More on problem solving

I have mentioned in previous blog posts about gospel resources in solving problems. As I read Elder Scott's address this morning, I was impressed with what he had to say regarding scriptures as basically a handbook for solving problems.

I also want to include this post about Christ as the ultimate help for solving problems.

Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems. He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of happiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We have ready access to this guidance through the treasure we call the standard works—that is, the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Elder Richard C. Scott, "The Power of Scripture" October 2011 General Conference

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Alma 32/33 connection

I have never tuned in to the fact that right after Alma discusses comparing faith to a seed in Alma 32, the very next thing he talks to the people about is prayer. The people want to know what seed they should plant and how they should plant it. Prayer is the starting place. In fact, the answer is always, at least in part, prayer. He quotes a prophet we don't know too much about, Zenos. This is what Zenos has to say about prayer. It seems very poetic to me.

Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.

8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.

9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.

10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.

11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

The last verse in Alma 33 says this:

23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.

Feeding a pet / Feeding a testimony analogy

A couple weeks ago, Preston Weekes was speaking in Sacrament meeting and talking about testimony. This is the analogy he made.
When you get a pet, what do you need to do to take care of it?
You have to feed it and give it water everyday. It is helpful if you play with it, and give it exercise. Take it to the vet to get check-ups and shots and things it needs to be healthy. Make it a part of your life. If you don't feed it, it will eventually die.

When you get a testimony, what do you need to do to take care of it?
You have to feed it daily. You need to give it exercise and make it part of your life. If you aren't doing something for it everyday, it cannot grow and progress as it should. You should check on it frequently to make sure it is growing and progressing.

Because of Alma 32:26-43, I have frequently compared faith or testimony to a seed, but I hadn't really thought much about how similar it is to caring for a pet or a living thing. This helps to clarify for me, the need for daily nourishing of testimony.

Pres. Uchtdorf's message- Forget-me-not

1) forget not to be patient with yourself.

2) forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

3) forget not to be happy now.

4) forget not the ‘why’ of the gospel.

5) forget not that the Lord loves you.


“My dear Relief Society sisters, you are closer to heaven that you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord’s help.”


Click here for Pres. Uchtdorf's message. Part 1
Part 2

What I get from Alma 29

These are my rambling thoughts about the 29th chapter of Alma...

Alma 29:
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

Alma has huge desires to be an angel and cry repentance to all the world. Why would that be a sin? I guess the sin lies in the fact that, though he has fine desires, he needs to make sure that He is doing what the Lord wants him to do. He "tones" down his desire in verse 9, to be an instrument in God's hands to bring a soul to Him. It is really the same goal, just not as grandiose.

We need to seek the Lord's will and make sure we are doing with our lives what He has "allotted" us to do.

I also think sometimes we get huge ideas and bite off more than we can chew. Crying repentance to the world looks at the world as a whole. After he thinks about it, and says he would like to bring a soul to God, that individualizes it more. That is what the Lord is about. He wants the Gospel taken to someone one at a time.

The interesting thing is that Alma actually got his original wish; Now his words are contained in the Book of Mormon that is spreading over the world. All Alma needed to worry about doing was bringing the Gospel to one person at a time and God will take care of the rest.

More on General Conference

In looking for patterns in the last General Conference addresses, this is what I found:

Topics covered 5 times or more
Faith
Family
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Obedience
Priesthood
Service

The topics talked about the most:
Faith
service

These are the titles on which each of the Prophet and Apostles spoke:

Thomas S. Monson:
It’s Conference Once Again
Priesthood Power
The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World
At Parting


Boyd K. Packer
Guided by the Holy Spirit
L. Tom Perry
The Sabbath and the Sacrament
Russell M. Nelson
Face the Future with Faith
Dallin H. Oaks
Desire
M. Russell Ballard
Finding Joy through Loving Service
Richard G. Scott
The Eternal Blessings of Marriage
Robert D. Hales

Jeffrey R. Holland
An Ensign to the Nations
David A. Bednar
The Spirit of Revelation
Quentin L. Cook
LDS Women are Incredible!
D. Todd Christofferson
“As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten”
Neil L. Andersen
Preparing the World for the Second Coming

Call me observant, but I didn't realize that Robert D. Hales didn't speak. Was he sick?

Pres. Monson's message from April

As Gen. Conf. is coming up in a few weeks, I want to review Pres. Monson's messages from April. He spoke 4 times and these are the things he asked us to do:

1) It's Conference Once Again.
~Each year millions of ordinances are performed in the temples. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances, not only for ourselves but also for our deceased loved ones who are unable to do so for themselves.

~May I suggest that if you are able, you might consider making a contribution to the General Missionary Fund of the Church.

2) Priesthood Power

~Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there. The lyrics in much of today’s music fall in the same category.

~I am sorry that any of us is subjected to profane language, and I plead with you not to use it. I implore you not to say or to do anything of which you cannot be proud.

~Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever.

~The Church is true. If you do not already have a testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one.

~Attend church.

~Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another.

3) The Holy Temple- A Beacon to the World
~If you have been to the temple for yourselves and if you live within relatively close proximity to a temple, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to visit the temple regularly.

~there is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple.

~(quoting Spencer W. Kimball) It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives].

~I plead with you to teach your children of the temple’s importance

~As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.

~may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.

4) At Parting

~As we receive the issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them.

~We face many challenges in the world today, but I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. He loves each of us and will bless us as we seek Him through prayer and strive to keep His commandments.

~May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to those of our own.

~May we be examples of honesty and integrity wherever we go and in whatever we do.