Cycling Story: Finding a Phone in an Intersection

Last night was crazy because I found a random phone in the middle of the road, cycling home. The screen was damaged, but it was not cracked. The phone was oddly recieving many calls from a gym, which was not answered by a person when I returned the call. Another phone number called when I arrived home, and I answered the call. It was the husband of the phone's owner. I sensed fear and precausion in their voices. I arranged for them to meet me at my apartments. When the lady arrived, she was grateful to have her phone returned, but she told her story to a neighbor. The phone was stolen from the gym locker. The thief cut her lock. I suspect that they could not access full functionality of the phone, and they threw it out the window.

The Cleansing Affect by Baptism of Fire and Water

Jessica and I pondered the cleansing affect of water and fire/heat, learning about how ovens clean themselves. The method is to burn the contents to easily wipeable carbon with excessive heat. The recieving of the gift of the Holy Ghost is also known as the baptism of fire, cleansing our soul. 

We spoke of cleaning things with water. If people don't continuely clean their dishes, they could get sick. Uncleanliness can represent sin, but what are the spiritual illnesses? I thought of doubt, pride, and entitlement. These spiritual illnesses are contagious, but man can develop them in isolation, if they are not careful. Man tend to forget their faith without the continue effort of cleansing their soul. The best way is through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism by immersion in the church; having the authority to administer the ordinances of salvation. That is the initial cleansing of the gospel, but man need to continuely sanctify themselves by following the covenant path, leading to the temple ordinances. The sacrament is a weekly ordinance, renewing all of an individual's covenants. Faithfulness to this practice is most important to remaining clean. The nurture of knowledge of God by reading the scriptures is another key to feeling the spirit, the baptism of fire, and maintaining our spiritual immune system to doubt, pride, and entitlement. Daily prayer and remaining faithful to the commandments of God are other keys to retaining our spiritual immune system. I am realizing that maintaining our immune system can be represented by our temple recommend or testimony of Jesus Christ. Let's continue to work on our personal spiritual cleanliness.

My Witness of Jesus Christ

Before Heavenly Father had Jehovah create the Earth, he proposed the implementation of the Plan of Salvation. Heavenly Father had a resurrected body of flesh and bone, and he wanted to share his joy of eternal life with all his children. Jehovah had a crucial role in the Plan of Salvation for he was elected to perform an atonement. 

This atonement of Jesus Christ as he will be known by in mortality was controversial in the Grand Counsel because a man named Lucifer did not believe that sin and choice was necessary. He had a plan to save everyone, but he desired glory above all. One third of God's children were cast out of Heaven as they rejected Heavenly Father's Plan for the Salvation of man. Satan was given enmity to make mortality especially horrifying on top of the veil of forgetfullness, blocking our memory of our premortal life.

The Godhead is God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. They are three different people, but they are completely united. We pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost typically answers on the Father's behalf. 

The Holy Ghost cleanses our souls by the power of Jesus Christ's atonement. It is by the power of God that man learns, discovers, changes, and loves. All things good are inspired by God. 

The path that Jesus calls the gospel is the way to eternal life. He reveals it to his prophets, giving them power and authority. The truth is restored through them to establish his church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church that Jesus Christ leads today through his prophets. Joseph Smith is the first of this dispensation, and God prepared an essential work for him to do in building the church. It is called the keystone of the religion. Book of Mormon is another witness to Christ, an expression of the power of God unto the convincing of man. The book is more scripture for man to learn of Christ. 

I encourage you to explore the opportunities to learn more about Jesus Christ, for all truth has been revealed by him. More truth has been explained in words of modern and ancient prophets by the power of God and the Holy Ghost. The joys of eternity are available to discover in this day.

I bear witness that it is line upon line; precept upon precept that man learns of God. Experiment upon the word. Learn to feel his inspiration. Let go of doubt, and trust in him. Hearken to his word, and he will reveal his nature to you. These are witnesses of the Godhead. God is love. We are all family, and Heavenly Father is preparing a path for all his children to learn of all the joys of eternal life. I have been raised in his church and kingdom, and I have practiced these principles. The assurance that comes of revelation is the foundation of my faith that the fullness of the gospel has been restored in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Unedited Stake Conference Notes

Stake Conference Adult Evening Session

"Facts about the church''   

   

Referred investigators convert 4 times more than missionary found investigators.   

   

great sense purpose   

guidance   

weakness & sin overcome   

   

What does it mean to be a member of the church?   

given love   

Holy Ghost guided   

   

People want to hear about our relationship with God.   

   

invite & let them choose   

   

This life is short, but it is signifacent.   

   

   

sorority   

inisation   

standards   

weekly meetings.   

Secret ceremonies   

   

it is very difficult to maintain conversion   

   

what are my struggle   

goals   

strengths   

grateful   

am I happy   

Desire to go to the temple maintains conversion   

read the book of Mormon to maintain conversion.   

   

but what about my doubts?   

Doubt you doubts before faith.   

   

Don't feel able to fit in?   

   

Make negative past positive.   

   

Your decisions brought me to where I am today.   

   

Converts don't play catch up.   

I am kind of playing catch up.   

   

Your effort is felt.   

   

   

Share an experience with prayer with someone   

positive experiences   

   

share the book of Mormon   

   

what questions does it answer?   

label    

Tabbed copies of Book of Mormon   

   

never give a closed book of Mormon   

   

Share why you love church   

   

   

5-7 find   

   

lost coins   

lost sheep   

   

finding things are powerful experiences   

Elect are lost   

   

Dinner 4-5   

   

8-9 member meeting   

   

   

Conversion starts long before thought.   

The light of Christ is in all man.   

   

Most stressful    

loss job & Companion, move,    

believed in God suprisingly   

in these experiences   

He prayed   

   

blessings of God requires consecration.   

   

No. I will not eat green eggs & ham.   

Someone, accepting the gospel, is like feeding a wild animal, running in than withdrawing many times. Hard to trust.   

   

Accepting the gospel is very difficult; although, they believe,   

Friend is most important   

   

Experiment on the word daily   

   

Don't cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.   

   

   

blind   

felt & recognized the spirit   

   

How have you felt the seed grow?   

   

Testimony is developed line upon line.   

   

What seek ye?   

a common question   

simple response   

Where dwellest thou?   

We seek eternal life.   

   

Whom seeketh thou?   

   

   

Process of converting   

Process of inviting   

   

a change of nature.   

   

Conversion is not merely a change of behavior. It is a change in perspective.   

   

Conversion is a life long journey.   

   

Testimony don't come by 5 senses.   

Conversion only comes by the spirit of God.   

   

Remained focused on the Sabbath   

Make it joyous   

games are appropriate   

   

Ministering   

engaging people in real relationships   

   

Elder's quorum president may be a ward mission leader.   

   

Missionary work is expressed in the invite.   

Invite to meet the missionaries.   

   

God would not use the word warn if there were no danger.   

   

We have an obligations to teach our children the gospel, but remember their agency.

General Session of Stake Conference

Ratify ordination   

Ratify def.:   

To approve and give formal sanction to; confirm. See Synonyms at approve.   

   

Be careful of high school weekend parties.   

The world pulls   

   

Believe in your standards   

Do you believe in all your standards?   

   

Obedience avoids the sorrow of sin.   

   

   

Commandments are crucial.    

strength & protect   

to become like God   

   

   

Everyday is a day of decisions, determining our destiny.   

   

We think that we will never forget the feelings.   

Personal Scripture: record revelation   

Time dulls revelation.   

   

Remember is the most important word.   

   

Nothing will bless you more than a stead attendance of the temple.   

   

Satan is attacking man more; with greater variety, exponentially.   

   

   

Bethel   

God's temple   

ladder to heaven   

Jacob   

The Lord is in this place.   

   

He heard a choir, walking to open the temple   

We are waiting.   

   

Depressed   

Walking on holy ground in the presence of God   

   

see with your spiritual eyes.   

   

   

Ordinance ready icon   

   

Parents love when children say "I made an appointment. I need to be some place at this time."   

   

Miracles come from temple service.   

   

   

Swed   

Cannery   

Paid more for each season worked   

coin starch clumps when it freezes.   

Chip away at the frozen corn clumps.   

Paid twice minimum wage   

not challenging   

happy?   

   

Remember your divine potential.   

Don't take your identity as children of God   

divine potential is not measured by worldly comparison.   

Growth comes by challenges.   

   

God consecrates our affliction to our gain.   

   

The Book of Mormon gives perspective as it is an abridgment of nations history   

General conference gives perspective   

maintain a divine perspective   

   

patriarch Gary Haslam   

love & appreciation   

blessed by being in your presence   

privilege & opportunity   

   

lineage determined in premortal live   

each tribe has their own personality.   

   

Gathering of Israel   

We chose to be here premortal; just as we are here now.   

   

foreordained to various callings.   

   

express your agency   

   

   

The savior has established this church unlike other organizations.   

   

An area plan   

   

3 stake goal   

Current temple recommend   

Missionary work   

200 people participate in self-reliance program   

   

stake & ward goals.   

   

become ministers   

temple   

missionary work   

encourage rising generation   

   

The best of the greatest generation today are tested.

Reflecting on JST John 1:1-19 more

The following questions are from 'Come, follow me': I have not answered all of them yet.

Why do you think that John began his Gospel with these truths? 

I think that he shared these truths for man to be more present; awoken from the slumbering world to see the light.

Consider writing your witness of Jesus Christ—what would you want to share? 

What experiences have helped you come to know and follow the Savior? 

Years of listening and reading of testimonies have taught me the true nature of Jesus Christ. The application of his teaching has helped me develop a relationship with God the Father, whom Christ is my advocate to. Heavenly Father has let me serve his children with the priesthood authority in the patriarchal order. Blessing his children with his ordinances on his behalf, I have witnessed the power of the Holy Ghost.

Who might be blessed by hearing your testimony?

Doctrines of Christ learned from JST John 1:1-19

The following pictures are my notes during my study of Joseph Smith's translation of John 1:1-19:

Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible (John 1:1–5)

John began his Gospel by describing the work that Christ performed before He was born: “In the beginning … the Word [Jesus Christ] was with God.” What do you learn from verses 1–5 about the Savior and His work? 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 The same was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

You can find helpful clarifications in Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:1–5 (in the Bible appendix). 

In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. 

The same was in the beginning with God.

 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.

 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;

 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.

What does Joseph Smith Translation clarify?

Word is not a name of Christ.

As you begin your study of the Savior’s life, why is it important to know about His premortal work?

That man may know that the children of God including Jehovah, the promortal name of Jesus Christ, lived before the earth was created, serving each other.

Why John the beloved's writings are so unique

John writes uniquely, composing Gospel of John, several epistles, and the book of Revelation, because he has been blessed to a ministering angel as a flaming fire on the earth until the second coming of Christ upon request recorded in D&C 7:1-6. 

His great love for the Savior began before Jesus Christ's public ministry, for he was a disciple of John the Baptist.

"And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. 

And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. 

And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom. 

I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done. 

Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth." (D&C 7:1-6)

How Christ is my light

How might you help your family visualize what they read about light in these verses? You could let family members take turns shining a light in a dark room and sharing how the Savior is the Light of their lives. Then, as you read John 1:4–10, family members might have additional insight into John’s testimony of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Before reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ is my light because I would not have power to improve my life without him. There would be no morals and nothing to place faith in.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:4–10)

After reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ created the Earth, establishing life thereon, yet life does not know him. He has a purpose and plan for them.

Wisdom from a Youth Family History Teacher

A youth spoke in Sacrament, reflecting on his calling last year as a Family History Teacher. He said that family history is like a treasure hunt.

In his residence there is a scary picture of an mysterious old lady. No one in the family knew who she was. They found after some research that she is the youth's great, great, great, great, grandmother, and another treasure that they discovered is that she is the sister of John Taylor. John Taylor was the third prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (3 Nephi 25:6)

Another note is that learning family history protects you from bad influences.

Let us turn our hearts to our fathers. Heavenly Father's plan for the salvation of the human family requires every child of God to be discovered. 

Testimonies of God's Personal Relationship with Individuals

God does provide. Heavenly Father cares about the little things in our lives.   
A sister had a pair of earrings that couples with her wedding ring. She lost them twice. The pair of earrings are a very dear momento. She could only found them by God's guidance and prayer. One experience is almost unbelievable. She was out with her children at a park, and she found them under a rock; not damaged.
A valiant in a testimony of Christ can be a quiet assurance.
A sister murmured the higher expectations of "Come, follow me." She sees that her change of heart is an evidence of the Holy Ghost's influence. She is excited about the new "Come, follow me" program for a home centered church. 
You know what you need to do. Don't resist it.