Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Restoration of All Things: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times

• In this last dispensation, all the authority, ordinances, and knowledge of earlier dispensations have been restored.
• Joseph Smith holds the keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
• This final dispensation is of such vast importance that it requires the complete, unselfish dedication of the Saints.

“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory, ‘the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God will gather together all things that are in heaven, and all things that are upon the earth, even in one’ [see Ephesians 1:10], when the Saints of God will be gathered in one from every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue, when the Jews will be gathered together into one, the wicked will also be gathered together to be destroyed, as spoken of by the prophets; the Spirit of God will also dwell with His people, and be withdrawn from the rest of the nations, and all things whether in heaven or on earth will be in one, even in Christ.

(To read the full lesson, click here)

The Past Way of Facing the Future

To better understand how the past can provide a better way of facing the future, I would like to share an account from the building of the Manti Temple. Then I want to share what it has taught me about true principles.

Some fine carpenters from Norway who arrived and settled in Manti were given the assignment of building the roof for the temple. They had never built a roof structure before, but they had experience as shipbuilders. They didn’t know how they would design a roof. Then the thought came to them: “Why don’t we just build a ship? Then, because a well-built ship is solid and secure, if we turn the plans upside down, we’ll have a secure roof.” They set about to plan to construct a ship, and when it was completed, they turned the plan upside down and it became the plan for the roof of the Manti Temple.

In this case they used lessons from their past experience—the principles of shipbuilding—to help them meet the challenge. They correctly reasoned that the same principles they had applied to building a seaworthy vessel would also apply to building a solid roof. For example, both structures needed to be waterproof. The basic integrity of the structure wouldn’t be affected by its orientation—whether right side up or upside down. The most important thing was to have a working knowledge of the basic principles required to erect any structure that was built to last.

Embedded in the gospel of Jesus Christ there are eternal principles and truths that will last far longer than the principles of building ships and roofs. You and I, as members of the Lord’s true Church, have special access and insight into these eternal principles and truths, especially when we listen to the Spirit for individual guidance and hear the prophet’s voice as he declares the will of God to the members of the Church. You and I both know how important these eternal principles and truths are in our lives. I’m not sure those early pioneers could have faced the perils and uncertainties of the future without them, and neither can we. They are the only true and eternal way to face the future, especially in these increasingly perilous and uncertain times in which we now live.

These Norwegian shipbuilders brought with them the fundamental skills of their trade, which could be turned from building ships to building temples. What caused their dramatic shift in priorities? There is only one answer that explains their willingness to sacrifice everything to become builders of the kingdom of God. They had been taught and accepted the eternal principles and truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They realized that their mission was not only to help build edifices but also to contribute to the edification of others by sharing their knowledge of the gospel. As we read in section 50 of the Doctrine and Covenants, “He that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together” (verse 22).

--L Tom Perry, 179th Semiannual General Conference

(To read the whole talk, click here)

Prayer and Promptings

I served for many years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with Elder LeGrand Richards. He died at the age of 96. He told us that as a boy of 12 he attended a great general conference in the Tabernacle. There he heard President Wilford Woodruff.

President Woodruff told of an experience of being prompted by the Spirit. He was sent by the First Presidency to “gather all the Saints of God in New England and Canada and bring them to Zion.”⁷

He stopped at the home of one of the brethren in Indiana and put his carriage in the yard, where he and his wife and one child went to bed while the rest of the family slept in the house. Shortly after he had retired for the night, the Spirit whispered, warning him, “Get up, and move your carriage.” He got up and moved the carriage a distance from where it had stood. As he was returning to bed, the Spirit spoke to him again: “Go and move your mules away from that oak tree.” He did this and then retired once again to bed.

Not more than 30 minutes later, a whirlwind caught the tree to which his mules had been tied and broke it off at the ground. It was carried 100 yards (90 m) through two fences. The enormous tree, which had a trunk five feet (1.5 m) in circumference, fell exactly upon the spot where his carriage had been parked. By listening to the promptings of the Spirit, Elder Woodruff had saved his life and the lives of his wife and child.⁸

That same Spirit can prompt you and protect you.

When I was first called as a General Authority nearly 50 years ago, we lived on a very small plot of ground in Utah Valley that we called our farm. We had a cow and a horse and chickens and lots of children.

One Saturday, I was to drive to the airport for a flight to a stake conference in California. But the cow was expecting a calf and in trouble. The calf was born, but the cow could not get up. We called the veterinarian, who soon came. He said the cow had swallowed a wire and would not live through the day.

I copied the telephone number of the animal by-products company so my wife could call them to come and get the cow as soon as she died.

Before I left, we had our family prayer. Our little boy said our prayer. After he had asked Heavenly Father to “bless Daddy in his travels and bless us all,” he then started an earnest plea. He said, “Heavenly Father, please bless Bossy cow so that she will get to be all right.”

In California, I told of the incident and said, “He must learn that we do not get everything we pray for just that easily.”

There was a lesson to be learned, but it was I who learned it, not my son. When I returned Sunday night, Bossy had “got to be all right.”

This process is not reserved for the prophets alone. The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children. It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found.

--Boyd K Packer, 179th Semiannual General Conference

(To read the whole talk, click here)

The Love of God

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn, and children who want to become sunbeams.

..... Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

--Dieter F Uchtdorf, 179th Semiannual General Conference

(To read the full talk, click here)

Our Perfect Example

First, I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion.

I saw this in my parents’ marriage. In my mother’s final illness, the more uncomfortable she became, the more giving her comfort became the dominant intent of my father’s life. He asked that the hospital set up a bed in her room. He was determined to be there to be sure that she wanted for nothing. He walked the miles to work each morning and back to her side at night through those difficult times for her. I believe it was a gift from God to him that his power to love grew when it mattered so much to her. I think he was doing what Jesus would have done out of love.

--Henry B Eyring, 179th Semiannual General Conference

(To read the whole talk, click here)

What Have I Done For Someone Today?

A few years ago I read an article written by Jack McConnell, MD. He grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia in the United States as one of seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mother. Their circumstances were very humble. He recounted that during his childhood, every day as the family sat around the dinner table, his father would ask each one in turn, “And what did you do for someone today?”¹ The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others.

Besides Dr. McConnell’s distinguished medical career—where he directed the development of the tuberculosis tine test, participated in the early development of the polio vaccine, supervised the development of Tylenol, and was instrumental in developing the magnetic resonance imaging procedure, or MRI—he created an organization he calls Volunteers in Medicine, which gives retired medical personnel a chance to volunteer at free clinics serving the working uninsured. Dr. McConnell said his leisure time since he retired has “evaporated into 60-hour weeks of unpaid work, but [his] energy level has increased and there is a satisfaction in [his] life that wasn’t there before.” He made this statement: “In one of those paradoxes of life, I have benefited more from Volunteers in Medicine than my patients have.”² There are now over 70 such clinics across the United States.

Of course, we can’t all be Dr. McConnells, establishing medical clinics to help the poor; however, the needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone.

--Thomas S Monson, 179th Semiannual General Conference

(To read the whole talk, click here)

Quote - Prayer

"Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing too unimportant to share with Him."

--Gordon B Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 114

Providing in the Lord's Way - Members' Responsibilities

PROVIDE FOR SELF AND FAMILY

- responsible for own spiritual and temporal well-being

- setting own course, solving own problems, and striving to become self-reliant

ELEMENTS OF SELF-RELIANCE

- Education

= study the scriptures and other good books, improve ability to read, write, and do basic mathematics; and obtain skills needed for suitable employment

- Health

= take care of minds and bodies

= obey the Word of Wisdom, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep

= shun substances or practices that abuse bodies or minds and that could lead to addiction

= practice good sanitation and hygiene and obtain adequate medical and dental care

= strive to cultivate good relationships with family members and others

- Employment

= prepare for and carefully select a suitable occupation or self-employment that will provide for one's own and families' needs

= become skilled at jobs, be diligent and trustworthy, and give honest work for the pay and benefits received

- Home Storage

= build a three-month supply of food that is part of one's normal diet

= store drinking water in case the water supply becomes polluted or disrupted

= build a longer-term supply of food that will sustain life

- Finances

= pay tithes and offerings

= avoid unnecessary debt

= use a budget and live within a plan

= build a financial reserve by regularly saving a little

= teach family members principles of financial management

- Spiritual Strength

= exercise faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, obey God's commandments, pray daily, study the scriptures and teachings of the latter-day prophets, attend Church meetings, and serve in Church callings and assignments

CARE FOR OTHERS

- give personal compassionate service to those in need

- offerings should include members' talents

- includes faithful offerings of time, talents, compassion, materials, and financial means of faithful members given to the bishop to care for the poor and needy

Choose This Day

An Excerpt of Sister Julie B Beck's Talk from The General Relief Society Meeting

"Home, Family and Personal Enrichment Meeting" changed to "Relief Society Meeting"

Sister Beck said weekly meetings on Sunday are held as part of the regular three-hour block. Additional Relief Society meetings can also be held to help sisters "learn and accomplish the charitable and practical responsibilities of the Relief Society."

She then announced that in response to concerns about the complexity of the title "home, family and personal enrichment meetings" — as well as the different interpretations about the purpose of those meetings – that the name will be discontinued.

"In counsel with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it was determined that rather than give these additional Relief Society meetings a new title, all such meetings and activities will now be referred to simply as Relief Society meetings. Individual Relief Society meetings that are not held on Sunday will be called whatever they are: Relief Society service, classes, projects, conferences or workshops."

The additional meetings can be valuable supplements to Sunday instruction. However, she added, sisters should not feel that attendance is mandatory.

"These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord's plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together."

Visiting Teaching

Sister Beck said most of the essential Relief Society work doesn't happen in meetings. "A sister has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching."

Visiting teaching, she said, becomes a faith-based work when the focus is on people rather than percentages. "In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship."

Sister Beck said compassionate service and assistance with the welfare needs of individuals and families is an outgrowth of visiting teaching. "We can know with certainly that our Father in Heaven knows us personally because He sends us to be His hands and heart to those in need. As we do so, our faith in Him is strengthened."

(For the full article, click here)

Flooding in the Philippines

Sisters, please pray for those who are suffering as a consequence to the flooding in the Philippines especially the family members of some of our sisters in the branch. Below is a church newsroom article about the flood.

CHURCH RESPONDS TO FLOODING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines
28 September 2009

Tropical storm Ketsana struck the Philippines on Saturday, 26 September 2009, triggering the heaviest rainfall in forty years and causing significant flooding.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing food, water, clothing, hygiene items and other relief supplies which are being purchased locally and distributed to those in the affected region. Local Church members and missionaries are assisting with clean-up efforts. Church members in nonaffected areas of the Philippines are mobilizing to donate clothing and bedding as Church leaders continue to monitor the situation.

Of the 140 confirmed fatalities, 24 Church members have been reported dead with others still missing. The total number of members affected by the flooding is still being assessed, however all Church missionaries are safe and accounted for.

Fifteen Church meetinghouses have suffered water damage, with others still yet to be assessed.

Honorably Hold a Name and Standing

Within the sound of my voice are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.

Within the sound of my voice are individuals who should have but have not yet received the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Whatever the reason, however long the delay, I invite you to begin making the spiritual preparations so you can receive the blessings available only in the holy temple. Please cast away the things in your life that stand in the way. Please seek after the things that are of eternal consequence.

Within the sound of my voice are individuals who have received the ordinances of the temple and for various reasons have not returned to the house of the Lord in quite some time. Please repent, prepare, and do whatever needs to be done so you can again worship in the temple and more fully remember and honor your sacred covenants.

Within the sound of my voice are many individuals who hold current temple recommends and strive worthily to use them. I commend you for your faithfulness and devotion.

--David A Bednar

(For the full talk, click here)

Enrichment Activity - Food Storage Recipes

We had such a great time cooking and discussing the things we could do for our families. And here are the recipes! Enjoy!


Sister Nuek-Chin Ee's special rice recipe:

3 cups brown rice (washed)
1 packet mixed beans (soaked for at least a few hours)
1 can tuna (in olive oil)
water
dried seaweed (cut up for garnishing)
salt to taste


1. Mix together the rice, the beans, oil from the tuna, and salt.
2. Add enough water to the mixture and cook (in a rice cooker).
3. When the rice is cooked, mix in the tuna.
4. Serve with shredded dried seaweed.


Sister Lillian Lim's special beehoon recipe:


1 packet brown rice beehoon (soaked until soft)
1 large can sardine (mashed to bite size)
1 small tub kimchi (cut to bite size)
tomato sauce to taste
water


1. Pour sardine into wok to heat up.
2. Add kimchi and tomato sauce.
3. Add beehoon and mix everything up.
4. Add water as required and fry until cooked.

Principles from Prophets

This is a talk given by President Thomas S Monson during a BYU devotional on 5 September 2009. Here he shares insights into the lives of President Heber J Grant, President George Albert Smith, President David O McKay, President Joseph Fielding Smith, President Harold B Lee, President Spencer W Kimball, President Ezra Taft Benson, President Howard W Hunter, and President Gordon B Hinckley. It is both humorous and spiritual. You'll surely enjoy it.

(To watch this talk, click here, then click "Watch Now")

Thanks Sister Claire, for forwarding this wonderful talk to me.