It is no longer necessary to can at the cannery to get all the products you want. They now have a "store" essentially. You can go and get the cans you need.
There are 5 products that do not come precanned. The high priest group is working each month to can those.
The cannery has a water purifying bottle. The water bottle is $14 and the filter is $6. Good idea for Easter baskets!!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
General Women's Broadcast
Did you get to hear the broadcast last night? Wasn't it WONDERFUL!! I always have a hard time going to these things. It is hard for me to put on a dress and go out in the evening, BUT, I go and never regret it.
If you missed it, don't worry, the church is so awesome it is already on the web!! You can view it HERE.
Now, thanks to computer savy folks I can share some snippets and quotes from the conference:
If you missed it, don't worry, the church is so awesome it is already on the web!! You can view it HERE.
Now, thanks to computer savy folks I can share some snippets and quotes from the conference:
Broadcast Continued
There was just so much awesomeness in last nights broadcast. The memes I found were great, but didn't use all the quotes I thought were great. Luckily for me, Linda Tapp, took awesome notes, on facebook! I am hacking her page and sharing some more insights from last night.
"We must find quiet moments to seek light and truth." . . .
--
"When filled with the spirit and with gospel truth, we have the power to withstand in every circumstance."
"We must teach truths about Heavenly Father's plan for His family."
". . . . . faith will triumph over doubt."
"We must find quiet moments to seek light and truth." . . .
--
"When filled with the spirit and with gospel truth, we have the power to withstand in every circumstance."
"Nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants." . . . .
_______________
"Everyone can be defenders of the Lord's plan"
...
_______________
"Everyone can be defenders of the Lord's plan"
...
__________________
"Have faith if it is slow in coming." (Have faith in the Lord's time)
______________________________
One cannot forget Mother and remember God. One cannot remember Mother and forget God. Because they are united as one in purpose,[ in nurturing and strengthening home and family] . . . .
___________________________
Let us defend the home as the place that is second only to the temple in holiness.
Elder Henry B. Eyring:
Thoughts of mother, wife, daughters, grand daughters,
The Savior is at the center of each of their lives. . . .
One of the attributes of the Savior we have spoken of tonight, is His infinite compassion.
You can and must be an important part of His giving comfort to those who need comfort.
You can be the answer to prayers for help.
Heavenly Father hears their prayers and knows their needs.
_____________________________
Matthew 11:
28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The burdens his faithful servants must carry are made lighter through His atonement.
_________________________________
Mosiah 18:
"Bear one another's burdens, to make them light And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light"
________________________________________
John 14: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Lord works with us to lighten the loads of his people.
"That you may know for assurity that I the Lord God do
_____________________________________
Mosiah 24: 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
____________________________________________
Job 42:
And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17So Job died, being old and full of days.
___________________________________________
"Joy always comes after sorrow"
The Lord has asked each of us as His disciples, to bear one another's burdens"
The Lord sends the Holy Ghost, the comforter, to those we have pledged to help him comfort.
Charity is the pure love of Christ. His love never fails. . .. .. His peace will never leave us as we serve others for Him.
I am grateful, with all my heart, for the wonderful women in my life who have strengthened and blessed me . . . . "
"We have a seed of perfection within us to be refined while we are on earth." One of the women said that in the video about families.
"Have faith if it is slow in coming." (Have faith in the Lord's time)
______________________________
One cannot forget Mother and remember God. One cannot remember Mother and forget God. Because they are united as one in purpose,[ in nurturing and strengthening home and family] . . . .
___________________________
Let us defend the home as the place that is second only to the temple in holiness.
Elder Henry B. Eyring:
Thoughts of mother, wife, daughters, grand daughters,
The Savior is at the center of each of their lives. . . .
One of the attributes of the Savior we have spoken of tonight, is His infinite compassion.
You can and must be an important part of His giving comfort to those who need comfort.
You can be the answer to prayers for help.
Heavenly Father hears their prayers and knows their needs.
_____________________________
Matthew 11:
28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The burdens his faithful servants must carry are made lighter through His atonement.
_________________________________
Mosiah 18:
"Bear one another's burdens, to make them light And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light"
________________________________________
John 14: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Lord works with us to lighten the loads of his people.
"That you may know for assurity that I the Lord God do
_____________________________________
Mosiah 24: 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
____________________________________________
Job 42:
And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17So Job died, being old and full of days.
___________________________________________
"Joy always comes after sorrow"
The Lord has asked each of us as His disciples, to bear one another's burdens"
The Lord sends the Holy Ghost, the comforter, to those we have pledged to help him comfort.
Charity is the pure love of Christ. His love never fails. . .. .. His peace will never leave us as we serve others for Him.
I am grateful, with all my heart, for the wonderful women in my life who have strengthened and blessed me . . . . "
"We have a seed of perfection within us to be refined while we are on earth." One of the women said that in the video about families.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Easter!
Easter is coming up soon! Are you ready? Do you have the eggs, the candy and the baskets planned? What about the new Easter clothes?
Now the important question: are you spiritually prepared? Easter is much more than eggs and bunnies.
Here are some sites to help you keep Christ as your center of Easter celebrations.
How to Celebrate Easter Holy Week
Easter Lesson
All About Easter! This one has so many different posts. Make sure you click "older posts" at the bottom of the page to read more. She has also included some fun worldly Easter ideas!
Of course we get to pig out on all that Easter candy as we watch General Conference.
Here are a few sites to give you Conference ideas.
From fun to review to ideas:
General Conference
Pinterest Help!
Now the important question: are you spiritually prepared? Easter is much more than eggs and bunnies.
Here are some sites to help you keep Christ as your center of Easter celebrations.
How to Celebrate Easter Holy Week
Easter Lesson
All About Easter! This one has so many different posts. Make sure you click "older posts" at the bottom of the page to read more. She has also included some fun worldly Easter ideas!
Of course we get to pig out on all that Easter candy as we watch General Conference.
Here are a few sites to give you Conference ideas.
From fun to review to ideas:
General Conference
Pinterest Help!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Conference Lesson
The talks used in this lesson were:
Sustaining the Prophets by Russell M. Nelson
Live According to the Words of the Prophets by Carol F. McConkie
In Sacrament, there were a lot of changes in callings made. Many of our fellow sisters and brothers were sustained into new positions. The sustainings were unanimous. If you were in the meeting, you yourself probably sustained these fellow ward members.
What does it mean to sustain someone though? When we raise our right arm to the square what are we saying/doing?
When we sustain someone we are telling that person that we support them. That we think they will do a good job as whatever they were called to. We are saying that we will do what we need to to help them in their position in the church.
All callings come from the Lord. Yes, man delivers them and is flawed, but if we doubt a calling, we can pray to have a personal revelation that the called has come from the Lord.
How do we really sustain a prophet? Long before he became President of the Church, President Joseph F. Smith explained, “It is an important duty resting upon the Saints who … sustain the authorities of the Church, to do so not only by the lifting of the hand, the mere form, but in deed and in truth."
The Lord calls the prophet, He has promised us that the prophet will never lead us astray. Local leaders my become coorupted, but the Lord will never allow a prophet to lead us where He does not want us to go.
Elder Nelson shared this story as part of his lesson:
Sustaining the Prophets by Russell M. Nelson
Live According to the Words of the Prophets by Carol F. McConkie
What does it mean to sustain someone though? When we raise our right arm to the square what are we saying/doing?
When we sustain someone we are telling that person that we support them. That we think they will do a good job as whatever they were called to. We are saying that we will do what we need to to help them in their position in the church.
All callings come from the Lord. Yes, man delivers them and is flawed, but if we doubt a calling, we can pray to have a personal revelation that the called has come from the Lord.
How do we really sustain a prophet? Long before he became President of the Church, President Joseph F. Smith explained, “It is an important duty resting upon the Saints who … sustain the authorities of the Church, to do so not only by the lifting of the hand, the mere form, but in deed and in truth."
The Lord calls the prophet, He has promised us that the prophet will never lead us astray. Local leaders my become coorupted, but the Lord will never allow a prophet to lead us where He does not want us to go.
Elder Nelson shared this story as part of his lesson:
Well do I remember my most unique “deed” to sustain a prophet. As a medical doctor and cardiac surgeon, I had the responsibility of performing open-heart surgery on President Spencer W. Kimball in 1972, when he was Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He needed a very complex operation. But I had no experience doing such a procedure on a 77-year-old patient in heart failure. I did not recommend the operation and so informed President Kimball and the First Presidency. But, in faith, President Kimball chose to have the operation, only because it was advised by the First Presidency. That shows how he sustained his leaders! And his decision made me tremble!
Thanks to the Lord, the operation was a success. When President Kimball’s heart resumed beating, it did so with great power! At that very moment, I had a clear witness of the Spirit that this man would one day become President of the Church!
20 months later President Kimball was made President of the church.
When we sustain prophets and other leaders, we invoke the law of common consent, for the Lord said, “It shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.”
Twenty-six years before he became President of the Church, then-Elder George Albert Smith said: “The obligation that we make when we raise our hands … is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means … that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct.”
When we sustain someone, we need to support them and help them however we can.
Moving on to Sister McConkie's talk.
Concerning the living prophet, the Lord commands the people of His Church:
“Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
“For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.”
To be in harmony with heaven’s divine purposes, we sustain the prophet and choose to live according to his words.
In a world threatened by a famine of righteousness and spiritual starvation, we have been commanded to sustain the prophet. As we give heed to, uphold, and affirm prophetic word, we witness that we have the faith to humbly submit to the will, the wisdom, and the timing of the Lord.
We heed prophetic word even when it may seem unreasonable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. According to the world’s standards, following the prophet may be unpopular, politically incorrect, or socially unacceptable. But following the prophet is always right. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
If we are not able to follow the little things in life we are asked to do, we will struggle with the big things we are asked to do.
Many years ago the prophet asked women to only have 1 earring per ear. For some this was a struggle, "why does it matter how many earrings are in my ears?" "More than one earring does not make me a bad person."
Others accepted this counsel, went home and removed the excess earrings.
If we can not abide by the "small" things we are counseled to do, we will struggle with the larger and harder parts of the gospel.
Many years ago the prophet asked women to only have 1 earring per ear. For some this was a struggle, "why does it matter how many earrings are in my ears?" "More than one earring does not make me a bad person."
Others accepted this counsel, went home and removed the excess earrings.
If we can not abide by the "small" things we are counseled to do, we will struggle with the larger and harder parts of the gospel.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Lesson 6
Opening Song: Hymn 92
Lesson 6
Read the Living Christ https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/34591/34591_000_APP_04-livingChrist.pdf
Sister Lear was invited into share her sweet testimony of Jesus Christ. She knows that He loves her children, her, and all of them. She knows that her babies will be healed because of them and that she has to endure of this. Just love her strong spirit that she brought into the room. :)
1. Because of His infinite love for us, Jesus Christ redeemed us from physical and spiritual death.
Jesus has had a great impact on this earth influencing us through His teachings. In the manual, it says, " We cannot conceive of our lives without His teachings. Without Him we would be lost in a mirage of beliefs and worships born in fear and darkness where the sensual and materialistic hold sway."
"Only Jesus Christ was able and willing to accomplish such a redeeming act of love. Jesus Christ … came to this earth at a fore-appointed time through a royal birthright that preserved His godhood. "
Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, he voluntarily took all of our sins upon Himself. Sister K read, "That holy, unselfish act of voluntarily taking on Himself the sins of all other men is the Atonement. How One could bear the sins for all is beyond the comprehension of mortal man. But this I know: He did take on Himself the sins of all and did so out of His infinite love for each of us. He has said: “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; … which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.”
2. Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb, and He lives today as a resurrected being.
The greatest events of history are those that affect the greatest number of people for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the resurrection of the Master.
Closing Song: Hymn 86
Lesson 6
Read the Living Christ https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/34591/34591_000_APP_04-livingChrist.pdf
Sister Lear was invited into share her sweet testimony of Jesus Christ. She knows that He loves her children, her, and all of them. She knows that her babies will be healed because of them and that she has to endure of this. Just love her strong spirit that she brought into the room. :)
President Benson’s testimony of the Savior revealed the personal closeness he felt with Him:
“With all my soul, I love Him. “I
humbly testify that He is the same loving, compassionate Lord today as
when He walked the dusty roads of Palestine. He is close to His servants
on this earth. He cares about and loves each of us today. Of that you
can be assured. He lives today as our Lord, our Master, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our God. God bless us all to believe in Him, to accept Him, to worship Him, to fully trust in Him, and to follow Him."
Jesus has had a great impact on this earth influencing us through His teachings. In the manual, it says, " We cannot conceive of our lives without His teachings. Without Him we would be lost in a mirage of beliefs and worships born in fear and darkness where the sensual and materialistic hold sway."
"Only Jesus Christ was able and willing to accomplish such a redeeming act of love. Jesus Christ … came to this earth at a fore-appointed time through a royal birthright that preserved His godhood. "
Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, he voluntarily took all of our sins upon Himself. Sister K read, "That holy, unselfish act of voluntarily taking on Himself the sins of all other men is the Atonement. How One could bear the sins for all is beyond the comprehension of mortal man. But this I know: He did take on Himself the sins of all and did so out of His infinite love for each of us. He has said: “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; … which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.”
2. Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb, and He lives today as a resurrected being.
The greatest events of history are those that affect the greatest number of people for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the resurrection of the Master.
President Benson testifies, "As one of His latter-day witnesses, I testify that He lives today. He is
a resurrected Being. He is our Savior, our Lord, the very Son of God. I
testify that He will come again as our glorified, resurrected Lord.
That day is not far distant. To all who accept Him as Savior and Lord, His literal resurrection means that life does not end at death, for He promised: “Because I live, ye shall live also.”
3.We must be valiant in our testimony of Jesus Christ.
In the manual, it states, "A most priceless blessing available to every member of the Church is a
testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His church. A testimony is
one of the few possessions we may take with us when we leave this life."
4. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of relying completely on Him and following His teachings.
Sister K asked the question, "Why is faith in Him so necessary to peace of mind in this life and hope in the world to come?"
President Benson says, "My message and testimony is this: Only Jesus Christ is uniquely
qualified to provide that hope, that confidence, and that strength we
need to overcome the world and rise above our human failings. To do so,
we must place our faith in Him and live by His laws and teachings"
and
"Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him. As God, He
has infinite power, intelligence, and love. There is no human problem
beyond His capacity to solve. Because He descended below all things (see
D&C 122:8), He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties."
5. We are most blessed and joyful when we strive to be like Jesus Christ.
This is my favorite part of the lesson. It says, "That [person] is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most
closely approaches the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do
with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of
greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being
like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and
the abundant life."
Closing Song: Hymn 86
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Reminder:
If you want to know the R.S calendar or the lesson schedule, they are on the left side of the blog, under the relief society logo. Just click on them, and it will take you to the correct page.
General Conference: Women's session: Saturday March 28th 6pm!!
For all women and girls 8 years old and up!
And just a few funnies for ya:
General Conference: Women's session: Saturday March 28th 6pm!!
For all women and girls 8 years old and up!
And just a few funnies for ya:
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Scripture Chains: Repentance continued
Sister Rolfe has been a wonderful teacher in Relief Society. However, it is time for her to share her wisdom and life with the young women in our ward. We will miss you!
This is the hand out that Sister Rolfe gave us to go with her/the last lesson.
The scripture chains in this lesson are wonderful and give true guidance to the repentance process, please ponder these scriptures in one of your personal scripture study times, you will find great council and strength.
Godly sorrow is a gift of the spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having "a broken heart and a contrite spirit."
Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance.
Scripture chain: 3 Nephi 9:20, Moroni 6:2, D&C 20:37; 59:8, Psalms 34:18; 51:17, Isaiah 57:15
Moroni was told by the Lord, "If men come unto me I will show them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men." It matters not what is our lack or our weakness or our insufficiency. His gifts and powers are sufficient to overcome them all. Moroni continues with the words of the Lord: "My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27
Scripture chain: D&C 52:17, 1 Nephi 17:3; 2, 2 Nephi 3:13, D&C 1:28; 133:58-59
This is the hand out that Sister Rolfe gave us to go with her/the last lesson.
The scripture chains in this lesson are wonderful and give true guidance to the repentance process, please ponder these scriptures in one of your personal scripture study times, you will find great council and strength.
Godly sorrow is a gift of the spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having "a broken heart and a contrite spirit."
Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance.
Scripture chain: 3 Nephi 9:20, Moroni 6:2, D&C 20:37; 59:8, Psalms 34:18; 51:17, Isaiah 57:15
Moroni was told by the Lord, "If men come unto me I will show them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men." It matters not what is our lack or our weakness or our insufficiency. His gifts and powers are sufficient to overcome them all. Moroni continues with the words of the Lord: "My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27
Scripture chain: D&C 52:17, 1 Nephi 17:3; 2, 2 Nephi 3:13, D&C 1:28; 133:58-59
Monday, March 9, 2015
Lesson 5
Principles of True Repentance. Lesson #5
Even before his call as President of the Church, President Benson made repentance an important theme of his ministry. He had been counseled to do so by George Albert Smith, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time. In a letter written not long after President Benson’s call to the apostleship, President Smith said, “Your mission from now on is to find ways and means to disseminate the truth and warn the people that you come in contact with in as kind a way as possible that repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of this world.”
President Benson was faithful to this charge as he taught the gospel throughout the world. He taught that “it is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.”3 But he also observed that “we all have need to repent.”4 He emphasized the “mighty change” of heart associated with repentance (see Alma 5:12–14) and explained the Savior’s role in bringing about such change:
“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ
“Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”
If we wish to truly repent and come unto Him so that we can be called members of His Church, we must first and foremost come to realize this eternal truth—the gospel plan is the plan of happiness. Wickedness never did, never does, never will bring us happiness [see Alma 41:10]. Violation of the laws of God brings only misery, bondage, and darkness.
Repentance involves not just a change of actions, but a change of heart.
When King Benjamin finished his remarkable address in the land of Zarahemla, the people all cried with one voice that they believed his words. They knew of a surety that his promises of redemption were true, because, said they, “the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, [and note this] that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2.)8
Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn’t happened to you—it should.
No one is more anxious to see us change our lives than the Father and the Savior.
Moroni continues with the words of the Lord: “My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27; italics added.)
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