That Which Heals Me: Holy Places/ Temple

I was studying in Alma 47 this morning and was reminded of some conference talks given in the fall of 2008. "Christian Courage" by, Robert D. Hales (Quorum of the 12 Apostles) and "Return to Virtue" by, Elaine S. Dalton (General Young Womens President)

Photo: Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women's President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

"Could it be that we have been slowly desensitized into thinking that high moral standards are old-fashioned and not relevant or important in today’s society? As Elder Hales has just reminded us, Lehonti in the Book of Mormon was well positioned on the top of a mountain. He and those he led were “fixed in their minds with a determined resolution” that they would not come down from the mount. It only took the deceitful Amalickiah four tries, each one more bold than the previous, to get Lehonti to “come down off from the mount.”8 And then having embraced Amalickiah’s false promises, Lehonti was “poison[ed] by degrees”9 until he died. Not just poisoned, but “by degrees.” Could it be that this may be happening today? Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?10 Could it be that we have been deceived by false role models and persuasive media messages that cause us to forget our divine identity?

Are we too being poisoned by degrees? What could be more deceptive than to entice the youth of this noble generation to do nothing or to be busy ever-texting but never coming to a knowledge of the truths contained in a book that was written for you and your day by prophets of God—the Book of Mormon? What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me, to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence? What could be more deceptive than to entice men—young and old, holding the holy priesthood of God—to view seductive pornography and thus focus on flesh instead of faith, to be consumers of vice rather than guardians of virtue? The Book of Mormon relates the story of 2,000 young heroes whose virtue and purity gave them the strength to defend their parents’ covenants and their family’s faith. Their virtue and commitment to be “true at all times” changed the world!11

...What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”14 “Cleave unto [your] covenants.”15 “Stand … in holy places.”16 “Lay aside the things of [the] world.”17 “Believe that ye must repent.”18 “Always remember him and keep his commandments.”19 And “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, … seek after these things.”20 Now more than ever before, it is time to respond to Moroni’s call to “awake, and arise” and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”21

...I testify that a return to virtue is possible because of the Savior’s example and the “infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.”22 I testify that we will be enabled and strengthened not only to do hard things but to do all things. Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue. "

Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 78–80

Saturday, December 13, 2008

My Testimony

My Sister-in-law requested that for Christmas this year everyone in the family write their testimony. I think it’s a wonderful idea. So here it goes:

I’m not quite sure where to start… I love this Gospel and I have a testimony of every part of it. It would take so many pages for me to express all of my feelings, so it’s hard for me to know where to begin.

I don’t claim to understand any great mystery of heaven and I am certainly not a scripture scholar who can roll off passages and references at random. The things I have learned I attribute to many great teachers throughout my life; my parents, my friends, Sunday school, seminary, institute, bishops, ancient and modern prophets etc.…. But the things that I know have been from personal experience, very real and personal experiences. The things that I know are things I have learned from the Spirit, from application.

Most importantly, I have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ; He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and my TRUEST FRIEND. I know with all my heart that He lived, that He suffered and died to save me and that He lives again! Everything testifies of Him. I see witnesses of Him everywhere!! The power of His atoning sacrifice, of His mercy and grace give me the ability to forgive myself, the ability to forgive others and to keep going. I am humbled by how freely and readily His hand is stretched out before me, through thick and thin. He offers to help me every step of the way… if I just take it. I can’t do it on my own and it’s not meant for me to. I am so far from perfect... I need Him, oh I need Him. I am so thankful for His forgiveness. For years I have had this quote on my wall that reads, “I believe in Christ as I believe in the sun at noonday… not because I can see it, but BY it I can see everything else.” –C.S. Lewis. When I choose the Savior (and it’s a daily choice- I might add), when I follow Him, when I let Him guide me, I feel like shouting, “I can see, I can see! I was blind but now, now I can see!”

I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ because I have seen and felt the power of it’s teachings in my daily life, through choices I make and guidance I seek. It is a perfect companion to the Bible, clarifying and complimenting the sacred writings from the old world. If I could, I would tell you of the hundreds perhaps thousands of occasions that the words in The Book of Mormon have come as direct answers to my prayers. Whenever I study it’s pages and hearken to it’s counsels, I feel strengthened, motivated, hopeful, more understanding of others, more patient, more kind, more caring, and in short- closer to Christ. The Book of Mormon is more that just good words; it’s the word of God written by the ancient Americans. I know it is true just as I know the Bible is true.

I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God…. I have prayed with my whole soul to know if he was. I know he was called to restore the Gospel in it’s fullness as it was anciently during the time of Christ. I have read Joseph’s testimony, studied his revelations and The Book of Mormon over and over again. As a result, I have undeniably received witness after witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet just like Moses, Abraham, and Peter before him. There is no shortage of opinions about Joseph. It was prophesied that his name would be known for good and evil everywhere….I think it’s that way for any prophet. One thing is certain, you can’t fabricate the spirit. The spirit testifies of truth wherever it is found. I have felt it witness to me over and over again that Joseph Smith was called of God and that this is the one true church on the earth today. He truly had a divine mission; he was called of God and was faithful to the very end. I thank my Father in Heaven for this AMAZING man. His teachings and example bring me closer to Christ. He was a true prophet.
I know that we have a living Prophet on the earth today! I have no doubt that President Thomas S. Monson is called by God. The First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles are true messengers from our Heavenly Father, set apart and ordained through the priesthood, the power of God on the earth. They are my life-line to personal peace, to happiness in my home and family. Their teachings bring true perspective of myself, of others and of the world around me. I listen to conference talks several times a week (I don’t say this to boast) I just listen so much because it keeps me going, I need their words, their guidance keep me from getting overwhelmed with the world around me, they give me hope, they give me peace… they bring me closer to Christ.

Another refuge from the world for me is the Temple. Oh, how I love that beautiful place! I remember the first time I went though it… there was so much for me to think about and it seemed so new to me. Over the years I have returned again and again on a regular basis… I realized that I wasn’t being taught anything new at all, In fact, I had known these teachings most of my life. The performances and ordinances therein just helped me to remember who I am and who God is. One word that I think would best describe the temple for me is, “REMEMBERANCE.” The work performed in the temple helps me retain in my mind and heart all the promises and blessings that come from consecrating my life to Christ and to our Father in Heaven. The promises are true, the blessings are absolutely beautiful… they strengthen me! The temple is the closest place I have to heaven on earth. I love it! I love it!

I speak from my heart. These are things I know!

I don’t understand all the detailed workings of how a fruit tree grows… I just know that when I bite into an apple, or an orange or a banana… I KNOW the tree it comes from.

To me the FRUIT is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ; it is full fellowship, activity, service and teachings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know the tree it comes from because I have tasted it and there is no mistaking that this fruit comes from the Tree of Life itself, Jesus Christ, my Savior. I say this in His sacred and holy name, Amen.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

To New Members of the Church

These are a couple of resources I like to refer new members of the Church to. These are excellent to read. Below is a link to a PDF format of Oct. 2006 Ensign dedicated completely to new members. This is important for those who have been a member for many years too!

http://www.lds.org/churchmagazines/ENSN_2006_1000_Oct_Complete_26990_eng.pdf

Also here is a link where you may download to your computer or mp3 a talk called "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence" - by Jeffery R. Holland

I HIGHLY recommend this talk!!!!

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=795

Also if you have questions about the temple... there is a magazine dedicated to helping people understand why we have them and what goes on in them. Click on the link below to view this magazine in the PDF format.

http://www.lds.org/churchmagazines/ENSN_2007_02_00_27902_eng.pdf

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Advice for Inter-Faith Discussions

Krister Stendahl - Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Stockholm and Dean of Divinity Emeritus, Harvard University gave the following advice for inter-faith discussions:

"1. If you're going to ask the question, "What do others believe?" in their various faiths. Ask them... Not their critics, not their enemies.

Because what one religious tradition says about another is usually a breech against the commandment, "thou shalt not bear false wittiness."

2. If you're going to compare... don't compare your "bests" with their "worsts" - But compare "best" with "best."

Most people think of their own tradition as it is, "at it's best" and use caricatures of the others.

3. Leave room for "Holy Envy."

Let me give you an example of my "holy envy" for the Latter-Day-Saints: We Lutherans, when we lose our loved ones, we have funerals, we have cemeteries... but that ends our concern with those who have gone before. But the Latter-Day-Saints care about their for-bearers that they want to bring the blessings of Christ's Atonement to them so they build Temples.... and according to Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians they perform baptisms for the dead. I have "holy envy" for that.

In a world where we finally have learned what I call "the holy envy" - it's a beautiful thing! - I could think of myself as taking part in such an act [baptisms for the dead]: Extending the blessings that have come to me in and through Jesus Christ. That's Generous, that's beautiful and should not be ridiculed or spoken badly of."

- (from the DVD, Between Heaven and Earth) - to obtain your own copy of this DVD for $4.50 no shipping and handling click on this really, really long link :)http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10151&productId=41859&langId=-1&sortId=3&sortOr=1&sTerm=between+heaven+earth&sNVPs=%26beginIndex%3D0%26pageSize%3D200%26searchTerm%3Dbetween%2Bheaven%2Bearth%26searchType%3DALL%26sType%3DSimple%26pageId%3D1%26pageCt%3D15&retURLtext=Back%20to%20'between%20heaven%20earth'%20Search&retURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ldscatalog.com%2Fwebapp%2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet%2FCatalogSearchResultView%3FcatalogId%3D10151%26amp%3BstoreId%3D10151%26amp%3BlangId%3D-1%26beginIndex%3D0%26pageSize%3D200%26searchTerm%3Dbetween%2Bheaven%2Bearth%26searchType%3DALL%26sType%3DSimple%26pageId%3D1%26pageCt%3D15%26sortId%3D3%26sortOr%3D1

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Temples Around the World

Thursday, July 2, 2009

A Return to Virtue

Saturday, December 13, 2008

My Testimony

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

To New Members of the Church

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Advice for Inter-Faith Discussions

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