Sunday, 10 February 2008
Random Artworks 1
Dad was playing with Photoshop and his new tablet, just seeing what he might come up with. Dad has his own ideas but can you suggest any titles for the following images?
Joe Passes Sacrament
Today was a special day for Joe as his first time passing the sacrament.
Mum and Dad think he did it very well and very reverently.
A special day for us all.
Mum and Dad think he did it very well and very reverently.
A special day for us all.
Talks in Church - Joe
Joe gave his first Sacrament talk today, and did it excellently. Here it is:
The Importance of Keeping the Commandments
I have been asked to talk about the importance of keeping the commandments.
If we follow the commandments we will one day be able to live in the Celestial Kingdom with our Heavenly Father.
The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi had a dream that helps us to understand how the importance of keeping the commandments.
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a atree, whose bfruit was desirable to make one chappy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the bwhiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ajoy; wherefore, I began to be bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was cdesirable above all other fruit...
19 And I beheld a arod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.
20 And I also beheld a astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a bworld.
21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were apressing forward, that they might obtain the bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were blost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the bfruit of the tree.
In Lehi's dream the mist of darkness is the tempations of the adversary. If we allow ourselves to give in to them we wander away and are easily lost. The tree in the dream represents the love of God and the fruit represents our living with Heavenly Father again and having Eternal life.
Lehi goes on to explain some of the dangers we may be faced with after we have begun on the path:
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were aashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the aother side of the river of water, a great and bspacious building; and it stood as it were in the cair, high above the earth.
28 And after they had atasted of the fruit they were bashamed, because of those that were cscoffing at them; and they dfell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
31 And he also saw other amultitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the adepths of the bfountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.
The river in Lehi's dream is the depths of hell and if we get in it it is very hard to get out. The spacious building represents the pride of the world.
The Iron Rod represents the word of God or the commandments. Those who held on to the Iron Rod were able to reach the tree of life safely.
If we cling to the Iron Rod by keeping the commandments we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father again.
Being obedient to the commandments is not always easy, but does bring blessings.
Elder Gene R. Cook of the seventy shared this experience:
"As a young man I often wondered about the importance of keeping the commandments of the Lord. For instance, I wondered if the Lord really needed my tithes as I earned so very little. I also found myself asking, as perhaps many of you have, just how important it is to keep the Sabbath day holy. Of course, I later came to realize that He did not need either my obedience or my money nearly as much as I needed to follow those laws in order to receive the spiritual growth and blessings that come from obeying the Lord’s commandments.
"...At age 11, I [obtained] my first job working as a newspaper boy.
"...A tenth of my income was always paid willingly to the Lord as tithing.
“At 16, after being a paper boy for five years, I was somewhat surprised when the manager of circulation asked me to be the assistant manager and act as the supervisor of all the newspaper boys in the city. It was quite an honor because of my youth, and I remember how grateful I felt to the Lord. I saw it as a direct blessing from the Lord I...
“I worked as the assistant manager for about two years, and I will never forget the great challenge that then came to me. I had been paying my tithing regularly during that time and certainly believed in the principle, but I did not have as sure a witness of that principle as I was about to attain.
“One Saturday afternoon after finishing work, the manager told me that starting a week from the following day, on Sunday, it would be necessary for me to work every Sunday morning...he knew that I was not going to react favorably to the suggestion. But he was quick to tell me that even though I would miss priesthood meeting and Sunday School... He then attempted to entice me by telling me that my pay would be increased by 30 percent, thinking that this might change my mind about the principle of not working on Sunday.
“I remember how strongly those words fell upon my heart, but I also remember my response:
“I am quite certain that I cannot work on Sunday.”
“Well,” he said, “you will have to work on Sunday or I will find another assistant manager.”
“I left the office rather teary-eyed that day. I remember asking the Lord why I should lose my job as a result of the Church. I had been working hard to save enough money to support myself on a mission, and now I was going to lose my job unless I were willing to work on Sunday.
“I talked to my father to ask his counsel, and ... I spoke later to my bishop and asked him what to do, and his advice was the same as my father’s. After talking to these two men, the feeling came over me that there was no way to resolve this matter except by finding out what the Lord would have me do.
“The following Saturday I went in and announced to the manager that I would not work on Sunday. He informed me that since that was my choice, I would have one week and no longer as the assistant manager, and then I would be replaced by a young man who was “really willing to work.”
“The following days at work seemed very long, and there were very few words spoken between my boss and me. I waited for the next Saturday, which was to be my last day.
“Friday finally arrived. As I was finishing work that evening, the manager approached me and said, somewhat emotionally, “Gene, you are right in what you are doing, and I am wrong in asking you to work on Sunday. I have found a young man of another religion who is willing to work on Sunday, but I still want you to be my assistant manager. And by the way, that 30 percent increase will be given to you anyway, even though you will not be working the seventh day. You are a very good young man.”
“My young friends, I will never forget the feeling of gratitude that came over me at that moment. I will also never forget my feelings that month as I paid more than an honest tithe and faithfully attended to my responsibilities on Sunday.
“As you can see, the Lord will pour out the blessings of heaven upon a man, even a young man, and teach him in his heart both the value of paying tithing on that which he earns and the value of keeping the Sabbath day holy. I would pray that all of you might always remember that at any price, the commandments of the Lord are worth keeping. May the Lord bless you all.”
If we keep the commandments, even though it is not easy, the Lord will bless us.
The Importance of Keeping the Commandments
I have been asked to talk about the importance of keeping the commandments.
If we follow the commandments we will one day be able to live in the Celestial Kingdom with our Heavenly Father.
The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi had a dream that helps us to understand how the importance of keeping the commandments.
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a atree, whose bfruit was desirable to make one chappy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the bwhiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ajoy; wherefore, I began to be bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was cdesirable above all other fruit...
19 And I beheld a arod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.
20 And I also beheld a astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a bworld.
21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were apressing forward, that they might obtain the bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were blost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the bfruit of the tree.
In Lehi's dream the mist of darkness is the tempations of the adversary. If we allow ourselves to give in to them we wander away and are easily lost. The tree in the dream represents the love of God and the fruit represents our living with Heavenly Father again and having Eternal life.
Lehi goes on to explain some of the dangers we may be faced with after we have begun on the path:
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were aashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the aother side of the river of water, a great and bspacious building; and it stood as it were in the cair, high above the earth.
28 And after they had atasted of the fruit they were bashamed, because of those that were cscoffing at them; and they dfell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
31 And he also saw other amultitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the adepths of the bfountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.
The river in Lehi's dream is the depths of hell and if we get in it it is very hard to get out. The spacious building represents the pride of the world.
The Iron Rod represents the word of God or the commandments. Those who held on to the Iron Rod were able to reach the tree of life safely.
If we cling to the Iron Rod by keeping the commandments we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father again.
Being obedient to the commandments is not always easy, but does bring blessings.
Elder Gene R. Cook of the seventy shared this experience:
"As a young man I often wondered about the importance of keeping the commandments of the Lord. For instance, I wondered if the Lord really needed my tithes as I earned so very little. I also found myself asking, as perhaps many of you have, just how important it is to keep the Sabbath day holy. Of course, I later came to realize that He did not need either my obedience or my money nearly as much as I needed to follow those laws in order to receive the spiritual growth and blessings that come from obeying the Lord’s commandments.
"...At age 11, I [obtained] my first job working as a newspaper boy.
"...A tenth of my income was always paid willingly to the Lord as tithing.
“At 16, after being a paper boy for five years, I was somewhat surprised when the manager of circulation asked me to be the assistant manager and act as the supervisor of all the newspaper boys in the city. It was quite an honor because of my youth, and I remember how grateful I felt to the Lord. I saw it as a direct blessing from the Lord I...
“I worked as the assistant manager for about two years, and I will never forget the great challenge that then came to me. I had been paying my tithing regularly during that time and certainly believed in the principle, but I did not have as sure a witness of that principle as I was about to attain.
“One Saturday afternoon after finishing work, the manager told me that starting a week from the following day, on Sunday, it would be necessary for me to work every Sunday morning...he knew that I was not going to react favorably to the suggestion. But he was quick to tell me that even though I would miss priesthood meeting and Sunday School... He then attempted to entice me by telling me that my pay would be increased by 30 percent, thinking that this might change my mind about the principle of not working on Sunday.
“I remember how strongly those words fell upon my heart, but I also remember my response:
“I am quite certain that I cannot work on Sunday.”
“Well,” he said, “you will have to work on Sunday or I will find another assistant manager.”
“I left the office rather teary-eyed that day. I remember asking the Lord why I should lose my job as a result of the Church. I had been working hard to save enough money to support myself on a mission, and now I was going to lose my job unless I were willing to work on Sunday.
“I talked to my father to ask his counsel, and ... I spoke later to my bishop and asked him what to do, and his advice was the same as my father’s. After talking to these two men, the feeling came over me that there was no way to resolve this matter except by finding out what the Lord would have me do.
“The following Saturday I went in and announced to the manager that I would not work on Sunday. He informed me that since that was my choice, I would have one week and no longer as the assistant manager, and then I would be replaced by a young man who was “really willing to work.”
“The following days at work seemed very long, and there were very few words spoken between my boss and me. I waited for the next Saturday, which was to be my last day.
“Friday finally arrived. As I was finishing work that evening, the manager approached me and said, somewhat emotionally, “Gene, you are right in what you are doing, and I am wrong in asking you to work on Sunday. I have found a young man of another religion who is willing to work on Sunday, but I still want you to be my assistant manager. And by the way, that 30 percent increase will be given to you anyway, even though you will not be working the seventh day. You are a very good young man.”
“My young friends, I will never forget the feeling of gratitude that came over me at that moment. I will also never forget my feelings that month as I paid more than an honest tithe and faithfully attended to my responsibilities on Sunday.
“As you can see, the Lord will pour out the blessings of heaven upon a man, even a young man, and teach him in his heart both the value of paying tithing on that which he earns and the value of keeping the Sabbath day holy. I would pray that all of you might always remember that at any price, the commandments of the Lord are worth keeping. May the Lord bless you all.”
If we keep the commandments, even though it is not easy, the Lord will bless us.
Talks in Church - Dad
The Importance of Service
And how it relates to our development in the gospel of Jesus Christ
Introduction
When we think of service, we often think of doing good to others. While in service we may do good to others, in relieving their afflictions and easing their burdens, we will find that the greatest good will in fact be done to ourselves.
Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves, to become disciples. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to "come into the fold of God" included a willingness to give meaningful service—to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light," to "mourn with those that mourn," and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8–9).
Our understanding of the importance of service and how it relates to our development in the gospel of Jesus Christ, must be rooted in “the great plan of happiness”, why we are here; what our purpose is while on earth. Service is not an added extra, something that should be done in the gaps while we do the other thing that we are here for. No, in many ways service is why we are here, because of what service does for us and to us when we give it.
We came to earth as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, our goal to gain a physical body, experience mortality and become like Him. In doing this we knew that mortal life would be a time to prove ourselves.
In Abraham 3:5 we read:
25 And we will aprove them herewith, to see if they will bdo all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
(Abraham 3:22-25)
And what have we been commanded? The Lord said to his Disciples in ancient America:
48 Therefore I would that ye should be aperfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
(3 Nephi 12:48)
And later:
“Therefore, what cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even das I am.”
(3 Nephi 27:27)
To become even as Christ is, means we cannot stay the same. Elder Alexander B. Morrison of the Seventy said that our ultimate destiny was one of transformation:
“...before the Fall—before Adam and Eve became mortal—there was no opportunity for God’s children to grow and progress toward their ultimate destiny of transformation to become even as He is.
(Alexander B. Morrison, “Life—the Gift Each Is Given,” Ensign, Dec 1998, 15)
To become as Christ is, we must follow His example of service. We cannot neglect service and still become like Christ. Indeed the Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).
In our turn we have been commanded to teach our children (and by implication ourselves) to:
“dlove one another, and to serve one another.”
(Mosiah 4:15)
While we all know that we should give service, Elder Neal A. Maxwell points out that knowing what we ought to do alone will not save us.
“One mistake we can make during this mortal experience is to value knowledge apart from the other qualities to be developed in submissive discipleship. Knowledge—discovery, its preservation, its perpetuation—is very important. Yet, being knowledgeable while leaving undeveloped the virtues of love, mercy, meekness, and patience is not enough for full discipleship. Mere intellectual assent to a truth deprives us of the relevant, personal experiences that come from applying what we profess to believe. There were probably orientation briefings in the premortal world about how this mortal life would unfold for us, but the real experience is another thing!
“Thus, while knowledge is clearly very important, standing alone it cannot save us. I worry sometimes that we get so busy discussing the doctrines in various Church classes that talking about them almost becomes a substitute for applying them. One cannot improve upon the sobering words of King Benjamin, who said, “Now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10). Such is still the test. Deeds, not words—and becoming, not describing—are dominant in true discipleship.”
(Neal A. Maxwell, “Becoming a Disciple,” Ensign, Jun 1996, 12. Emphasis Added.)
Elder Maxwell then asks us a probing question:
A vital, personal question for each of us, therefore, is, Are we steadily becoming what gospel doctrines are designed to help us become? Or are we merely rich inheritors of an immense treasure trove of truth but poor investors in the process of personal development so essential to discipleship?
(Ibid.)
Though voiced as a question, Elder Maxwell teaches an important principle. That is: Gospel Doctrines are designed to help us become - something we currently are not.
If we are to become like Christ, if we are to make this transformation - we must convert our knowledge into action. We must move from thinking about service and talking about service to giving service.
The giving of service that will help us become what we need to become may often require us to deny ourselves.
“The fundamental fact is that if we do not deny ourselves, we are diverted. Even if not wholly consumed with the things of the world, we are still diverted sufficiently to make serious discipleship impossible. As a consequence, all the gifts and talents God has given us are not put meekly on the altar to serve others and to please God. Instead, we withhold to please ourselves. Diversion, therefore, is not necessarily gross transgression, but it is a genuine deprivation, especially if we consider what we might have become and what more we might have done to bless and to help others.”
(Ibid. Emphasis added.)
There are many kinds of service we can give. Elder Maxwell said:
“...in terms of service there are more opportunities around us than we now use. God is ever ready; if only we were always ready...”
(Ibid.)
Let's take some time to examine some of these opportunities.
Self Directed Service
We don't have to wait for a call to give service. “It is an unprofitable servant is commanded in all things.”
President Kimball did not need to be called and set apart to help the young mother and her daughter in the airport. Instead he looked out for opportunities and recognised them when they came.
This involves being in tune with the Holy Ghost so that you know when to give service.
One thing that may hold us back from giving service is fear. Fear of rejection, fear of not knowing exactly how to proceed. This can hold us back from church service, as in a calling, or personal service.
Church Service
It is almost certain that all of us have, do or will serve in a Church calling. And while we are all different, and each feel we have certain strengths and certain weaknesses, there will be some callings we each secretly dread more than others. For some of us, this fear may go deeper than a little apprehension, it may be fuelled by shyness or self doubt or past experiences.
Some of us may have felt unable to accept a call or follow a prompting, others may have accepted a call or followed a prompting hesitantly, but felt they could not do it as well as they should, yet others may have accepted confidently but then struggled to do it in practice.
But I feel today that we need to understand a little more that the Lord sees all of this turmoil within us – and knows, and sometimes extends the call anyway.
Next time a member of the Bishopric, or Stake Presidency extends a calling to you, consider these words:
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the aHoly Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the bpower of God unto salvation.
(D&C 68:2-4)
When a call is extended to you or me through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost , we can know that call is from the Lord. We can know the same when we feel the Holy Ghost prompting us to serve.
Though the Lord may one day to call us to serve, we ourselves may think that we are not ready.
Take Jonah for example...
But if we have faith, we can have confidence knowing that:
“...whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.”
(Clayton M. Christensen and Christine Quinn Christensen, “Seven Lessons on Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Feb 2005, 36–41)
In a worldly sense we expect the professionals who serve us to be qualified to perform their role. We expect them to have certificates proving they have met the required standards. Respected though the British universities are, surely we can have more confidence in a humble person qualified by the Lord by virtue of their calling. And if it is us being called, we can have faith knowing that the Lord will make us equal to the task.
We hear Nephi's response to a difficult call so often, that perhaps we have stopped hearing it properly.
“...I know that the Lord giveth no bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
(1 Nephi 3:7)
Could it be that, when fear makes us hesitant to serve, we believe in Christ, but do not believe Christ when he says He will prepare a way.
I want to mention an old friend from another ward. I knew him when he first came to Church as an investigator. A few months ago he was called to be a Bishop. I know he is truly a man of God, the call to serve as Bishop was not one he would have aspired to, or expected so soon in his Church life having been a member for only a few years. Nevertheless, he accepted the call, he serves diligently, constant sacrifices are made by himself and his young wife. Will they grow? Yes. Will they become more Christlike? Without a doubt. Their service will sanctify them.
When we accept a calling we accept an opportunity to serve. We will grow ourselves, more than we realise. As we serve diligently we will accelerate our “becoming as [Christ] is”.
Conversely, to decline callings extended by inspiration is to stunt our spiritual growth and slow or halt our progression. Elder Dallin H. Oaks reminds us of the reason for Church service:
“We need to remember the purpose of our service to one another. If it were only to accomplish some part of His work, God could dispatch “legions of angels,”...(see Matt. 26:53). But that would not achieve the purpose of the service He has prescribed. We serve God and our fellowmen in order to become the kind of children who can return to live with our heavenly parents.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 67–70)
The prescribed service is to help us become what we should be. To become like Christ.
If we fail to accept callings to serve we are in danger of failing to keep our covenants.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
"The Savior spoke of the contrast between the faithful and the unfaithful in three great parables recorded in the 25th chapter of Matthew. Half of the invited guests were excluded from the wedding feast because they were unprepared when the bridegroom came (see Matt. 25:1–13). The unprofitable servants who failed to employ the talents they were given by the Master were not allowed to enter into the joy of the Lord (see Matt. 25:14–30). And when the Lord came in His glory, He separated the sheep, who had served Him and their fellowmen, from the goats, who had not. Only those who had “done it unto one of the least of these my brethren” (Matt. 25:40) were set on His right hand to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world (see Matt. 25:31–46).
"My brothers and sisters, if you are delinquent in commitment, please consider who it is you are refusing or neglecting to serve when you decline a calling or when you accept, promise, and fail to fulfill."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 67–70)
As we learn to say “not my will, but thine, be done” and put the Lord's will ahead of our own, in spite of all our fears and our inadequacies we follow in the footsteps of great ones that have gone before us. And just as the Lord prepared a way for them, so He will for us.
Moses, who felt inadequate at speaking to Pharoah was given a spokesman in his brother Aaron and was able to perform the Lord's will to bring about the freedom of the Israelites.
Enoch who felt he was too young, too unpopular and too poor at speaking was able to preach repentance with such power that his people were taken up into heaven, such was their unity and righteousness.
In the early days of the restored Church:
“Elder John E. Page...was called “Son of Thunder” by his associates because of his power in speaking. He initially declined to go to Canada because of financial hardship, but “Joseph Smith took off his coat,” as Brigham Young recalled, “and gave it to him and told him to go, and the Lord would bless him abundantly.” Two years and two missions later, Elder Page returned, having baptized almost one thousand people...”
(Richard E. Bennett, “Canada: From Struggling Seed, the Church Has Risen to Branching Maple,” Ensign, Sep 1988, 30)
In all of these occasions it was the faith the individual placed in the Lord that gave them the power to succeed. All had their own reasons why they couldn't do as the Lord asked, but all ultimately put their trust in the Lord and accomplished his work.
In service we need to take another leaf out of Elder Neal A. Maxwell's book:
“Life in the Church soon teaches us, too, that the Lord does not ask us about our ability, but only about our availability. And then, if we demonstrate our dependability, the Lord will increase our capability.”(Neal A. Maxwell, “Quotations,” Tambuli, Dec 1982, 38)
In other words, we have nothing to fear. If we say “Yes” to service, and go forward in faith, diligently, and humbly, the Lord will do as Moroni promises:
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their aweakness. I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
(Ether 12:27)
The Lord will make our weaknesses into strengths if we humbly seek his help in faith, and do our very best.
I am reminded of something Elder Spencer J. Condie said to us as missionaries in Ireland. In that mission, perhaps others as well, it was a requirement for all the missionaries to memorise a passage written by Joseph Smith that has come to be known as “The Standard of Truth”, it goes like this:
"...the standard of truth has been erected; No un hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
(Joseph Smith Jnr.)
I remember Elder Condie asking us if the work needed us, and then saying no, it can do it on it's own. Imagine our surprise, all sitting together, 100 or so missionaries 'the work doesn't need us?'. But he was right. The Lord did not need Elder Liddicott specifically, if Elder Liddicott specifically wanted to leave, or skive, or slack-off He would not stop me. It was me that needed the Lord, me that needed to serve, me that needed the growth from dedicated service for 2 years.
Learning this passage and repeating it at every meeting filled me with such a feeling of confidence and power. I knew that the service I had been called to do was of God, that nothing could hold it back, not even my inadequacies, all I had to do was be humble, seek His will, work hard and be obedient.
That same strength applies to us as we give service “No un hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing”.
Close
Would like to close by sharing two scriptures that tell us the blessings of service:
33 Wherefore, be not aweary in bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of csmall things proceedeth that which is great.
34 Behold, the Lord arequireth the bheart and a cwilling mind; and the willing and dobedient shall eeat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
(D&C 64:33-34)
5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am amerciful and gracious unto those who bfear me, and delight to honor those who cserve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their aglory.
(D&C 76:5-6)
And how it relates to our development in the gospel of Jesus Christ
Introduction
When we think of service, we often think of doing good to others. While in service we may do good to others, in relieving their afflictions and easing their burdens, we will find that the greatest good will in fact be done to ourselves.
Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves, to become disciples. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to "come into the fold of God" included a willingness to give meaningful service—to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light," to "mourn with those that mourn," and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8–9).
Our understanding of the importance of service and how it relates to our development in the gospel of Jesus Christ, must be rooted in “the great plan of happiness”, why we are here; what our purpose is while on earth. Service is not an added extra, something that should be done in the gaps while we do the other thing that we are here for. No, in many ways service is why we are here, because of what service does for us and to us when we give it.
We came to earth as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, our goal to gain a physical body, experience mortality and become like Him. In doing this we knew that mortal life would be a time to prove ourselves.
In Abraham 3:5 we read:
25 And we will aprove them herewith, to see if they will bdo all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
(Abraham 3:22-25)
And what have we been commanded? The Lord said to his Disciples in ancient America:
48 Therefore I would that ye should be aperfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
(3 Nephi 12:48)
And later:
“Therefore, what cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even das I am.”
(3 Nephi 27:27)
To become even as Christ is, means we cannot stay the same. Elder Alexander B. Morrison of the Seventy said that our ultimate destiny was one of transformation:
“...before the Fall—before Adam and Eve became mortal—there was no opportunity for God’s children to grow and progress toward their ultimate destiny of transformation to become even as He is.
(Alexander B. Morrison, “Life—the Gift Each Is Given,” Ensign, Dec 1998, 15)
To become as Christ is, we must follow His example of service. We cannot neglect service and still become like Christ. Indeed the Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).
In our turn we have been commanded to teach our children (and by implication ourselves) to:
“dlove one another, and to serve one another.”
(Mosiah 4:15)
While we all know that we should give service, Elder Neal A. Maxwell points out that knowing what we ought to do alone will not save us.
“One mistake we can make during this mortal experience is to value knowledge apart from the other qualities to be developed in submissive discipleship. Knowledge—discovery, its preservation, its perpetuation—is very important. Yet, being knowledgeable while leaving undeveloped the virtues of love, mercy, meekness, and patience is not enough for full discipleship. Mere intellectual assent to a truth deprives us of the relevant, personal experiences that come from applying what we profess to believe. There were probably orientation briefings in the premortal world about how this mortal life would unfold for us, but the real experience is another thing!
“Thus, while knowledge is clearly very important, standing alone it cannot save us. I worry sometimes that we get so busy discussing the doctrines in various Church classes that talking about them almost becomes a substitute for applying them. One cannot improve upon the sobering words of King Benjamin, who said, “Now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10). Such is still the test. Deeds, not words—and becoming, not describing—are dominant in true discipleship.”
(Neal A. Maxwell, “Becoming a Disciple,” Ensign, Jun 1996, 12. Emphasis Added.)
Elder Maxwell then asks us a probing question:
A vital, personal question for each of us, therefore, is, Are we steadily becoming what gospel doctrines are designed to help us become? Or are we merely rich inheritors of an immense treasure trove of truth but poor investors in the process of personal development so essential to discipleship?
(Ibid.)
Though voiced as a question, Elder Maxwell teaches an important principle. That is: Gospel Doctrines are designed to help us become - something we currently are not.
If we are to become like Christ, if we are to make this transformation - we must convert our knowledge into action. We must move from thinking about service and talking about service to giving service.
The giving of service that will help us become what we need to become may often require us to deny ourselves.
“The fundamental fact is that if we do not deny ourselves, we are diverted. Even if not wholly consumed with the things of the world, we are still diverted sufficiently to make serious discipleship impossible. As a consequence, all the gifts and talents God has given us are not put meekly on the altar to serve others and to please God. Instead, we withhold to please ourselves. Diversion, therefore, is not necessarily gross transgression, but it is a genuine deprivation, especially if we consider what we might have become and what more we might have done to bless and to help others.”
(Ibid. Emphasis added.)
There are many kinds of service we can give. Elder Maxwell said:
“...in terms of service there are more opportunities around us than we now use. God is ever ready; if only we were always ready...”
(Ibid.)
Let's take some time to examine some of these opportunities.
Self Directed Service
We don't have to wait for a call to give service. “It is an unprofitable servant is commanded in all things.”
President Kimball did not need to be called and set apart to help the young mother and her daughter in the airport. Instead he looked out for opportunities and recognised them when they came.
This involves being in tune with the Holy Ghost so that you know when to give service.
One thing that may hold us back from giving service is fear. Fear of rejection, fear of not knowing exactly how to proceed. This can hold us back from church service, as in a calling, or personal service.
Church Service
It is almost certain that all of us have, do or will serve in a Church calling. And while we are all different, and each feel we have certain strengths and certain weaknesses, there will be some callings we each secretly dread more than others. For some of us, this fear may go deeper than a little apprehension, it may be fuelled by shyness or self doubt or past experiences.
Some of us may have felt unable to accept a call or follow a prompting, others may have accepted a call or followed a prompting hesitantly, but felt they could not do it as well as they should, yet others may have accepted confidently but then struggled to do it in practice.
But I feel today that we need to understand a little more that the Lord sees all of this turmoil within us – and knows, and sometimes extends the call anyway.
Next time a member of the Bishopric, or Stake Presidency extends a calling to you, consider these words:
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the aHoly Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the bpower of God unto salvation.
(D&C 68:2-4)
When a call is extended to you or me through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost , we can know that call is from the Lord. We can know the same when we feel the Holy Ghost prompting us to serve.
Though the Lord may one day to call us to serve, we ourselves may think that we are not ready.
Take Jonah for example...
But if we have faith, we can have confidence knowing that:
“...whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.”
(Clayton M. Christensen and Christine Quinn Christensen, “Seven Lessons on Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Feb 2005, 36–41)
In a worldly sense we expect the professionals who serve us to be qualified to perform their role. We expect them to have certificates proving they have met the required standards. Respected though the British universities are, surely we can have more confidence in a humble person qualified by the Lord by virtue of their calling. And if it is us being called, we can have faith knowing that the Lord will make us equal to the task.
We hear Nephi's response to a difficult call so often, that perhaps we have stopped hearing it properly.
“...I know that the Lord giveth no bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
(1 Nephi 3:7)
Could it be that, when fear makes us hesitant to serve, we believe in Christ, but do not believe Christ when he says He will prepare a way.
I want to mention an old friend from another ward. I knew him when he first came to Church as an investigator. A few months ago he was called to be a Bishop. I know he is truly a man of God, the call to serve as Bishop was not one he would have aspired to, or expected so soon in his Church life having been a member for only a few years. Nevertheless, he accepted the call, he serves diligently, constant sacrifices are made by himself and his young wife. Will they grow? Yes. Will they become more Christlike? Without a doubt. Their service will sanctify them.
When we accept a calling we accept an opportunity to serve. We will grow ourselves, more than we realise. As we serve diligently we will accelerate our “becoming as [Christ] is”.
Conversely, to decline callings extended by inspiration is to stunt our spiritual growth and slow or halt our progression. Elder Dallin H. Oaks reminds us of the reason for Church service:
“We need to remember the purpose of our service to one another. If it were only to accomplish some part of His work, God could dispatch “legions of angels,”...(see Matt. 26:53). But that would not achieve the purpose of the service He has prescribed. We serve God and our fellowmen in order to become the kind of children who can return to live with our heavenly parents.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 67–70)
The prescribed service is to help us become what we should be. To become like Christ.
If we fail to accept callings to serve we are in danger of failing to keep our covenants.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
"The Savior spoke of the contrast between the faithful and the unfaithful in three great parables recorded in the 25th chapter of Matthew. Half of the invited guests were excluded from the wedding feast because they were unprepared when the bridegroom came (see Matt. 25:1–13). The unprofitable servants who failed to employ the talents they were given by the Master were not allowed to enter into the joy of the Lord (see Matt. 25:14–30). And when the Lord came in His glory, He separated the sheep, who had served Him and their fellowmen, from the goats, who had not. Only those who had “done it unto one of the least of these my brethren” (Matt. 25:40) were set on His right hand to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world (see Matt. 25:31–46).
"My brothers and sisters, if you are delinquent in commitment, please consider who it is you are refusing or neglecting to serve when you decline a calling or when you accept, promise, and fail to fulfill."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 67–70)
As we learn to say “not my will, but thine, be done” and put the Lord's will ahead of our own, in spite of all our fears and our inadequacies we follow in the footsteps of great ones that have gone before us. And just as the Lord prepared a way for them, so He will for us.
Moses, who felt inadequate at speaking to Pharoah was given a spokesman in his brother Aaron and was able to perform the Lord's will to bring about the freedom of the Israelites.
Enoch who felt he was too young, too unpopular and too poor at speaking was able to preach repentance with such power that his people were taken up into heaven, such was their unity and righteousness.
In the early days of the restored Church:
“Elder John E. Page...was called “Son of Thunder” by his associates because of his power in speaking. He initially declined to go to Canada because of financial hardship, but “Joseph Smith took off his coat,” as Brigham Young recalled, “and gave it to him and told him to go, and the Lord would bless him abundantly.” Two years and two missions later, Elder Page returned, having baptized almost one thousand people...”
(Richard E. Bennett, “Canada: From Struggling Seed, the Church Has Risen to Branching Maple,” Ensign, Sep 1988, 30)
In all of these occasions it was the faith the individual placed in the Lord that gave them the power to succeed. All had their own reasons why they couldn't do as the Lord asked, but all ultimately put their trust in the Lord and accomplished his work.
In service we need to take another leaf out of Elder Neal A. Maxwell's book:
“Life in the Church soon teaches us, too, that the Lord does not ask us about our ability, but only about our availability. And then, if we demonstrate our dependability, the Lord will increase our capability.”(Neal A. Maxwell, “Quotations,” Tambuli, Dec 1982, 38)
In other words, we have nothing to fear. If we say “Yes” to service, and go forward in faith, diligently, and humbly, the Lord will do as Moroni promises:
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their aweakness. I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
(Ether 12:27)
The Lord will make our weaknesses into strengths if we humbly seek his help in faith, and do our very best.
I am reminded of something Elder Spencer J. Condie said to us as missionaries in Ireland. In that mission, perhaps others as well, it was a requirement for all the missionaries to memorise a passage written by Joseph Smith that has come to be known as “The Standard of Truth”, it goes like this:
"...the standard of truth has been erected; No un hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
(Joseph Smith Jnr.)
I remember Elder Condie asking us if the work needed us, and then saying no, it can do it on it's own. Imagine our surprise, all sitting together, 100 or so missionaries 'the work doesn't need us?'. But he was right. The Lord did not need Elder Liddicott specifically, if Elder Liddicott specifically wanted to leave, or skive, or slack-off He would not stop me. It was me that needed the Lord, me that needed to serve, me that needed the growth from dedicated service for 2 years.
Learning this passage and repeating it at every meeting filled me with such a feeling of confidence and power. I knew that the service I had been called to do was of God, that nothing could hold it back, not even my inadequacies, all I had to do was be humble, seek His will, work hard and be obedient.
That same strength applies to us as we give service “No un hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing”.
Close
Would like to close by sharing two scriptures that tell us the blessings of service:
33 Wherefore, be not aweary in bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of csmall things proceedeth that which is great.
34 Behold, the Lord arequireth the bheart and a cwilling mind; and the willing and dobedient shall eeat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
(D&C 64:33-34)
5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am amerciful and gracious unto those who bfear me, and delight to honor those who cserve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their aglory.
(D&C 76:5-6)
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Birthday Pressies
Tis not every day ones child turns 12. So we got Joe an extra special pressie this time - a Nintendo DS Lite. We also let him have it a day early so he could play some games - since, well, we don't play them on a Sunday in an effort to be at least slightly holy.
Happy 12th Birthday
Joe turned 12 today. A great time for any boy, but even greater since Joe was also ordained. We now have 2 priesthood holders in the home, and Dad feels much better at not being the only one.
We had some local family round (apologies to distant relatives the date got changed at short notice, plus our house is too teeny tiny to fit the ever increasing dynasty in).
Instead enjoy the pics and we hope to see you soon non-the-less.
We had some local family round (apologies to distant relatives the date got changed at short notice, plus our house is too teeny tiny to fit the ever increasing dynasty in).
Instead enjoy the pics and we hope to see you soon non-the-less.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Let it snow...
The weather forecast for us was -3 and snow. It tried to snow Friday evening but ended dismally. However in the night there was more...
Not a lot of snow, but a nice change.
An examination of our back garden reveals shivering chickens in the shed and a wasteland waiting to be turfed.
We went to Lough later and there was enough snow to have a mini snowball fight in the car park by scraping the remains off our car.
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