Scripture of the Day: D&C 82:3,5; Thought of he Day: Darkness Reigneth

 D&C 82:3,5
"

  3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

5 Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth"

Thought of the Day:
"D&C 82:5. “Darkness Reigneth”
“‘Darkness’ here, as in John 1:5, means the condition
of the world outside divine revelation. It refers to
both spiritual and moral error. Revelation from God
gives light, but when divine revelation is rejected, the
adversary spreads his dominion among the children
of men.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p. 490.)"

Scripture of the Day: D&C 80:3-4; Thought of the Day: Finding Strength in Challenging Times

D&C 80:3-4
"3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.
4 Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true." 

Thought of the Day: Finding Strength in Challenging Times

Having the capacity to receive personal inspiration will be necessary in the coming days.

"Elder Andersen, we extend our love, blessings, and support as you fill this new calling. Brothers and sisters, individuals and families across the world are challenged by current conditions. While I believe there are serious challenges ahead, I also know it is a wonderful time to be alive, especially for the youth. I see my children and grandchildren having full, satisfying lives even as they have challenges, setbacks, and obstacles to overcome.

These are the days when prophecies are being fulfilled. We live in the dispensation of the fulness of times, which is the time to prepare for the Savior’s return. It is also the time to work out our own salvation.
When the winds blow and the rains pour, they blow and pour on all. Those who have built their foundations on bedrock rather than sand survive the storms.1 There is a way to build on bedrock by developing a deep personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing how to receive inspiration. We must know—and know that we know. We must stand spiritually and temporally independent of all worldly creatures.2 This begins by understanding that God the Father is the Father of our spirits and that He loves us, that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Savior, and that the Holy Ghost can communicate with our minds and our hearts.3 This is how we receive inspiration. We need to learn how to recognize and apply these promptings.

When I was a young man in high school, one of my passions was American football. I played middle linebacker. The coach worked the team hard, teaching us the basics. We practiced until the skills became natural and automatic. During one play against our biggest rival, I had an experience that has helped me over the years. We were on defense. I knew my assigned opponent, and as the play unfolded, he moved to my right into the line of scrimmage. There was a lot of noise from players and fans. I reacted as the coach had taught us and followed my man into the line, not knowing if he had the ball. To my surprise, I felt the ball partially in my hands. I gave it a tug, but my opponent didn’t let go. As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, “Packer, tackle him!” That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot.

I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked.
We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks defined a testimony this way: “A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true.”4 At another time Elder Oaks said, “Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become.”5
 
There are several things we can do to develop a deep conversion and learn how to receive divine inspiration. First, we must have a desire. Alma said, “For I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life … according to their wills.”6
 
Next, Alma challenged us to experiment on the word: “We will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”7
 
To study and learn is the next step. This includes pondering, which broadens and deepens our testimonies. “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right.”8
We can learn how answers come through inspiration. They come as thoughts and feelings to our minds and hearts.9 Occasionally answers may come as a burning in the bosom. Elijah taught that answers come as a “still small voice.”10 The Lord said, “And if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”11
 
Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings.

He said: “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”12
 
Developing this capacity helps us gain testimonies and becomes the means for obtaining additional inspiration in the future.

While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith’s vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful.

Over time we will receive answers and learn how inspiration comes. This is something each person learns for himself.

Next, asking for a testimony of truth opens the window of inspiration. Prayer is the most common and powerful way to invite inspiration. Merely asking a question,13 even in our minds, will start to open the window. The scriptures teach, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”14
 
Jesus also taught us to apply the doctrine in our lives: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”15
 
In time, a personal witness will come and we will know—and know that we know. We will then be independent of all other worldly things, for “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things”16 which are right17 and expedient18 for us. We will receive strength, comfort, and help to make good decisions and act with confidence in troubled times.19
 
This witness is not limited to the leaders but is available to all men, women, youth, and even little children. Having the capacity to receive personal inspiration will be necessary in the coming days.

As a youth I learned that my testimony could grow by fulfilling my priesthood duties. I had a desire to know. I studied and pondered; I prayed for answers. One day while sitting at the sacrament table as a priest, I felt and I knew.

This is a great time to be alive! The Lord needs each of us. This is our day; it is our time! From one of our hymns, we read:

Rise up, O men [and I add women] of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings.20

I bear testimony of our Heavenly Father, the Father of our spirits; of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior; and of the Holy Ghost, who is the means through which we receive divine guidance. I bear testimony that we can personally receive inspiration. May we know the voice through which that inspiration comes, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Elder Allan F. Packer Of the Seventy

 

BLINK 182!!!

Blink 182 is my favorite band. They basically inspire my life. Haha. I ordered a sweatshirt and a tshirt from their tour at the beginning of this month, [November 6th] and I finally got the merch yesterday! I called to find out why it took so long, and it turns out that so many people wanted blink stuff that they were behind on sending out orders by over two weeks! Crazy! Who knew they'd still be this popular? Although they did just get back together after a few years since the original break up. And they did just put out the most amazing tour ever....

Ah! I love them. <3

Scripture of the Day: D&C 78:10; Quote of the Day: Voice of the Spirit--James E. Faust

Scripture of the Day: D&C 78:10

"10 Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them."

Quote of the Day:

"Satan’s tactic is to “turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them.” He creates a smoke screen that obscures our vision and diverts our attention.

President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) stated: “If we are faithful in keeping the commandments of God His promises will be fulfilled to the very letter. … The trouble is, the adversary of men’s souls blinds their minds. He throws dust, so to speak, in their eyes, and they are blinded with the things of this world.”

How are we possibly going to select which voices we will listen to and believe? The implications for us as individuals are staggering. To spiritually survive, we must do at least these four things.
 
First, we must exercise moral agency wisely. Amaleki tells us how we can make proper choices: “There is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil." Every moment demands that we choose, over and over again, between that which comes from the Lord and that which comes from the devil. As tiny drops of water shape a landscape, so our minute-by-minute choices shape our character.

Second, we must have a purpose. The late prime minister David Ben-Gurion of Israel once made a statement about Leon Trotsky, one of the architects of the Russian Communist revolution. Trotsky, he said, was no leader. He was brilliant, but he was no leader because he had no purpose. Everyone in life needs to have a purpose. As members of Christ’s Church, we are to consider the end of our salvation. Someone has said, “You must stand up for something, or you will fall for everything.”

The more righteous part of the Nephites had to focus their attention in order to hear the voice that preceded the Savior’s appearance among them. “They heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.” They heard the voice a second time and did not understand. When they heard the voice the third time, they “did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.” If we are to hearken to the voice of the Spirit, we too must open our ears, turn the eye of faith to the source of the voice, and look steadfastly towards heaven.
Third, we must strengthen our testimony. We all need to study the plan of salvation and learn of our relationship to God. As we walk by faith, we will have confirmed in our hearts spiritual experiences which will strengthen our faith and testimony.

Fourth, we must search the scriptures, which are “the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.” The Lord also said of His word, as found in the scriptures, “For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you.”

I suggest a simple solution for selecting the channel to which we attune ourselves: listen to and follow the voice of the Spirit. This is an ancient solution, even eternal, and may not be popular in a society that is always looking for something new. It requires patience in a world that demands instant gratification. This solution is quiet, peaceful, and subtle in a world enamored of that which is loud, incessant, fast paced, garish, and crude. This solution requires you to be contemplative while your peers seek physical titillation. (This may seem foolish in a time when it is not worth remembering much of the trivial tripe to which we are exposed.) This solution is one unified, consistent, age-old message in a world that quickly becomes bored in the absence of intensity, variety, and novelty. This solution requires us to walk by faith in a world governed by sight. With the eye of faith we are to see eternal, unseen, spiritual verities, while the masses of mankind depend solely on temporal things which can be known only through the physical senses.

We need to learn how to ponder the things of the Spirit and to respond to its promptings—to filter out the static generated by Satan. As we become attuned to the Spirit, we “shall hear a word behind [us], saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.” Hearkening to the “voice of the living God” will give us “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” These are the greatest of all the gifts of God."

 James E. Faust, “Voice of the Spirit,” Liahona, Jun 2006, 2–6

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76: 59-65, 71-77, 81-85, 92-94; Quote of Day: Kingdoms of Glory

Today's scripture of the day and quote are a little bit lengthy, but I felt like all of this needed to be in here. I apologize that it is so long though. It's quite a read.



 Scripture of the Day: D&C 76: 59-65, 71-77, 81-85, 92-94

Celestial
 "59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

60 And they shall overcome all things.

61 Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet.

62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.

63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.

64 These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.

65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just."

Terrestrial
"71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.

72 Behold, these are they who died without law;

73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;

74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.

75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.

76 These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.

77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father."

Telestial

 "81 And again, we ^asaw the glory of the ^btelestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the ^cglory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.

82 These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the ^atestimony of Jesus.

83 These are they who ^adeny not the Holy Spirit.

84 These are they who are thrust down to ^ahell.

85 These are they who shall not be redeemed from the ^adevil until the ^blast resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the ^cLamb, shall have finished his work."

Celestial

"92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;

93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.

94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;"

Quote of the Day: Kingdom of Glory

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected. After we are resurrected, we will stand before the Lord to be judged according to our desires and actions. Each of us will accordingly receive an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory. The Lord taught this principle when He said, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2).

There are three kingdoms of glory: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The glory we inherit will depend on the depth of our conversion, expressed by our obedience to the Lord's commandments. It will depend on the manner in which we have "received the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:51; see also D&C 76:74, 79, 101).

Celestial Kingdom
The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt; it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose.

The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood" (D&C 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. For a detailed explanation of those who will inherit celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–70; 76:92–96.

In January 1836 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that expanded his understanding of the requirements to inherit celestial glory. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the celestial kingdom. He marveled when he saw his older brother Alvin there, even though Alvin had died before receiving the ordinance of baptism. (See D&C 137:1–6.) Then the voice of the Lord came to the Prophet Joseph:

"All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; "Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

"For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts" (D&C 137:7–9).

Commenting on this revelation, the Prophet Joseph said, "I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" (D&C 137:10).

From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. To be exalted in the highest degree and continue eternally in family relationships, we must enter into "the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" and be true to that covenant. In other words, temple marriage is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory. (See D&C 131:1–4.) All who are worthy to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will have that opportunity, whether in this life or the next.

Terrestrial Kingdom
Those who inherit terrestrial glory will "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77–78). Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people "who were blinded by the craftiness of men" (D&C 76:75). This group will include members of the Church who were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:79). It will also include those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but who later received it in the postmortal spirit world (see D&C 76:73–74). To learn more about those who will inherit terrestrial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80, 91, 97.

Telestial Kingdom
Telestial glory will be reserved for individuals who "received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:82). These individuals will receive their glory after being redeemed from spirit prison, which is sometimes called hell (see D&C 76:84, D&C 76:106). A detailed explanation of those who will inherit telestial glory is found in Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–90, 98–106, 109–112.

Perdition
Some people will not be worthy to dwell in any kingdom of glory. They will be called "the sons of perdition" and will have to "abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory" (D&C 76:32; 88:24). This will be the state of "those who know [God's] power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy [God's] power" (D&C 76:31; see also D&C 76:30, 32–49).

—See True to the Faith (2004), 92–95

Tale of a Summer Love Lost

I wrote this while listening to two of my favorite songs by Port Blue. It is about no one in particular. The songs are instrumental, so in no way did lyrics influence this song. I simply wrote down the story I saw in my head. Comments and feedback are welcome. :]


Tale of a Summer Love Lost

Asleep in a meadow, the sun’s rays timidly peak over the hillside. The gentle light hitting my cheek. I can feel their warmth, it wakes up my skin, putting a smile on my face. I sit up, surrounded by tall overgrown green grass. The sun lighting the drops of dew hanging off each blade, like little orbs of light, twinkling in the early morning.

Stretching, I look around, breathing in deeply, tasting the crisp cool air. Exhaling, I see my breath. I’m reminded that it’s cold outside. I begin to turn to my side, reaching over to touch your rugged bristled cheek; I love when you don’t shave.

As I reach for where you are, I realize you aren’t laying there anymore. The grass, bent and flattened from where you slept, no longer holds your warmth. You’ve been gone for quite some time. How did I not feel you leave? I didn’t even notice. A sense of loneliness washes over me. An aching, longing, empty feeling fills my soul.

Running through the field, I frantically search for you. Where did you go? Calling out your name a hundred times at least; a sense of urgency in my voice; you aren’t anywhere in site. I can’t find you anywhere.
You’re gone. Really gone.

Sinking to my knees I start to sob. Crying like a small child who can’t find his mother. I wrap my arms around my legs, rocking back and forth on the wet grass as I cry. A fair amount of time passes. I cry until no more tears will come, I have not a drop left. I realize I’m shaking.

Wiping the remaining tears that are still fresh on my cheek, I dust myself off; slowly pulling myself off the ground. Crying isn’t going to bring you back. I need to find you. Something must have happened. You wouldn’t just abandon me, right? No, no of course not! How could I even think? Even consider that a possibility?

Gathering up all of my belongings from where we’d slept, I grab your sweater, pulling it close to my face. I take a deep breath in. My head starts to spin, your smell is so intoxicating to me, my sweet drug. It smells of laundry detergent, your cologne, and summer rain. Never have I ever smelled a sweeter smell! It’s almost like you’re still here. It brings me back to the night before.


We were dancing in the lit pavilion, the lights hanging from it were like happy little fireflies wanting to dance along with us in the chill midnight air. There was no music, so we made our own. You were humming the song you’d written for me so long ago. You knew it was my favorite. I was singing the words, no louder than a whisper. You kissed my forehead. I grew tired of dancing, we decided to go exploring.

Running through a field of dandelions grown old, we pick up a handful of them, make a wish, and send them with the wind,. I wished for you. We come to the top of a hill. There is a beautiful deserted beach down below. It’s breathtaking.


















Grabbing my hand, you start down the hill. When we get to the bottom, we rip off our shoes. Cold dry sand getting between my toes. We run towards the water, picking up rocks and throwing them, trying to see how far we can get them to skip. I lose my bearings, slipping on a rock. I’m completely soaked and my knee is bleeding a little. The salty water makes it sting sharply.

Picking me up, you call me a klutz with a big boyish grin on your face. You kiss me ever so gently, making the pain from falling subside, if even for just a moment. You look deeply, longing, into my eyes. My heart stars to race. You place thumb and forefinger on my chin, pulling me closer to you. We are mere inches from each other’s faces. You open your mouth and begin to whisper “I luh…TAG! YOU’RE IT!” You dart down the beach, heading back towards the hill with the field of dandelions. I let my feet stay sunk in the sand for just a moment longer, before I start chasing after you. I grab my shoes along the way, and quickly fall into step behind you. Our bodies in sync, running at the same pace. The hill is steep, a lot more so than I had anticipated. When you reach the top, you bend over, hands on your knees, breathing heavily, panting hard, trying to catch your breath. I come up from behind and tackle you to the ground. We roll around in the grass, laughing, barely able to breathe. We come to a stop trying to catch our breath amongst a fit of laughter. My lungs are on fire, yearning for my oxygen. I lay my head on your chest feeling the rhythm of your heartbeat, the loud thumping, beginning to slow down and growing more quiet and steady. You reach for my hand, squeezing it tightly. I squeeze back.

We listen to the sweet melody of the crickets, telling their stories of passion, love, despair, and hardship. Gazing at the stars, and making our own constellations. We stay almost completely silent for hours, there is no need for words. My eyes grow tired, burning with the desire to sleep. I start to fade in and out of consciousness. Just as I’m about to completely drift into sleep, you take a wisp of hair from my forehead and tuck it behind my ear. You pull me in closer to you, your body radiating the perfect amount of heat needed to keep me warm. You whisper so quietly it’s almost inaudible “I love you. Forever and always I’ll love you. You’re my everything, I’m here to stay. Promise.”

My eyes snap open, and I sit up, I’m suddenly back in reality. Tears are streaming down my cheeks, I wonder when I started crying again. I look around, and remember you aren’t here. That sharp piercing pain from before hits me like a punch in the stomach. I feel so alone without you. Where did you go? Why did you leave me? You promised you were here to stay…

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:51-53; Quote of the Day:In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:51-53

"51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

  52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

  53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."

 Today's quote of the day isn't a quote at all, it's actually a video. I really liked it. I thought I should probably post SOMETHING thanksgiving related, so here it is. I hope it helps you to remember what you're thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving. :]

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:31-38, 44-49; Quote of the Day:The Vision of the Degrees of Glory

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:31-38, 44-49

"31 Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power—
32 They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born;
33 For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity;
34 Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—
35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.
36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—
37 And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power;
38 Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath.
44 Wherefore, he saves all except them—they shall go away into everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment—
45 And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows;
46 Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof;
47 Nevertheless, I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but straightway shut it up again;
48 Wherefore, the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation.
49 And we heard the voice, saying: Write the vision, for lo, this is the end of the vision of the sufferings of the ungodly."

Quote of the Day: The Vision of the Degrees of Glory

"Philo Dibble was an eyewitness to the reception of this revelation. He wrote that “the vision which is recorded in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants was given at the house of ‘Father Johnson,’ in Hiram, Ohio, and during the time that Joseph and Sidney were in the spirit and saw the heavens open, there were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one during a part of the time—probably two-thirds of the time,—I saw the glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision.
“The events and conversation, while they were seeing what is written (and many things were seen and related that are not written,) I will relate as minutely as is necessary.
“Joseph would, at intervals, say: ‘What do I see?’ as one might say while looking out the window and beholding what all in the room could not see. Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, ‘I see the same.’ Presently Sidney would say ‘what do I see?’ and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, ‘I see the same.’
“This manner of conversation was reported at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision.

“Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, ‘Sidney is not used to it as I am.’” ( Juvenile Instructor, May 1892, pp. 303–4.)"

Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student ManualSection 76 - The Vision of the Degrees of Glory



[to read the entire explaination of section 76, go here.]

Nikki

Can I just say real quick how much I love Nikki?

I LOVE YOU NIKKI!! 

YOU'RE THE BEST AND I MISS YOU DEARLY!!

"I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end." [Moroni 8:3]

Thank you. That is all. :]

Setting the House on Fire

So a few days ago I was cleaning my room, and I was trying to decide where to put all of my hats. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea, but I put my favorite hat on top of a lamp. Long story short, and twenty minutes later, Rachael brought to my attention that something smelled funny.

She looked up, and wouldnt you know it, the lamp and hat were on fire! I quickly put it out. But it was so funny, cause it was such a dumb thing for me to have done. I know better than to put something on top of a lamp!

Being the photographer that I am though, I couldn't resist taking some photos of my stupidity. They turned out pretty awesome! Enjoy. :]

 

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:22-24; Quote of the Day: Love for Christ--Gordon B. Hinckley

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:22-24

"22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

  23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

  24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."

Quote of the Day: Love for Christ--Gordon B. Hinckley

"How I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! His stirring commission and His divine love motivate all of us in this work. I love my brethren. To a man they are loyal. Without hesitation they respond to every call. They are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is He, Jesus Christ, who stands at the head of this Church which bears His sacred name. He is watching over it. He is guiding it. Standing at the right hand of His Father, He directs this work. Unitedly, as His Apostles, authorized and commissioned by Him to do so, we bear our witness that He lives and that He will come again to claim His kingdom and rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Of this we are certain and bear apostolic testimony in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

“Special Witnesses of Christ,” Liahona, Apr 2001, 2

Scripture of the Day: D&C 76:5,10; Quote of the Day: Beware of Pride--Ezra Taft Benson

"5 For thus saith the Lord--I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will--yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard,not yet entered into the heart of man."

Quote of the Day:

"Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. (See Mosiah 3:11; 3 Ne. 6:18.) In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride—it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby. (See 2 Ne. 4:15; Mosiah 1:3–7; Alma 5:61.)
Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”"

Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 4

Scripture of the Day: D&C 75:19-22; Quote of the Day: Now is the Time to Prepare--Russel M, Nelson

Scripture of the Day: D&C 75:19-22
"19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.

20 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you not, ye shall depart speedily from that house, and shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them.

21 And you shall be filled with joy and gladness; and know this, that in the day of judgment you shall be judges

of that house, and condemn them;

22 And it shall be more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment, than for that house; therefore, gird up your loins and be faithful, and ye shall overcome all things, and be lifted up at the last day. Even so. Amen" 

 

Quote of the Day: Now is the Time to Prepare 

 

" "A prophet warns us: “Ye cannot say … that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will … possess your body in that eternal world.”Another prophet adds, “He that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still.”

 

Great is the knowledge that “whatever principle of intelligence we attain … in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” From the Prophet Joseph Smith we also learn that “God has … a time … appointed … when He will bring all His subjects, who have obeyed His voice and kept His commandments, into His celestial rest. This rest is of such perfection and glory, that man has need of a preparation before he can, according to the laws of that kingdom, enter it and enjoy its blessings. … God has given certain laws to the human family, which, if observed, are sufficient to prepare them to inherit this rest.” Sister Nelson was so prepared!

That glorious goal seems mighty distant if one is discouraged by worldly trouble and gloom. I remember when a friend having a difficult day exclaimed, “Oh, why was I ever born?” God’s plan answers his question. We came into this life to acquire a physical body. We may fall in love and be married. We may have children and experience the trials of mortal life. (Please forgive me for mentioning children and the trials of life in the same breath. I sense that they are both part of our growing process.) The Church was restored—the earth was created—so that those families could be sealed in holy temples. Otherwise, the whole earth would be “utterly wasted.”"

Russell M. Nelson, “Now Is the Time to Prepare,” Liahona, May 2005, 16–18

 

Scripture of the Day: D&C 75:10-12; Luke 18:1;Quote of the Day:Perseverance--James E. Faust

Scripture of the Day: D&C 75:10-12; Luke 18:1
"10 Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them--
11 Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end.
12 Behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning you. Even so. Amen."

"1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"

 Quote of the Day: Perseverance--James E. Faust
"Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges. Paul Harvey, the famous news analyst and author, once said: “Someday I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that someone will ask me, ‘What’s the secret of it?’ I shall say simply this: ‘I get up when I fall down.'
...Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don’t give up even when others say, “It can’t be done.”"

James E. Faust, “Perseverance,” Liahona, May 2005, 51–53

Friday: D&C 74:1,7 Nikki's Pick: Moroni 7:40-48 Quote of the Day-Gordon B. Hinkley

Scripture of the Day: D&C 74:1,7

"1 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy.
7 But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean."

Nikki's Pick: Moroni 7:40-48

"40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

  41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

  42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

  43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

  44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

  45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

  46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

  47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

  48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." 

 

 

Quote of the Day:What are People Asking About Us?

 

"Question 6: What about spouse and child abuse?
We condemn most strongly abusive behavior in any form. We denounce the physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse of one’s spouse or children. Our proclamation on the family declares: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. … Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs. … Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
We are doing all we know how to do to stamp out this terrible evil. When there is recognition of equality between the husband and the wife, when there is acknowledgment that each child born into the world is a child of God, then there will follow a greater sense of responsibility to nurture, to help, to love with an enduring love those for whom we are responsible.
No man who abuses his wife or children is worthy to hold the priesthood of God. No man who abuses his wife or children is worthy to be a member in good standing in this Church. The abuse of one’s spouse and children is a most serious offense before God, and any who indulge in it may expect to be disciplined by the Church."

Gordon B. Hinckley, “What Are People Asking about Us?,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 70
 

Learning to Dance

So my best friend Devin has been teaching me how to do some sick dance moves. I'm very much so a beginner with this, but I'm lovin' it! And apparently I'm a quick learner. He videotaped me doing what I know so far, and as I progress there will be more videos. Then when I'm amazing, I can go back and see where I started from.

Nikki's Pick: D&C 68:6

"6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

Quote of the Day: If Any Man Lift His Voice Against You--Bruce R. McConkie

"Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained the usual role of debates in the work of the Church as follows: “Except under very unusual circumstances, debates play nopart in the approved system of presenting the message of salvation to the world or of persuading members of the Church to accept a particular doctrine or view. Almost always a debate entrenches each contestant and his sympathizers more firmly in the views already held.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 186.)"

Scripture of the Day: D&C 71:7-10

"7 Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.


8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.

9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;

10 And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time."

Roommate? Nah, Sister!!

Recently I got to have a lovely opportunity fall upon me. One of my closest friends from high school moved in with me and my family. My entire childhood we always had a family friend, an aunt and uncle, or cousins living with us for awhile. It's been a few years since I've been at home for more than a weekend, so moving back and having no one extra living with the family made it feel a wee bit empty. But now that Rachael is with us, every day is a little extra fun!! I love having her at my house. It's like I've obtained a third sister. I think she likes it too. At least I hope she does!! I know my little brother does, he thinks Rachael and him are dating, and that she's gonna marry him when he's older. Haha. Poor Michael....

Quote of the Day: Doctrine and Covenants-John M. Madsen

"The Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon are inseparable, powerful witnesses of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His great latter-day work. These two volumes of scripture fulfill, at least in part, a promise of the Lord to Enoch: “And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth” (Moses 7:62). After quoting this scripture in a conference talk, President Ezra Taft Benson said that “the Book of Mormon has come forth out of the earth, filled with truth” and that the Doctrine and Covenants is filled with “revelation after revelation from the heavens” (“The Gift of Modern Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 79–80).

Truly the Lord has much to say about the Book of Mormon in the Doctrine and Covenants. These two volumes of scripture are indeed inseparable and powerful witnesses of the divinity of Christ and of His great latter-day work. President Benson explained the important relationship of these two sacred books:
“Excluding the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants is by far the greatest external witness and evidence which we have from the Lord that the Book of Mormon is true. …
“The Doctrine and Covenants is the binding link between the Book of Mormon and the continuing work of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. …
“The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, …
“The Book of Mormon is the ‘keystone’ of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone” (“The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 83)."

John M. Madsen, “Inseparable Witnesses of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Jan 2001, 18

Scripture of the Day: Section 70

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, November 12, 1831. HC 1: 235–237. The history written by the Prophet states that four special conferences were held from the 1st to the 12th of November, inclusive. In the last of these assemblies the great importance of the Book of Commandments, later called the Doctrine and Covenants, was considered; and the Prophet refers to it as being “the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” "

Nikki's Pick: Moroni 7:33

"33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."

I LOVE HALO

I don't know if I've ever expressed enough to everyone I know about how much I LOVE halo for xbox 360. My friends and I play it just about every day. Many an all-nighter has resulted from such game playing goodness. I'm not very good at it, but it brings me real joy. I like the competition. Game with me online: MormanMaf1a

Quote of the Day: Families--Russel M. Nelson

 

"As we go through life, even through very rough waters, a father’s instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife or to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior.
This lesson is surely not limited to fathers. Regardless of gender, marital status, or age, individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth. By so doing, they become examples of righteousness to whom others will want to cling.

To set our house in an order pleasing to the Lord, we need to do it His way. We are to employ His attributes of “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness.” 6 Each father should remember that “no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.” 7
Parents are to be living examples of “kindness, and pure knowledge, which … greatly enlarge the soul.” 8 Each mother and father should lay aside selfish interests and avoid any thought of hypocrisy, physical force, or evil speaking. 9 Parents soon learn that each child has an inborn yearning to be free. Each individual wants to make his or her own way. No one wants to be restrained, even by a well-intentioned parent. But all of us can cling to the Lord."

Russell M. Nelson, “‘Set in Order Thy House’,” Liahona, Jan 2002, 80–83