these feelings of acceptance to determine my worth.
3. If others look up to my chosen profession or look down upon my profession, these kinds of feelings will work.
4. If I am not a college graduate, I can create negative feelings about my intelligence and abilities an then use these feelings to value myself.
5. If I have several degrees and many of my colleagues recognize my expertise in my chosen field, I can use these feelings to sustain my value.
6. If I can talkl & think faster than most other people, I can create feelings of superiority which can sustain my value as a person of worth.
It makes no difference whether one uses the positive feelings from these sources to create good feelings of worth, or chooses to use the negative feelings from these sources to create bad feelings of self worth. Why? Because the main source for self feelings comes from the temporal world, and not from the spiritual.
"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek noth te honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44)
Hope
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED ABOUT INCREASING MY HOPE TO BE RAISED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE?
A. I have learned what I must do to feel the Spirit each day. i.e.,
1. Pray, read the scriptures & see the gifts of heaven
2. While reading the scriptures, seek spiritual enlightment
3. I must hole this spiritual focus long enough to recognize the Spirit
B. I have learned to thank Heavenly Father and rejoice when I felt the Spirit, because He has counted me worthy to receive. (D&C 50:34)
C. I have learned to rejoice because I recognize that as I feel the Spirit, Heavenly Father is confirming to me:
1. I am clean & forgiven of my sins
2. I am in the Straight & Narrow Path
3. If I die this day, I will go to Paradise
4. If the Savior comes today, I will be lifted up
5. I am on schedule today for Exaltation & the riches of eternity
All of these gifts are given to me because of the Savior.
Monday, March 16, 2009
YOUR 3 WORLDS
The temporal world is where we exist. It is where we spend 90% of our time and effort. When a person awakes in the morning, he is in the temporal world. His mind, his body, his emotions and his desires are all occupied by the temporal dimension. It takes little effort to keep our thoughts and emotions centered in the temporal world.
What requires great effort is for one to refocus his mind and heart away from the demands of the temporal world into the spiritual dimension. Your personal INNER WORLD is unique. It is special. It is the only place where can experience peace and freedom. When we talk about self discipline or developing our faith, this is the dimension where these functions take place.
The Savior taught us that man was in the beginning with God as intelligences. Our intelligences cannot be created or made (D & C 93:29-30). That is, we have always existed and will continue to exist regardless of what happens to your physical body. We are also informed by the Savior that our intelligences were placed in a sphere to act for itself (2 Nephi 2:26) and not the be acted upon (2 Nephi 2:27-28). Man is free to choose what he will focus his mind upon, what he will desire in his heart and what he will hold his affections upon today.
For example, when we talk about increasing our faith in Christ, we know that the thoughts of the mind are placed upon Christ and as one holds these great thoughts in the mind, one's emotions for the Savior increases. As these feelings become intensified our action become Christ-like. You will also note that you used the spiritual dimension to develop the capacity for increased faith. That is, you sought the spiritual dimension through prayer. You sought the spiritual dimension for revelation. You sought the spiritual dimension for the gift of grace (divine power). and for the strength to keep your thoughts and feelings away from the temporal world and upon your spiritual development.
Please keep in mind that the temporal world is also an important part in developing and growing spiritually. Later we will also explore how we can use the temporal world to our advantage.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
ALMA"S PROCESS to become one with Christ EXERCISING MY FAITH TO KNOW THE SEED IS GOOD
Step #1 - Understanding the Truth: (See as He sees)
a. Review the Scriptures on the plan of salvation
b. Decide for which kingdom you want to qualify
c. Determine the importance of the Spirit in increasing your hope to be raised unto Eternal Life
d. Make a list of the gifts & promises of eternity
Step #2 - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day: (think as He thinks)
a. Several times a day, talk with Heavenly Father about the plan of salvation and its truthfulness. i.e., "Father, I am so grateful for the atonement of Christ. Because of it, I am able to receive Thy gifts, which are te greatest gifts that could be bestowed upon me. Help me to walk in Thy path and enjoy the day."
Step #3 - Continue to pray about these truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are good: (feel as He feels)
a. Seek to fell the Spirit confirm this truth, and your being on schedule for the Celestial Kingdom
b. You will feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourself -it must needs be that this is a good seed, for it beginneth to
1. enlarge my soul
2. Yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding
3. yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
i.e., you will feel joy as you pray about these truths of the gospel. Your mind will expand and you will see things with increased light, and the more you exercise your faith in this process it becomes easier & more enjoyable (delicious)
Step #4 -Do as he does:
a. Pray first thing in the morning to become spiritually centered
b. Read the scriptures for the purpose of enlightenment
c. See yourself receiving the gifts & promises of eternity
d. Pray several times each day, experessing your gratitude, about being on schedule for the Celestial Kingdom
e. Do these faith exercises out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior
a. Review the Scriptures on the plan of salvation
b. Decide for which kingdom you want to qualify
c. Determine the importance of the Spirit in increasing your hope to be raised unto Eternal Life
d. Make a list of the gifts & promises of eternity
Step #2 - Hold the truth in your mind, by prayer, throughout the day: (think as He thinks)
a. Several times a day, talk with Heavenly Father about the plan of salvation and its truthfulness. i.e., "Father, I am so grateful for the atonement of Christ. Because of it, I am able to receive Thy gifts, which are te greatest gifts that could be bestowed upon me. Help me to walk in Thy path and enjoy the day."
Step #3 - Continue to pray about these truths until you receive a witness by the Spirit that they are good: (feel as He feels)
a. Seek to fell the Spirit confirm this truth, and your being on schedule for the Celestial Kingdom
b. You will feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourself -it must needs be that this is a good seed, for it beginneth to
1. enlarge my soul
2. Yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding
3. yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
i.e., you will feel joy as you pray about these truths of the gospel. Your mind will expand and you will see things with increased light, and the more you exercise your faith in this process it becomes easier & more enjoyable (delicious)
Step #4 -Do as he does:
a. Pray first thing in the morning to become spiritually centered
b. Read the scriptures for the purpose of enlightenment
c. See yourself receiving the gifts & promises of eternity
d. Pray several times each day, experessing your gratitude, about being on schedule for the Celestial Kingdom
e. Do these faith exercises out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father & the Savior
THE PROPHETS SPEAK
Ezra Taft Benson, “Seek the Spirit of the Lord,” Ensign, Apr 1988, 2
One sure way we can determine whether we are on the strait and narrow path is that we will possess the Spirit of the Lord in our lives. The most important thing in our lives is the Spirit. I have always felt that. We must remain open and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost in all aspects of our lives. being in tune with the Spirit of the Lord—is the greatest need we all have. We should strive for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost all the days of our lives. When we have the Spirit, we will love to serve, we will love the Lord, and we will love those with whom we serve, and those whom we serve. It takes spirituality to comprehend it, to love it, and to discern it. Therefore, seek the Spirit in all you do. Keep it with you continually. That is our challenge.
One sure way we can determine whether we are on the strait and narrow path is that we will possess the Spirit of the Lord in our lives. The most important thing in our lives is the Spirit. I have always felt that. We must remain open and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost in all aspects of our lives. being in tune with the Spirit of the Lord—is the greatest need we all have. We should strive for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost all the days of our lives. When we have the Spirit, we will love to serve, we will love the Lord, and we will love those with whom we serve, and those whom we serve. It takes spirituality to comprehend it, to love it, and to discern it. Therefore, seek the Spirit in all you do. Keep it with you continually. That is our challenge.
James E. Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass,” Ensign, Apr 1996, 2
The comforting Spirit of the Holy Ghost can abide with us twenty-four hours a day: when we work, when we play, when we rest. Its strengthening influence can be with us year in and year out. That sustaining influence can be with us in joy and sorrow, when we rejoice as well as when we grieve. The Holy Ghost will also help us solve crises of faith. The Spirit of the Holy Ghost can be a confirming witness, testifying of heavenly things. Through that Spirit, a strong knowledge distills in one’s mind, and one feels all doubt or questions disappear....the gift of the Holy Ghost is an enhanced spiritual power permitting those entitled thereto to receive it, to receive a greater knowledge and enjoyment of the influence of Deity. I testify that as we mature spiritually under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, our sense of personal worth, of belonging, and of identity increases. I further testify that I would rather have every person enjoy the Spirit of the Holy Ghost than any other association, for they will be led by that Spirit to light and truth and pure intelligence, which can carry them back into the presence of God.
HOW CAN I KNOW I AM FORGIVEN OF MY SINS?
Commenting on the statement in Moses 6:60, "by the Spirit ye are justified," President Harold B. Lee Stated:
"Now I've struggled with that statement, and I have found a definition that seems to indicate to me what I'm sure the Lord intended to convey.
"Now if the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is to pronounce one free from guilt or blame, or to absolve, then we begin to see something of the office of the Holy Ghost that relates to the subject about which we are talking: what is means to be born of the Spirit."
(Relief Society Personal Study Guide 4-1992-page 39)
How do I know?
Romans 15:13
D&C 88:3-4
Alma 7:15-16
Moroni 10:5
A. The righteous are invited into PARADISE. (Alma 40:12, 25-26)
B. The righteous are lited up when the Savior comes. (1 Thess 4:14-17; D&C 88:96-101; D&C 45:44-48)
C. "These are they whom the Savior will bring with him, when He shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over His people." (D&C 76:63)
D. While the wicked will have a perfect knowledge of all their guilt, & their uncleanness, the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. (2 Nephi 9:14)
"Now I've struggled with that statement, and I have found a definition that seems to indicate to me what I'm sure the Lord intended to convey.
The definition that I think is significant says:
'Justify means to pronounce free from guilt or blame, or to absolve.'
"Now if the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is to pronounce one free from guilt or blame, or to absolve, then we begin to see something of the office of the Holy Ghost that relates to the subject about which we are talking: what is means to be born of the Spirit."
(Relief Society Personal Study Guide 4-1992-page 39)
How do I know?
Romans 15:13
D&C 88:3-4
Alma 7:15-16
Moroni 10:5
WHY DO I WANT TO BE CLEAN & FORGIVEN AND NUMBERED AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS?
A. The righteous are invited into PARADISE. (Alma 40:12, 25-26)
B. The righteous are lited up when the Savior comes. (1 Thess 4:14-17; D&C 88:96-101; D&C 45:44-48)
C. "These are they whom the Savior will bring with him, when He shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over His people." (D&C 76:63)
D. While the wicked will have a perfect knowledge of all their guilt, & their uncleanness, the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. (2 Nephi 9:14)
Dont I have to be perfect before I can be assured of exaltation?
"all the faithful Saints, all of those who have endured to the end, depart this life with the absolute guarantee of eternal life.
There is no equivocation, no doubt, no uncertainty in our minds. Those who have been true and faithful in this life will not fall by the wayside in the life to come. If they keep their covenants here and now and depart this life firm and true in the testimony of our blessed Lord, they shall come forth with an inheritance of eternal life.
We do not mean to say that those who die in the Lord, and who are true and faithful in this life, must be perfect in all things when they go into the next sphere of existence. There was only one perfect man—the Lord Jesus whose Father was God.
...But what we are saying is that when the saints of God chart a course of righteousness, when they gain sure testimonies of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work, when they keep the commandments, when they overcome the world, when they put first in their lives the things of God’s kingdom: when they do all these things, and then depart this life—though they have not yet become perfect—they shall nonetheless gain eternal life in our Father’s kingdom; and eventually they shall be perfect as God their Father and Christ His Son are perfect."
There is no equivocation, no doubt, no uncertainty in our minds. Those who have been true and faithful in this life will not fall by the wayside in the life to come. If they keep their covenants here and now and depart this life firm and true in the testimony of our blessed Lord, they shall come forth with an inheritance of eternal life.
We do not mean to say that those who die in the Lord, and who are true and faithful in this life, must be perfect in all things when they go into the next sphere of existence. There was only one perfect man—the Lord Jesus whose Father was God.
...But what we are saying is that when the saints of God chart a course of righteousness, when they gain sure testimonies of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work, when they keep the commandments, when they overcome the world, when they put first in their lives the things of God’s kingdom: when they do all these things, and then depart this life—though they have not yet become perfect—they shall nonetheless gain eternal life in our Father’s kingdom; and eventually they shall be perfect as God their Father and Christ His Son are perfect."
Bruce R. McConkie (Ensign, Nov. 1976, p. 107)
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR A CELESTIAL BODY?
(Alma 34:32-36)
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR ETERNAL LIFE OR EXALTATION if I am walking in the strait & narrow path each day?
I have this life plus spirit world time plus 1000 years during the millennium
The Process
1. Take a thought pattern & focus on it for one week
2. Repeat this procedure for each of the twelve thought patterns.
3. In one year the twelve thought patterns can be repeated four times, and one will see, think & feel more like the Savior.
2. Repeat this procedure for each of the twelve thought patterns.
3. In one year the twelve thought patterns can be repeated four times, and one will see, think & feel more like the Savior.
How to Change or Improve Thought Patterns
1. See the thought patterns through your spiritual eyes
2. Hold the thought pattern in your mind by prayer throughout the day
3. Experience the confirmation by the Holy Ghost
4. Do this faith exercise out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father and the Savior
2. Hold the thought pattern in your mind by prayer throughout the day
3. Experience the confirmation by the Holy Ghost
4. Do this faith exercise out of the love you feel for Heavenly Father and the Savior
The Process of Justification
How can I qualify for Eternal Life?
Through the process of Justification
(To be born of the Spirit, one becomes clean & forgiven)
(2 Nephi 31:17-18)
1- Faith in Jesus Christ
*Atonement
*Power of resurrection
2- Repent of my sins
3- Baptism by water
4- Baptism by fire & the Holy Ghost
-Now I am given gifts & promises because of the covenants I have made with Heavenly Father
Gifts obtained in the Strait & Narrow Path
1- I am clean & forgiven of my sins (2 Nephi 31:17-18)
2- I am numbered among the righteous (Mosiah 27:24-25)
3- I become a candidate for the Celestial Kingdom (D&C 88:3)
4- I have the privilege & honor of the companionship of the Holy Ghost
a. Which witnesses to me that my sins are forgiven
b. Confirms that I am in the Strait & Narrow Path
c. He will comfort me in the trials of this life
d. He shows me how to become like the Master
e. He helps me overcome this world
f. He helps me to master this body
g. He increases my hope to be raised unto Eternal Life
Friday, March 13, 2009
Now is the time to prepare to meet God
“The Lord wants the plan taught plainly and repetitively. And why not? It is God’s plan—not ours! And, given the unimpressive outcomes of man’s plans to solve the world’s problems, aren’t we glad!”
- Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Great Plan of The Eternal God, 1984
- Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Great Plan of The Eternal God, 1984
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