Below are the 9 most recent journal entries recorded in rfwjr55's LiveJournal:

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007
11:16 pm	Gratitude During a recent business trip we were looking out over the ocean as the sun was just getting ready to set. A blanket of fog had rolled in about an hour or so before, obscuring anything out on the water more than a few yards. Earlier, we had been able to see large ships caring freight and oil platforms in the distance. But now the fading light allowed the fog to completely cover anything still out on the water, even to point of blocking the rays of the setting sun. The influence of the world is much like that fog. With all the noise, advertising and turmoil, it attempts to block the light and obscure our ability to see clearly. Many years ago, the Prophet Lehi had a dream about the tree of life, the iron rod and a path obscured by a mist of darkness. In his dream, Lehi was completed the trip up the path to the tree of life by firmly grasping the iron rod. Lehi was told that iron rod represented the word of God and that if he would hold on to it he would be able complete the journey in spite of attempts to block his path or obscure his vision. So it is with us, when we find ourselves blanketed with the fog of the world, the word of God in the scriptures or from the living prophets cast a ray of light that cuts through and allows us to see clearly the path we need to take. Daily scripture reading not only keeps us close to God but lights our way back to him and guides us just like the iron rod did for Lehi in his dream. As we enter the time of year where we celebrate the blessing we have received, let us better know the source of all blessing by reading the words written about him by prophets and apostles. The scriptures, the words of life. Current Mood: grateful (Comment on this)
Monday, July 9th, 2007
12:38 am	Self Worth Motivation is an odd thing sometimes. Events or situations can motivate us to choose one action or the other. We may be motivated by the promise of a reward or the threat of a punishment. As it turns out motivation is a very individual thing. Granted, there are things that motivate multitudes but often that which motivates one person leaves another person completely uninterested. As a parent and a priesthood leader I have given considerable thought and prayer to motivating others and have tried many different approaches with mixed success. But one thing I have learned: People respond best to motivation that is consistent with the way they measure their self worth. The problem is that there are many different methods and criteria employed by individuals to judge their value. At times understanding our self worth is as hard to grasp as a wisp of fog. There are so many voices shouting their criteria that it becomes next to impossible to sort out which ones we want to listen to and which ones to ignore. The Book of Mormon is filled with examples of efforts to establish self worth. In the first book of Nephi we read about the efforts of Laman and Lemuel and some of the children of Ishmael as they tried to “adjust” Nephi’s criteria for measuring his self worth. Early in the journey out of Jerusalem Lehi was teaching his sons Laman, Lemuel, Nephi and Sam (1 Nephi 2: 8-14). After encouraging them to be righteous (1 Nephi 2:9) and keep the commandments (1 Nephi 2:10) Laman and Lemuel murmured against their father (1 Nephi 2:11-13). It turns out that they measured their self worth by the value of the “land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things” (1 Nephi 2:11) and were upset with their father for leading them away from it out in to the wilderness. Lehi spoke with such spiritual power that they could not argue with him and so they did as commanded (1 Nephi 2:14). Yet as we read further in the record they did not change their measurement criteria, they just waited for other opportunities to take control and force their value system on Nephi and the rest of the family. Nephi, on the other hand, decided to exercise faith in God and prayed for guidance from the Lord (1 Nephi 2:15). He was rewarded with a soft heart and a testimony of the truthfulness of the words of his father. He began adjusting his value system to be inline with the commandments of the Lord just as his father had asked his brothers to. To be clear, we learn later that his brothers don’t really ask the Lord for guidance to understand their father’s words but would rather argue among themselves about their meaning (1 Nephi 15:2 – 11). Nephi instructed them that the reason they did not receive answers from the Lord is because they did not exercise faith, did not keep the commands and hardened their hearts against the spirit of God. In other words they had not adjusted their value system to be consistent with the Lords. And this was just the beginning, years of strife and sorrow followed Laman, Lemuel and their descendents because of their unwillingness to change how they measured their self worth. They passed their value system to their children , grand children and great grand children. It was the beginning of years of contention between the descendents of Nephi and the descendents of Laman and Lemuel that resulted in the shedding of much blood. Changing our set of personal measurement criteria can be challenging but not impossible. Alma the Younger, who had also made a complete change in his value system (Mosiah 27:8-32), taught that to remain faithful we must be spiritually born of God (Alma 5:14), exercise faith (Alma 5:15), repent of our sins (Alma 5:16-25, 27, 31-35), be humble ( Alma 5:27), stripped of pride (Alma 5:28), stripped of envy (Alma 5:29), be kind to others (Alma 5:30). Changing our set of personal measurement criteria becomes harder when we realize that Satan will do everything he can to “adjust” our criteria away from our Heavenly Father. Sister Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President called it “identity Theft” in her conference address: “The teenage years are also a time of what I describe as “identity theft,” meaning that worldly ideas, philosophies, and deceits confuse us, buffet us, and seek to rob us of the knowledge of our true identity “(Ensign, May 2007, Daughters of our Heavenly Father). Worldly ideas, philosophies and deceits can continue to confuse even the most mature adult if we allow them to influence how we measure our self worth. If we hold ourselves up to the yardstick of the world rather than the Lord we will be constantly pursuing a goal that changes with the winds of fashion, economics or political correctness. We will spend all of our energy trying to grasp a moving target only to find that the closer we get the faster it moves. We cannot possibly keep up and will end up where Satan wants us, miserable like him (2 Nephi 2:27). There may be fleeting seasons of contentment but the yard stick of the world leads us away from true eternal happiness. So how do we align our criteria to the criteria of God? One day at a time. It does not happen over night but through steady and consistent effort to repent, do a better job at keeping the commandments, learning more about God’s criteria by studying the scriptures and listening to the words of his prophets, apostles and other leaders and by getting to know him. Nephi started by exercising faith, having a desire to know God and sincere prayer (1 Nephi 2: 16). Some of his greatest insight came after he was praying and pondering (1 Nephi 11:1). Moroni instructed us that to be sanctified we need to deny ourselves of ungodliness and love God (Moroni 10:32-33). The lesson of Aesop’s fable of the Tortoise and the Hare is “slow and steady wins the race”. The lesson of the scriptures is consistent and faithful gain eternal life (2 Nephi 31:20). The atonement of Jesus Christ makes if possible for us correct our course through repentance (Alma 11:40) and work out our own salvation (Moroni 9:27, 2 Nephi 25:23). Let us begin now to examine our personal measurement criteria and take the necessary steps to align it with the criteria of our Heavenly Father. It is the path of true happiness and joy and it leads us back to him. I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Current Mood: thoughtful (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 8th, 2007
10:20 am	Easter 2007 On the Saturday before Easter our family had planned an Easter egg hunt for our Grandson, who is almost 2 years old. While he napped in the late afternoon we hid plastic eggs filled with candy around our yard. When he woke from his nap we all gathered, with cameras in hand, to watch his first Easter egg hunt. At first he was uncertain what to do. Him mother carefully coached him, amid encouraging suggestions from all the observing shutter bugs, to find the brightly colored eggs. When he discovered his first treasure, thinking it was a small ball of some kind he excitedly picked it up, threw it and ran after it. He had done this one more time before mom could get it from him. While he watched with interest mom took the plastic egg and popped it open revealing a piece of chocolate candy. We all enjoyed his delight when he realized that his “ball” contained such a treat. Someone pointed out another egg in the grass and another. Before we knew it he was running back and forth, around and through the yard and gardens looking for the colorful treasures, stopping to open each one to see what kind of new treat it held. After a few minutes and several dozen pictures later he had gathered a basket full of prizes and had sampled several different kinds of his sweet treats. How much like my grandson we all are. We approach the scriptures not knowing what we are looking for and all too often when we find a scriptural treasure we pick it up casually look at it and toss it aside never realizing the sweetness it contains. We hurry on because we have a “goal” to finish the scriptures or a “schedule” to complete. Goals and schedules for studying the scriptures are good things, yet in striving for our goal or meeting our schedule we all too often rush through the words and miss the hidden treasures that are sweet to our spirit and touch our lives. Within the pages of the revealed word of our Heavenly Father his spirit will open the treasures of guidance, comfort, testimony and inspiration if we are willing to look closer and put forth some extra effort to understand by the spirit. Because of the recent death of a family member and this being the Easter season the treasures we seek are comfort and hope. From the time that Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden the Lord began teaching them about the redemption that would be brought about by his only begotten son (Moses 5:10; 6:59) and commanded them to teach their children about the atonement and the need for repentance (Moses 6:57). Countless other Prophets bore testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and the importance of the atonement. These treasures are there for us to find, but we must do more than just pick them up, look quickly and toss them aside. We must open them, research them, pray for understanding and only then will we experience the sweetness of the word which will increase our testimony. During this Easter season I would add my testimony to the many that have been borne of him. Like Alma I have read the scriptures and fasted and prayed to know of their truth (Alma 5:45-47) and have felt the sure witness of the Holy Spirit. I was not there but yet I know that the tomb was empty on the third day when the sisters went to prepare the body of the Savior (Luke 24:1-10). I know that he appeared to Mary (John 20:13-17), then to Peter (Luke 24:34) and the other apostles (Luke 24:36-40; John 20:19-20). I know that Prophets before his birth saw him and knew he would redeem his people (2 Nephi 11:2-4). And I know that he is the gate keeper (2 Nephi 9:41) and some day we will all stand before him and see and feel the nail prints in his hands and feet and the wound in his side, just like the Nephites of old (3 Nephi 11:14-17). I have felt the witness of the Holy Spirit and seen the treasures within the scriptures and testify with every fiber of my being that he truly is the Son of God who came to the world to redeem his people (Alma 11:40) to break the bands of death (Alma 11:42-44). In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Current Mood: grateful (Comment on this)
Sunday, March 18th, 2007
9:56 pm	Testamony Late this past spring my daughter decided to grow tomatoes in two large clay pots in our front yard. She carefully prepared the pots with good potting soil, planted the starts and provided water and lots of fertilizer. Like most new things it was easy for all of us to remember to look after them and make sure they had plenty of water. As the summer grew hotter, the pots would soak up the sun, become really warm and stress the plants. A little extra water and a spray on the pots seemed to solve the problem but it required watering 3 times a day. As the warm days continued the plants would droop when a watering was missed, but when watered properly they were bright and lively. Our testimony is much the same. When the first seeds of the gospel are planted we take good care of them with study, prayer and church attendance and we feel our lives changing. As time goes on in the heat of work, school, and daily life it’s easy for us to forget to nourish the seed of the gospel within us. Just like the tomato plants, without constant care, our testimony will droop and if we aren’t careful it can begin to wither. Unlike tomatoes or other plants, our testimony can be invigorated, with a little tender care, no matter how shriveled it has become. It just takes a few simple actions for it to become bright and lively. As Alma started his mission as High Priest he told the people in Zarahemla, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26). In other words, are you still doing the things that brought on the change of heart? Our testimonies are a living growing part of us the we control with nourishment from the sunlight of pray, the water of the scriptures and the soil of church attendance. As we nurture our testimonies they will bring forth fruit, and as Paul told the Galatians “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance …” (Galatians 5:22-23) May each of us enjoy the fruit of the spirit that comes from a bright and lively testimony in all that we do. (Comment on this)
Saturday, February 24th, 2007
1:06 am	Planting Season During the 22 years of pioneer treks to the Salt Lake valley, groups would lay over for a few days while they planted crops along the way. They would plow and plant wheat, potatoes and other crops with the sure knowledge they would not be harvesting them but they would provide sustenance for their brothers and sisters that followed. After the planting was done the group would continue their trek. Their unselfishness efforts saved many of their brothers and sisters that followed. Whether we realize it or not, we are planting seeds each day, with everything we do. Every action we take, even word we speak adds to the crop that becomes our lives. What we leave will be harvested by our family, friends, co-workers, ward members and even people that we don’t know. In short, Heavenly Fathers other children, our brothers and sisters. The example we set effects individuals in ways that we are often unaware of. The examples of righteous individuals have been captured since the beginning of the time and we see their courage. Ester risking death to save her people; Shadrach; Meshach; and Abednego facing the fiery furnace rather than break the law of God; Peter, Paul, Aaron, Alma, Amulek and countless others enduring imprisonment to continue preaching the word of God; Samuel the Lamanite prophesying from the city wall in the midst of arrows, stones and spears. We are uplifted by their courage, faith and diligence every time we read or hear their stories. The seeds they planted by their actions live on the scriptures. What kind of stories will we leave behind? What will be harvested from the seeds we plant? We are sowing, daily sowing countless sees of good and ill Scattered on the level low lands cast up on the windy hill Seeds that sink in rich brown furrows soft with heavens gracious rain Seeds that rest upon the surface of the dry unyielding pain (Hymn #216) As we continue in this New Year, lets us consider carefully our actions so that the seeds we plant will bring forth crops of kindness, patience and love to our brothers and sisters. (Comment on this)
Monday, February 19th, 2007
11:04 pm	Priesthood Duty The early American colonies were defended by volunteer soldiers, called militia. Within the regular militia were selected individuals that were charged to be ready to defend the colonies at a moments notice. They were the Minutemen. In order to protect those whom they had sworn to serve these men took special care to always be prepared. No required item of their kits were left to chance, neither did they procrastinate any preparation. In the spiritual fight the duties of the militia and minutemen are borne by the Priesthood holders of the Church. Like the minuteman of old the holders of the priesthood must be prepared to answer the call to server at a moments notice. I know a priesthood holder who was awakened at 2:00am by a call from the hospital. A ward member had taken their infant child to the emergency room with a fever of over 103. The worried voice of the father was pleading with him to come to the hospital and help him give his child a blessing. There was no time to prepare, he had to be ready. President Thomas S. Monson said “Ours is the responsibility to so conduct our lives that when the call comes to provide a priesthood blessing or to assist in any way, we are worthy to do so. We have been told that truly we cannot escape the effect of our personal influence. We must be certain that our influence is positive and uplifting. Are our hands clean? Are our hearts pure? … The call of duty can come quietly as we who hold the priesthood respond to the assignments we receive. President George Albert Smith, that modest yet effective leader and eighth President of the Church, declared, “It is your duty first of all to learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of His holy Priesthood to magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 14). (Thomas S. Monson, “True to Our Priesthood Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 56) How do we prepare? What are the things we need to do? We have arrived at the place we are at by gaining a testimony in Christ, being baptized, confirmed and received the Priesthood. That’s where we start, but we cannot leave it at there. Nephi said it best “Wherefore, ye must press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20) In other words we stay prepared by doing the very things that helped us gain a testimony in the first place. We continue our prayers, scripture study, repentance and striving to do good and keep the commandments as a regular part of our daily lives, lest we get the call to serve and are unable to answer because we are not prepared. President Monson continued “I’ve always believed in the truth of the words “God’s sweetest blessings always go by hands that serve him here below” (Whitney Montgomery, “Revelation,” in Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, ed. Jack M. Lyon and others [1996], 283). Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hearts, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him.” (Thomas S. Monson, “True to Our Priesthood Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 56) The Scriptures are full of examples of great men and women that held fast to the word of God, standing up to insurmountable obstacles to do the will of our Heavenly Father. From Moses standing before Pharaoh demanding that he let the Lords People go, to Elijah condemning King Ahab for allowing the worship of idols in Israel, to Abinadi standing before King Noah and his Priests calling them to repentance. In these cases thousands of people were blessed by the word and works of the Lords anointed servants, Israel was led out of captivity by Moses to establish a home land in Canaan, the worship of idols in Israel was stopped for a time and the Prophet Alma heard the words of Abinadi, repented and became a strong leader that provided spiritual leadership for not only hundreds of his people but also the people of Mosiah. These are but a few examples from the scriptures. Additionally, faith full Priesthood holders every day bless the sick, help those in need and provide spiritual aid that has a positive influence on fathers children, often planting seeds and helping them turn their hearts to our Heavenly Father. It is the quiet miracles, the steady friendship and love that brings about great changes in lives. President Monson related the following experience: “Many years ago, on a Halloween night, it was my privilege to be of assistance to one who had temporarily lost his way and needed a helping hand to return. I was driving home from the office rather late. I had been stalling on Halloween, letting my wife handle the trick-or-treat visitors. As I passed St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, I remembered that a dear friend, Max, lay ill in that very hospital. As he and I had become acquainted years before, we discovered that we had grown up in the same ward, although at different times. By the time I was born, Max and his parents had moved from the ward. That Halloween night, I drove into the parking lot and entered the hospital. As I stopped at the desk to inquire as to his room number, I was informed that when Max had registered at the hospital, he had listed as his religious preference not LDS but rather another church. I entered Max’s room and greeted him. I told him how proud I was to be his friend and how much I cared about him. I talked about his career in banking and as an orchestra leader on the side. I discovered that he had been offended by a comment or two from others and so had decided to attend another church. I said to him, “Max, you hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. I would like to give you a blessing tonight.” He agreed, and the blessing was provided. He then informed me that his wife, Bernice, was also very ill and was, in fact, in an adjoining room. At my invitation, Max joined me in giving a blessing to her. He asked me to help him. I coached him. He anointed his wife. There were tears and embraces all around as I sealed the anointing with Max, his hands on his wife’s head with mine, making that Halloween evening one ever to be remembered. As I left the hospital that night, I stopped at the desk and told the receptionist that with the permission of Max and his wife the record should be changed to reflect their membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I waited and I watched until it was changed. My friends Max and Bernice are now both on the other side of the veil, but they spent the last period of their lives active and happy and receiving the blessings which come with testimonies of the gospel and attendance at church.” (Thomas S. Monson, “True to Our Priesthood Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 56) It was the small and simple visit to a sick friend that helped this couple come back. Now we may say that sure it worked that way, Thomas S. Monson is an Apostle; I am just an ordinary person. But what we fail to realize sometimes, is that the Lord puts us ordinary people in situations where we have the opportunity to touch the lives of other ordinary people. The Lord does this because he knows our abilities and he knows our hearts. He knows the influence that ordinary people can have on his other children. And the worth of souls, all souls is great to our Father in Heaven. We can only take advantage of these opportunities if we are prepared. If we strive to be the minutemen of the Lord. President Monson continues “Time marches on. Duty keeps cadence with that march. Duty does not dim nor diminish. Catastrophic conflicts come and go, but the war waged for the souls of men continues without abatement. Like a clarion call comes the word of the Lord to you and to me, and to priesthood holders everywhere. I reiterate that word: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence” (D&C 107:99). … let us learn our duties. Let us ever be worthy to perform those duties and, in so doing, follow in the footsteps of the Master. When to Him came the call of duty, He answered, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever” (Moses 4:2).” (Thomas S. Monson, “True to Our Priesthood Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 56) It is my hope and prayer that we may all strive to learn our duties and be prepared for the call to be the minutemen of the Lord. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Current Mood: thoughtful (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, December 3rd, 2006
7:01 pm	The real Christmas Recently, I was making a quick trip to the local grocery store with my daughter to pick up a couple of items. We walked by the discount movie counter and stopped to take a quick look at what was on the rack. There was another individual browsing through them as well. Being really focused on my primary mission I glanced at a couple of titles while my daughter looked through the DVD’s. When nothing caught my eyes after a couple of minutes I started moving away to find the items we had come to the store to get. I had just taken a couple of steps when I heard a male voice calling my name. It turned out that the “other individual” was a member of our ward that I had known for 6 or 7 years. I had been so focused that I did not even look long enough to recognize him. This time of year, with all the activities and requirements on our time, it’s very easy to get focused and not notice what’s really important. With all the pressure of finding Christmas gifts for everyone, ward and stake activities, getting the lights and tree up, sending the cards, and trying to stay caught up with work and church callings it’s very easy to be standing next to the real reason for the season and not even notice. It’s very easy to become so involved in the thick of thin things and loose sight of the real Christmas gift. Over 2000 years ago, in a city on the other side of the world, the Lord made sure that even the shepherds knew that the world had been given it greatest gift. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:9-14) These days we don’t have choirs of angels to remind us of the importance of the season, yet if we can pull our focus away from the normal pressures of life we will see there is a greater level of kindness and caring this time of year. People are more open to spiritual things and more likely to take the opportunity to share. The effect of the birth of the Savior is felt even all these years and miles away from the shepherds watching their flocks by night. The choice is ours, we can continue along our single minded road, focused on getting along in the world or we can take time to feel the spirit of the season and more importantly, pass it on to everyone we meet at everyone opportunity we have. May we remember the real reason for the Christmas season. The gift given us by our Heavenly Father. The hope of the world, the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ. Current Mood: thankful Current Music: Christmas Carols (Comment on this)
Sunday, January 15th, 2006
8:13 pm	Tis sweet to sing the song of redeeming love I have in my possession a bamboo flute that I bought at a street fair. It is a 24 inch section of bamboo with 6 finger holes and some colored cord as a decoration. In appearance it is quite unremarkable, just a piece of hollow bamboo. The beauty of the flute is not in it’s very ordinary appearance but it’s true value is when someone takes it and plays music. So it is with the scriptures, their beauty and value are not in the leather cover, India paper, and gold or sliver leafing on the page edges. There is tremendous value in the words written on the pages but only if we read, study and follow the counsel of the Lord recorded by his servants. Like my flute, the value of the scriptures really come when we do something with them by applying the teaching to our lives. There are many great Prophets who taught plain and precious truths, bore testimony and provided direction. One such Prophet was Alma the son of Alma, also called Alma the younger. Shortly before his death, Alma’s Father conferred the office of High Priest and gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the Church (Mosiah 29:41). Alma was also appointed to be the first Chief Judge over the people of Nephi. With this dual responsibility Alma lead the people both religiously and secularly for 9 years (Alma chapters 1-4). During his travels in the course of filling his responsibilities he saw many of his people’s problems including the rising of priestcrafts, persecution of the members of the church, a group of people trying to set up Amlici as king and a war with the Lamanites. After the Nephites defeated the Lamanites Alma recognized the struggles of his people and chose to turn over the judgement seat to Nephihah (Alma 4:15-17) and retained the office of High Priest over the church and began to go out among the people teaching them. During one of Alma’s missionary journey’s he taught the people of Zarahemla about being spiritually born of God (Alma 5:13-14). He talked about how his father had taught their fathers the word of God, and how they humbled themselves, believed the words he taught and were faithful in keeping the commandments of God. Then he asked them a key question, “have ye spiritually been born of God?” and not only that but he wanted to know if they had done something with their rebirth. His follow on questions included as the rebirth changed your life? Do you have the image of the Savior in your countenance? Did the rebirth change your heart? Which is to say did they embrace the rebirth and start a new spiritual life? Did it change the choices you make and the actions you take? It takes effort to be spiritually reborn. Someone may receive a witness from the Holy Ghost about the truthfulness of doctrine, the reality of the atonement, the divinity of Christ, or the truthfulness of the calling of the prophet . But the witness is not enough to cause a spiritual rebirth unless the individual uses it as a catalyst to change. King Benjamin explained that it was the change that his people made in response to the witness of the spirit they received (Mosiah 5:2-4) and the commitment that they made to keep the commandments all the remainder of their days (Mosiah 5:5) that caused them to be spiritually reborn (Mosiah 5:7). The People of Benjamin had also viewed themselves in their carnal state, repented, prayed for forgiveness and received a witness that they had received a remission of their sins (Mosiah 4:1-3). Their acceptance of the teaching of King Benjamin brought them to repentance which allowed them to receive and accept the strong witness that caused them to change their lives and make a life long commitment to keep the commandments. This was their rebirth and the beginning of their journey to become celestial beings. Alma continued his discourse and asked the people about their rebirth, and if they had felt the change before do they still feel that way? (Alma 5:26) Alma implied that being reborn was just the beginning of the journey and gave them a check list of things they needed to do to make the change of heart not just an experience but a way of life. The list includes: Keeping the commandments, repentance, and being humble (Mosiah 5:27), being stripped of pride (Mosiah 5:28), being stripped of envy (Mosiah 5:29) and treating other people with respect and love (Mosiah 5:30). And if we are not doing these things to repent (Mosiah 5:31-36). Being a Christ like .person, being a celestial being requires us to continue the actions, attitudes and practices that brought us to the point of being spiritually reborn all the days of our lives. It is not a one time event but a way of life that leads us to be true followers of Jesus Christ. It requires that we regularly and honestly examine our actions and attitudes and make the corrections needed to get back on track and keep the covenants we have made with the Lord starting in the waters of baptism and continuing through the commitments made in the Temple of the Most High God. Alma closed his discourse the same way I will close this blog entry: ”And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.” (Alma 5:45-46) Like Alma I have searched the scriptures and fasted and prayed to understand them and receive a witness from the Lord. And with that witness I declare they are true and following the counsel and teaching of the scriptures will lead us back to our Heavenly Father. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. (Comment on this)
1:06 am	Introduction I have decided to use my blog to comment of spiritual things, my thoughts as I read and study the Book of Mormon and the Bible. For the Record, let me state that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also know as the Mormons. I have been a member all my life, served a two year mission at 19, was married at 21 and sealed in the temple a year later (my wife is a convert and could not go to the temple before being a member for a year). I have been married for almost 30 years (September 2006). We have 3 children, both of our sons have served missions (one in the Philippines and one in Japan) and our daughter is attending Brigham Young University Idaho. For those of you who may not know much about the Church, we do not have a paid ministry, so the local members are called to lead and support the members of the local congregation. I have head several such callings in my years in the Church. As a student of Religion I have read the New Testament several times as well as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. I have read most of the Old Testament I believe in the Bible with all my heart and know that the Book of Mormon works hand in hand withe Bible and together they fill the promise that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall all my words be established (Matthew 18:16). In my posting I will discuss the lessons I have learned reading the scriptures and hopefully provide insight about why I believe the Church is true and the book of Mprmon is the Word of God. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions for recommendations. Thanked. (Comment on this)