“Now in the Winter of My Life”

This is a talk Joyce gave for me at Sacrament Meeting in our Ward today. c/ork

“Now in the Winter of My Life”

cji

9/8/19

Now in the winter of my life, I have had in the past multiple opportunities to express my love and appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I continue to draw closer to greater knowledge of Jesus Christ with each day following its precepts and principles.  Let us look at the second article of Faith which clarifies that we are responsible for our own actions on Earth. That means we each need toss away the lack of self-compliancy in our learning and living these precious Gospel truths. So, let us then have more sense of His care, become more like our Savior. The topic of this presentation- moving our individual Faith into sure knowledge.

We individually must thoroughly be seeking more holiness as we each walk the path of discipleship.  For those who are looking for trust through a better understanding and most of all, more hope in our Savior, we have pledged at baptism changing ourselves to know our Savior. Only we are responsible for our own learning in these physical bodies, it is our individual choice alone.

Elder L. Tom Perry, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said- The teachings and concepts of true doctrine are found in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior. False teachings come from Satan, the father of all lies. His desire is to pervert and alter revealed truths. Satan wants to deceive us so some of us will lose our way along the journey back to our Heavenly home. So instead our faith can be strengthened, more trust in his word can bring us more sense of his care.

Elder Perry compares Gospel truths taught and build upon one another, much like the components of a cell phone- mutually supporting one another. Identical to the elaborate supply chain that adds components to his cell phone.

These pieces of doctrine supply us with keys of the true doctrine. Each truth adds unique value to our understanding and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. True doctrine comes Heaven bound from God, the source and foundation of all truths.

The teachings and concepts of true doctrine are found in the Gospel. We are not looking for new information alone, as a replacement, we are strengthening our faith. We become in 2 Corinthians 5:17: a new creature- relying on our Savior, to change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures. 

C.S. Lewis said,” We are what we believe we are.” This converts our knowledge base- no longer just faith- we adapt to a sure knowledge! If something is fact or truth it is knowledge and it is from our Heavenly Father.

What is sure knowledge? Surety is security, a warrantee, a great refuge for our soul. We develop confidence and become freed from doubts. Gospel learning that strengthens our faith and leads to the miraculous transformation does not happen overnight or at one time. Instead this change grows and extends beyond the classroom into our hearts and home. 

That is to believe God, we must connect to our part of that trust relationship between Heavenly Father and ourselves. To preserve with all of our heart, to show him we can harness time periods of our days for our sacred trust to grow comparable to our Lord and Savior. We are here on Earth to know and show we care about Him, to walk with Him.

The scriptures teach us how to avoid false teachings. For example, in Paul’s letter to Timothy we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

This doctrine is to the Church like a cell phone battery. Back to Elder Perry and his cell phone, when you remove the battery from your cell phone, it becomes useless.  So, a church in which true doctrine is no longer taught is similarly despondent. It cannot guide us back to our Heavenly Father and our Eternal home.

Caution here as followers of Christ: We cannot submit to discouragement. Our individual job is to follow Christ’s path to have the initiative to grow in faith, love, and do our part to gain knowledge. We have been taught to apply the Holy Scriptures to our lives. Follow God and he will work miracles through our efforts, to preserve in building our knowledge base on Christ’s teachings.

Obedience and following Gospel precepts takes each of us from faith alone, to climb the ladder of greater hope, through our own diligence, through our own punctuality and through repletely searching gospel doctrine, through developed order. We know that Faith is not blind, instead that Faith is both far-sighted or wise and sharp-sighted. Vision of hope helps us to move confidently in the direction we choose- hopefully forward and upward.

Faith’s evidence rests on confidence in that God which can see what we cannot.  Again, our individual faith rests on this trust relationship with the Godhead.  We must ask ourselves honestly-

Am I ardent in my faith advancing in sacred knowledge? We alone elect to take consecrated devotion to develop our individual knowledge. We too can trust, when we each humbly and earnestly devote our precious time and talents to daily study the Gospel. These laborious efforts will produce a sure knowledge within/from our expression of faith to our Savior. 

Let us speak of others in history who tested their stalwart faith, outside our religious beliefs, yet this scientist took great courage living and using his enduring faith:

Johannes Kepler, a German Astronomer, Mathematician, and Astrologer, born in 1571, best known for his discovery of planetary motion. His data, painstakingly collected, without the aid of a telescope, developed three scientific laws, which described the motion of the planets across the sky. 1. The Law of Orbits: with the Sun at one focus, how the Sun could affect the planets. 2. The Law of Areas; 3. The Law of Periods- position of the planets in our solar system. 

Johannes Kepler had zealous faith in his studies on his work of the motion of the planets across the sky. Mr. Kepler figured the error was in his calculations, not in the Lord’s laws of science. Therefore, Johannes Kepler was able to discover Halley’s Comet. What a leap of faith he took!  I am trying to show you that we too can make a leap of faith to gain abundant knowledge in our own studies of the scriptures.  

Returning to our church leaders, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of Twelve, talk referenced using Christ’s Atonement to become more like our Savior. He referenced for us to endure small conflicts as well as the greater ones.  OCTOBER 1997 | “Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ”  He said,

“Again, our experiences surely do not approach those of Jesus, yet the 

same principles and processes apply. His perfected attributes exemplify what can be much further developed by each of us.  Brothers and sisters, Christ paid such an enormous, enabling price for each of us! Will we not apply His Atonement in order to pay the much smaller price

required for our personal progress? Being valiant in our testimony of Jesus, therefore, includes being valiant in our efforts to live more as He lived (see D&C 76:79).”

The Savior has given us examples to become like Him. We will each have major tasks when improving our personal study. to achieve more patience. Focus on principles that will bless your family. Therefore, we then can surely identify with Him.  Each of us you and I need sincere earnestness/ devotion to gain that sure knowledge for them to apply

Spending a few minutes each day studying the scriptures can bless your life. I am certain Elder Perry would say-Turn off your cell phone. Commit to studying, find a way to remind yourself of your commitment and do your best to follow through with this commitment.

Prepare your surroundings. Find a study time that works for you. Choose that better part by making choices that lead to eternal life. Be patient with yourself. seek for inspiring words or expressions to inspire and motivate you from Conference talks. Ask questions as you study. Let the Spirit guide your studies. Use music to invite the Spirit and learn doctrine through our sacred hymns. Support one another in living the gospel.

Commit to live the gospel more fully Be ready always in our teaching and learning- teaching moments at home come and go quickly. When teaching another, keep your teaching simple. Liken the scriptures to your life as you study.

Our faith can bring each of us unshakeable or sure knowledge one day one precept at a time. We must be devoted to concentrate on one spiritual aspect at a time to its conclusion while working on many. Brothers and Sisters I plead with you, read your lessons and scriptures or scriptures and lessons. Ponder these truths when moments come to do so as the Holy Ghost touches your heart.

“Growing Faith Seed Buds into Knowledge Trees”

cji

9/8/19

Our mortal lives have a mission

To move our spiritual faith buds to sure knowledge trees

we need to be undertaking construction in our faith everyday

working out and testing eternal truths

Our necessity is to be praying and studying

there is no time out in mortality found

there are too many ways to stumble

Therefore, we can be vigilant seeking

never to be gratified with life’s greys

seeking only pure white in known truths

Accomplish our mission

one faith bud, on your Gospel tree,

 building, building faith into study knowledge trees

growing your testimony of Jesus, the Christ!

May you and I become blessed with the faith and steadfast confidence needed, to be a living testimony of Gospel values, with the courage to be recognized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, with humility to assist in His work, as an expression of love for Heavenly Father and His children. I testify of my words, taken from the prophets of old and today. Let us each feel more strength to overcome, more hope in His words, more blessed and holy, more Savior, like thee. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and our Redeemer. Amen

Chuck Ingerson

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"Faith to Knowledge"

If I were to have the opportunity to give one last talk (which is doubtful as my breath and voice would not hold up) this would be it – c/ork

“Faith to Knowledge” cji 2/24/19

Over the past 45 years I’ve had the opportunity to express my love and appreciation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. Now drawing into the Winter of my life (which I’ve been given multiple extensions) I even further appreciate and understand what great blessings have been granted to my family and I. Great blessings come in many ways. A son born with multiple cranial facial deformities. Another born who was never supposed to have been born (we didn’t tell the doctors – smile). We’ve a couple waiting on the other side of the veil if we remain worthy. Both Joyce and I’ve been near death on several occasions but yet we’re still here. One might ask why and I’ll tell you why as I’ve enquired to know. And this is the topic of this presentation - Faith to Knowledge!

Now in this presentation it is primarily to those who in the companionship of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also to those of my friendship over the many years of my life. Also, for those who are looking for purpose, understanding, knowledge and most of all our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When we first joined the Church in 1974, we had a Bishop who told me, “Sometimes you’ve to borrow my testimony of the truth of various principles, until you to have such a testimony.” I did and sometimes still do and as a result my bountiful knowledge has increased exponentially. Many who know me smirk when I tell them there’s some 63 million items found in Faith that were responsible to turn into knowledge – therefore no longer relying on Faith but now counted as sure knowledge. Kepler had faith in his study of the comets and therefore figured the error was in his figures not the Lord’s laws of science. Therefore, he was able to turn Faith to Knowledge with Halley’s Comet. We can do this in our lives. Edison had faith in the lightbulb – until the first time it worked – it was no longer faith but knowledge.

A couple quick questions: 1) Do you know that Jesus is the Christ? 2) do you know that His Father and our Father is Heavenly Father? 3) do you know the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion? 4) do you know that these three (3) make up the Godhead as three individual personages? Do you know the Father and Son have bodies as tangible as ours? Or do you just have the Faith that this is so?

When a person bares his or her testimony, they are telling someone they know this is true. Many years ago, in a Stake Conference in Rochester NY Elder Bruce R. McConkie was our visiting General Authority. His Sunday morning talk involved Paul’s teaching of Timothy about the futility of argumentation or contention with another. Then he taught us the lesson, if you’ve a testimony of what is true – how can there be any argumentation? There cannot – otherwise the person you bore your testimony to is calling you a liar and are not prepared to hear the truth. Do we have that kind of testimony?

When the Missionaries visit our home one of the questions, I ask them if they know Jesus is the Christ? If they hesitate, I ask if they’ve Faith that he’s the Christ? Then I ask do you bare your Testimony that he is? If so then what is the basis of your testimony? You see we have to know to bare our testimony!

Once we establish that you’ve a Testimony do you see how many things, Spiritual transfer to Knowledge no long dependent upon Faith? This is the way and our mission to learn to move Faith buds to Knowledge trees.

The first General Authority I met in the Church was Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Seventy at the time. They were dedicating the Rochester II Ward Building having paid it off in full. I love to review his talks from General Conference over the years – and always find new gems of wisdom and truth. The talk referenced below was given as almost his last talk. He speaks about becoming and learning more to be like the Savior – using the Atonement. Here in the talk he’s referring to enduring small conflicts as well we do greater ones.

Neal A. Maxwell Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

OCTOBER 1997 | “Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ”

“Again, our experiences surely do not approach those of Jesus, yet the same principles and processes apply. His perfected attributes exemplify what can be much 

further developed by each of us. There is certainly no shortage of relevant clinical experiences, is there? Strange as it seems, we sometimes respond better to larger

 challenges than to the incessant small ones. For example, impatience with a spouse may occur while a more public challenge is managed quite well. One can be

sincerely grateful for his major blessings but regularly murmur over minor irritations. One canhave humility that is hierarchical: being humble up, but not humble down. 

Enduring large tests while failing the seemingly small quizzes just won’t do. Such shortcomings must be addressed if we are really serious about becoming more like 

Jesus. Brothers and sisters, Christ paid such an enormous, enabling price for us! Will we not apply His Atonement in order to pay the much smaller price required for personal 

progress? (see Mosiah 4:2). Being valiant in our testimony of Jesus, therefore, includes being valiant in our efforts to live more as He lived (see D&C 76:79).”

The Savior has given us the examples to become like Him – but you have to know who he was and is with a sure knowledge for them to apply. We’ll all have major tasks to perform – but more so the taking of the 63 million Faith tasks to Knowledge is more time consuming – requiring more patience and therefore making us a whole child of God – and brother/sister to the Savior. We can say we surely Know Him.

This is what Faith to Knowledge does in our lives. I’ve known the Savior since a young child – I met Him in the Scriptures reading the Bible at the age of 11 years old. He was real – and I knew He was real and as an innocent child I bore what would’ve been a testimony of him who let me read the Bible. For I testified to him that if the Bible were true – which I knew it to be – that he and his church was in deep trouble.

When running away from home at ages 11 and 15 – I would spend hours talking with Him (the Savior) and thus on the lonely roads of the East Coast of the US I was never alone. For almost 20 years I looked for the Church of Jesus Christ. I’d be invited to various churches until they’d ask me not to come back, I asked too many questions – and when given answers would show them where they were incorrect with their own Scriptures. You see since I knew what was true – I could only accept what was true!

When Joyce and were dating we would talk about eternal marriage (1 Peter 3:7). We’d talk of all the things Father could do and in the next 24 hours see all we’d spoken of happen. This isn’t to brag or otherwise be less than humble – but when you know – and you really know then you can move on in dealing with the multitude of things you don’t know but have faith in. I leave you this in the name of Jesus Christ – amen.

“Faith Buds to Knowledge Trees”

cji

3/17/19

Our mortal lives have a mission

move faith buds to knowledge trees

we need to be doing this everyday

also trying and testing for eternal

truths are the result of searching

we must be praying and studying

there is no rest in mortality found

there are too many way to flounder

therefore always vigilant seeking

never to be satisfied with grey

only pure white in the truths

thus accomplishing our mission

one faith bud at a time always

into the knowledge trees found

our testimony of Jesus the Christ!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"Known or Unknown"

(Note: if you may have noticed I skipped January 31, 2019 – smile – getting old does that – c/ork)

“Known or Unknown – Our Agency to decide what we want to know or not!”

All of sudden as always men/women start to blame religion for all of the things ‘bad’ going on in the world. In a world where most likely more than ½ if not more of its population either find “God” per se’ unknown or just plain don’t believe that leaves a large margin for error. Let’s go further there are approximately 4,200 religions in the world with as many as several thousand more spinning off of these 4,200. All of these are formed and organized by men or women of the world. They all claim divine authority without it. They claim (many) the Bible as their Scriptures but either do not believe them literally or change them to meet their criteria adding and deleting as they please. While there are many truths to be found within each (well maybe many) most are found lacking with all of the truths. How many of these 4,200 religions are found without contention – without paid clergy – with the Sealing authority of Priesthood – without Prophet’s or Apostles – a better question might be how many can with knowledge (not faith alone) say they’ve a Church led by divinely called Prophet and Apostles? How many teach the same doctrine from one side of the world to the other? How many have the Temple Ordinances or a Temple in which to preform them? If anyone is upset by these questions they fail in knowing the Scriptures. For the Lord’s Church here on this earth is not one of contention but truth – for the Savior is the Word – and the Word is the truth. As Paul said to have the gnosis of our Lord and Savior is worth all! The Gnosis of our Lord and Savior is a sure testimony of Jesus Christ!

We must understand that man’s religion was never meant to succeed but only to be used when the True Church was not on the earth. Roger Williams and many more stated this over and over again in their writings stated, “We’re trying to get closer to the teachings so when they’re restored we’ll recognize them.” So while they wait for an event which has now already occurred their current reason or those who continue to deny the Restoration is to put pelf in men/women’s pockets for every manmade religion has its womb to tomb evolution from reformation – dead limbs from a dead tree. We cannot blame Heavenly Father – for men/women wanted agency to choose for themselves to obey or disobey – and they’ve been doing just that for over 7000 years of written history – most will never learn and most will never care – religion is only good if it has good roots and understands fully and literally the Scriptures. Therefore what we’re seeing today in the world of abortion up to the time of birth is not God’s fault especially if you understand the Plan of Salvation – ‘for such is the Kingdom of God when referring to the little children’ – Oh there is so much right at our finger tips but again we’ve each agency to accept what is known or to instead limit what we know – c/ork

“Known or Unknown”

cji

1/31/19

Having read a book

what do I now know

or what is still unknown

matters the book’s subject

whether fiction or non-fiction

is it found to be eternal

or trifling as a snake in sand

or value as wisdom or guile

known or unknowns teach

not what we know or don’t

but what we’ve learned

able to discern or not!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"Our Nation in Prophecy" (a short essay)

Throughout the Scriptures we’re warned of what was called the Gaddianton Robbers – or the local terrorists – secret oaths – Mafia and many other names – Old Man of the Mountain – usually endorsed by one major segment of the population – in Europe it was armies formed as if playing king of the mountain – never ceasing and in continual warfare. We’ve to remember the only occupation out of slavery was the military – and therefore they needed contention – just because we’re now civilized means nothing just more and better weapons better funded and the ½ of the population more gullible. Isaiah called this calling truth a lie and a lie truth.

Kings, Queens, Presidents, Dictators, all played in the various robbers. Alfred opposed and they had moderate peace but only in the fledging England of his time. Reagan worked at it – and was almost assassinated – while despoiled by the MSM (who are part and parcel of our modern day Robbers).  Today it is Trump and America – there will be continual warfare throughout our lifetimes with innocents being attacked in broad daylight – encouraged by our msm – congress – and corrupt public officials. Our inner cities teach nothing but hate – that the various speakers who taken over MLK day were allowed to preach their rhetoric – actor/singers can stop their acts and slam the leaders of our nation.

Remember always – contention is of satan – and our nation is full of it – blaming the innocent (always the innocent) those who can’t protect themselves – because they won’t throw the first punch and thus the minions of evil work in mobs and swing – shoot – knife – kick – use baseball bats – first.

Think about it – ISIS or another group of initials one uses these are not of Father or the Son but of satan – and all others – constant recruitment – even within our nation – and what have our schools taught recently promising pelf and carnal satisfaction.

My two cents – but at this point in our history – no one alive now will be without warfare – i.e. crime of violence – till – either the US is destroyed and our Constitution dead (which the Scriptures have told us will not happen as long as there are righteous people – obedient to the commandments of God). Or until we turn it around – but it will be a mess – c/ork

“Our Nation in Prophecy”

cji

1/25/19

Have you read the Scriptures

do you know our history

now – the past and the future

reading Isaiah, Paul, John

3^rd Nephi, so many others

all there simple to read

simpler to heed for all

keep the Commandments

obedient in all things-all

our nation in prophecy

only in obedience of love

honoring the Father/Son!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"With Goals" (30+1 goal setting errors)

"30 Common Goal Setting Errors"

One must always remember their You, Inc! is a business and discipline is required always!

1.  Goals are set too low

2.  Goals are set too high

3.  Corporate goals are not set before individual goals are identified

4.  Corporate goals are not well communicated to others involved in their ultimate accomplishment.

5.  Individual is held accountable for something beyond their control

6.  Failure of goals to identify joint responsibility for a particular objective

7.  More than one person is given responsibility for a particular objective

8.  Goals are accepted uncritically

9.  Goals are inflexible

10. Success indicators are not expressed as a range

11. Conditions prevent achievement of goals

12. Management is not committed

13. Failure to measure the most common, routine objectives

14. Useless numbers are hung on goals

15. Autocratic management

16. Individual is unable to set own goals

17. Individual and management disagree on individual goals

18. Failure to get commitments

19. Can't get rid of bad goals

20. Failure of management to think through the implications of the individual goals

21. Management is reluctant to add to individual goals

22. Failure of management to introduce new ideas from outside the company

23. Failure to set intermediate target dates

24. Old goals are retained even after being proved infeasible, irrelevant, or impossible

25. No effective evaluation of results

26. No pictures

27. No affirmations

28. No commitment

29. Not clearly defined and stated

30. Ambiguous target date  . . .

31. NOT KEEPING TRACK OF PROGRESS or COMPLETION

“With Goals”

cji

1/6/19

As each day passes

time is already spent

whether organized or not

24 hours never recovered

how much better controlled

by the user of the time

only way is with goals

clearly defined written

avoiding the common errors

inching forward with direction

as each day passes!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"The IR Theory" (or I'm a Ten)

What will follow – for the new year are some articles I wrote for a business newspaper in Rochester NY – I could update the examples – but feel better to be left alone c/ork

Part III - the IR Theory

The IR Theory was introduced a number of years ago and is pretty simple; the I stand for you as an Individual and the R represents the current Role you are playing.  So we have the Individual Role Theory.  There are two important concepts to the IR Theory; the first is as an Individual you are always a '10' since that is man's measurement of perfection.  The second, is that a woman is better at being a woman, than a man is at being a man.  Even the scriptures allude to this, see Proverbs last chapter - 10-31. 

With the IR theory in our lives we know that then as an individual we are okay.  Heavenly Father didn't make any junk, is often stated, Father Flanigan is often quoted as, "There is no such thing as a bad boy."  Two things I've learned in my life time, is that first, we are all born with winner behavior; and second, all loser behavior is adoptive.  The medical world has discovered this over and over especially with babies born with no human chance of success at survival yet they not only live they survive, grow and blossom.  It isn't until later when they get more exposed to man and his brilliance (said critically) that they learn about such things as; luck, poor choices, too bad you just missed the cut, complaining, blaming, whining, and more importantly cheating to get ahead.  Therefore those who become quitters, losers, or other such labels as our society have found these behavior through adoption.  Losers love to blame others for their problems (this is another subject altogether - and will be written separately).

Now the second part of the theory deals with roles we play.   Women are better wives than men are husbands, this is mostly due to the some of the unchanging requirements and the constant flux of what society expects from a man.  A friend of mine who passed away used to like to say, "Wives get being wives under control in about 10-15 years, while husbands take about 2.5 million years and that is why Father gives us forever together."  But there are lots and lots of roles we play every day.   Some are given to be bosses, others just to drive a car, a child to be a student, anyone who makes a meal is playing the role of a cook, and so forth; in most of these we are nowhere near being a ten.  In new roles, facing a Ryan Nolan fast ball for example most of us are probably a .00000000000000000002; while a Ted William would have been a 3 or 4.   The problem is we tend to look at any role we are playing and associate with the who we are, and stop thinking of ourselves as tens.  

The importance of the IR Theory is to keep separate the two parts, keep intact the ten individual given you by royal birthright from a loving Heavenly Father; and try to improve at the roles we are given to play in each day.  William Shakespeare said, "All the worlds a stage and the people are the actors upon it."  This is true as far as he goes, but with moral agency we can decide the roles and from part two the effort to put forth.  What was not said, was there were some good actors and some poor ones. We then need to learn between the Individual and the Role.  Where most get in trouble is they start thinking the role is more important than the Individual.  Most of us will never make our roles to the level of 10, on given days we will be close, but the individual is always a ten. 

Respectfully yours - chuck AKA the Old Rusty Knight.   

“I’m A Ten”

cji

1/6/19

Maybe not in everything

when material things counted

yet internally I’m always a ten

as I’m a child of God growing

never once to just give up

never staying down when knocked

always going the extra miles

you knowing I’ll be your ‘six’

therefore I’m always a ten

where it matters the most!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"Rules of Engagement"

(Remember it was taught that there were no Chinese involvement in Korean War)

Why does main stream media give the dnc/left a free hand to destroy America?  – because they’re part and parcel of the dnc- they’re more socialist – and enjoy the unrighteous of their enormous power – in this last midterm election they made more money than the most profitable industry in the world – advertising – why else would candidates have to raise so much money for re-election or election? In addition, we’ve an oligarchy and the msm is their spokesperson – and Obama was their golden god for his time in office. Trump getting elected over the witch – changed – but they were no less relentless on Bush (and he was one of their own) – the agenda of the left leaves only the destruction of the US between them and any remaining freedoms of the world. Without the US there would be no known freedoms. China plays the game of “Go” – there can only be one winner – unless someone behind the scenes can change the rules of engagement.

“Rules of Engagement”

cji

1/6/19

It’s their ball we write the rules

you’re invited to play if you want

but they write the rules only

they can be changed any time

however, only they change them

and thus the MSM/left/others

demand obedience to only them

they deny a God or Commandments

they deny freedom for anyone

power, money (pelf), lusts, envy

divide – divide again – often

rules of engagement political

demanding correctness in chaos

thus the righteous lambs to murder

criminals without any punishment

heroes of profanity and evilness

it’s their ball and they write the rules!

Copyright © 2019 – cji

"Ministering - RS/Priesthood Responsibilities"

Dear friends and members of the Kingsland Ward and around the world:

When I first became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I was called as Junior Companion to Paul Toner to Home Teach the Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This was a great experience – sort’ve starting at the top. Soon after when I became an Elder and had my first Temple Recommend interview with my Bishop Dallin H. Dallon – he charged me to be a 100% Home Teacher to retain my recommend. As expected I said ‘yes!’

Somehow the Elder’s Quorum President learned of this and I was assigned 19 inactive families some who nobody knew where they lived or who they were. Eventually I learned as much as I could at least their addresses and phone numbers. My companion couldn’t believe we were going to visit each of their homes. So we prayed and had a plan. We wrote letters to each of the families introducing ourselves and that we would be calling for an appointment. Knowing this would give them a reason to refuse our visits we added a short note to each letter. We asked the question “would you steal from our families?” Hoping your answer would be a ‘no’ then I’ve been directed to be a 100% home teacher in order to retain my Temple Recommend. We’d just like to meet you – say ‘hi’ and see if there’s anything you need or we can assist your family. When we called for appointments each agreed (mostly reluctantly) but we set up appointments. By the end of the first month we visited all 19 families. During the second month we found out three of the families moved out of our Ward. However, we saw the remaining 16. The circumstances were dire – smoking, drinking, some profanity (not much) and we started to make friends. Apparently some called the Church and asked for us to be removed as their home teachers! Eventually we were down to 7 or 8 families and by the end of the year most of these had been reassigned. (Note: during this year I lost 2 companions who couldn’t take the situations we encountered.) At this our oldest son was about 3 years old and he started to go with me. And for the next 30 years both of our sons were my companions.

Why tell you this – because we need to be creative in how we minister to our brothers and sisters in the Church. We need to understand the Lord asks nothing of us which we cannot accomplish. (Note: 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.) However, I’ve learned over our 45 years in the Church that Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching causes a great reluctance and even inactivity for many in the Church. Why is this the case? Over those 45 years as my beginning experience I’ve had a very high number of inactive members assigned to be home taught as my wife with the Sisters to be visited. We’ve had home teachers who wouldn’t call us or come to visit us. We solved this by showing up at their homes to be home taught – smile – it worked. Therefore I believe I can say that between Joyce and I we’ve seen or communicated with every family assigned to be home taught or visited – and in turn we’ve been Home Taught and Visited. Sometimes these visits to us have been under very interesting circumstances. We’ve a record of every one of our Home Teachers and every family assigned to us. When I was recovering from my various heart surgeries – we would have families we home taught show up to our home knowing how important these visits were to them and us (many being inactive families).

Everyone needs someone – in the Church it is even more important especially if you’re inactive. Love is contagious – and can be felt. If you’re one of those who either inactive or have been offended remember we joined the Church because we had a testimony from the Holy Ghost that it was true. To those of my friends who get this and are not members that’s okay – you still let me reach out to you to share a friendship relationship and many have promised to feed the Missionaries if they call at your door. You see eternal life means to have eternal friends and to have eternal friends you’ve to make them in mortality and you are them!

The remainder of this message comes from President Russell M. Nelson – the living Prophet of God on this earth in these latter-days.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/ministering-with-the-power-and-authority-of-god?lang=eng

President Russell M. Nelson April 2018 General Conference:

Now, may I voice a concern? It is this: Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority. They act as though they would rather satisfy their own selfish desires and appetites than use the power of God to bless His children.

I fear that too many of our brothers and sisters do not grasp the privileges that could be theirs.³ Some of our brethren, for example, act like they do not understand what the priesthood is and what it enables them to do. Let me give you some specific examples.

Not long ago, I attended a sacrament meeting in which a new baby was to be given a name and a father’s blessing. The young father held his precious infant in his arms, gave her a name, and then offered a beautiful prayer. But he did not give that child a blessing. That sweet baby girl got a name but no blessing! That dear elder did not know the difference between a prayer and a priesthood blessing. With his priesthood authority and power, he could have blessed his infant, but he did not. I thought, “What a missed opportunity!”

Let me cite some other examples. We know of brethren who set sisters apart as Primary, Young Women, or Relief Society leaders and teachers but fail to bless them—to bless them with the power to fulfill their callings. They give only admonitions and instructions. We see a worthy father who fails to give his wife and his children priesthood blessings when that is exactly what they need. Priesthood power has been restored to this earth, and yet far too many brothers and sisters go through terrible trials in life without ever receiving a true priesthood blessing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy that we can eliminate.

Brethren, we hold the holy priesthood of God! We have His authority to bless His people. Just think of the remarkable assurance the Lord gave us when He said, “Whomsoever you bless I will bless.”⁴ It is our privilege to act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless God’s children according to His will for them. Stake presidents and bishops, please ensure that every member of the quorums within your stewardship understands how to give a priesthood blessing—including the personal worthiness and spiritual preparation required to call fully upon the power of God.⁵

To all brethren holding the priesthood, I invite you to inspire members to keep their covenants, fast and pray, study the scriptures, worship in the temple, and serve with faith as men and women of God. We can help all to see with the eye of faith that obedience and righteousness will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and experience joy in life!

A hallmark of the Lord’s true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families.⁶ Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did.⁷ We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness.

An experience I had more than 60 years ago in Boston taught me just how powerful the privilege of ministering one-on-one can be. I was then a resident surgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital—on duty every day, every other night, and every other weekend. I had limited time for my wife, our four children, and Church activity. Nonetheless, our branch president assigned me to visit the home of Wilbur and Leonora Cox with the hope that Brother Cox might come back into activity in the Church. He and Leonora had been sealed in the temple.⁸ Yet Wilbur had not participated for many years.

My companion and I went to their home. As we entered, Sister Cox welcomed us warmly,⁹ but Brother Cox abruptly walked into another room and closed the door.

I went to the closed door and knocked. After a moment, I heard a muffled “Come in.” I opened the door to find Brother Cox sitting beside an array of amateur radio equipment. In that small room, he lit up a cigar. Clearly, my visit was not all that welcome.

I gazed about the room with wonderment and said, “Brother Cox, I have always wanted to learn more about amateur radio work. Would you be willing to teach me about it? I’m sorry I can’t stay any longer tonight, but could I come back another time?”

He hesitated for a moment and then said yes. That was the beginning of what became a wonderful friendship. I returned and he taught me. I began to love and respect him. Through our subsequent visits, the greatness of this man emerged. We became very good friends, as did our dear eternal companions. Then, with the passage of time, our family moved away. Local leaders continued to nurture the Cox family.¹⁰

About eight years after that first visit, the Boston Stake was created.¹¹ Can you guess who its first stake president was? Yes! Brother Cox! During subsequent years, he also served as a mission president and a temple president.

Years later, I, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was assigned to create a new stake in Sanpete County, Utah. During the usual interviews, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter again my dear friend Brother Cox! I felt impressed to call him as the new stake patriarch. After I ordained him, we embraced each other and wept. People in the room were wondering why these two grown men were crying. But we knew. And Sister Cox knew. Ours were tears of joy! We silently remembered the incredible journey of love and repentance that began more than 30 years ago, one night in their home.

The account doesn’t end there. Brother and Sister Cox’s family grew to include 3 children, 20 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren. Add to that their impact on hundreds of missionaries, on thousands more in the temple, and on hundreds more who received patriarchal blessings at the hands of Wilbur Cox. His and Leonora’s influence will continue to ripple through many generations throughout the world.

Experiences such as this with Wilbur and Leonora Cox occur every week—hopefully, every day—within this Church. Dedicated servants of the Lord Jesus Christ carry out His work, with His power and authority.

Brethren, there are doors we can open, priesthood blessings we can give, hearts we can heal, burdens we can lift, testimonies we can strengthen, lives we can save, and joy we can bring into the homes of the Latter-day Saints—all because we hold the priesthood of God. We are the men who have been “called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of [our] exceeding faith,” to do this work.¹²  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/ministering-with-the-power-and-authority-of-god?lang=eng 

The experience which President Nelson shares is one which many of us can share with the families we’ve met over the years. Hopefully if you’re inactive or struggling you’ll reach out – if you don’t know who to reach to – there’s our Bishopric – RS Presidency – or you could reach to Joyce or I.

“Into Darkness’s Light”

cji

9/23/18

Assigned to call on you

warned of darkness

knowing there’s light

you’ve a new infant

needing a blessing

asking someone to do

in turn being asked

‘why not you?’

after time and caring

understanding Priesthood

you accepted responsibility

into darkness’s light view

finding love and friendship

Father’s call to you!

Copyright © 2018 – cji