Elder Gerald Causse - Love All; Love Each

 Elder Causse remarks included - 

"To love all and to love each are not two different kinds of love but the same divine love expressed on two scales—one expansive enough to embrace the whole world and the other personal enough to notice a single individual with unique needs, circumstances, and life story."

First, loving all.

"Are we selective, or exclusive, in determining who deserves our love, or do we extend Christlike love to all with whom we associate?

The Lord asked, “If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?” To Him, all people upon this earth are our neighbors—there are no strangers or outcasts, only brothers and sisters.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “a man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”

Discipleship was never meant to be a comfortable circle of familiar friends focused on their own interests. Rather, our congregations are a beautiful mosaic—enriched by diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences—yet united in devotion to Christ.

Service in the Church expands our circle of love and widens our associations. We meet people from all walks of life—new friends, brothers and sisters in need, recent converts, and missionary or ministering companions. We don’t serve only those we already love; rather, we come to love people as we serve them."

"Second, loving each.

Do we interact superficially with others, or do we genuinely seek to know and care for each person we meet?

Though He was often surrounded by multitudes, the Savior always gave His full attention to the one—one sheep, one leper, one Samaritan woman, one little child, one soul at a time. In His love, no one was ever lost in the crowd.

Likewise, in the Church of Jesus Christ, there should be no anonymity. As we enter the fold of Christ through sacred covenants, we are known, accounted for, and cared for—one person at a time.

Through my service, both in and out of the Church, I have learned that even those people who at first seemed insignificant have become some of the most remarkable and uplifting individuals I know. There is wonderful depth—so much to love—in every soul."

"...as we extend Christlike love to each person we serve, our eyes are opened to their divine potential. We begin to see them as the Lord sees them—mortal souls with the capacity to become exalted beings through the Savior’s restoring power and grace.

As we care for each soul, we help connect them to the Savior, inviting them to be healed and transformed through His atoning blood. In return, our own lives are blessed—we become more like the Savior and are filled with great joy."

Joseph Smith - History

 I find it interesting -

"On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. He stated to me that having been teaching school in the neighborhood where my father resided, and my father being one of those who sent to the school, he went to board for a season at his house, and while there the family related to him the circumstances of my having received the plates, and accordingly he had come to make inquiries of me.

67 Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 7th of April) I commenced to translate the Book of Mormon, and he began to write for me."  Joseph Smith—History 1:66-67

In about three months, most of The Book of Mormon was translated.

Joseph Smith - History

 The Prophet recalled - 

"By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania; and immediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife’s father, in the month of December, and the February following."  Joseph Smith—History 1:62

Can you imagine the thrill the Prophet had as he experienced the translation of characters on the plates?

Joseph Smith - History

 The Prophet related - 

"At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected."  Joseph Smith—History 1:59

I believe that each of us has been given a direct charge related to our own callings and missions.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson - Lost Luggage, Redeemed Souls

In my mind, Elder Stevenson compared the responsibility of Airlines to care for luggage in the same manner as the Lord expects us to care for His children.

"...the feeling is recognizable: entrusting what is precious into the care of others—and longing for its safe return. This evokes memories of familiar scenes: a mother—father—at a curb or platform, bidding farewell to their student, soldier, or missionary. Years of teaching, preparation, and prayer culminate in the moment of placing their cherished possession in the care of others—trusting conscientious stewards to care for their son or daughter throughout their journey until they are reunited.

In a much holier way, our Heavenly Father also places a claim upon us, not as a label on a handle but as a divine truth written on the heart: “You are mine. I know you. You are not alone. I have not forgotten you. I intend to bring you home.”"

"Please know you represent the Lord, scripturally aligned, serving those who are “numbered among the people of the church of Christ,” whose “names [are] taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way.” We “are to ‘watch over’ Church members and ‘be with and strengthen them’ (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53).” The greatest success in missionary work comes as we act in normal and natural ways; the same is true in ministering.

I invite you to contemplate how you can:

Provide Christlike love, caring, and service.

Offer help and comfort in times of spiritual or temporal need.

Prayerfully seek the guidance of the Spirit.

Help prepare families to make and keep sacred covenants with God as they receive ordinances."

In aspect to my calling - 

"Inspire them to “sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, [giving them] all the direction [they] will ever need in [their lives].”"

...by the Holy Ghost

 Joseph Smith shares of his visits with the angel Moroni - 

"I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates.

54 Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days."  Joseph Smith—History 1:53-54

In Lucy Smith's writings, she shared one of those visits - 

“On the twenty-second of September, 1824, Joseph again visited the place where he found the plates the year previous; and supposing at this time that the only thing required, in order to possess them until the time for their translation, was to be able to keep the commandments of God—and he firmly believed he could keep every commandment which had been given him—he fully expected to carry them home with him. Therefore, having arrived at the place, and uncovering the plates, he put forth his hand and took them up, but, as he was taking them hence, the unhappy thought darted through his mind that probably there was something else in the box besides the plates, which would be of some pecuniary [monetary] advantage to him. So, in the moment of excitement, he laid them down very carefully, for the purpose of covering the box, lest some one might happen to pass that way and get whatever there might be remaining in it. After covering it, he turned round to take the Record again, but behold it was gone, and where, he knew not, neither did he know the means by which it had been taken from him. “At this, as a natural consequence, he was much alarmed. He kneeled down and asked the Lord why the Record had been taken from him; upon which the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and told him that he had not done as he had been commanded, for in a former revelation he had been commanded not to lay the plates down, or put them for a moment out of his hands, until he got into the house and deposited them in a chest or trunk, having a good lock and key, and, contrary to this, he had laid them down with the view of securing some fancied or imaginary treasure that remained. “In the moment of excitement, Joseph was overcome by the powers of darkness, and forgot the injunction that was laid upon him. “Having some further conversation with the angel, on this occasion, Joseph was permitted to raise the stone again, when he beheld the plates as he had done before. He immediately reached forth his hand to take them, but instead of getting them, as he anticipated, he was hurled back upon the ground with great violence. When he recovered, the angel was gone, and he arose and returned to the house, weeping for grief and disappointment. “As he was aware that we would expect him to bring the plates home with him, he was greatly troubled, fearing that we might doubt his having seen them. As soon as he entered the house, my husband asked if he had obtained the plates. The answer was, ‘No, father, I could not get them.’ “His father then said, ‘Did you see them?’ “ ‘Yes,’ replied Joseph, ‘I saw them, but could not take them.’ ” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith, pp. 83–85).

Joseph Smith - History

 One scripture that Moroni quoted differently than in the Old Testament is =

"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

"...And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." Joseph Smith—History 1:38-39

For me, these verses seem to make more sense.  

Joseph Smith - History

 I find it interesting that the Prophet Joseph Smith confessed -

"During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been. But this will not seem very strange to any one who recollects my youth, and is acquainted with my native cheery temperament."  Joseph Smith—History 1:28

President Henry B. Eyring - Prayers of Peace

 President Eyring spoke of how prayers bring peace teaching - 

"It was at that Last Supper that He gave those faithful disciples a promise, which continues to comfort and encourage His faithful disciples today in whatever difficulties we face in our own lives. He said: “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.”"

"You may have seen in your congregations and in your homes that prayers have not only been more numerous but more heartfelt."

"In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we know that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are aware of our circumstances and that They yearn to bless us. The Savior’s words are clear:

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Opening the windows of heaven through fervent prayer does not require the use of many words or flowery language. Rather, the diligence in prayer which Heavenly Father requires of us is to “pour out [our] souls” in private places and have our hearts “drawn out in prayer unto him continually.”"

"I testify that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of our hearts, just as He did for Alma and his people. We can follow His commandment to “pray always” by having a continual prayer in our hearts. As prophets have taught many times in the past, you may not feel like praying or you may not know what to say, but God hears the secret prayers of your heart. The feelings of your heart and the love for our Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son can be so constant that your prayers will ascend always.

As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support. I am reminded of the example of the sons of Mosiah, who had success in preaching the gospel and were made spiritually strong because they prayed constantly. We read in the book of Alma, “They had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation.”

It is significant that their spiritual strength came from continued prayer rather than waiting to pray until a moment of crisis when they desperately needed divine help. Consistent prayer during joyous times and also during seasons of distress and grief will surely be rewarded according to His will and perfect timing."

Joseph Smith - History

 The Prophet shares an interesting note of the First Vision, after being told not to join any churches, he writes -

"He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time..."  Joseph Smith—History 1:20

It will be interesting to learn someday what he learned in this vision.

Elder David A. Bednar - All Who Have Endured Valianly

 Elder Bednar speaking on enduring to the end taught - 

"The Savior’s restored gospel invites us to be spiritually transformed—not merely to improve our behavior. As we align our character, desires, actions, and what we truly love more closely with God’s will, the Savior can bring about a comprehensive and complete change in us.

As we strive to put off the natural man and become Saints through the Savior’s Atonement, we are to “come unto [Him],” be “born again,” bind ourselves to the Father and the Son through sacred covenants and ordinances, pledge our willingness to take upon us the Savior’s name, “receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost,” experience a “mighty change [of] heart,” and serve the Lord with all our “heart, might, mind and strength.” We are to become new creatures in Christ.

This mighty spiritual change is possible only “through the merits, … mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.” As mortal beings, we are in absolute and never-ending need of Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s help to realize our eternal destiny."

"Mormon testified that “charity is the pure love of Christ” and “the greatest of all” spiritual gifts. Significantly, the word endure is used in the scriptures to define and describe charity.

For example, “charity … endureth forever,” “suffereth long, … seeketh not her own, … beareth all things, … endureth all things.” And, as you sisters know well, “charity never faileth.”

Mormon also taught that “whoso is found possessed of [the spiritual gift of charity] at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Note the double meaning of the word of in this verse. We can possess charity, but ultimately charity should possess us.

As we are blessed to receive this supernal gift, a transformation occurs in our spiritual nature and character. Being “possessed” of the spiritual gift of charity refers in"

"The Savior’s divine nature and sublime character were the wellsprings of perfect compassion during His mortal ministry. The Redeemer of the world turned outward in love and service when He faced spiritual adversity or physical pain—in contrast to the natural man in each of us that turns inward in self-interest, self-centeredness, and selfishness. As we live as He invites us to live and with His help, our nature and character over time increasingly become more like His.

As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and interests and more on understanding and addressing the needs of others. We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and becomes increasingly Christlike. Charity, then, ultimately possesses us.

“Wherefore, … pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, … that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

"I am now going to read three scriptures that contain the phrase “endure to the end.” I will insert the phrase “is possessed of the pure love of Christ” in each verse so we can learn a vital and eternal lesson.

The Savior taught His ancient Apostles: “He that endureth to the end [or is possessed of the pure love of Christ] shall be saved.”

Nephi testified: “I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end [or is possessed of the pure love of Christ], the same shall be saved.”

Alma declared: “He that findeth mercy and endureth to the end [or is possessed of the pure love of Christ] the same shall be saved.”

Enduring to the end is linked inextricably to the spiritual gift of charity. Enduring to the end is not merely a relentless determination to grit our teeth, hold on to the limits of our physical strength and mental capacity, and push through the challenges and adversities of mortal life; it is so much more than that.

Enduring to the end is the joyous quest of a lifetime—a pressing forward with faith in Jesus Christ in a gradual process of trusting in and receiving help from our Savior to become more like Him. As our love for Him grows ever stronger and deeper, we can be blessed to receive spiritual perspective, the Lord’s empowering grace, and exceedingly great and indescribable joy."

Joseph Smith - History 1

 We learn a lot on how the promptings of revelation work as we read - 

"While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.  Joseph Smith—History 1:11-12

It many times begins with a desire to know something.

Joseph Smith - History

As I have begun to read the History of the Prophet Joseph Smith, I read an excerpt of a dream of his father - 

He again found himself traveling in a desolate field, again accompanied by a guide. The guide told him, “This is the desolate world; but travel on” (ibid., p. 48). Soon he came to a “narrow path” (ibid., p. 48). Following it, he soon saw “a beautiful stream of water, which ran from the east to the west” (ibid., p. 48). He saw “a rope, running along the bank of it, about as high as a man could reach … a low, but verythe tree “bore a kind of fruit … of dazzling whiteness” and “delicious beyond description” (ibid., p. 49). As he was partaking of the fruit of the tree, he said in his heart, “I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me” (ibid., p. 49). According to his description of the vision, recorded by Lucy Mack Smith, his wife and all seven children came and began partaking of the fruit, which brought them great happiness. He continued, “While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite the valley which we were in … full of doors and windows … all filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we utterly disregarded” (ibid., p. 49).

Can you imagine the feeling and testimony Father Smith experienced when he first read First Nephi chapter 8 in the Book of Mormon, which contains the account of Lehi’s vision of the tree of life! It will be interesting to hear him talk about this someday when we see him in the next life. By the way, in Father Smith’s vision, all of his children came when invited to partake of the fruit of the tree (whereas, in Lehi’s dream, Laman and Lemuel refused to come) and the guide told him that the fruit “was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him, and keep his commandments” (ibid., p. 49). Furthermore, in the vision received by Joseph Smith Sr., the guide commanded him to bring the rest of his children to partake of the fruit of the tree. Brother Smith replied that they were already all there. The guide said, “No … look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them also” (ibid., p. 49). Thus, Father and Mother Smith knew that they had two more children to bring into the world, which they did (Don Carlos on March 25, 1816 and Lucy on July 18, 1821).

Ridges, David J.. The Pearl of Great Price Made Easier (The Gospel Studies Series) (p. 278). Cedar Fort, Inc. Kindle Edition. 

Elder Clark G. Gilbert - Come Home

 Elder Gilbert taught - 

"Choices do have consequences, but we know in the gospel of Jesus Christ that when we lose our way spiritually, the Savior still allows us to change. As President Russell M. Nelson taught:

“Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us.”

And “should [we] stray, He will help [us] find [our] way back.”"

"Feeling we don’t belong, struggling with doubts, or being limited by traditions are just a few of the reasons we don’t immediately answer the call to come home. But even as societal pressures pull people away from their faith, life’s deeper questions do not go away. As President Nelson taught, “The truth is that it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it!” President Oaks declared that the journey home starts by reanchoring on the Savior. Only Jesus Christ can fully restore that light and joy into your life. We all struggle. We need patience, service, and love from others. To those who are trying to help those they love, hold on to the truth. Keep your covenants. Helping others requires you to stay in your covenants. To those who are struggling to come home, know that it is your Savior who’s the one calling you back. In the end, everyone must make their own choices to come home."

Joseph Smith - Matthew 24

 Speaking of the righteous when He comes -

"...what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come.

47 But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready.

48 Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.

49 Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

50 Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods."  Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46-50

Joseph Smith - Matthew 1

 After the apostles had asked the Savior - 

"...Tell us when shall these things be which thou hast said concerning the destruction of the temple, and the Jews..."  Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4

He responded - 

"Take heed that no man deceive you;

6 For many shall come in my name, saying—I am Christ—and shall deceive many;

7 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my name’s sake;

8 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another;

9 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many;

10 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold;

11 But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."  Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5-11

For me, I noticed "ramaineth steadfast".

Abrahm Facsimiles

 As I read and pondered David J. Ridges explanations of the facsimiles in the Book of Abraham, I kept thinking how much of this is taught in the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  President Brigham Young taught - 

"Your [temple] endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels" (Discourses of Brigham Young, 416)” (Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, p. 40).

Elder Patrick Kearon - About His Business

 Following a solemn assembly, Elder Kearon taugth - 

"I was baptised into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my mid-20s in London, joining a host of new young single adult friends in my newfound faith. During the first sacrament meeting following my baptism, I was asked to come to the front of the chapel, and the congregation was invited to raise their hands as a sign of welcome to the ward and to the Church.

This was an unfamiliar practice to me. But I looked into those smiling faces, and I felt as if they were cheering me on, genuinely thrilled that I had discovered faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow Him. Many of my new friends had recently experienced this same welcome and transition into a life of faith.

A week later, I was invited to meet with the bishop. He had taken time to get to know me when I was being taught by the missionaries. He rocked back in his chair, thwacking a ruler into his palm, and told me that we were meeting because he had a calling for me. He had prayed—about me—and he told me the calling would be of benefit to me and my future service to the Lord in His Church. He extended the calling of assistant ward clerk. The reaction in my mind was, “Assistant ward clerk? Well, that is not me!” Fortunately, a little grace intervened, and I responded with a “thank you” and that I would endeavour to learn what was involved. I did not have a clue.

At church the next Sunday, I was asked to stand as my calling was announced. My ward family was invited to raise their hands if they agreed to sustain me. Comfortingly, I saw those same raised hands and smiling faces surrounding me in the congregation, reassuring me that these new friends would support me with their goodwill, patience, and faith."

With those raised hands and encouraging smiles, we were participating in common consent, where we can choose to sustain, by the raising of the right hand, those called to serve. Common consent is not a mere formality but a beautiful mix of our agency, unity, and faith. It is a voluntary, personal commitment to support, uphold, and help the Lord’s called servants in their responsibility, whether bishopric member, Young Women adviser, Sunday School teacher, or stake Primary president. We sustain each other with our prayers, our love, our patience, and our faith. Will we always agree with those we are invited to sustain? Will we always think they are doing a good job and serving as the Saviour would? Perhaps not, and we might be right, but as we pray for them and they for us, important bridges of unity are built.

"I came to understand why everyone serves one another in a ward or branch: it affords us all the opportunity to pursue Christ and His virtues—such as charity, humility, meekness, forgiveness, and love—with people who may be very different to us. I clearly saw how faith is fortified and the body of Christ bonded together. I could see the Lord working through imperfect servants, very much including myself, who were striving to discern His will for those they were serving.

Some callings are highly stretching, while others may leave us wondering, “Isn’t there more I could be asked to do?” You might serve in a very visible role for a time, only later to be called to quiet, unseen service—or to support those with less experience. When callings change in ways that deeply impact you or your family, it can require great faith and trust in the Lord while you adjust.

I also acknowledge that there are those who, owing to exceptional circumstances, are unable to respond to a calling at a given time. Careful leaders will be sensitive to this, and through prayer, the Lord can help you know when the time is right for you to serve again.

Is it sometimes iconvenient to serve in a calling that asks something of us? Might we become jaded or reluctant? I have learned over and over again that—whatever our offering—in the Lord’s economy we always come out ahead.

When the Saviour called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, they instantly dropped their nets. If a call were ever inconvenient or incomprehensible, it must have been this one on the shore of Galilee, yet with faith they followed. And what of feeling disheartened or flagging? Well, even with all they saw, felt, and experienced, those first Apostles needed the Lord’s gentle reminding and His repeated invitation to feed His sheep.

Our service is a choice, an offering to God, and a blessing. We all know that prayer, study of scripture, and worship at church and in the temple are critical to the development of our faith. Have we also come to see our callings as having a foundational role in the expansion of our faith? Callings from the Lord are tailor-made for our growth, as we humble ourselves, look outward, and learn that, indeed, when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are in fact in the service of our God. It really isn’t where we serve but how that matters to the Lord.

And it matters for us too. There was nothing half-hearted about those friends I talked about. They were living their faith at full speed, and it was contagious. I could see the joy that came to them from their whole-souled devotion—which brings us to today."

Abraham 5

 The Gods made it clear - 

"...Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form an help meet for him."  Abraham 5:14

I believe a "help meet" suggests the woman was equal and a partner to man.  Not an helpmeet.

Abraham 5

 We also are taught again in Abraham 5 - 

"And thus we will finish the heavens and the earth, and all the hosts of them."  Abraham 5:1

It becomes apparent to me that our Father in Heaven taught His noble and great ones how the creation was going to happen before they participated in the creation.

Abraham 4

 As the "Gods" planned the creation - 

Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth.

2 And the earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate, because they had not formed anything but the earth..."  Abraham 4:1-2

Obviously, this earth was a central part of the plan of salvation

Abraham 3

 The Lord taught - 

"...we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them..."  Abraham 3:25

Where we always thought that this proving was a test, in last r's General Conference, President Eyring also suggested - 

"The word prove has several meanings. To prove something is not simply to test it. It is to increase its strength. To prove a piece of steel is to place it under strain. Heat, weight, and pressure are added until its true nature is enhanced and revealed. The steel is not weakened by the proving. In fact, it becomes something that can be trusted, something strong enough to bear greater burdens."

Abraham 3

 The Lord basically taught Abraham that there exists two facts.  He began using the fact that there greater differences between the planets.  He then followed - 

"...These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all."  Abraham 3:19

"Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born."  Abraham 3:22-23

President Benson taught a youth group - 

‘For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not…. God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God…. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us…. Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain—the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight—and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?’” (Marvin J. Ashton, “‘Stalwart and Brave We Stand,’” Ensign, November 1989, pp. 36–37).

Abraham 3

 Abraham shares that early in his life, that - 

"...I, Abraham, had the Urim and Thummim, which the Lord my God had given unto me, in Ur of the Chaldees..."  Abraham 3:1

"And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. This is the reckoning of the Lord’s time, according to the reckoning of Kolob."  Abraham 3:4

I find it interesting that it was through the Urim and Thummim that the Lord taught Abraham great truths concerning the universe, which we learn later that he taught Pharaoh.

Abraham 2

 As Abraham approaches Egypt - 

"...it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon;

23 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise:

24 Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live.

25 And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee."  Abraham 2:22-25

I find it interesting that Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught -

“The Lord never sends apostles and prophets and righteous men to minister to his people without placing women of like spiritual stature at their sides. Adam stands as the great high priest, under Christ, to rule as a natural patriarch over all men of all ages, but he cannot rule alone; Eve, his wife, rules at his side, having like caliber and attainments to his own. Abraham is tested as few men have been when the Lord commands him to offer Isaac upon the altar (Gen. 22:1–19); and Sarah struggles with like problems when the Lord directs that she withhold from the Egyptians her status as Abraham’s wife…. And so it goes, in all dispensations and at all times when there are holy men there are also holy women. Neither stands alone before the Lord. The exaltation of the one is dependent upon that of the other” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, page 302).

President Dallin H. Oaks

 President Oakes taught - 

"The family proclamation, announced 30 years ago, declares that “the family is ordained of God” and “is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” It also declares “that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” And “we further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” As then-Elder Russell M. Nelson taught a Brigham Young University audience, the family is “pivotal to God’s plan. … In fact, a purpose of the plan is to exalt the family.”

The Church of Jesus Christ is sometimes known as a family-centered church. It is! Our relationship to God and the purpose of our mortal life are explained in terms of the family. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan of our Heavenly Father for the benefit of His spirit children. We can truly say that the gospel plan was first taught to us in the council of an eternal family, it is implemented through our mortal families, and its intended destiny is to exalt the children of God in eternal families."

"Of course, many Church members have beloved family members who do not embrace gospel values and expectations. Such members need our love and patience. In relating to one another, we should remember that the perfection we seek is not limited to the stressful circumstances of mortality. The great teaching in Doctrine and Covenants 138:57–59 assures us that repentance and spiritual growth can continue in the spirit world that follows mortality. More important, as families unite to strengthen one another, we should all remember that the sins and inevitable shortcomings all of us experience in mortality can be forgiven through repentance because of the glorious and saving Atonement of Jesus Christ."

"Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate role model. We will be blessed if we model our lives after His teachings and self-sacrifice. Following Christ and giving ourselves in service to one another is the best remedy for the selfishness and individualism that now seem to be so common.

Parents also have a duty to teach their children practical knowledge apart from gospel principles. Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Family gardens build family relationships. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable to bond families. Families should organize family reunions to remember ancestors, which lead to the temple.

Parents should educate children in the basic skills of living, including working in the yard and home. Learning languages is a useful preparation for missionary service and modern life. The teachers of these subjects can be parents or grandparents or members of the extended family. Families flourish when they learn as a group and counsel together on all matters of concern to the family and its members.

Some may say, “But we have no time for any of that.” To find time to do what is truly worthwhile, many parents will find that they can turn their family on if they all turn their technologies off. And parents, remember, what those children really want for dinner is time with you.

Great blessings come to families if they pray together, kneeling night and morning to offer thanks for blessings and to pray over common concerns. Families are also blessed as they worship together in Church services and in other devotional settings. Family bonds are also strengthened by family stories, creating family traditions, and sharing sacred experiences. President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that “stories of inspiration from our own lives and those of our forebears … are powerful teaching tools.” They are often the best sources of inspiration for us and our posterity.

I testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Only Begotten Son of God, our Eternal Father. He invites us to follow the covenant path that leads to a heavenly family reunion..."

My personal opinion is that when the morning stars sang of the privilege of a mortal earth life, our rejoicing was due to the idea that for the first time, we would have the experience of family posterity.

Abraham 2

Abraham and his lineage was promised - 

"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;

11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal."  Abraham 2:9-11

In my mind, it was a promise of obligation and exaltation

Abraham 2

 Even as a spirit, the Savior declares - 

"...My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning..."  Abraham 2:8

Abraham 1

 In the book of Abraham, we learn that - 

"Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal.

26 Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.

27 Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham..."  Abraham 1:25-27

We also learn that Abraham held - 

"...the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me."  Abraham 1:31

Elder Dale G. Renlund - Taking on the Name of Christ

 Elder Renlund described - 

",,.at least five parallels to the process through which we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Even though that process begins with baptism, it is not complete until we are more pure and holy and have become more like Him."

So we more fully take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through identification, remembrance, emulation, and alignment. Doing these four leads us to a fifth parallel—empowerment. We access God’s power and blessings in our lives."

"As we make additional covenants with God, we take upon ourselves more fully the name of Jesus Christ. Consequently, God blesses us with more of His power. As President Nelson taught: “Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ. … The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power … that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better.”

We become more spiritually receptive. We have more courage to confront seemingly impossible circumstances. We are strengthened more in our resolve to follow Jesus Christ. We more speedily repent and return to Him when we transgress. We become better at sharing His gospel with His power and authority. We help those in need while being less judgmental, far less judgmental. We retain a remission of our sins. We have greater peace, and we are more cheerful because we can always rejoice. His glory will be round about us, and His angels will have charge over us.

The Savior invites us, “Come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.” I urge you to do this. Come unto our Heavenly Father. Take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ. Identify with Him. Always remember Him. Strive to be like Him. Join Him in His work. Receive His power and blessings in your life. Etch His name in your heart, willingly and intentionally. This gives you “standing” before God and qualifies you for the Savior’s advocacy on your behalf. You will become an exalted inheritor in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven, a joint-heir with His Firstborn, our beloved Savior and Redeemer."

Abraham 1

 We learn that Abraham demonstrated great faith being faithful even as his family turned to idols.  Because of his faithfulness, he was chosen as were three virgins because they wouldn't bow down to the worship of idols, to be sacrificed.  The virgins were sacrificed.  As they were about to sacrifice Abraham - 

"...the priests laid violence upon me, that they might slay me also, as they did those virgins upon this altar;..."  Abraham 1:12

And as they lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer me up and take away my life, behold, I lifted up my voice unto the Lord my God, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me with the vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood by me, and immediately unloosed my bands;

16 And his voice was unto me: Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from thy father’s house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of;

17 And this because they have turned their hearts away from me, to worship the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; therefore I have come down to visit them, and to destroy him who hath lifted up his hand against thee, Abraham, my son, to take away thy life.

18 Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee.

19 As it was with Noah so shall it be with thee; but through thy ministry my name shall be known in the earth forever, for I am thy God."  Abraham 1:15-19

No question that this witness had an effect on Abraham the rest of his life.