"Home Teaching Message" July 2014

FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE The Promise of Hearts Turning

BY PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING

First Counselor in the First Presidency

My mother, Mildred Bennion Eyring, grew up in the farming community of Granger, Utah, USA. One of her brothers, Roy, followed the family business of raising sheep. As a young man he spent many weeks away from home. Over time he became less interested in the Church. Eventually he moved to Idaho, USA, married, and had three children. He died at the age of 34 when his wife was 28 years old and their children were small.

Even though Roy’s little family was in Idaho and my mother had moved about 2,500 miles (4,025 km) to New Jersey, USA, she often wrote them letters of love and encouragement. My uncle’s family affectionately referred to my mother as “Aunt Mid.”

Years passed, and one day I received a phone call from one of my cousins. I was told that Roy’s widow had died. My cousin said, “Aunt Mid would want you to know.” Aunt Mid had long since passed away, but the family still felt her love and reached out to tell me.

I was struck by how much my mother had filled a role in her family similar to the role the Nephite prophets had filled in their families by staying close to relatives they wanted to bring to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nephi wrote a record that he hoped would influence the children of his brothers to return to the faith of their patriarch, Lehi. The sons of Mosiah showed that same love as they preached the gospel to the descendants of Lehi.

The Lord has provided ways for us to feel love in families that can continue forever. Young people in the Church today are feeling their hearts turn to their families. They are searching for names of family members who did not have the opportunity to receive the ordinances of salvation in this life. They take those names to the temple. When they enter the waters of baptism, they have the opportunity to feel the love of the Lord and of the family members for whom they are performing proxy ordinances.

I can still remember the love in the voice of my cousin who called and said, “Our mother has died, and Aunt Mid would want you to know.”

Those of you who perform ordinances for family members are reaching out in love, as did the sons of Mosiah and the prophet Nephi. Like them, you will feel joy for those who accept your offering. You can also expect to feel the same great satisfaction as Ammon, who said of his missionary service among distant family members:

“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16).

I bear testimony that the feelings of love you have for your family members—wherever they may be—are a fulfillment of the promise that Elijah would come. He did come. Children’s hearts are turning to their fathers, and fathers’ hearts are turning to their children (see Malachi 4:5–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:38–39). When you feel the urge to find the names of your ancestors and take those names to the temple, you are experiencing the fulfillment of that prophecy.

It is a blessing to live in the time when the promise of hearts turning is being fulfilled. Mildred Bennion Eyring felt that urge in her heart. She loved her brother’s family, and she reached out to them. They felt their hearts turn in love to Aunt Mid because they knew she loved them.

Teaching from This Message

You may want to read the prophecies about the spirit of Elijah with those you visit (see Malachi 4:5–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:38–39). Discuss ways to become involved with family history, including tools such as indexing, photography, and blogging. If those you visit are unfamiliar withFamilySearch.org, consider taking some time to show it to them.

Youth

Getting to Know My Grandmother

By Jewelene Carter

The author now lives in Virginia, USA.

For one of my Young Women projects, I volunteered to help my grandmother find her ancestors by scrolling through sheets of microfilm at the family history center in Mesa, Arizona, USA. As we sat side by side and searched for our family, I began to wonder: “Do I really know very much about my grandmother who’s right beside me?”

We found many family members, prepared their information, and went to the Mesa Arizona Temple to perform their baptisms and confirmations. Not long after, my grandmother gave me a bound compilation of her family history.

Because she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, it is very painful for my grandmother to type. I enjoy helping her on the computer. Together, we write the stories from her life for our family’s spiritual benefit. I love being a part of her life and learning so much about Church history as we collaborate on these projects.

Children

Love at Home

Kindly heaven smiles above

When there’s love at home;

All the world is filled with love

When there’s love at home.

(“Love at Home,” Hymns, no. 294)

Heavenly Father wants us to love our families so that we can be happy. The more we serve our families, the more we will love Heavenly Father and our family members.

Draw hearts like this one on a piece of paper and cut them out. Write happy notes or draw pictures on them and secretly deliver them to the members of your family. Watch how happy it will make them!

“Happy Hearts!”

cji

7/1/14

Oh to be as the small child

having a happy heart of love

turning constantly to the Father

sharing intimately within family

opening the windows of heaven

letting in glorious sunshine

happy hearts turning another’s

fulfilling Malachi’s promises

one heart at a time daily!

Copyright © 2014 – cji

"Visiting Teaching Message" July 2014

Painting by David McClellan

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Advocate

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Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done, by Harry Anderson, courtesy of pacific Press Publishing Association, Inc., may not be copied

Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father. The word advocate has Latin roots meaning “one who pleads for another.”¹ The Savior pleads for us, using understanding, justice, and mercy. Knowing this can fill us with love and gratitude for His Atonement.

“Listen to [Jesus Christ] who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

“Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

“Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life” (D&C 45:3–5).

Of Christ as our Advocate, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “It is of great significance to me, that I may at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, that my Advocate, him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause.”²

Additional Scriptures

Mosiah 15:8–9; Moroni 7:28; Doctrine and Covenants 29:5; 110:4

From the Scriptures

Throughout the history of the Lord’s Church, female disciples of Jesus Christ have followed His example. Esther was faithful and courageous. Her cousin Mordecai sent her a copy of the king’s decree that the Jews should be destroyed, and he charged her “to make request before [the king] for her people.” He added: “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:8, 14.)

Despite the danger, Esther agreed: “So will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Esther then spoke humbly to the king and “fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears … to reverse the letters … to destroy the Jews.” She added, “How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” (see Esther 8:3, 5–6). The king’s heart was softened, and he granted her petition.³

Consider This

How can the advocacy of Jesus Christ inspire us to extend mercy and forgiveness to others?

“Interceding”

cji

7/1/14

He is our Advocate

interceding for us

placing himself between

fulfilling justice/mercy

allowing us to repent

thus each of us too

are advocates to be

sharing our testimonies

in our service to all

seeking not selfishly

but to honor the Father

through our Savior

as he is our Advocate!

Copyright © 2014 – cji

“To Be as Our Father and Our Savior (his only begotten Son)” (The eternal purpose and meaning of Spirituality)

“To Be as Our Father and Our Savior (his only begotten Son)”

(The eternal purpose and meaning of Spirituality)

cji

6/30/14

What follows is from a conversation with my wife of 45+ years on the meaning and how to apply Spirituality in our lives. Having come from a meeting where there was discussion of the fundamentals to gain Spirituality; i.e. Prayer, meeting attendance, FHE, Tithing and Offerings and other such channels. While within the meeting her mind took a different avenue in which involves  how Spirituality increases in our lives. Therefore in seeking clarity we discussed her thoughts in more detail.

First, let’s clarify her thoughts into written form: when one speaks or thinks of Spirituality it involves the ideas of our oneness with the Father and the Son (Matt. 5:48). For only by being perfect can we return their presence and be one with the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ as they are one with each other (and we’ve been commanded to do so). By the grace (power given to us to endure) the Father and the Son provide to us insights to learn more about them. Thus Spirituality within us – returns power and energy to them  through our service/ works thus showing our respect and honor to them. Each must remember one gives honor and respect to the Father and the Son by doing their will. Therefore the interchange of energy’s become more than just one or the other. Making us (the servants) more able to do and to learn – and our Father and his Son are thus able to bestow more blessings upon us.

Second, it is necessary to understand energy and power. Energy begets and builds more energy – the Lord’s grace while greatly misunderstood by the worldly – is the spiritual power given for us to endure the trials and tribulations of this world. The scripture (see Ether 12:27, D&C 17:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9) which refers to ‘grace’ isn’t just about being ‘saved’ but a beginning to become more like the Savior (until we indeed can become like Him (Moroni 7:48). Energy equates power – power equates to grace – grace must therefore equate to energy. One could consider this the power and energy which emanates and returns to the highest degree of glory of Celestial Kingdom. Only does the Celestial Kingdom require full obedience, works, faith, and becoming even one with the Father and the Son.

Third, in what has been discussed above then helps us understand that what has been proposed as to the meaning and understanding of Spirituality, which it is intangible except by our works to learn more of the intangibles of the doctrines of the Father and the Son to which we’re to learn to adopt as our own. Below is the definition of energy as found in Wikipedia:

(In physics, energy is a property of objects, transferable among them via fundamental interactions, which can be converted in form but not created or destroyed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy)

When we are speaking of energy there are several dynamic forms but what is discussed here is not the worldly energy (or available energy) but of infinite energy that which we not only need – but which we can increase infinitely for our righteous behavior. Thus if Heavenly Father is the author of all natural law – then he has infinite energy of which he can bestow upon those who honor and respect he and his Son. We’re able to earn such energy through not only our obedience in the commandments but in our exercising our agency as to have eternal faith in that which we yet do not know – but will eventually know – and in our choices of doing work of service unto others for the Father.

Therefore in acknowledging all of the above – we must always be mindful of doing the simple tangible things of the commandments; i.e. tithing’s, offerings, callings, home teaching, visiting teaching, or those things which are expected in order to be able to do the intangible. The basics are well known still even though most of which are simple to perform and to complete these basics are usually overlooked – or even worse, considered all that needs to be done.

The goal of this mortal probation is to return to the presences of our Heavenly Father and his only begotten his Son – our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Too many people ignore divine doctrine. Therefore it is taught that by Grace all are saved via the Atonement – which only in part is very true. What is forgotten all  nothing excepted; those who’ve lived even when the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not on this earth – and those who when living while the Gospel has been on the earth never heard it. Again too many deny this belief as well – thinking there is only the two choices of Heaven or Hell ignoring about the various kingdoms from the teachings of Paul. With all of this belief system in mind, the world is a thoroughly wicked place with the influence and doctrines of the adversary in the forefront of the teachings (logismoi) of men replacing the gnosis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now to return to the premise above – that Spirituality is a means of our becoming one with the Father and the Son. Indeed a power exchange between the Father and  achieving righteousness as His children (you or I). An exchange which increases our respect and honoring for the Father – and his in turn to extend to us his Son’s grace for us to endure to the end in this wicked world. Without it being a two way interchange it would be meaningless! For when energy only goes in one direction it expends itself in the infinity of space or otherwise separates into other matter. Energy has to have a reciprocal giving and taking or it becomes disordered (refer to the three laws of energy).  Therefore, if the grace from the Father and the Son above is provided and not in some way returned to them then it to will turn to disorder. It is incumbent upon each of us to return our grace (power/energy) in kind (our prayers/works/services/testimonies and other ways) in seeking to become like the Father and the Son.

The acceptance of our role in our eternal salvation is of utmost importance – we’ve choices to make – things to do – both tangible and intangible – much to learn. We’ve to become as the Father and the Son – as they are with each other. We’ve been commanded to do so – why do we do otherwise?

(Note: I wish to thank my wife for such wonderful insights that I’m able to share with others.) c/ork

“Our Spirituality”

cji

6/30/14

Increasing or disordering

to be obedient-disobedient

increasing communications

between us and our Father

exchanging respect/honor

extending our willing service

providing energy to endure

increasing in strength always

never to atrophy or changed

also grace allowing to endure

the wickedness of worldly

increasing or disordering!

Copyright © 2014 – cji

“Honoring and Knowing Our Heavenly Father!” cji 6/15/14

“Honoring and Knowing Our Heavenly Father!” cji 6/15/14

The purpose of this mortal probation is to gain the Celestial Kingdom in the highest degree of glory (as told to us by Paul – 1^st Corinthians 15). In order to gain this Kingdom and to live once more with our Heavenly Father and our Savior with our families and a physical body of flesh and bone as the Father and the Son now have. (Every person is literally a son or a daughter of God, having been born as a spirit to Heavenly Parents before being born to mortal parents on the earth (Heb. 12:9). Each person on earth has an immortal spirit body in addition to a body of flesh and bone. As sometimes defined in scripture, the spirit and the physical body together constitute the soul (Gen. 2:7; D&C 88:15; Moses 3:7, 9, 19; Abr. 5:7). A spirit can live without a physical body, but the physical body cannot live without the spirit (James 2:26). Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. In the resurrection, the spirit is reunited with the same physical body of flesh and bone it possessed as a mortal, with two major differences: they will never be separated again, and the physical body will be immortal and perfected (Alma 11:45; D&C 138:16–17). 

To gain the Celestial Kingdom and to live once more with the Father and the Son we’ve to know Heavenly Father personally – as we’re to know the Son – via all of the Scriptures which speak on him and what he himself had to say not only about himself but that like he was so was the Father!!! The purpose of this life is to return to them – thus with the Atonement the way was made that this could happen. John 17:3 (The importance of knowing Heavenly Father) 1 John 2:3–5; 4:7–8; Enos 1:1–7; Mosiah 4:9–12; 5:13; D&C 88:63–65; 93:1 (How we come to know Heavenly Father). Elder Robert D. Hales’s talk “Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/seeking-to-know-god-our-heavenly-father-and-his-son-jesus-christ?lang=eng “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”? ^{(John 17:3)}

Too often too many get caught up in the giving of gifts – or otherwise worldly tributes to those father’s here on earth or who’ve lived and died in our various genealogical lines. Forgetting all about the Sabbath Day – and most importantly our Heavenly Father! Thus falling into the various traps laid by the adversary of placing the worldly over the eternal aspects of our personal mortality. Understand in many cases showing appreciation to our earthly father’s (parents) is appropriate but this should be done 24/7 in compliance with the Commandment #5: “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment remains binding throughout our lives and can be understood in several ways: We should honor our fathers and our mothers who are our ancestors; we should be grateful to the father and mother who provided our earthly bodies; we should honor those who raised us in the knowledge of the truth. Above all, we should honor our Heavenly Parents. The way we honor all these fathers and mothers is by keeping the commandments. https://www.lds.org/topics/ten-commandments?lang=eng

What does it mean to ‘honor’ – (Note: this is a topic I’ve written on many times.) One honors another by being obedient in all things righteous – worthy (eternally) – honesty – virtue – and otherwise anxiously engaged in doing what is right. This shows ‘honor’ to those as we’ve been commanded to do so – but in the idea of ‘Love’ it is something we should do in understanding Father’s Will be done and not ours! To ‘honor’ means to be humble (not weak or afraid) knowing our true relationship with our Heavenly Father – and taking heed of the full instructions given by the Savior in the Bible (Old and New Testaments), the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and in the Doctrine and Covenants. There is found all that is encompassed in ‘honoring’ both our progenitors and our Heavenly Parents.

To ‘honor’ does not mean to shower someone with gifts, trips, idol worship, grand banquets, worldly praise or any of the myriad ways men/women have found to do for a price in today’s world. Sadly, most feel this is the only way to ‘honor’ – living a worldly life and seeking what the world offers and not what truth, light and knowledge presents.

Maybe to better understand this – we’ve to remember we’ve both a Spiritual Body and a Physical Body of flesh, bone and blood. The Spiritual (some call this the Soul) is to help us to take control of the Physical body which is carnal by nature; (1 Cor. 2:14The natural man is an enemy to God and should be put off, Mosiah 3:19 He that persists in his own carnal nature).  Too many put off the Spiritual and thus become an enemy to God – and therefore cannot know him! Without the knowledge of knowing God – then how could one possibly enter back into his presence? Instead men/women choose to be impressed by worldly persons – to the point of paying their obligations to them – even being in fear of those with great powers – such as Kings/Queens/Rulers/Presidents – therefore having no fear of the Scriptures or Heavenly Father and/or His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. Thus it is without ‘honor’ that they give any credence to the Father and the Son.

Fear is an often misunderstood and misinterpreted word. By definition, Fear can have two meanings: (1) to fear God is to feel reverence and awe for him and to obey his commandments; (2) to fear man, mortal dangers, pain, and evil is to be afraid of such things and to dread them. Thus the conflict seems to be the application in reverse of these two meanings in our world today (as often was seen throughout written history). Today men/women reverence and stand in awe – being obedient to the tenants, logismoi and rules of those with worldly powers. While on the other hand most only fear God as to mortal dangers, pain and the evils found in the world – blaming him in all things. Thus they ‘honor’ the worldly – while abhorring the eternal and Heavenly Father and His Son! We must always remember, Doctrine and Covenants 76:5-6 (and 7-10)  5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. 6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

Where will we be found on this day and everyday – ‘honoring’ Heavenly Father (thus being fully obedient in all of the Commandments – remember there are many more than just the Ten oft repeated) – or found ‘honoring’ men/women instead? When referring to the multiple Commandments found in the Scriptures all are there to help us to hold fast to the Rod of Iron (which is the Word of God) and bring us closer to happiness here in this mortal probation and then into eternal salvation after this life. However, to really simplify things one only has to be fully compliant with the first two ‘great’ Commandments – and then they’ll be found in total obedience to all of the others! Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. It is in verse 40 that we learn the importance of these two Commandments – and yet most miss this completely!

What are our eternal goals? Most have only to be saved – whereas all men/women and all living things on this earth are saved via the Atonement of the Savior. (Note: those who deny the Holy Ghost once having received it cannot be saved, ever) The sin of denying the Holy Ghost, a sin that cannot be forgiven. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men:Matt. 12:31–32; ( Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; ) It is impossible for those who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost to renew them again unto repentance:Heb. 6:4–6; If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins:Heb. 10:26; If ye deny the Holy Ghost and know that ye deny it, this is a sin which is unpardonable:Alma 39:5–6; ( Jacob 7:19; ). Otherwise all living things having lived on this earth are saved! Thus we then apply what Paul taught as to where each will go depending on their worthiness, faith, works and obedience to the Father and the Son – to one of the various Kingdoms.

Maybe to go a bit further – being ‘saved’ is only the beginning of the journey to return to the presence of Heavenly Father once more. It is the first step in acknowledging who we are – sons and daughters of Heavenly Father – very literally! In this relationship – we can ‘honor’ Heavenly Father – as the Savior taught – “If you love me, keep my Commandments” and to love the Son – is love his (and our Father) who sent him to this earth to Atone for the sins/transgressions of all men/women – to meet the law of justice and provide mercy so we could earn (EARN) our way back into their presence. Thus the first part was not done by us – but by the Savior! We then have to live by their Commandments – all of them (remembering the two great ones as the template for full obedience). If we’re found doing this then we’ll find and understand more clearly the Bible and thus understand and accept the 2^nd Witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – the Book of Mormon. One must remember the Bible is under constant attack by the world – Heavenly Father and the Savior knew this would happen – read almost any of the Old Testament Prophets (especially Isaiah/Ezekiel) – thus they knew there had to be a 2^nd Witness of the Savior and of the teachings found in the Bible – (see Ezekiel 37:16, 19). One cannot prove anything to another without at least two witnesses (or sources) as primary (without circular proofs) which stand alone and can be verified. Both the Bible (Old and New Testaments – Stick of Judah) and the Book of Mormon (Stick of Joseph) stand alone and testify of each other. The Bible cannot testify of itself and since it is the House of Judah (it is one witness) and the Book of Mormon cannot testify of itself and since it is the House of Joseph (it is one witness) combined they become two witnesses which both testify of Jesus Christ – his Mission – his Atonement and most importantly they Testify of Heavenly Father as a separate person from that of his Son (who is also a separate person).

Honoring our Heavenly Father on Father’s Day (and everyday 24/7/365(6) is the most important thing we can do in our mortal probation! We’ve to remember that the Savior constantly honored his Father in everything he said and did! Can we do less if we want to return to the Celestial Kingdom to live with them and our families? Thus on this Father’s Day we can turn around – get ourselves back on the road to Zion and eternal life and salvation – leaving Babylon behind – repenting – and showing forth love to the Father and the Son – but as the Son taught – most especially to our Heavenly Father! As quoted above, Doctrine and Covenants 76:5-6  5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. 6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

In the name of the Son – even Jesus the Christ – amen c/ork

“To Honor”

cji

6/15/14

Giving place within our hearts

respecting and loving fully

being found obedient in all

cherishing our relationship

knowing our Heavenly Father

serving in vineyards/gardens

feeding both sheep’s/lambs

taking no credit to oneself

enabling then to honor one

our Heavenly Father today

respecting and loving fully

within our hearts giving place!

Copyright © 2014 – cji