Monday, July 21, 2014
The Walk
I chose Missionary Work for the walk part of my practicum. The reason I chose this is because I never had a chance to serve a mission. I learned that you don't have to be called on a mission to preach the Gospel, you can do it by being a member missionary.
I started going to a new ward about the time we were to start our walk. There was another gal that was new to the ward as well. During Relief Society they were talking about the upcoming weekday meeting. She looked at me, and I mouthed the words, "Do you want to go?" We did go to the event, and we have been friends ever since.
Upon getting to know her, I learned that she used to be a member of the church. Her mother died in 2010 and when this happened she wrote to the church offices and asked to have her name removed from the records of the church. Little did she know that it would be removed completely. She found this out when she tried to have her records transferred in the ward.
She has learned that she has to retake the discussions again and be baptized. I try to be around for her discussions and she wants me to talk about the Holy Ghost at her baptism. I even got her going to the Gospel Principles class. When she has a question that she is unsure of, I answer it to the best of my ability and if I don't know the answer, I will find out for her. She was a tea drinker and she has totally quit drinking it.
It has been fun working on this part of the practicum. I will continue working on it until I see my friend take out her endowments and still work at it for anyone else that needs me. At first, I was going to do it on wayward children and helping them get back to the fold. Missionary Work just fell into place at the right time. I guess you can say that by choosing the topic that I did, wayward children also fell into place.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Family
1. “May our families and homes be filled with love:
love of each other, love of the gospel, love of our fellowman, and love of our
Savior. As a result, heaven will be a little closer here on earth.
President
Thomas S. Monson-Love at Home August 2011 Liahona
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2011/08/love-at-home-counsel-from-our-prophet?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2011/08/love-at-home-counsel-from-our-prophet?lang=eng
2. My counsel is that we
need to focus our energy on strengthening our families by talking, rejoicing,
preaching, and prophesying of Christ, that we may enjoy the reward of righteous
families so we can be eternal families.
Quinten
L. Cook, Eternal Families 2014 Women’s Conference BYU-Provo
3. Never let a day go by
without holding family prayer and family scripture study. Put this, the Lord’s
program, to the test; and see if it does not bless your home with greater
peace, hope, love, and faith.
L.
Tom Perry-Back To Gospel Basics April 1993 General Conference
4. The principles stated
in the proclamation on the family are a beautiful expression of this gospel
culture.
Dallin
H. Oaks-The Gospel Culture March 2013 Liahona
5. Of one thing you can
be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political
beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family.
Dieter
F. Uchtdorf-The Purpose of Your Journey-April 2013 General Conference https://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/05/for-young-women?lang=eng
6. The prophetic counsel
to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture
study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams
in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices
it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from
the world.
Richard
G Scott-For Peach At Home-April 2013 General Conference-
7. We
should commence our labors of love and kindness with the family to which we
belong, and then extend them to others.”
Teachings of Brigham
Young Chapter 30
8. The greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we
experience are in family relationships. The joys come
from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is.
And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love.
The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead
to happiness and away from sorrow.”
Henry
B. Eyring-Our Perfect Example-October 2009 General Conference
9. The
most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be within the walls of
your own homes.
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee-Chapter
14 Love at Home
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-harold-b-lee/chapter-14?lang=eng&query=The+most+important+of+the+Lord%27s+work+you+will+ever+do+will+be+within+the+walls+of+your+own+homes.
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-harold-b-lee/chapter-14?lang=eng&query=The+most+important+of+the+Lord%27s+work+you+will+ever+do+will+be+within+the+walls+of+your+own+homes.
10. The Lord has given
us a commandment that we shall teach our children the principles of the gospel
and have them baptized when they are eight years of age. If we fail to keep
this commandment, the blessings that are promised to us by the Lord will be
revoked, and we will have to mourn and sorrow in seeing our children grow up
without a desire to serve God. And in after years, when we endeavor to instil
into their minds of the principles of the gospel, we will make a failure of it.
-Teachings of The Presidents of the Church Chapter 22
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-heber-j-grant/chapter-22?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-heber-j-grant/chapter-22?lang=eng
I learned quite a bit when it came to family. I know
that family comes first and they are the most important thing on the earth
today. I find myself reading the Proclamation to The Family from time to
time. I am glad that the church brought
it in our home. We all need to remember that if we don’t teach our families the
gospel truths or live by the commandments we were given we may not get to see
our children have the desire to serve God. I know that I have done my best in
rearing my boys. They have their own agency as well. We can teach them all we
can, but because of their agency they can choose to follow the teachings of the
church. Family has always been important to me because I was raised by a single parent. My brothers and I were close when we were younger. They do not like that I am a member of the Church. Because I choose to live my life the right way they do not want to have anything to do with me.
Atonement
1 1. It is my testimony that
many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the
Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that
we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which
we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can
repent.
Deiter F. Utchdorf, Of
Resolutions and Regrets, Conference October 2012
2. That’s the promise
of the gospel of Jesus Christ and
the Atonement: to take anyone who comes, anyone who will join, and put them
through an experience so that at the end of their life, they can go through the
veil having repented of their sins and having been washed clean through the
blood of Christ.
Boyd K. Packer, The Atonement,
General Conference October 2012
3. It was required,
indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect
Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to
know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such
sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was
like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to
have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly,
hopelessly alone.
Jeffery R. Holland, None Were With
Him, Conference April 2009
4. The scriptures speak of His arms being open, extended, stretched out, and encircling. They
are described as mighty and holy, arms of mercy, arms of
safety, arms of love, “lengthened
out all the day long… The Lord’s desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in
His arms is often an invitation to repent. “Behold, he sendeth an invitation
unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith:
Repent, and I will receive you.
Neil L. Anderson, Repent That I May Heal You,
Conference October 2009
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/repent-that-i-may-heal-you?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/repent-that-i-may-heal-you?lang=eng
5. The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most
difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of
protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world.
Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness. True, enduring
happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome
the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in
Jesus Christ.
Richard G. Scott, The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and
Happiness, April 2009 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/the-atonement-can-secure-your-peace-and-happiness?lang=eng
6. Do not
misunderstand. Repentance is not easy or painless or convenient. It is a bitter
cup from Hell. But only Satan, who dwells there, would have you think that a
necessary and required acknowledgment is more distasteful than permanent
residence. Only he would say, “You can’t change. You won’t change. It’s too
long and too hard to change. Give up. Give in. Don’t repent. You are just the
way you are.” That, my friends, is a lie born of desperation. Don’t fall for
it.
Jeffery R. Holland, For Times of
Trouble, March 1980 BYU Devotional
7. As one of His
latter-day witnesses, I testify that He lives today. He is a resurrected Being.
He is our Savior, our Lord, the very Son of God. I testify that He will come
again as our glorified, resurrected Lord. That day is not far distant. To all
who accept Him as Savior and Lord, His literal resurrection means that life
does not end at death, for He promised: “Because I live, ye shall live also.
Ezra Taft Benson, The Meaning of Easter, Conference April 1992
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/04/the-meaning-of-easter?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/04/the-meaning-of-easter?lang=eng
8. Forgiving
ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major
change in our attitude and way of thinking, even a change of heart. But there
is good news. This mighty change of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus
Christ is designed to bring into our lives. How is it done? Through the
love of God
.
Dieter F. Utchdorf, The
Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy, Conference April 2012
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng
9. As Christians
today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively,
just as Peter and Andrew did: “they forsook their nets, and followed him.” We too are called upon to leave our
nets, to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions. We are also called to
forsake our sins.”
Elder Hales, Being a More Christian Christian, Conference October 2012
10. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely.
Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and
without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely… He Loves every one of
us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.
Dieter F. Utchdorf, The Love of God, Conference October 2009
I am so grateful for the Atonement. Christ died on
the cross for our sins. Although he was perfect he forgave those who trespassed
against us. I know that God loves us if we are imperfect or lost. When I was
researching topics on the Atonement, Elder Holland hit it on the head when he
said repentance is not easy, painless or convenient. It is a bitter cup from
hell. We all need to repent when we do something wrong. We cannot stand back
and let the devil taunt us by telling us to give up. President Uchtdorf put it
well when he said, ”this is the precious gift of
Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time
and change the past, but we can repent.”
Agency
1. Do we have a guide
to help us choose the right and avoid dangerous detours? I have tried to
pattern my life after the Master. Whenever I have a difficult decision to make,
I have looked at that picture and asked myself, “What would He do?” Then I try
to do it. We can never go wrong when we choose to follow the Savior.
Thomas S. Monson, Choose You This Day, Conference
October 2004
2. Because the
eternal principle of agency gives us the freedom to choose and think for
ourselves, we should become increasingly able to solve problems. We may make
the occasional mistake, but as long as we are following gospel principles and
guidelines, we can learn from those mistakes and become more understanding of
others and more effective in serving them.
M. Russell Ballard, O Be Wise,
Conference, October 2006
3. You have agency,
and you are free to choose. But there is actually no free
agency. Agency has its price. You have to pay the consequences of your choices.
Dieter F. Utchdorf, On the Wings
of Eagles, BYU Devotional, July 2006
4. “Warn them that
they will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and
ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to
obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to
misery."
Russell M. Neilson, Face the
Future With Faith, Conference April 2011,
5. You and I were among those who used their agency
to accept Heavenly Father’s plan to come to earth, to have a mortal life, to
progress. “We shouted for joy … to have the opportunity of coming to the earth
to receive bodies [for we knew] that we might become, through faithfulness,
like unto our Father, God.” Now we are here on earth, where
opportunities to use our agency abound; for here “there is an opposition in all
things.” This opposition is essential to the purpose of our lives.
Robert D. Hales, To Act For
Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency, April 2006,
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-of-agency?lang=eng
6. By “moral discipline,” I mean self-discipline based on moral
standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the
right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed
life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness
through Christlike service.
D. Todd Christofferson, Moral
Discipline, Conference October 2009,
7. Choosing
to do what the Lord has defined as right will, in the long run, always lead to
the best outcomes.
Richard G. Scott - Ensign, Nov.
1998, 69
8. Men will be held
accountable for the things which they have and not for the things they have
not. … All the light and intelligence communicated to them from their
beneficent creator, whether it is much or little, by the same they in justice
will be judged, and … they are required to yield obedience and improve upon
that and that only which is given, for man is not to live by bread alone but by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of
Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 405
9. The decisions we make, individually and
personally, become the fabric of our lives. That fabric will be beautiful or
ugly according to the threads of which it is woven. I wish to say particularly
to the young men who are here that you cannot indulge in any unbecoming
behavior without injury to the beauty of the fabric of your lives. Immoral acts
of any kind will introduce an ugly thread. Dishonesty of any kind will create a
blemish. Foul and profane language will rob the pattern of its beauty.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, This Work Is Concerned with
People, General Conference, April 1995, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/this-work-is-concerned-with-people?lang=eng
10. Our agency, given
us through the plan of our Father, is the great alternative to Satan’s plan of
force. With this sublime gift, we can grow, improve, progress, and seek
perfection. Without agency, none of us could grow and develop by learning from
our mistakes and errors and those of others…. I do not really think the devil
can make us do anything. Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has
no authority over us that we do not give him.
James E. Faust, The Forces That
Will Save Us, First Presidency Message, January 2007https://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/01/the-forces-that-will-save-us?lang=eng
We all have our agency to choose
right from wrong. It was given to us because of the fall of Adam while in the Garden of Eden.We all have the
choice to learn and grow by our mistakes. We will be held accountable for the
sins we have committed if we don’t ask for forgiveness. When making choices we
need to make sure that we are choosing wisely, the choices we make today is the
fabric of our lives.
Pornography
1.
Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, drugs, the power of peer pressure- all
these and more- cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on
the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered
dreams.
Thomas S. Monson, Believe, Obedience Brings
Blessings
General Conference October 2013
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/obedience-brings-blessings?lang=eng
General Conference October 2013
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/obedience-brings-blessings?lang=eng
2.
Priesthood holders carry with them the antidote to remove the terrible images
of pornography and to wash away guilt. The priesthood has the power to unlock
the influence of our habits, even to unchain from addiction, however tight the
grip. It can heal over the scars of past mistakes
Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing The Inner Vessel, October
2010 Conference,
3.
Pornography impairs one’s ability to enjoy a normal emotional, romantic, and
spiritual relationship with a person of the opposite sex. It erodes the moral
barriers that stand against inappropriate, abnormal, or illegal behavior. As
conscience is desensitized, patrons of pornography are led to act out what they
have witnessed, regardless of its effects on their life and the lives of
others.
Dallin H. Oaks, Pornography. Ensign, May 2005,
4. Stay
completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever. It
has been proven to be an addiction which is more than difficult to overcome.
Thomas S. Monson, Priesthood Power, Conference
April 2011
5. We
cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in
the home. We cannot afford to have those who exercise the Holy Priesthood,
after the Order of the Son of God, waste their strength in pornography or spend
their lives in cyberspace.
D. Todd Christofferson, Brethren We Have Work to
Do,
General Conference October 2012
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/brethren-we-have-work-to-do?lang=eng
General Conference October 2012
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/brethren-we-have-work-to-do?lang=eng
6. Be
Cautious. These same technologies can allow evil influences to cross the
threshold of your homes. These dangerous traps are only a mouse click away.
Pornography, violence, intolerance, and ungodliness destroy families,
marriages, and individual lives. These dangers are distributed through many
media, including magazines, books, television, movies, and music, as well as
the internet.
Deiter F. Utchdorf, A Matter of a Few Degrees,
April 2008
7. (Pornography)
is utterly without redeeming social value. We urge our families to protect
their children in every way possible. We live in a permissive world, but we
must make certain we do not become a part of that permissive world, that
degenerate world.
Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Not Be Mocked,
General Conference October 1974
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1974/10/god-will-not-be-mocked?lang=eng
General Conference October 1974
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1974/10/god-will-not-be-mocked?lang=eng
8. Like
thieves in the night, unwelcome thought can and do seek entrance to our minds.
But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and tell
them where the silverware is kept! Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts
with hopeful messages and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love
you and would be shattered if you let them down.
Jeffery R. Holland, Place No More for the Enemy of
My Soul,
General Conference April 2009
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng
General Conference April 2009
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng
9.
Immoral thoughts, words, and deeds
always are immoral, even in cyberspace… We are all accountable to God, and
ultimately we will be judged of Him according to our deeds and the desires of
our hearts.
David A. Bednar, Things as They Really Are, CES
Fireside, May 3, 2009 BYU-Idaho
10. Satan has become a master at using the
addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led
by the Spirit. The onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious,
corroding, destructive forms has caused great grief, suffering, heartache, and
destroyed marriages. It is one of the most damning influences on earth. Whether
it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities
on the telephone, or flickering personal computer
screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging.
Richard G. Scott, To
Acquire Spiritual Guidance, General Conference April 2009-
Pornography is a very bad sin. In this day you have
to be careful of what we do either on the internet or the movies we watch. I
like the way Elder Holland says, pornography is like thieves in the night, any
unwelcome thoughts can and will seek entrance to the mind. We need to stay as
far away from pornography as we can.
If a person participates in pornography they can
risk ending a longtime relationship. They can start acting on some of the
impulses on the screen, which can lead to excommunication. Instead of wanting
to act on these impulses, the person should think of the faces of their
families and what could happen to them.
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