Today is Easter Sunday, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had General Conference - a meeting broadcast for the entire Church. We heard from our Apostles, Seventy, and the Prophet.
The thought occurred to me that it is a tremendous blessing to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection by hearing from His anointed Apostles - men set apart to witness His divinity to the entire world. I know that He lived and died for us. I know that He bore all of our pains, sorrows, and sin because He loves us. I love Him because He first loved me, and I am grateful that He has placed His Priesthood on the earth, along with Apostles and prophets to teach us of His life. I know that He lives!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gospel Principles
For those that aren't aware, church services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last 3 hours every Sunday. This is divided into 3 different parts: Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, and then auxiliary meetings.
Sacrament Meeting centers around taking the Sacrament: the bread and water which symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this meeting is to help all to remember our Savior. This is tied to the promise we make at baptism: part of this promise is that we will always remember Him. All things in our religion are meant to remind us of the Atonement of our Lord; without His sacrifice for us there could be no hope for any of mankind. Therefore, we have this meeting weekly to remember Him.
Sunday School is where we study the scriptures. Everyone attending Church goes to one Sacrament Meeting, but Sunday School is divided into age groups, and in some cases there are different classes focusing on different parts of the Gospel. In general, adults meet together and the youth meet in several different classes to keep them together based on their ages. This makes it so that the scriptures can be taught in ways that make sense for the different classes, because surely a 5 year-old needs a different explanation from a 15 year-old. Each year we rotate which scriptures we are studying: one year we'll study the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price, the next year we study the New Testament, then the Book of Mormon, and then the Doctrine and Covenants. After we study all four, we start at the beginning again.
Auxiliary meetings mean that we meet in the various organizations the Church has organized for each of us. Adult women meet in the Relief Society. The Relief Society was founded in 1842 to aid the poor, and it is one of the largest and oldest women's groups in the world. On Sundays the teaching focuses on the Gospel as it applies to the members of the group and the mission of the Relief Society. Men go to Priesthood meeting, which focuses on serving others worthily through the Priesthood. All adult men go to this meeting because in our Church all worthy men hold the Priesthood; we do not have a paid clergy.
This year both adult auxiliaries are being taught from the manual Gospel Principles. This manual is meant to help us understand the doctrine of the Church. Each lesson is focused on a single point of doctrine. I have found these lessons to be very uplifting, and I intend to start writing about the different things we learn here. The full manual is available on the Church's website.
The plain and precious parts of the Gospel are important for all to know and understand. Many wonder why we would focus on doctrine that most already know or are familiar with. Others find it repetitive to discuss these principles over and over again. The simple truth is that we aren't perfect. If we open our hearts and listen to these essential teachings we will more fully understand the love of God and become more devoted disciples of Christ.
Sacrament Meeting centers around taking the Sacrament: the bread and water which symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this meeting is to help all to remember our Savior. This is tied to the promise we make at baptism: part of this promise is that we will always remember Him. All things in our religion are meant to remind us of the Atonement of our Lord; without His sacrifice for us there could be no hope for any of mankind. Therefore, we have this meeting weekly to remember Him.
Sunday School is where we study the scriptures. Everyone attending Church goes to one Sacrament Meeting, but Sunday School is divided into age groups, and in some cases there are different classes focusing on different parts of the Gospel. In general, adults meet together and the youth meet in several different classes to keep them together based on their ages. This makes it so that the scriptures can be taught in ways that make sense for the different classes, because surely a 5 year-old needs a different explanation from a 15 year-old. Each year we rotate which scriptures we are studying: one year we'll study the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price, the next year we study the New Testament, then the Book of Mormon, and then the Doctrine and Covenants. After we study all four, we start at the beginning again.
Auxiliary meetings mean that we meet in the various organizations the Church has organized for each of us. Adult women meet in the Relief Society. The Relief Society was founded in 1842 to aid the poor, and it is one of the largest and oldest women's groups in the world. On Sundays the teaching focuses on the Gospel as it applies to the members of the group and the mission of the Relief Society. Men go to Priesthood meeting, which focuses on serving others worthily through the Priesthood. All adult men go to this meeting because in our Church all worthy men hold the Priesthood; we do not have a paid clergy.
This year both adult auxiliaries are being taught from the manual Gospel Principles. This manual is meant to help us understand the doctrine of the Church. Each lesson is focused on a single point of doctrine. I have found these lessons to be very uplifting, and I intend to start writing about the different things we learn here. The full manual is available on the Church's website.
The plain and precious parts of the Gospel are important for all to know and understand. Many wonder why we would focus on doctrine that most already know or are familiar with. Others find it repetitive to discuss these principles over and over again. The simple truth is that we aren't perfect. If we open our hearts and listen to these essential teachings we will more fully understand the love of God and become more devoted disciples of Christ.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
A Thought on Death
This morning I read the following scripture:
And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing (Alma 46:39)It is very difficult to know the state of someone else's salvation, perhaps even impossible in general; however, we know that little children are innocent. When a child dies, it is beyond tragic. I am grateful that the Lord gives us this comfort to know that little children are saved. It comforts me to think that perhaps these innocent ones leave this life rejoicing, knowing that they go home redeemed and ready to inherit the blessings of a Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Prayer
Prayer is extremely important to me. When I was a missionary, the President of the mission taught me a lot about prayer. The main thing that he taught me was to try to express exactly how I felt to God. If something was weighing on my mind all day, then that something was the most important thing for me to discuss with my Father in Heaven. He also taught me that I should be specific and thorough in speaking with God. This may seem like an awkward idea - trying to have an intimate conversation with someone you can't see, but it has changed my life.
When my wife and I talk about our child (that she is currently carrying) it keeps us close together, because it is something that is very important to both of us. Discussing anything of that nature will bring two people closer together. Everything that is important to you or me is important to God. He is literally our Father. He is like the father we have here, except that He is perfect in every way. I know that He wants us to discuss our lives with Him. He wants us to know Him as a Father. As I have tried to pray as my mission president taught me, I have learned more about how close He is to us. I know that He watches over us and that He is in our lives every day.
When my wife and I talk about our child (that she is currently carrying) it keeps us close together, because it is something that is very important to both of us. Discussing anything of that nature will bring two people closer together. Everything that is important to you or me is important to God. He is literally our Father. He is like the father we have here, except that He is perfect in every way. I know that He wants us to discuss our lives with Him. He wants us to know Him as a Father. As I have tried to pray as my mission president taught me, I have learned more about how close He is to us. I know that He watches over us and that He is in our lives every day.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Family - The Fundamental Unit of Society
I had the opportunity, when I was 19 years old, to serve as a missionary for my Church. I lived in Cape Verde, Africa, for about 2 years; while I was there I met people from Europe, Africa, South America, and also other North Americans. As friendships grew between people from diverse nations, often the conversation would turn to what life was like in these different countries.
I began to notice that many of the other North Americans (in particular those from the USA) often described how Americans thought and acted very differently from how I would've described things. I also noticed that different people from other countries did similar things. After having this experience over and over again, I began to see the difference: in most cases, when you ask someone about their country, they will describe their family to you.
Some families probably are typical of a country, and most are influenced by the country in which they live, but every family has distinct characteristics that come from that family's identity. Sometimes this produced a stark contrast: I met one man from a country with a well-known history of racism, whose culture continues to be stained with racial prejudice. (this is not meant to single out any country, I think it would be a valid criticism of many countries) This particular young man went to school in this country. He was taught the same curriculum, read the same books, heard the same political commentaries, but he was completely open-minded, and not in the least bit racist.
One lesson I have learned from this is that the family has a stronger influence on people than anything else. Our families shape the way that we see the world, and the lessons we learn at home have the power to influence us more than what happens everywhere else. I know that family is precious. Most often families have difficulties, but I know that our greatest joys and the greatest good we can do is with our own family. No matter how the world views us, each of us really is who we are at home.
I began to notice that many of the other North Americans (in particular those from the USA) often described how Americans thought and acted very differently from how I would've described things. I also noticed that different people from other countries did similar things. After having this experience over and over again, I began to see the difference: in most cases, when you ask someone about their country, they will describe their family to you.
Some families probably are typical of a country, and most are influenced by the country in which they live, but every family has distinct characteristics that come from that family's identity. Sometimes this produced a stark contrast: I met one man from a country with a well-known history of racism, whose culture continues to be stained with racial prejudice. (this is not meant to single out any country, I think it would be a valid criticism of many countries) This particular young man went to school in this country. He was taught the same curriculum, read the same books, heard the same political commentaries, but he was completely open-minded, and not in the least bit racist.
One lesson I have learned from this is that the family has a stronger influence on people than anything else. Our families shape the way that we see the world, and the lessons we learn at home have the power to influence us more than what happens everywhere else. I know that family is precious. Most often families have difficulties, but I know that our greatest joys and the greatest good we can do is with our own family. No matter how the world views us, each of us really is who we are at home.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The True Meaning of Christmas
I, like many others, love the Christmas season. I love giving a getting gifts, snow, hot chocolate, candy canes, ice skating, and everything else that makes me think of Christmas. During the Christmas season I like to try and reflect on what the true meaning of Christmas is, and I wanted to write something about it.
We all know, even many non-Christians know, that Christmas commemorates the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. When I think of the Risen Lord, one of the first things that comes to mind is service. He lived His life serving others, He died serving others, His resurrection makes ours possible, and He lives now and still serves us. We ought to reach out to each other all of the time, but the Christmas season is the perfect excuse to do a little more, to love a little more, and to care a little more.
The prophet of our Church, President Thomas S. Monson, is a great example of a life of service. In his addresses to the Church, President Monson frequently speaks of serving others, and how his life has been blessed by serving. He would like nothing more than for all people to serve one another. A little more than a year ago President Monson was asked what gift members of the Church could give him for his birthday, and President Monson said:
We all know, even many non-Christians know, that Christmas commemorates the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. When I think of the Risen Lord, one of the first things that comes to mind is service. He lived His life serving others, He died serving others, His resurrection makes ours possible, and He lives now and still serves us. We ought to reach out to each other all of the time, but the Christmas season is the perfect excuse to do a little more, to love a little more, and to care a little more.
The prophet of our Church, President Thomas S. Monson, is a great example of a life of service. In his addresses to the Church, President Monson frequently speaks of serving others, and how his life has been blessed by serving. He would like nothing more than for all people to serve one another. A little more than a year ago President Monson was asked what gift members of the Church could give him for his birthday, and President Monson said:
Do something for someone else on that day to make his or her life better. Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for them. That's all I would askI feel blessed to have the example of a Prophet of the Lord. I know serving others will help us all keep the real meaning of Christmas in our minds throughout the season.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Change of Heart
The Gospel of Jesus Christ can do many different things for a person, but one that is most important and precious is the ability to change someone. I don't mean trivial changes; I mean really changing.
Real change is one of the most difficult things, but I know that angry people can become calm, and arrogance can make way for humility. It is not easy, but it is possible. From Ezekiel 11:19
The Savior overcame every difficulty as part of His perfect sacrifice. He has the ability to help us change. I am by no means a perfect man, but I know that through the Gospel it is possible to overcome the desire to sin, not just the sin itself. It is hard to put this into words, but I know from personal experience that we can be changed.
One cannot earn the Savior's help or His mercy. We all rely on His sacrifice, because without it we cannot be saved. I am just a man, but I have felt this change from time to time. I try to retain it in my heart. Merry Christmas.
Real change is one of the most difficult things, but I know that angry people can become calm, and arrogance can make way for humility. It is not easy, but it is possible. From Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.
The Savior overcame every difficulty as part of His perfect sacrifice. He has the ability to help us change. I am by no means a perfect man, but I know that through the Gospel it is possible to overcome the desire to sin, not just the sin itself. It is hard to put this into words, but I know from personal experience that we can be changed.
One cannot earn the Savior's help or His mercy. We all rely on His sacrifice, because without it we cannot be saved. I am just a man, but I have felt this change from time to time. I try to retain it in my heart. Merry Christmas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)