What are God's and Satan's agenda today?

     The verses of scripture that impressed me in my study of Alma chapters 43 through 45 of the Book of Mormon goes as the following: "And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires… Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church." (Alma 43:9 & 45) I am a bold person, so I want to speak plainly about my thoughts of these glorious causes.

     Family, liberty, and religion are some of the greatest causes of God; therefore, they are the causes for Satan to destroy. He is attacking our families, liberties, and religion relentlessly. It is a part of the natural man. A ridiculous video that showed any American sentiment by stomping on the flag is an obvious example. The extremes on the perspective on above mentioned causes are establishing greater followings. I wrote about an international anti-family movement that almost achieved its designs in my last post. If we do not search the word of God, learning of his designs; we can easily get caught up in the campaign to destroy the foundations of our nations. Philosophies of man bombard us constantly, trying to compel us join Satan's designs to destroy our families, liberties, and religion.

     I will offer up some evidences of the causes of Satan. The rise of divorces are due to many philosophies. We directly destroy our families when we consider these options. Divorce boggles my mind. I cannot understand how someone can so confidently enter a marriage; not securing the success thereof beforehand. The philosophies of man would answer my bewilderment. It also baffles me how the truth of God and the philosophies of the world are the exact opposites, yet they are received as truth that we should endorse. A friend of mine thought that I was idiotic for remaining faithful to my long distance relationship because sexual relations and carnal security should have been the focus of our greatest desires in our marriage. I see that the world holds up sex, drinking, smoking, drugs, coffee, energy drinks, entertainment, video games, pornography, and many more demoralizing topics as the keys to life. How depressing are our most intimate and beloved relationships, if they are based on those things?

     The times of Book of Mormon were so simple that it made nations more volatile. My goal in this post is to inspire greater preparation to establish righteous families, searching the word of God to understand what he wants for our people and forsaking Satan's designs with his philosophies and traditions. The war in Heaven is on Earth. We may not directly have to raise up our arms to fight people, seeking to take away our liberties; but the situation is not unrealistic. If you reject that there is God or Satan, you would do well to consider the will of God for you, for he is your father, having the greatest love for you. The blessings, happiness, and life that he is preparing for you is beyond imagination.

     In the book of Alma chapter 46 verse 12, the most virtuous Moroni saw a situation as ours, where we were forsaking our family, liberties, and religion, and "he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole." "when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments. Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression." (Alma 46:21 & 22) Let us take responsibility for our families, liberty, and religion. If we do not, Satan would have them destroyed.

Roxy's Stats: 4 Lessons on Decision-making From Nephi

Hey guys ,
Here are, four lessons of inspired decision making by Nephi can reduce your fears and increase your confidence to move forward.

You young adults are now living in what has been called “the Decade of Decision.” You are making many of the most important choices of your life, such as “going to the temple, serving a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for time and for all eternity in the holy temple.”1

I speak particularly to those who are struggling with one or more of these important decisions—some perhaps almost paralyzed from fear of making the wrong decision or needing reinforcement to remain confident in a decision made previously.

Four lessons of inspired decision making by Nephi, if applied, can reduce your fears and increase your confidence to move forward.

1. Obey the Commandments
The last verse of Nephi’s sacred record encapsulates his life: “For thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Nephi 33:15).

Nephi’s faith in and love for the Savior is exemplified in his obedience to God’s commandments. He prayed (see 1 Nephi 2:16). He read the scriptures (see 1 Nephi 22:1). He sought and followed direction from a living prophet (see 1 Nephi 16:23–24). Such obedience permitted the Holy Ghost to powerfully accompany Nephi throughout his life and yielded ongoing personal revelation.

You too must stay close to the Lord by keeping God’s commandments. I testify that consistent obedience to small things such as reading the scriptures, praying daily, attending Church meetings, heeding the counsel of living prophets, and serving others will qualify you for the Spirit—and the revelation it brings.

Perfection is not a prerequisite to personal revelation. The prerequisite is daily repentance (see Romans 3:23). If your repentance is sincere and thorough (see D&C 58:42–43), the cleansing power of the Atonement will bring the Spirit to guide you in the weighty decisions of life.

2. Move Forward in Faith
Put yourself in Nephi’s sandals. Your father tells you the Lord has commanded your family to leave your wealth and depart for the wilderness. Wouldn’t you like to know about your journey and destination?

I suppose Nephi would have been thrilled had the Lord clearly revealed his future. But that is not how God worked with Nephi, and it is not how He will work with you.

As Nephi’s family traveled through the wilderness, instructions came to him only “from time to time” (1 Nephi 16:29; 18:1). Viewing his life’s journey with certainty up front would not have provided him the soul-stretching and faith-forming experiences that helped him become a more Christlike man.

composite of Lehi loading the plates of Laban on a donkey and a modern-day girl reading the Book of Mormon
Their Joy Was Full, by Walter Rane, courtesy of Church History Museum

If you are waiting for God to reveal what academic major to pursue, whom to marry, what job to accept, where to live, whether to go to graduate school, and how many children to bear, you will likely never leave your apartment. I testify that personal revelation will come only “from time to time.”

Our Heavenly Father wants us to grow, and that includes developing our ability to weigh facts, render judgments, and make decisions. But He also invites us to bring our decisions to Him in prayer (see D&C 9:7–9). Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that answers to our prayers come “in one of three ways.”2

Confirming Assurance

“First,” Elder Scott said, “you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right.”3 My wife, Christy, and I have found that assurance for critical life-affecting decisions can be communicated through the scriptures, often after temple worship.

For example, after much pondering and praying, we decided to abandon our new dream home in Texas, accept a job transfer, and move with six young children to Beijing, China. But we desperately desired spiritual confirmation for such a momentous move. Divine assurance did come to us—in the temple—as we read these words in the Doctrine and Covenants: “It is my will that you should … tarry not many days in this place; … think not of thy property. Go unto the eastern lands” (D&C 66:5–7).

The voice of Jesus Christ in the scriptures, accompanied by powerful feelings from the Holy Ghost, confirmed that our decision to move to China was right.

Unsettled Feeling

The second way Heavenly Father answers prayers is through an “unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong.”4

After my mission to Taiwan, I thought international law would be a good career choice. As Christy and I considered that possible future, we understood that five more years of expensive education lay ahead.

The U.S. economy was in a deep recession and our funds were limited, so we reasoned that joining the Air Force ROTC would be a wise choice to pay for my schooling. But as I took the required tests and filled out the paperwork, we just could not get comfortable making that commitment. No stupor of thought or dark feelings came—only an absence of peace.

That seemingly illogical financial decision was inspired, in part, because I would have been a horrible lawyer!

Divine Trust

God answers prayers a third way: no response. “When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act,” Elder Scott said, “proceed with trust.”5

Nephi’s final attempt to obtain the brass plates illustrates how we should proceed with divine trust. He recorded:

“I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:6–7).

Moments will arrive during your decade of decision when you cannot procrastinate any longer and must act. I have learned that, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught, “we will get promptings of the Spirit when we have done everything we can, when we are out in the sun working rather than sitting back in the shade praying for direction on the first step to take.”6

As with Nephi, the Spirit will in due time confirm or warn of your chosen path.

3. Live in the Present
Nephi’s commitment on the journey to the promised land stands in stark contrast to that of his brothers Laman and Lemuel. They made the decision to go, but their hearts never left Jerusalem. Nephi was fixing his broken bow to hunt for food and mining ore to build a ship while his brothers seem to have been lounging in a tent.

Today the world has many Lamans and Lemuels. But the Lord needs committed men and women like Nephi. You will experience greater progress in life when you wholly commit to your decisions and strive to excel in your current circumstances even while you have an eye open to the future.

Nephi exemplifies the wise counsel of President Thomas S. Monson: “Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it.”7

4. Draw on the Strength of Others
Even after we have sought the Spirit, moved forward with our decision, and are wholly committed to it, doubts may still arise and cause us to question our decision. In such circumstances a trusted family member or friend can provide counsel and strength to stay the course. I suggest that along his journey, Nephi’s bride became his trusted anchor.

An appreciation for Nephi’s wife came to me while visiting the Church History Museum. I was transfixed by a painting there of Nephi lashed to the mast of a ship, soaked to the skin in a driving storm.8

At Nephi’s side were his wife and one of his children. She was experiencing the same storm and challenges as Nephi, but her eyes were defiant and her strong arms were protectively wrapped around his shoulders. In that moment I realized that I too was blessed to have a loyal spouse offering strength in my times of trial. I hoped that I was a similar strength to her.

composite of Nephite family and modern-day couple
Helpmeet, by K. Sean Sullivan

Brethren, preserving and enhancing the spiritual strength you developed (or will yet develop) as a missionary or in other righteous service is your best asset in becoming a desirable husband and father. Sisters, spiritual sensitivity, faith, and courage to follow Jesus Christ are among your best qualities as a wife and mother.

I invite you to become the type of person your current or future spouse can draw on for wise counsel and strength. A virtuous man and a worthy woman, sealed for time and all eternity in the temple, can do difficult things as equal partners.

I promise that if you will apply the lessons learned from Nephi and modern prophets about making decisions, you will be led along with personal revelation “from time to time.” As you progress through your decade of decision, may you, as did Nephi, have the faith to say:

“I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:6–7).

To Reduce Fears and Increase Confidence
1. Obey the commandments.

2. Move forward in faith.

3. Live in the present.

4. Draw on the strength of others.

This is kind of lengthy but please read it is really informative and interesting.

Modern LDS Actress

Well hello I'm Kaelee. I'm an actress and singer. And I'm lds. It's kinda of complicated at times. Oh btw this is my first blog. Throughout this little series I'm going keep you all updated with the trials I have on set and the fight of temptation in this life. Hope you all enjoy if you would like too contact me I have Facebook. Twitter. Snapchat. Tumblr and kik. Much love brothers and sisters
Kaelee Vigil

God works by Small and Simple Means.

     I realized that this Telestial world is designed in a way that it is fallen, requiring humility to recognize God's hand in out lives. The word of God is a small and simple thing that can be disregarded very easily. The doubt and pride of the world can dictate the decisions of man, leading to a way of being acted upon and giving the choices of an individual to the ones that are esteemed as good according to philosophies of man. God let this world man have an ability to have their own opinion on the world. 

     Korihor preaches the doubt and pride of the world:

"O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come. Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers. How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ. Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so. And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime. And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof... And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high priest, and also the chief judge over the land. And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophets? Now the high priest’s name was Giddonah. And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words. Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true. Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents. And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world. And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges. Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be." (Alma 13-18; 21-28)

Alma explains the perspective of a disciple of Christ, recognizing the small and simple means that God works by his word, light, and spirit. 

"Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44)

 

     The Mormon Channel told some stories of small and simple means bringing forth great things preserving his greatest treasures. A man was invited a world convention on the family, and there was much anti family sentiment, and he was placed in a situation to become an influential advocate for the family unit. After a few conventions, an anti family campaign was gaining momentum, yet this Latter-day Saint man had to coveted final speaker position. Only four minutes remained for him, but he completely derailed the anti family campaign with his simple words. It did require the prominent world figures to hearken to his words, and they did. 

     Another sister was invited to participate in a television production. She thought that she would be involved in a medical procedure presentation. It was said by the producers that the procedure can restore virginity. The topic of premarital sex came to be a debated, and it was designed to be violent. The sister left to facilities to reconsider the situation, but she was prompted to return. During the debate, two of the three debating candidates were fulfilling their violent roles well, and the sister waited patiently. She doesn't remember much of what she said, but she asked how they understand chastity is important, when the situation cooled off. The debate resulted in the convincing of the participants that chastity is important. One debate candidate had a daughter and a son, and she expressed desire that that individual's children would be chaste. The episode of the television series had been reran many times as a cherished witness of the meekness of Christ's ways of purity.

 

D&C 64:33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

 

D&C 123:16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

 

The little things that we do are felt, and they are influential. It's about the little decisions. 

What does redemption mean? A Thought from Alma Chapter 42

   I like how Alma and God's angels taught repentance and redemption. Our fallen state truly does not deserve salvation; unless, we repent. The Justice of God places us in bondage, a penalty for our unavoidable human inadequacies. If Christ had not come to redeem man, we should be cast out from the presence of God.

    Christ said "I have come … to bring redemption unto the world." Christ has paid the ransom for all man, but we need to choose to come to him according to his ways. "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him."(D&C 45:3)

"But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I, the Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son." (D&C 29:42)

     I love that God has his representatives teach repentance and redemption because it is steeped in doctrine. Jesus Christ endured the price to ransom all man, satisfying justice. We do not deserve redemption from spiritual death; unless, we hearken to the word of God. We need to seek to do the will of God and emulate him, seeking the kingdom of God and to go about doing the work of the father. Let us pray for the assurances by revelation that we are following his way according to his will, receiving the guidance, if we are to repent.

 "Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:15-19)

'So in the world of today: 4 May 2015' by Sam Orr

So in the world of today:
-The Baltimore curfew was lifted.
-There was an attempted shooting at a Muhammad cartoon event in Garland Texas. A shooter linked himself to Isis.
-900 rescued migrants arrived in Italy.
-an international rights group is pushing to have Paraguay allow a ten year old victim of rape to have an abortion.
- Sexual assault by military service people continues to be an issue (many even going unpunished).
- The FDA is looking to regulate Formaldehyde.

'Feed Your Soul' by Mary: "Fear no evil. Jesus Christ died for you."

Fear no evil. Jesus Christ died for you.

These word makes me happy, when I remember them, because I know Jesus Christ really love's me. Continually seeking more obedience, I will keep his keep his commandments to show that I love him.

'So in the world of today: 29 April 2015' by Sam Orr

So in the world of today:
-Baltimore had a curfew imposed.
-Lois Lerner deleted 6400 emails before they could be handed over to congress.
-The military is working on self-guided bullets.
-Protests in Ferguson led to violence.
-Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlins Blake is in hot water for not making looting a priority during the riot.
-The Pope condemned salary gaps between men and women.
-Isis supporters claim that Isis has infiltrated Italy.
-The Cayman Islands ship seized by Iran may’ve been in international waters.
-111 people arrested following the Baltimore riots are still being held by police without being formally charged.
-NYC banned political ads from public transit to block pro-Israel ads from going up.

'So in the world of today: 30 April 2015' by Sam Orr

So in the world of today:
-People in NYC have been protesting police brutality. Dozens were arrested.
-A witness claimed that Freddie Grey may’ve been responsible for his own injuries.
-Lots of teachers protested cuts to pay and benefits in Brazil. Over 150 were injured.
-Hundreds of Ethiopians in Jerusalem protested racism. 
-Iran’s upset with Saudi Arabia for intercepting an Iranian plane.
-A poll on Religious liberty and gay rights found that when the two came into conflict most Americans would support religious liberty over gay rights.
-Nigeria recued 160 women and Children from Boko Haram.
-a study on American internet searches using ‘the N-word’ found that most came from people in the North Eastern US.

'So in the world of today: 28 April 2015' by Sam Orr

So in the world of today:
-a riot broke out in Baltimore following Freddie Grey's funeral. Anarchists used social media to stay ahead of police. The National Guard had to be sent out.
-over 5000 are reported dead from the Nepal Earthquake.
-The remaining buildings in the Nepal earthquake zone are 90% unusable.
-The NFL gave up its tax exempt status.
-Yet another Bakery is being closed by state lawsuits for refusing to cater a gay wedding.
-Finland lobbed bombs at a ‘possible Russian submarine’.
-The Supreme Court declared The Obamacare contraception mandate unconstitutional.
-Iran seized a Marshal Islands commercial cargo ship that was in their waters.
-The DHS admitted to letting several criminal suspects go free under the President’s deferred action for childhood arrivals program.
-The pope came out in favor of the UN’s climate control measures.

'Jesus your grace and mercy' by Isidro Zapata

Jesus your grace and mercy
Put my life back on course
That was torn apart
Forgetting the real Purpose of life
Jesus did not just preach the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus lived it
And laid down His life
So I can know God and find my Place in this life
The lie we hear everyday
Those lies only
Leave people
with an empty soul
That chase after the lie
replace the lie
With the truth
Showing the world
the True meaning
of Jesus Teachings
So you can know
Peace and love