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Sunday, January 31, 2016

Visiting Teaching February 2016


VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Marriage Is Ordained of God

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” increase your faith in God and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Prophets, apostles, and leaders continue to “solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan.”1
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive. …
“… Neither we nor any other mortal can alter this divine order of matrimony.”2
Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president, said: “Everyone, no matter what their marital circumstance or number of children, can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!”3
Elder Christofferson continued: “Some of you are denied the blessing of marriage for reasons including a lack of viable prospects, same-sex attraction, physical or mental impairments, or simply a fear of failure. … Or you may have married, but that marriage ended. … Some of you who are married cannot bear children. …
“Even so, … everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation.”4

Additional Scriptures

Living Stories
Brother Larry M. Gibson, former first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, remembered when Shirley, now his wife, said:
“‘I love you because I know you love the Lord more than you love me.’ …
“That answer struck my heart. …
“… [And] I wanted her to always feel that I loved the Lord above all else.”5
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “The Lord Jesus Christ is the focal point in a covenant marriage relationship. … [Imagine that] the Savior is positioned at the apex of [a] triangle, with a woman at the base of one corner and a man at the base of the other corner. Now consider what happens in the relationship between the man and the woman as they individually and steadily ‘come unto Christ’ and strive to be ‘perfected in Him’ (Moroni 10:32). Because of and through the Redeemer, the man and the woman come closer together.”6

Consider This
How am I individually and steadily striving to “come unto Christ”?

“Ordained by Eternal Authority”

cji
2/1/16

Ordained by the Father
administered by the Son
calling Prophet’s/Apostles
ordained by authority
marriage of one woman
and with one man
time and all eternity
Celestial and forever
allowing mortal perfection
becoming as one together
than as one with Father
as the Father/Son are
one mind, thought, family!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

February Home Teaching 2016


FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

Landing Safely in Turbulence

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency


Not long ago my wife, Harriet, and I were at an airport watching magnificent airplanes land. It was a windy day, and fierce gusts of wind whipped against the approaching aircraft, causing each one to swerve and shudder during the approach.
As we observed this struggle between nature and machine, my mind went back to my own flight training and the principles I learned there—and later taught to other pilots in training.
“Don’t fight the controls during turbulence,” I used to tell them. “Stay cool; don’t overreact. Keep your eyes focused on the centerline of the runway. If you deviate from your desired approach path, make prompt but measured corrections. Trust the potential of your airplane. Ride the turbulence out.”
Experienced pilots understand that they can’t always control the things that happen around them. They can’t just turn off the turbulence. They can’t make the rain or snow vanish. They can’t cause the wind to stop blowing or change its direction.
But they also understand that it’s a mistake to fear turbulence or strong winds—and especially to be paralyzed by them. The way to land safely when conditions are less than ideal is to stay on the correct track and glide path as perfectly as possible.
As I watched one airplane after another make its final approach and recalled the principles learned from my years as a pilot, I wondered if there wasn’t a lesson in this for our daily lives.
We can’t always control the storms that life puts in our path. Sometimes things simply don’t go our way. We may feel shaken and blown about by the turbulence of disappointment, doubt, fear, sadness, or stress.
During those times, it is easy to get caught up in everything that is going wrong and to make our troubles the center of our thoughts. The temptation is to focus on the trials we are facing instead of on the Savior and our testimony of truth.
But that is not the best way to navigate through our challenges in life.
Just as an experienced pilot keeps his focus not on the storm but on the center of the runway and the correct touchdown point, so too should we keep our focus on the center of our faith—our Savior, His gospel, and the plan of our Heavenly Father—and on our ultimate goal—to return safely to our heavenly destination. We should trust God and make staying on the track of discipleship the focus of our efforts. We should keep our eyes, heart, and mind focused on living the way we know we should.
Showing our faith and trust in Heavenly Father by joyfully keeping His commandments will bring us happiness and glory. And if we stay on the path, we will get through any turbulence—no matter how strong it may appear—and return safely to our heavenly home.
Whether the skies around us are clear or filled with threatening clouds, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that if we do so, everything else we need will eventually be provided (see Matthew 6:33).
What an important life lesson!
The more we obsess about our difficulties, our struggles, our doubts, and our fears, the more difficult things can become. But the more we focus on our final heavenly destination and on the joys of following the disciple’s path—loving God, serving our neighbor—the more likely we are to successfully navigate through times of trouble and turbulence.
Dear friends, no matter how violently the winds of our mortal existence howl around us, the gospel of Jesus Christ will always offer the best path to a safe landing in our Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

Teaching from This Message

President Uchtdorf counsels us to “trust God and make staying on the track of discipleship the focus of our efforts.” Consider asking those you teach how they have stayed focused “on our final heavenly destination and on the joys of following the disciple’s path” at times when they have faced trials. You might invite them to think of ways that they can focus on their testimony and on Christ in difficult moments and to prayerfully decide how to implement one or more of those ideas in their lives.

Youth

A Foundation for My Testimony

By Jennifer Weaver
The author lives in Idaho, USA.
When I was 16, a friend showed up at our home with the missionaries. Within a month of the first discussion, all my questions were answered in clarity. I felt the Holy Ghost testify of the truthfulness of the messages about the Restoration. It was unlike anything I had ever felt, and I knew all of it was true.
However, I experienced more rejection and opposition than ever before. I felt alone, tired, and confused. If I was doing the right thing, why was I encountering so much adversity? I couldn’t understand how my trials were for my good. The missionaries taught me to fast and pray, even in the middle of a school day. When things became unbearable I’d pour out my heart and immediately feel the comfort of the Spirit.
The week of my baptism was full of trials. My boss threatened to fire me if I didn’t skip my baptism to fill in for someone, I ended up in the hospital with kidney stones, and my parents asked me to leave our home. With so many things out of my control, the only thing I could do was turn to the Lord.
Every one of those trials did turn out to be for my benefit. They helped me learn about the doctrines of the gospel, which provided me a foundation for my testimony.

Children

He Will Guide Us Home

When we follow the example of Jesus Christ, it’s like following a straight path that leads to Him! We can be safe and happy, just like the plane that lands safely on the runway. Guide the airplane through the maze back to the runway!


“A Firm Landing”

cji
2/1/16

Flying on spaceship earth
our mortal probation at stake
each take-off and landing
requires the pilots skills
throughout this earth risk
high winds-rain-ice storms
fog-congestion-turbulence
required high navigation skills
patience and decisiveness
each take-off landing requires
a firm landing to continue
embedded within the Savior
Our Lord Jesus the Christ
we find such a pilot with us
prayer-intercession-promptings
ever leading us to safely land
amid the chaos and tribulations
where our mortal being at stake
on spaceship earth flying!

Copyright © 2016 – cji


"Not As Strong as Once"


“Not as Strong as Once”

cji
2/1/16

She knows of my agony
tears dried and barren
years have passed since
hearing her single call
‘remember my friend
lest others dare forget’
now to let me rest till
again tomorrow another
my Sister comes within
whispering to me
‘remember my friend
lest others forget!’


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Record Keeping"


“Record Keeping”
(in the end)

cji
2/1/16

Daily records kept to remind
or to appease the high command
even when census taken
freezing rains and hours
November 11, 1943
over 300 died of the cold
some 40,000 accounted
record keeping to be kept
while numbers vary
over 150,000 in toto
58,491 and any one time
in accommodations for 7000
history is cruel in numbers
while shading the truth
without feelings or voice
a statistic in the past
all’s left in the end!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Children"


“Children”

cji
2/1/16

Whole families brought within
some separated some not
over 15,000 at wars end
under the age of fifteen
accounted for having been
only about 1800 lived
some here other shipped
Auschwitz/Treblinka others
each was educated within
daily classes forbidden
held at the risk of death
education went on daily
happiness of being a child
innocence within memory
yet none can stay young
innocence/happiness shred
tears now dried and hidden
running upon my cheeks!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"As Elsewhere"


“As Elsewhere”

cji
2/1/16

Many gifted and talented
grouped together en masse
unknown to their guards
some of the greatest/best
sent to earthly hell alive
having done no wrong
except to be Jewish
or different from others
gathered from cities
lost to the deafness
of those who could’ve
but what – now too late
as elsewhere completed
the ‘final solution!’


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Ashes of Thousands"


“Ashes of Thousands”

cji
2/1/16

How many nameless here
buried in a common stop
estimated 15,000 souls
blended within death
as had been in life
extremes of men/women
taking unrighteous dominion
exercising insanity till death
torture, exposure, disease
ashes of thousands here
how many more elsewhere?


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Welcomed Within" (a series on Terezin Concentration Camp)


“Welcomed Within”

cji
2/1/16

Passing veils of time and space
entering into sacred forbidden
history of times once hidden
plain sight for all to see
blinding by propaganda
thus most choose not to see
within a fortress centuries old
called a transfer camp to hold
still death lingers within today
how many thousand died
Terezin or Theresienstadt
somehow calling me back
to where once I’d been
escaping thought but not
the thoughts returning!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

Saturday, January 30, 2016

"A Law" (the Law of Consecration - short essay)


The Law of Consecration is very interesting – as it is not equal distribution – but a fair distribution of all one has that they do not need or use. One example – my family has a farm and I raise an abundance of wheat. Our annual wheat usage is 1/16 of what we harvest – the other 15/16 would go into the ‘kitty or Bishop’s Storehouse’ to be then distributed on a need basis to other members in the community – or even further out if not all consumed – no one gets more than they need! Those who are unable to put into the ‘kitty’ would have to provide labor or other service – those with handicaps within their abilities – and those with age the same.

Another example – is that of ‘things’ – some have lots of things and others do not. Clothes – plastic containers – whatever – we’re to donate that which we are not using for the good of all.

Lastly – I’ve a five bedroom home – with 3 full baths – and another has a one bedroom home with one full bath. Is there an inequality – it would depend on needs. In fact our mortgage payments could be the same depending on when the homes were purchased. This is not inequality unless I was showing off – and did not need such a home – when we purchased the home it had three bedrooms and 2 full baths – but we’ve changed the interior of the home. And if needed it allows for our family to come and live with us if needed. Indeed – I might need to move to a smaller home – but with limited resources – my staying where I am might be more frugal due to the cost of housing.

Now another aspect of the Law of Consecration is that it is not a Commandment – but a Covenant! One is not to be Commanded in all things – otherwise they’re a slothful servant (see Matthew 25:26 and Doctrine & Covenants 58:26). Only those with a current Temple Recommend are within this Covenant. Yet, we’ve not been required to live it – but can do so of our own free will and choice.

You come visit my home – or we’re at Church – and you comment how much you like the tie I’m wearing  - I’d take it off and give it to you – I’ve other ties and you like this one. Or someone sees a piece of furniture we’ve and says how much they like (innocently – not trying to get it given to them) and by the prompting of the Spirit we give it to them. We’ve a stewardship for all Heavenly Father has blessed to be responsible for – here and now. When we give this to someone else it becomes their stewardship for a season.

However, many are greedy for the things of the world – hoarding much they’ll never use – and what they’ve goes to moth, rust, decay – or many times just gets lost and no longer useable.
  
Another thing which many do not consider is ‘knowledge’ – sharing what you know willingly and freely rather than making others learn the ‘hard’ way – they still have to have the desire to learn – and still have to study it out – but we can help them in many ways along the way. Mostly this involves our time!

The true sense of the Law of Consecration in a layman’s understanding is I’ve two pencils – you’ve none – I give you one of mine. And it is done without thought or after-thought – for the right reason – at the right time and the right place. We don’t do it for the world to see – but because it needed to be done.

Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups.

“A Law”

cji
1/31/16

A law of obedience
covenanted with Father
in Holy Places only
yet well known
distorted by some
yet sacred by few
most cannot live it
those told to failed
too hard – too tough
understanding not
the law or covenant
consecration to do
as a way of life
when asked by Father!


Copyright © 2016 – cji