….We Seek After These Things!

This is the basic outline of the lesson I taught in RS this past Sunday. It would make a good FHE lesson. I focused on the topic of Sacrifice and how can we make our sacrifices worthy, and sacred.

As the Prophet of the Restoration, one of Joseph Smith’s most important roles was to testify of Jesus Christ. He was blessed to enjoy a personal knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ and to understand His role as the Redeemer of the world. This knowledge began with the First Vision, in which young Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and heard the Father declare, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). In this sacred experience, Joseph was privileged to receive instruction from the Savior of the world.
Joseph Smith saw the Savior on April 3, 1836. The Prophet and Oliver Cowdery had retired to the west pulpit in the Kirtland Temple. They bowed themselves in solemn prayer, after which the Savior appeared before them (more…)

Author note. This is a copy of the talk I gave on July 29, 2007. The topic assigned was Joseph Smith. Not being so talented at writing these things on the net, my footnotes did not show correctly. I have added at the bottom the sources to the footnotes that I had, and tried to give the links to the talks I used. If they are not there, you can find them on LDS.org, under talk subjects, Joseph Smith, and restoration.

When Joseph Smith went into the grove of trees to pray, little did he know that he would walk out the head of the dispensation of fullness of times. He was, from that moment on the voice of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A voice ultimately silenced in flesh with his martyrdom in Carthage Illinois. (more…)

Note- this is a copy of a review I have done on Tigersue’s Bookshelf. I thought it was appropriate to also post it here, and fitting for the guidelines of the blog.

Sheep’s Clothing is a chilling tale by Josi S. Kilpack. For a novel published by Deseret Book in LDS bookstores it is one that someone of any religion, and belief could pick up read and completely be engulfed in the weaving of the mystery and knowledge of what is about to unfold in its pages. I am not sure what I expected when I started the book, but I did not expect to be so completely involved that I finished in a few hours. I started it late yesterday, and finished it this morning before breakfast. (more…)

I have just finished reading

I Am a Mother

by Jane Clayson Johnson. I heard Sister Johnson speak last year on TV, they where playing her speech that she gave at Women’s conference last year and this book carries on the them of her talk. I was wonderful to hear this woman that had quit an amazing career to be a mother. I think many women can relate to her feelings of turmoil and confusion as she heard mother’s say, “I am just a mom.” Why do we minimize this most valued and important calling we can have in our life. She gives many examples of women that she admired for their examples of motherhood. She gives quotes of prophets, women leaders in the church, and other important and significant writers as to the importance of mothers. Every woman should have a copy of this book in their homes, whether they are a mother of children or have been denied that blessing in this life. After reading this book I shall always look at my life as a mother as something more than what I have ever envisioned before.

I have been pondering the occurrence of personal apostasy for sometime. Over the summer, I learned of an acquaintance that made the decision to leave the church. Not just the inactivity of not attending meetings but asked for her name to be removed from the records of the church. This was neither the first nor the last such story I have heard over the years, but I think the shock and dismay over this situation touched me to the core. I never for a million years would have expected this woman to leave the church, leave her husband and wish to raise her youngest children outside of the principles of the gospel.
(more…)

I was thinking about the miraculous way Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were saved from the fiery furnace in Daniel 3.

I thought about other times in the scriptures people were miraculously saved, such as Daniel in the Lion’s den just 3 chapters later. I was struck by something from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego’s experience. It’s in Daniel 3 as well.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

How interesting, I thought, that when the Lord saves someone in such a miraculous way, it is usually for the benefit of someone else, someone other than the one who has been saved. Surely, the person saved has benefited, but so have so many other people, as in the case in Daniel 3. And in Daniel 6.

25 ¶ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

So I thought of others. Nephi and Lehi were imprisoned in Helaman 5, but they were strengthened and the walls shook.

49 And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt.
50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were aconvinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received.
51 And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.

We can think about David slaying Goliath. Esther saving her people. Amazing stuff. But always for the benefit of much more than the person saved or strengthened.

I realized that I feel I have been saved, in a way. Saved from my sins through the Atonement. In this vein, I realize it’s not just for me. Like Paul in Acts 9.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

And Alma the Younger in Mosiah 27.

36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.

I don’t profess to be as amazing as those in the scriptures. But I do see clearly what I am to do with this saving grace utilized in my behalf. Testify, publish good tidings, publish peace, declare that the Lord reigneth.

I just had to share this realization …

- Kim

Sometimes things work out perfectly. That’s what happened in the Gospel Doctrine lesson I taught yesterday. Oddly enough, it was due to an amazingly charged football game from the day before.

From the Salt Lake Tribune: “To complete a pass that will become as legendary in BYU lore as ‘The Catch’ is for the San Francisco 49ers, BYU quarterback John Beck relied on the instincts honed in games played so long ago it didn’t matter who won.

“…

“That someone else was Jonny Harline, whom the Utes lost in the traffic of the end zone after the final seconds ticked away. Harline started out on the right side, cut across the middle to the left corner and turned around, and from his knees, hauled in the game-winning pass.”

With less than seconds to spare. Living in Utah, we found this to be quite the story.

The next day in Sunday School, I stood up to teach and asked the class how they felt about “that game last night.” Wow. You could feel the energy in the room increase. BYU fans and Ute fans alike began all talking at once, people were moving in their seats, telling about their views on the game.

So I asked how many of them cheered and shouted for joy at any point during the game. They all answered at once. Regardless of who won, the BYU fans and the Ute fans were each remembering important parts of the game where they cheered and shouted.

Then I asked if there were any part of the gospel where we cheer and shout. They realized I was not asking about the game just to be sociable … quieted considerably, many still with smiles, some nodding at my question. We recounted stories of joy with reverence, experiences of times when we were full of joy. Then someone mentioned, as I had hoped, the dedications of temples. Here we shout for joy.

“The Hosanna Shout is whole-souled, given to the full limit of one’s strength. The congregation stands and in unison shouts the words ‘Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Amen, Amen, and Amen,’ repeating them three times. This is usually accompanied by the rhythmic waving of white handkerchiefs with uplifted hands. The epithet ‘Lamb’ relates to the condescension and atonement of Jesus Christ” (in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 2:659).

The energy in the room remained, but it was more reverent as everyone turned their thoughts toward the temple. I had two people share experiences of taking their sons to the temple recently, preparing to enter the mission field. It was wonderful.

Then I stood again and pointed out that no matter how exciting yesterday’s game was, if I asked the same questions next week or in a month, the energy in the room would not quite be as high as it was today. But if I ask about the temple next week or in a month, the joy will be the same, that energy will remain high. The temple is a wonderful source of joy, a wonderful source of healing, a wonderful source of purity. The eternal truth and the lasting nature of this joy did not escape any of us.

Sometimes things work out perfectly.

- Kim

A friend emailed me and asked “Just wondering where you get your strength from?” I have been pondering how to answer him for a few days now …

The term “my strength” is ineresting to me. Indeed, I feel strengthened, but it isn’t my strength at all. When I consider doing this alone, or truly in my own strength, I know I couldn’t be making the good choices and finding the peace in that. Strength from the Lord is really interesting that way. It’s for us, but it’s not ours.

My first response to where my strength comes from is obedience. But it’s not just obedience, because I know many who obey but are miserable and stay that way for years. I think it’s obedience coupled with the proper attitude, prayer, and seeking the spirit.

By obedience with proper attitude, I mean obedience because it’s the right thing to do, as opposed to obedience to gain reward. I think there is always an aspect of being obedient to feel the spirit, to feel joy in righteousness, but obedience to please others, for example, is misplaced. Sometimes when obedience can’t be just because it’s right, praying for that motivation until it’s in place is key.

Prayer itself is key. Praying to understanding, praying to have our heart changed, praying to feel the spirit … Non-stop if need be. Pray to understand until we understand. Pray to have our heart changed until it’s changed. Pray to feel the spirit until we are feeling it. Pray to want to pray.

Seeking the spirit has been a joy for me in my struggles and has given me great strength. There’s a young man in the ward who was preparing to go on a mission and the bishop asked him if he had any spiritual experiences he could recount. When he said he did not, the bishop told him he’d be ready to serve a mission when he had some. He was told to start looking for spiritual experiences. The young man reported a few weeks ago that he has spiritual experiences all the time now, and they were always there. He just didn’t notice them before. Through this change in perception, and choice to notice, he became spiritually minded, and thus ready to serve. Becoming spiritually minded is a strength to me.

After these last few days of pondering this, I think it comes down to a few things, but at the same time, so much more. To start, though, strength for me comes from obedience, humble attitude, fervent constant prayer, seeking and feeling the spirit many times during my day, and thus becoming spiritually minded.

And always acknowledging that the strength is the Lord’s.

- Kim

T F Stern’s Rantings: Being Green

I have been visiting this blog frequently the past few weeks. The particular post I found of value to highlight on this blog. It is about being green, not environmentally, but green as in new, young, and bendable to God’s will as he teaches us to grow and learn. It has a great example of how we need to grow and how God shapes us to expand our abilities in this life. We all need to step out of our comfort zone from time to time.
It is a great post very worthy of highlight on We Seek after These Things.

This is a copy of my guest post for Jettboy in support of his Book of Mormon Symposium. I wanted to post it here. I hope you take the chance to go to his site and read the other fine articles that are there.
Tanya

Wisdom’s Voice

I have always believed that it is better to learn from others mistakes so that I can avoid repeating those errors. I figure I make enough mistakes on my own that if I can stay away from those pit falls that others have lived maybe I can circumventsome of the sorrow and pain of poor choices and lack of foresight. I cannot say that I am perfect at this goal, that would be an understatement, but I think my life has been easier because of this way of learning.
For years, I have been one of those individuals that would be stuck reading the Book of Alma. Now as a parent, I find the teaching and pleading so Alma and Alma the Younger to touch my soul. I have wondered how much of their experiencesinfluenced not only the mistakes their children made, but how they taught the gospel to those in their ministry.

While he listened to the words of Abinadi Alma’s heart softens, and converts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is only a young man at the time, around 25 years old. He had the integrity to leave and not follow in the wickednessof King Noah even at the threat of his own life. There is no information on his family. Was he married? Did he have children? How did this change affect them? It would seem that to be part of King Noahs priests there must have been some degree of affluence and prosperity. To leave everything, as did Lehi of old must have been very difficult and if he had children, they might have some residual memory of comforts.

Many years later, we meet a son, Alma the Younger. Alma is an old man, according to the dates in the Book of Mormon, he is somewhere between 70-82 years old. Alma the Younger’s description in Mosiah 27:8

is as a very wicked and idolatrous man. He was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

He had the ability to influence the population to the point of drawing many from the church of God and lead many away from the commandments and the laws of the kingdom. He was rebelling against God. Taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, heknew what was right and wrong and was willfully defying Gods commands.

His Father in sorrow prayed for his son to be brought back to the fold of God. I imagine the tears, the heartache that all his teaching, all his warnings, and perhaps even his testimony of mistakes he may have made as a priest of King Noah weighed heavily on Almas mind. Surely, he would have taught his son these things, and let him know the difference in the heart. Alma the Younger choosesnot to listen to the experiences of his father, but rather had to learn for himself.

Many years later, this cycle is repeated as Alma the Younger, writes his letters to his sons. One in particular has grieved his heart, and I once again wonder at the age of the children involved. Is it possible that at the time of Alma the Youngers rebellion that he could have been married, and had children. Could these children remember the actions of a rebellious father? As I read his letters,I see a man pleading with them to remember what he learned, the hard way, that they will not make the same errors and suffer the torment he suffered. All through Alma, Chapters 36-42, we read statements that declare personal understanding of doctrine.

Alma 36: 20 …Soul was filled with joy as exceedingly as was my pain!…

Alma 37: 35 …Learn wisdom in thy Youth…

Alma 38: 9….I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me….

Alma 39:8 …Ye cannot hide your crimes from God…

Alma 39:19 ….Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his Angel….?

Alma 41: 10 …Wickedness never was happiness….

Alma 42:1 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

There are many other statements throughout these wonderful letters to Alma the Youngers sons that testify of his experiences and what he learned from them. As a parent,I want my children to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. I want them to be able to grasp the iron rod and have faith in God. I want them to be able to learn that it is possible to repent of mistakes and sins. Yes,I want them to have an easy life, what parent does not, but they must learn to accept the consequences of their choices and actions so they can also teach their children to learn from their mistakes. I have learned to love Alma and Alma the Younger as I imagine what their life had been like and what they learned as they accepted the will of God in directing their path. I hope that I can garner such strength and faith. I hope that as you read the book of Alma that you might see this teaching of his sons can also apply to us today.