The Holy Ghost
• Teaches Truth
• He dwells inside us
• Teaches us all things
• Brings all things to our remembrance
• Gives peace
• Testifies of Christ
• Comforts us
• Guides us to truth
• Speaks the words of the father
• Glorifies the Lord
• Helps us understand the glory and work of God
• Enlivens and invigorates our senses and bodies
• Strengthens us spiritually and physically
•
We must
• Desire for the companionship of the Holy Ghost
• Trust and fear not
• Bear witness of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost
• Continue faithful to the end
• Obey with exactness
• Share with others that which we have been given
In all these ways, and many more, the Holy Ghost was active in the lives of the Apostles and disciples following the death of Christ and their receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. For Peter the Holy Ghost gave him the power, knowledge and wisdom to lead the new-founded church according to the will of God and of Christ. He was blessed with revelations that lead to the end of the practices of kosher observance among the saints, the end of circumcision as a requirement in the law of the gospel, and opening the preaching of the gospel to the gentile nations. For Paul the Holy Ghost gave him strength to travel extensively, endure a myriad of trials and suffering, preach to the simple and week and to the great and mighty. To all of the apostles were such gifts given and used in the work and will of the Lord.
One of my favorite experiences that happen with the Holy Ghost are when I receive what are best called “packets of light” by Elder Scott. Those “Ah Ha!” moments when a little extra light is given, and it seems that my soul takes a deep breath as it expands. Most often these experiences happen when I am studying, pondering or discussing the gospel. A couple days ago I was discussing the role of the Holy Ghost with my family in a Family Home Evening. As we discussed the scripture in D&C where we are told that when the spirit is doing the ‘real’ teaching, both the teacher and the learner understand one another and are both edified. As we discussed I received personal revelation and inspiration for my class that I teach on Sunday morning.
Don't forget your daily dose of Music!
Nov 24, 2012
At the waters of baptism by each made a covenant to take upon them the name of Christ, and to be a witness of his name. In order for us to be effective representatives of the Savior it will be important for us to know how others will recognize us as witness of Him. Christ gives us the most basic and universal way that others know that we are servants and witnesses of Christ. He said "by this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another." As a missionary, and at other times in my life, I have seen that this is true. It is much easier to believe that one is a follower of Christ, and witness of him truly when they love as Christ loved.
One of the experiences that has really impacted me took place early in my mission. We traveled early in the morning to one of my first zone conferences. On arriving I discovered that I had completely forgot to put on my name tag, and with no suit coat to cover my completely white shirt. I felt naked and humiliated in front of the entire zone and the mission president. During one of the breaks my mission president and I were exchanging greetings. He noticed that I didn't have my tag and that I had been embarrassed. Almost in passing, he reached inside his suit coat and took his name tag from off his shirt, handed it to me and said, "Let's see if anyone notices."
His simple act of kindness and generosity meant a great deal to me. I couldn't help thinking how Christ like this had been, his name covering my own mistake and foolishness. I was also grateful that none of the other Elders said or did anything to make me feel foolish. I was shown a small glimpse of the love of Christ.
Another of the great example of the showing the love of Christ also comes from my mission. One of the most common things that a convert says as something that affected their decision and helped them feel comfortable in the new surroundings of the church was how friendly and welcoming the people of the church were and are. The welcoming and loving hand of friendship shows the love of Christ and helps them know that they are home.
I think that such love and service are the greatest ways that we can show our love for those around us.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
One of the experiences that has really impacted me took place early in my mission. We traveled early in the morning to one of my first zone conferences. On arriving I discovered that I had completely forgot to put on my name tag, and with no suit coat to cover my completely white shirt. I felt naked and humiliated in front of the entire zone and the mission president. During one of the breaks my mission president and I were exchanging greetings. He noticed that I didn't have my tag and that I had been embarrassed. Almost in passing, he reached inside his suit coat and took his name tag from off his shirt, handed it to me and said, "Let's see if anyone notices."
His simple act of kindness and generosity meant a great deal to me. I couldn't help thinking how Christ like this had been, his name covering my own mistake and foolishness. I was also grateful that none of the other Elders said or did anything to make me feel foolish. I was shown a small glimpse of the love of Christ.
Another of the great example of the showing the love of Christ also comes from my mission. One of the most common things that a convert says as something that affected their decision and helped them feel comfortable in the new surroundings of the church was how friendly and welcoming the people of the church were and are. The welcoming and loving hand of friendship shows the love of Christ and helps them know that they are home.
I think that such love and service are the greatest ways that we can show our love for those around us.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
Nov 17, 2012
Preparing for the Coming of the Lord.
The 13th chapter of Mark is an excellent resource for us when we are pondering what needs to be done to be prepared for the second coming of the Lord.
The phrase 'take heed' is used repeatedly in this chapter as a warning and an instruction from the Lord. 'Take heed' can be used like, 'beware,' being just a simple warning. But I believe that there is more to what the Lord is telling us than that. 'Take heed...' He says; and I believe that He means for us to do just that.
'Take' is an action word. We are to get or acquire something. 'Heed' is a word that generally means to listen to council, or to consider suggestions given; but also it means to obey them. Thus, I believe that the Lord is telling us that he wants us to take heed from Him. How do we do that? Probably the most obvious answers to that question are to seek to know him and his will through diligent prayer and scripture study. One might go to the temple, fast, worship at church, sing hymns, and perform other labors that come to us by assignment and calling as we seek to 'take heed.'
We have been warned that subtle and crafty will be the works of the devil that he will have power to deceive even the very elect. How do we avoid this? The promise that is given to those who take heed is that they will not be deceived in the last day.
In D&C 87:8 the Lord tells us that it is extremely important to be doing these things constantly, consistently. We need to stand "in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come".
It has also been told to us that we need to study the signs that are going to be given to us to know when the coming of the Lord is close at hand. Those signs are in the scriptures and will help us to be prepared not fear.
We are reminded of the ten virgins in the forty fifth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and told that it is those who receive the truth, and take the Holy Ghost as their guide that are prepared for return of the Lord. I think of this charge as being on a 'truth quest'. We should be driven to know the truth, pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and for the sense and humility to recognize and follow his guidance.
When we do these things, where ever we are in life, we can be prepared for what will come.
Don't forget your daily dose of scripture!
The phrase 'take heed' is used repeatedly in this chapter as a warning and an instruction from the Lord. 'Take heed' can be used like, 'beware,' being just a simple warning. But I believe that there is more to what the Lord is telling us than that. 'Take heed...' He says; and I believe that He means for us to do just that.
'Take' is an action word. We are to get or acquire something. 'Heed' is a word that generally means to listen to council, or to consider suggestions given; but also it means to obey them. Thus, I believe that the Lord is telling us that he wants us to take heed from Him. How do we do that? Probably the most obvious answers to that question are to seek to know him and his will through diligent prayer and scripture study. One might go to the temple, fast, worship at church, sing hymns, and perform other labors that come to us by assignment and calling as we seek to 'take heed.'
We have been warned that subtle and crafty will be the works of the devil that he will have power to deceive even the very elect. How do we avoid this? The promise that is given to those who take heed is that they will not be deceived in the last day.
In D&C 87:8 the Lord tells us that it is extremely important to be doing these things constantly, consistently. We need to stand "in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come".
It has also been told to us that we need to study the signs that are going to be given to us to know when the coming of the Lord is close at hand. Those signs are in the scriptures and will help us to be prepared not fear.
We are reminded of the ten virgins in the forty fifth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and told that it is those who receive the truth, and take the Holy Ghost as their guide that are prepared for return of the Lord. I think of this charge as being on a 'truth quest'. We should be driven to know the truth, pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and for the sense and humility to recognize and follow his guidance.
When we do these things, where ever we are in life, we can be prepared for what will come.
Don't forget your daily dose of scripture!
Fifty Nine Songs and Counting
I decided to count how many songs I am learning for this Christmas seasons round of musical performances. Fifty nine, and counting. It feels so good to be back learning so much music, and doing so many performances. Christmas really seemed to sneak up on me while I was on my mission. In hind sight, I suspect that part of the reason that it seemed to come so fast is because the usual rehearsals, music, performances and concerts that accompany the Christmas season were totally absent for the last two years. The last two Christmas's spent in the field were no less special, but in a different way. I learned so much, and have gained a new love for the Savior and for this beautiful time of year to celebrate Him and what his life and mission and atonement mean for us.
I was puzzling over my schedule, which has become fairly crazy for the month of December. One of the most 'fun' things that we get to do as employees of the Boy Scout Shop is inventory. Ya... Right. And it just so happens that the four mandatory days of inventory are in the middle of the December month. And, wouldn't you know it, on weekends. This was a prime source of worry for me. When comparing my work schedule with the various rehearsal/performance schedules that I committed to, I was beginning to feel a real pinch in my time, and worried that I would be able to keep the commitments that I had made, both at the Scout Shop, and also to the choirs that I am in this season.
Yesterday I prayed that the Lord would work things out for me, and that I would be able to do all that I had to do, and that He needed me to do. I prayed that He would work it all out.
When I went into work this morning, I read the notice that indicated our schedule for the next several weeks, and explained the schedule for inventory. Miracle of miracles, the dated for inventory were not what I thought they were going to be, and there is only one conflict with the schedules instead of the five or six I was imagining. I told my manager that the performance of the Messiah that I have a solo in is one of the nights that we are working on our inventory. Without my asking, she told me that I would be able to leave on the night of the concert in time to attend the performance.
He really had taken care of everything for me! I am so grateful this thanksgiving season for a Heavenly Father who know my situation, and is willing to help me when things are not beyond my control. I stepped into the back of the store, and offered a quite, but fervent prayer of thanks. Looks like I will be able to do all fifty nine songs this year, and maybe more!
Don't forget your daily dose of Music!
I was puzzling over my schedule, which has become fairly crazy for the month of December. One of the most 'fun' things that we get to do as employees of the Boy Scout Shop is inventory. Ya... Right. And it just so happens that the four mandatory days of inventory are in the middle of the December month. And, wouldn't you know it, on weekends. This was a prime source of worry for me. When comparing my work schedule with the various rehearsal/performance schedules that I committed to, I was beginning to feel a real pinch in my time, and worried that I would be able to keep the commitments that I had made, both at the Scout Shop, and also to the choirs that I am in this season.
Yesterday I prayed that the Lord would work things out for me, and that I would be able to do all that I had to do, and that He needed me to do. I prayed that He would work it all out.
When I went into work this morning, I read the notice that indicated our schedule for the next several weeks, and explained the schedule for inventory. Miracle of miracles, the dated for inventory were not what I thought they were going to be, and there is only one conflict with the schedules instead of the five or six I was imagining. I told my manager that the performance of the Messiah that I have a solo in is one of the nights that we are working on our inventory. Without my asking, she told me that I would be able to leave on the night of the concert in time to attend the performance.
He really had taken care of everything for me! I am so grateful this thanksgiving season for a Heavenly Father who know my situation, and is willing to help me when things are not beyond my control. I stepped into the back of the store, and offered a quite, but fervent prayer of thanks. Looks like I will be able to do all fifty nine songs this year, and maybe more!
Don't forget your daily dose of Music!
Nov 10, 2012
Parables Comparisons: Jewish Leaders
The leaders of the Jewish faith in the time of Christ were an interesting group of people. Many of the symbols used by Christ in his parables and and many of the things he does can be used to help us understand the lessons He taught.
At one point the Savior gets hungry, and goes to look for some fruit on the fig tree. When the tree is bare of fruit, the Savior curses the tree. Like the barren fig tree, the leaders of the Jewish people had grown, producing many branches of laws, procedures, rules and culture. But in spite of all that the tree is, it doesn't produce the fruit that can satisfy. Neither did the doctrine of the Jewish leaders produce the joy that the gospel of Christ brings.
In another parable the Lord spoke of two sons who received an instruction from their father. The first told his father he would not, but repented and did. The second told his father he would and then did not. This reminds me of the warning that Christ gave when he said that "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The Jewish leadership made a big show of being righteous and pious. But they played the same game that the second son played. The pharisees and Sadducees were willing to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.
Also like another parable about the savior told about the husbandman who failed accomplish what they had been charged with. When the Lord sent his servants to the husbandman, the husbandman killed the servants. Like the foolish husbandman, the leaders of the jewish faith in Christ's time killed , cast out, and mocked the servants of god, Killing even the very Son of God.
And finally, there is the parable told of the man who comes to the wedding with out having the proper attire. In the same way, the Jewish culture, and their leaders especially, considered themselves worthy, and a people set aside by the Lord. Having an almost 'holier than thou' attitude, they were willing to come to the table unprepared.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scriptures!
At one point the Savior gets hungry, and goes to look for some fruit on the fig tree. When the tree is bare of fruit, the Savior curses the tree. Like the barren fig tree, the leaders of the Jewish people had grown, producing many branches of laws, procedures, rules and culture. But in spite of all that the tree is, it doesn't produce the fruit that can satisfy. Neither did the doctrine of the Jewish leaders produce the joy that the gospel of Christ brings.
In another parable the Lord spoke of two sons who received an instruction from their father. The first told his father he would not, but repented and did. The second told his father he would and then did not. This reminds me of the warning that Christ gave when he said that "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The Jewish leadership made a big show of being righteous and pious. But they played the same game that the second son played. The pharisees and Sadducees were willing to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.
Also like another parable about the savior told about the husbandman who failed accomplish what they had been charged with. When the Lord sent his servants to the husbandman, the husbandman killed the servants. Like the foolish husbandman, the leaders of the jewish faith in Christ's time killed , cast out, and mocked the servants of god, Killing even the very Son of God.
And finally, there is the parable told of the man who comes to the wedding with out having the proper attire. In the same way, the Jewish culture, and their leaders especially, considered themselves worthy, and a people set aside by the Lord. Having an almost 'holier than thou' attitude, they were willing to come to the table unprepared.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scriptures!
Nov 3, 2012
Lessons from Parables
Luke 16:1-12
Here the Lord gives a parable about an unwise steward. The steward "had wasted his goods." Upon rebuke, the steward corrects some of his behavior, performing his stewardly duties. The Lord tells us that "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."
The children of that generation were a people who, by and large, didn't have the gospel among them. They were just emerging from an apostasy, broken by the advent of the ministry of the Savior himself. The children of light obviously refers to those who have the gospel and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ.
The message, then, to us is to be very careful with the stewardship that we have been given, lest those who have had less than us do better than us. Perhaps this might apply in this way: We have been blessed with the Book of Mormon and the fullness of the gospel. Do we use it, study it, apply it? Before the restoration of the gospel men and women had only the words of Bible, mingled with incorrect tradition and false doctrine. Yet they lived by the word as they understood it, according to that which they had been given. It is easy to find ourselves being less wise with the greater things which we have been given than those who have had less, but lived it with great zeal and piety.
Luke 16:19-31
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man is one that helps us to understand a little bit about the situation that we will find ourselves in in the next world. It is clear from the parable that the Savior wanted us to understand that the things of this world will not be with us in the next world. Lazarus, who was full of sores, was no longer full of sores and pain and sorrow. The rich man was no longer rich, nor had the comforts and pleasures he had enjoyed so lavishly. It is only who we have become that goes with us.
I also think that this parable has strong allusions to the reality that our desires will not change when we move from this world into the spirit world and then to resurrection. The rich man was tormented by those things that he wanted most, but couldn't have: water. He craved water, but could not have it. What a terrible thing it will be to reach the other side of the veil addicted to something and never again able to have it; consumed with the need for worldly wealth or position; wanting to make peace with a family member but unable to reach them...
The Savior was giving us a gentle warning and reminder to watch who we become, what we work for, and the things we choose to make part of our life.
Luke 17:11-19
The cleansing of the ten lepers is one of the widely know events told from the life of Christ. The ten call out to the Savior as he comes near to them. They entreat him to heal them. He tells them to go and t show themselves the Priests. This was the common custom of the time that would allow them to return into the culture from their segregation from the community because of their leprosy. As they turned from the Savior, their faith allowed Christ to heal them.
There is a great similarity in the experience of the lepers and the experience that those who are very sick spiritually must also experience. As we trust the savior, and those whom he has called to serve as common judges. Just as the lepers were required to go and show themselves to the priest, so too, those who are spiritually sick are called to go and "show ourselves" to the bishops. I believe that in the same way that the exercise of faith allowed the Savior to heal the lepers, our own turning to Christ, especially in trusting him enough to follow the pattern he has set up, offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Luke 18:1-8
An unjust judge... Why does the Lord share this parable? I think that perhaps Christ shares this parable because he wanted to illustrate to us that, though things are not going to seem fair to us all the time, God is aware of us, and God is capable and willing to make things right for us. When the time is right, all our wrongs will be swiftly avenged and corrected in the best, most appropriate way.
Luke 18:9-14
The parable of the publican and the pharisee. We learn from this parable that earthly position or outward appearance does not determine who we really are. A fresh reminder that the Lord looks not on the outward appearance, but on the heart.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
Here the Lord gives a parable about an unwise steward. The steward "had wasted his goods." Upon rebuke, the steward corrects some of his behavior, performing his stewardly duties. The Lord tells us that "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."
The children of that generation were a people who, by and large, didn't have the gospel among them. They were just emerging from an apostasy, broken by the advent of the ministry of the Savior himself. The children of light obviously refers to those who have the gospel and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ.
The message, then, to us is to be very careful with the stewardship that we have been given, lest those who have had less than us do better than us. Perhaps this might apply in this way: We have been blessed with the Book of Mormon and the fullness of the gospel. Do we use it, study it, apply it? Before the restoration of the gospel men and women had only the words of Bible, mingled with incorrect tradition and false doctrine. Yet they lived by the word as they understood it, according to that which they had been given. It is easy to find ourselves being less wise with the greater things which we have been given than those who have had less, but lived it with great zeal and piety.
Luke 16:19-31
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man is one that helps us to understand a little bit about the situation that we will find ourselves in in the next world. It is clear from the parable that the Savior wanted us to understand that the things of this world will not be with us in the next world. Lazarus, who was full of sores, was no longer full of sores and pain and sorrow. The rich man was no longer rich, nor had the comforts and pleasures he had enjoyed so lavishly. It is only who we have become that goes with us.
I also think that this parable has strong allusions to the reality that our desires will not change when we move from this world into the spirit world and then to resurrection. The rich man was tormented by those things that he wanted most, but couldn't have: water. He craved water, but could not have it. What a terrible thing it will be to reach the other side of the veil addicted to something and never again able to have it; consumed with the need for worldly wealth or position; wanting to make peace with a family member but unable to reach them...
The Savior was giving us a gentle warning and reminder to watch who we become, what we work for, and the things we choose to make part of our life.
Luke 17:11-19
The cleansing of the ten lepers is one of the widely know events told from the life of Christ. The ten call out to the Savior as he comes near to them. They entreat him to heal them. He tells them to go and t show themselves the Priests. This was the common custom of the time that would allow them to return into the culture from their segregation from the community because of their leprosy. As they turned from the Savior, their faith allowed Christ to heal them.
There is a great similarity in the experience of the lepers and the experience that those who are very sick spiritually must also experience. As we trust the savior, and those whom he has called to serve as common judges. Just as the lepers were required to go and show themselves to the priest, so too, those who are spiritually sick are called to go and "show ourselves" to the bishops. I believe that in the same way that the exercise of faith allowed the Savior to heal the lepers, our own turning to Christ, especially in trusting him enough to follow the pattern he has set up, offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Luke 18:1-8
An unjust judge... Why does the Lord share this parable? I think that perhaps Christ shares this parable because he wanted to illustrate to us that, though things are not going to seem fair to us all the time, God is aware of us, and God is capable and willing to make things right for us. When the time is right, all our wrongs will be swiftly avenged and corrected in the best, most appropriate way.
Luke 18:9-14
The parable of the publican and the pharisee. We learn from this parable that earthly position or outward appearance does not determine who we really are. A fresh reminder that the Lord looks not on the outward appearance, but on the heart.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
Oct 30, 2012
Life as a Dream
Well, its Tuesday. I have been home now for two months. How much I miss the mission field. As I said in an earlier post, I was told by my last Branch President that all too soon the mission will feel more and more like a dream. Wow. Its really happening. I feel like I was in a different time and universe. It is so strange to think of the experiences, and how different my life was then and now. I am home and with friends and family and many of those things that I was doing before my mission. I could go back out into the field today, and tomorrow this reality and the things that I am doing here would feel like the dream. It has been challenging in many ways, but rewarding as well.
There are things to be doing here, and work that needs attending to; but in the same token, the things that need doing are preparatory things, things that don't really pay off now. With the mission in the past, several big steps are ahead and I feel restless to be moving forward faster. But I also feel confident that the Lord is pleased with where I am and what I am doing. I feel that this is a brief time of preparation, and so I strive to bide my time patiently, preparing for the future.
I just had my first concert since returning from my mission. What a thrill!! I missed that experience, though I feel quite rusty. Music and performing have always been a great joy to me. After the mission experience though, the joy of performing has paled some in comparison with the things I was able to be apart of while serving the Lord.
Teaching the missionary prep class has been a joy. I love working with the youth who are getting ready to serve as elders and sisters. I am also really loving the opportunity to speak in the wards through the stake. I thrill at being able to share my testimony in that way.
The gospel has become the most real thing to me. Living a life as a missionary was totally focused on it, immersed in it, all energy and efforts spent on it. Now that cannot be so; and maybe that is why life seems less productive. My hope is that once back in school full time, and studying music again seriously, a greater sense of accomplishment will return. But I know now that the only way to achieve the kind of accomplishment and purpose I felt as a missionary is to be fully engaged in the gospel and the work of the Lord.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
There are things to be doing here, and work that needs attending to; but in the same token, the things that need doing are preparatory things, things that don't really pay off now. With the mission in the past, several big steps are ahead and I feel restless to be moving forward faster. But I also feel confident that the Lord is pleased with where I am and what I am doing. I feel that this is a brief time of preparation, and so I strive to bide my time patiently, preparing for the future.
I just had my first concert since returning from my mission. What a thrill!! I missed that experience, though I feel quite rusty. Music and performing have always been a great joy to me. After the mission experience though, the joy of performing has paled some in comparison with the things I was able to be apart of while serving the Lord.
Teaching the missionary prep class has been a joy. I love working with the youth who are getting ready to serve as elders and sisters. I am also really loving the opportunity to speak in the wards through the stake. I thrill at being able to share my testimony in that way.
The gospel has become the most real thing to me. Living a life as a missionary was totally focused on it, immersed in it, all energy and efforts spent on it. Now that cannot be so; and maybe that is why life seems less productive. My hope is that once back in school full time, and studying music again seriously, a greater sense of accomplishment will return. But I know now that the only way to achieve the kind of accomplishment and purpose I felt as a missionary is to be fully engaged in the gospel and the work of the Lord.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scripture!
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