Gospel Message Day 347

Heavenly Father, Part 2

I feel that the most important person in our lives should have more than just one post to Him. But then I also feel I've been talking about him for months! So I figured I would do one more post, in which I simply bore my testimony of my Father in Heaven.

I know that God is the Father of our spirits. I know that He came up with the Plan of Salvation, for us to have a  chance to prove ourselves to Him. He is fair and just in the execution of the Plan, even though it comes at a great cost to Him. So many of His children will not be able to return to Him. I'm sure He would have loved to make sure we all made it back. But the only way for that was to take away our agency, our choices--which would prevent us from any growth. That was Satan's plan. It was not Father's. Because such a plan would be a disservice to us. We would be stuck in progression. And we would be undeserving of anything we received.

I like justice, and I like mercy. I am very grateful that Heavenly Father loves us so much that He designed a Plan which included both.

I know my Father loves each of us. I especially know He loves me because I see His hand multiple times each day in my life. I know He is ever mindful of me, and wants the best for me. I know He is patient with me and the countless mistakes I make. I know He is forgiving. I know He hears me. I know my Father lives, and because He lives, my life has been given its possibility, its purpose, its direction, its meaning, and its every joy.

I love my Heavenly Daddy. I will be forever grateful that I am His eternal daughter.

Gospel Message Day 346

Still Learning

So, I have to blog about my Timp experience. Again. I know. But if I didn't let the whole thing work in me and let myself talk about what I have learned, then that is at least a dozen teaching opportunities and lessons the Lord was trying to send me that I just let go.

All week I have been thinking on one of my favorite stories from the Pioneers crossing the plains to the mountains. I'd heard it before as I was growing up, but then for the Doctrine & Covenants and Church History Seminary videos, they made a short video of it with the time President Hinckley shared the story in a General Conference session. I immediately loved that video. I have never tired of watching it. And I probably get a  little misty-eyed every single time I watch it. Such a beautiful story. I cannot find the Seminary video, but here is the video of President Hinckley telling the story:


During my hike down Timpanogos, and for this entire week since, I have often thought of that story. Even though my rescuers did not put themselves in mortal danger, they still showed forth the exact same courage, kindness, willingness, patience, and strength (physical and otherwise) that those boys did. They are of the same age. They came upon me only minutes after I had actually sat down and wept--praying to Heavenly Father for some kind of help because I did not know how I was going to finish. I knew my ability was almost spent, and I could not see how I was going to make it on my own. And waiting any longer might do me more harm. Not to mention the unforeseen future that waiting much longer could have made much worse. (Hindsight and further info now tells me that would not have been a problem, but I did not know that then.)

But like the Sweetwater rescue, my rescuers did not do it with fanfare. They didn't do it to show off to anyone--especially me! They did it at a cost to them (including a little bit of heat exhaustion, delaying others, losing their day off, losing time to make up sleep, straining their muscles, and making blisters even worse). They did it with no thought for themselves; their only concern was me and my welfare. And no matter what, they would not leave me alone. Every bit of this is an example to me of exactly how all service should be. Without seeking glory. With nothing in it for us. Completely selfless. They have had me reflecting on how I am in my service. And not just the big stuff I do, but what I do every day. And how I could improve on that.

I don't ever want to forget these lessons. And if it means that I refer to this experience often, so be it. They were lessons I needed, and I am grateful Heavenly Father gave them to me in such a way that hit home, and will stay.

To add to it all, I've been playing various music CDs in the car since I can't get this one audiobook to work. I've just been grabbing stuff at the top of my stack in the car. On the way to the temple, I figured I should put on something a little more religious. So I pulled out something on top, which happened to be a Jenny Phillips CD I haven't listened to in many years. It's usually on the bottom of the stack. No idea how it got to the top, except that the Lord moves in mysterious ways. Because that was the very CD to go along with what I've been thinking over the week. The whole CD talks about difficult journeys and making our way and having faith. Timpanogos was not my only difficult journey. I've had many difficult journeys throughout my life, and a few of those have been in the last few months. I needed the musical reminder that I am not alone--never have been and never will be. I will always make it through my journey, no matter what the end may be--whether my destination or a different one that the Lord has in mind for me. It will all be well with me. And as I go along, there will be those to help and rescue me.

These two songs were two that really stood out, because of Timp.

But the entire CD. Wow. Will be listening to that one on repeat for a while.

9/1/16 I found it! I found it! I found it! I found it!!!!
A year later and I found the Seminary video with President Hinckley's story. What a great thing to discover as I reminisce and give thanks all over again!

Gospel Message Day 345

Heavenly Father

How broad a topic! And one I've mentioned so much in the last year, I think putting them together creates an overall look at our Father in Heaven. He is
kind
patient
loving
giving
sacrificing
aware
clever
fair
just
merciful.

And that's just a few qualities. If you think I'm just listing off a bunch of nice things to say about a person, I only listed what came to mind as I thought of what we have read in the scriptures or what I have seen in my life. We simply need to look around us to see only a few of the things that Heavenly Father has given to us. He is patient in spite of all the times we forget, or make mistakes, or even purposefully rebel and do wrong. And He made the ultimate sacrifice when He allowed His son to be crucified. He is always mindful and aware of each of us and what we are going through.

Our Father is worthy and beyond deserving of every loving adoration we could give Him.

Gospel Message Day 344

Priesthood Organization

I talked about this a couple of days ago when I was talking about the Church's organization today being the same as in former times. So I've already mentioned some of the Priesthood offices. But let me list them again, this time by which Priesthood they belong to, and mentioning all of them.

First there is the Aaronic Priesthood. It is a preparatory Priesthood, meaning it is preparing the man in certain responsibilities and duties before he is ordained to the higher Priesthood, which we refer to as the Melchizedek Priesthood. Sometimes the Aaronic Priesthood is referred to as the lesser Priesthood. That doesn't mean it isn't as important. There are some vital ordinances performed by those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood including baptism, and blessing and administering the Sacrament. The offices in the Aaronic are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. Deacons, the "lowliest" of the offices are given the responsibility to pass the sacrament. I find this such a wise and sweet thing--it is an ordinance or renewal and remembrance for every single member. We all rely on that ordinance and need it so much. It is a great responsibility to give our young deacons such an important part of so great an ordinance. It teaches humility, patience, and respect for those served as well as for the ordinance and Whom it represents.

The Melchizedek Priesthood offices are elder, high priest, patriarch, seventy, and apostle. When our men are preparing to enter the temple/serve a mission, at some point they are ordained to the office of an elder. It is the "lowest" of offices in this Priesthood, yet it is the very same Priesthood that the Apostles hold. Honored and exercised in righteousness and worthiness, it is the same Power of God that can bless His children no matter what a man's office, calling, job, income, race, nationality, background, skill, etc. It is an equalizer that allows every man a chance to serve and be God's instrument in doing for His children what they cannot do for themselves, but which Power can be manifested through their faith.

I have a great respect for each office in both Priesthoods. I have been blessed to watch my brothers attain different offices as they have grown up. I've seen my father honor his Priesthood in his various offices. I'm now learning of friends who are being called to other offices of the Priesthood. I have greatly revered and followed counsel from higher Priesthood office holders who have been an integral part of my life--some of them (Presidents/Elders Hinckley, Faust, Maxwell, Wirthlin, Packer, and Perry) having been around for all of that life and have in recent times been passing through the veil to the other side. No matter their office, their duty, or their responsibility, I have been humbled and honored by every man who has honored or still honors his Priesthood.

Gospel Message Day 343

Church of Jesus Christ Today, Part 2

So, yesterday I talked about the organization of the Church, and how it is the same as the Church in former times. Today, I wanted to talk about how the works of the Church are the same, too. Christ spent His whole ministry, and likely all His life before that, serving others. That is how we are to live now. We serve others as the Savior did, because it is what He would want and it is how we show our love and commitment to Him.

We also share the Gospel with any one who will listen. Paul was among many missionaries, and we are blessed to have his journeys and teachings recorded. He is a great example of persistence and love in sharing the Gospel. That is the best way for us to serve as well.

We make covenants and perform sacred ordinances. We have a temple. We meet together oft to fast, pray, sing, and edify each other. We believe in family relationships and building them up. We believe in reading and studying the scriptures. We believe in kindness, generosity, patience, and "all those good qualities." :-) So long as we follow Christ in the Church that He established Himself, we will be in the right path.

Gospel Message Day 342

Church of Jesus Christ Today

There may be a lot of overlap with this topic and with the posts I have already written about the Church in former times. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is patterned after the Church that Jesus Christ Himself established when He lived on the Earth. We believe it is the same Church, and that it has been restored to its fulness and organization as Christ first established.

Today the Church has at its head Jesus Christ. His spokesman is the Prophet, who is also the President of the Church on Earth. He acts in God's name and proclaims or warns or reassures what Heavenly Father would have us know. The Prophet holds all of the keys of the Priesthood. He has delegated these keys to the Savior's 14 Apostles (2 of them being in the First Presidency as counselors to the Prophet and President).

The organization continues down with Priesthood holders known as Seventies. Above them the Quorum of 12 has 12 men. In a quorum of 70, there are 70 men. Today we have 7 quorums of 70--because we are a worldwide Church and we need the leadership throughout the world to help with the 15 million+ members.

Below the quorum of 70 we have our stakes--geographic boundaries of give or take 7-9 geogprahic boundary-determined congregations (called wards). There is a stake president and his counselors who lead a stake, and they have high councilmen to assist in their work. At the head of a ward is a bishop (or a pastor) and his counselors. Within wards (and branches, which are congregations that do not have enough Priesthood leadership to function as a ward), one will find high priests, evangelists (otherwise known as teachers and missionaries), priests, teachers, and deacons. These various positions within the Priesthood work hand-in-hand with all other positions in the Church. Nothing can be done or operated without the Priesthood in the Church, but remember that there would be no need or point of the Priesthood if all of us were not a part of the Church and a part of the workings of it.

Gospel Message Day 341

Final Judgement

Oh my word. What a topic! I guess the best way to broach this topic is by explaining the Plan of Salvation. We were in the pre-mortal life when the Plan was presented to us. It included the Creation of the Earth, and us receiving our mortal bodies when we come to Earth to be tested. When we die, we go to either Spirit Prison, or Spirit Paradise. Those in paradise are able to rest from their cares, but their work is not done. They are going to Spirit Prison to preach the Gospel. We on Earth are doing temple work for those who have died, and those in Spirit Prison have the chance to decide if they want to accept that ordinance work done for them. When the time in Prison or Paradise is over, that is when we will face our Final Judgement. We will be judged for our works, words, and thoughts. From there it will be determined which Kingdom we will go to (Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial).