The Creation

• God's Plan for Us

When we lived as spirit children with our heavenly parents, our Heavenly Father told us about His plan for us to become more like Him. We shouted for joy when we heard His plan (see Job 38:7). We were eager for new experiences. In order for these things to happen, we needed to leave our Father’s presence and receive mortal bodies. We needed another place to live where we could prepare to become like Him. Our new home was called earth.

• Jesus Created the Earth

Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it. He also created many other worlds. He did so through the power of the priesthood, under the direction of our Heavenly Father. God the Father said, “Worlds without number have I created; … and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33). We have other testimonies of this truth. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw Jesus Christ in a vision. They testified “that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).

• Carrying out the Creation

The earth and everything on it were created spiritually before they were created physically (see Moses 3:5). In planning to create the physical earth, Christ said to those who were with Him, “We will go down, for there is space there, … and we will make an earth whereon these [the spirit children of our Father in Heaven] may dwell” (Abraham 3:24).

• God's Creations Show His Love

We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun, which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us by providing for all of our needs.

(To read the entire lesson, click here)

Quote - Moral Agency

"I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make our own decisions. Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; He cannot teach us if we do not serve Him. He will not force us to do what’s right, but He will show us the way only when we decide to serve Him. Certainly, for us to serve in His kingdom, Christ requires that we experience a change of thought and attitude."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Ensign, May 2008, 87–90

Sister Bednar speaks of experience with Christ's love

Sister Bednar cited Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

She shared a compilation of random life experiences that have increased her testimony of the Savior and his love.

Sister Bednar promised the young adults that their confidence in the Lord's presence will increase exponentially if they ask this simple question, "have I seen the hand of God reaching out to me today?" She challenged each person to adhere to this daily prayer and to write down their experiences. When we document the evidence of the Savior's love, we can continually return to it, she said.

(To read the entire talk, click here)

Prayer

Yesterday, Sister Karen taught us a wonderful lesson based on her own experiences with prayer. First she quoted:

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation ^ataken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be ^btempted above that ye are able; but will with the ^ctemptation also make a way to ^descape, that ye may be able to ^ebear it.

This scripture doesn't tell us how we can avoid being tempted above that we are able. Then she quoted:

Alma 13:28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be ^btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be ^cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, ^dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

We can see here that Alma teaches us what we can do: that we must watch and pray continually.

Alma 34:39 Yea, and I also ^aexhort you, my brethren, that ye be ^bwatchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the ^ctemptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you ^dno good thing.

In this scripture, Alma re-emphasizes the importance of being watchful unto prayer continually.

If we like, Alma teaches more about prayer in Alma 34:

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is ^amighty to save.

19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in ^aprayer unto him.

20 Cry unto him when ye are in your ^afields, yea, over all your flocks.

21 ^aCry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your ^aenemies.

23 Yea, ^acry unto him against the ^bdevil, who is an enemy to all ^crighteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26 But this is not all; ye must ^apour out your souls in your ^bclosets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your ^ahearts be ^bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your ^cwelfare, and also for the welfare of ^dthose who are around you.

Prayer is very sacred and important:

1. The atonement took place while Jesus was saying a prayer.

2. Ordinances of the gospel (baptism, confirmation, etc) are performed through prayers.

3. The sacrament is blessed through prayer.

4. Repentance is not complete without prayer.

Prayer is the basic building block of the gospel.

Sister Karen shared with us her personal practices when it comes to prayer:

1. Pray every day in a quiet place at the same time, when she is not hurried and can have a clear mind.

2. Kneel whenever possible, without her shoes.

3. Pray until the spirit is felt.

4. If the spirit is not felt, start thanking the Lord for very specific reasons.

5. At the end of the prayer, stay on her knees with her eyes closed and listen.

Sister Karen testified that if we feel the spirit on a regular basis in our lives, we can know that we are right with God.

Quote - Faith

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?” We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Ensign, May 2008, 87-90

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

Relief Society Commemoration Video

March 17 marks the anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society in 1842. Watch the video Relief Society—An Enduring Legacy to commemorate this worldwide sisterhood. You can also download this video.

Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit

How did the missionaries know to knock on the door of someone who had been praying for them? or the home teacher to call a family that was in desperate need? or the young woman to stay away from a situation where her values could be compromised? In each of these situations they were guided by the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Similar experiences happen repeatedly to members throughout the world on a regular basis, and there are those who desire to feel the Spirit guiding them daily in their lives. While each person can learn to recognize the whisperings of the Spirit, that learning process can be facilitated as others help us understand about the Holy Ghost, share their personal testimonies, and provide an environment where the Spirit can be felt.

Understanding the Doctrine

The scriptures and the prophets teach what this constant companionship feels like. The Lord tells us, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.”⁶ Enos stated, “While I was . . . struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind.”⁷ Joseph Smith said, “When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas.”⁸ President Henry B. Eyring described the influence of the Holy Ghost as “peace, hope, and joy.” He added, “Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light.”⁹

Share Personal Testimony

We can help others become more familiar with the promptings of the Spirit when we share our testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Remember that some experiences are too sacred to relate. However, by sharing testimony of the Spirit in our lives, those who are unfamiliar with these promptings are more likely to recognize when they have similar feelings.

Provide an Environment Where the Spirit Can Be Felt

There are places where it is easier to feel the Spirit. Testimony meetings and general conference are some of those places. Certainly temples are another. The challenge for each of us is in providing an environment where the Spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.

One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into the lives of our family members.

Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice,¹¹ it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to “be still, and know that I am God.”¹² If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.

When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us “the peaceable things of the kingdom”¹⁴ and “all things what [we] should do.”¹⁵ We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.¹⁶

(To read the entire talk, click here)

E-mail from Sister Simone Forster

Dear Susan!

Do you remember the Swiss couple at church last Sunday (14 February)? You asked me to tell you my story, my family story. That I will do, even if it will be a longer story. I will try to shorten it as best as I can.

What I tell you here is all I know about my mothers family. It might be true. It just is what I know.

My mothers father comes from Switzerland. My mothers mother from Singapore. Her maiden name was Gomes. My grandparents probably lived in Georgetown, Penang.

My grandfather sent my mother and her brother, when they were very young (7 and 4) to Switzerland in a children's home. He wanted to have them in a Swiss school. My grandparents came to Switzerland. My grandfather died before I was born. But I knew my Nanny. That's how we (me and my two older sisters) called our grandmother. I loved her and her kind being so much. She died when I was ten years old.

I never asked my mother abour her family. But when my husband and I joined the church we started to do genealogy. So I asked my mother. She would not tell me about her life in Penang or in the children's home. "It is none of your business," she told me. "It is my life."

Finally, when I wouldn't quit asking, she took a pencil and wrote down the names of her great-grandfather and all the connection she knew. It did not help a lot, but at least I had something in my hand.

I ordered microfilms from the church and looked them all through. I found nothing.

But, some years ago I got a letter from a David Gomes. He sent me his Family Tree and asked me if we could be related. Some names were familiar to me. But he was the same age as me and the name of his grandfather was the name of my great-grandfather. So it could not be that we are related. I apologized and sent him my Family Tree.

Just a few weeks later I got another letter from him, with more names. I looked everything through and found a new familiar name. Then I looked at the small piece of paper my mother wrote with pencil and found the relationship!

One of my great-grandfather's brothers lost his wife and son in 1942 in the war. After the war he remarried and this David from England was his son. That is why he is my age but one generation older than me. I was so happy!

My sister and I flew to England and met my first asian relative, the first Gomes. Then I found out that my great-great-grandfather had 12 children!!! He was a reverend and a sign is written at the wall of the St. Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore.

With the help of David I found relatives in Australia and I will see more in Singapore in March.

Just one detail: My great-grandfather had two wives. My grandmother is from the first wife. She had two brothers. I do not know more about them. All the relations I had were with the children of the second wife.

When we came to Perth we learned that a son of a brother of my grandmother lived in a home for aged people but that he was not able to recognize his family except his son and his ex-wife. Son and wife??? I asked for addresses, phone numbers. But nobody could help. They just had the address of the home.

So my husband and I went to see Douglas Gomes. He was sitting in the living room, not knowing what was going on around him. We greated him and he was so friendly. We showed him pictures of his aunt, of my mother (his cousin!), of our family. He smiled, wanted nothing to eat, looked always on the computer with the pictures. Then he smiled again and said: "I never realized, that I have such a big family."

The nurse gave me his ex-wife's (who still cares for him dearly) phone number and so we met her and her son, my cousin! Two weeks later Douglas Gomes was in the hospital. I do not know how he is today.

I still do not know about all the ancestors. But I will try to find out more about them.

I just know now that I am Eurasian, that I have roots here and that I found my identity.

The best of all is to have spent the Sunday morning with you and your branch. Gottfried and I loved the sweet loving spirit. Thank you for the friendship and the love!

Kind regards and a big hug!

Simone

Freedom to Choose

• Agency Is an Eternal Principle

In our premortal life we had moral agency. One purpose of earth life is to show what choices we will make (see 2 Nephi 2:15–16). If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would choose for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices.

• Agency Is a Necessary Part of the Plan of Salvation

We began to make choices as spirit children in our Heavenly Father’s presence. Our choices there made us worthy to come to earth. Our Heavenly Father wants us to grow in faith, power, knowledge, wisdom, and all other good things. If we keep His commandments and make right choices, we will learn and understand. We will become like Him. (See D&C 93:28.)

• Agency Requires That There Be a Choice

Satan does all he can to destroy God’s work. He seeks “the misery of all mankind. … He seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:18, 27). He does not love us. He does not want any good thing for us (see Moroni 7:17). He does not want us to be happy. He wants to make us his slaves. He uses many disguises to enslave us.

(To read the entire lesson, click here)

Love One Another

Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior

• A Savior and Leader Was Needed

We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. While we were away from Him, all of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. Our Heavenly Father knew and loved each one of us. He knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us.

• Jesus Christ Became Our Chosen Leader and Savior

Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be our Savior. Many scriptures tell about this (see, for example, 1 Peter 1:19–20; Moses 4:1–2). One scripture tells us that long before Jesus was born, He appeared to a Book of Mormon prophet known as the brother of Jared and said: “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name” (Ether 3:14).

• The War in Heaven

Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Satan and his followers are also on the earth, but as spirits. They have not forgotten who we are, and they are around us daily, tempting us and enticing us to do things that are not pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God’s plan. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home.

• We Have the Savior's Teachings to Follow

By following His teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.

(To read the entire lesson, click here)

Alma 37:6 ..... by small and simple things are great things brought to pass .....

Other similar scriptures:

1 Nephi 16:29 ...... by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 ...... out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Ether 12:27 ...... if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

We must never underestimate what something small and simple can do:

Doctrine and Covenants 123:16 ..... a very large ship is benefitted very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm ......

The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple but some people think they are too learned for something so easy. Think of Moses and the Israelites he was leading out of Egypt into the promised land:

1 Nephi 17:41 ..... He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten, he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

Alma counseled his son of the same:

Alma 37:46 ..... do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way ......

Let us look to God and live:

Helaman 8:15 ...... as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.

We learn the gospel by taking baby steps at first and as we continue to show forth obedience, the Lord reveals more to us:

2 Nephi 28:30 ..... I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

All the small and simple things we do are like drops of oil that we add into our lamps, much like the five wise virgins:

Spencer W Kimball: Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures -- each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payments of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity -- these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.

Sisters, let us not be weary in well-doing:

Sister Ann M Dibb: The small and simple things you choose to do today will be magnified into great and glorious blessings tomorrow.

I know the Lord watches over us and He delights in the small and simple things that we do in faith and obedience to Him. He blesses us abundantly as He will never be indebted to us. Let us press forward with a perfect brightness of hope and endure to the end. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

How Do I Love Thee?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Quote - Out of Small Things

"In the meridian of time, among other things, the Savior gave a touch here, a kind word there, food (both real and spiritual) to the hungry, advice and counsel to those in need. He gave prayers with the frightened, kindness to the passed-over, respect and affection for the children, loving care for those who are burdened. “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

--Stephen A West, "Out of Small Things", Ensign, May 1999, 28