tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52547602687141515522024-02-08T08:05:38.325-07:00Quotes Card FileA collection of quotes that I likeJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.comBlogger476125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-3258401878633294672023-11-26T10:29:00.000-07:002023-11-26T10:29:01.024-07:00God answers prayer poem<p> </p><div class="stanza" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="line" data-aid="28789617" id="p25" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know not by what methods rare</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789618" id="p26" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But this I know, God answers prayer.</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789619" id="p27" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know that He has given His Word,</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789620" id="p28" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Which tells me prayer is always heard,</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789621" id="p29" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And will be answered, soon or late.</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789622" id="p30" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And so I pray and calmly wait.</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789623" id="p31" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know not if the blessing sought</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789624" id="p32" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Will come in just the way I thought;</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789625" id="p33" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But leave my prayers with Him alone,</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789626" id="p34" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Whose will is wiser than my own,</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789627" id="p35" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Assured that He will grant my quest,</em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789628" id="p36" style="--height: 29.796875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Or send some answer far more blest.</em></p></div><div class="citation-info" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="150151126" id="p50" style="--height: 37.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0.722em !important; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4 !important; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Eliza M. Hickok, “Prayer,” <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Best Loved Religious Poems,</em> ed. James Gilchrist Lawson, New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1933, p. 160.)</p><p data-aid="150151126" id="p50" style="--height: 37.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4 !important; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Ensign:Sans, Zoram, Zoram ldsLat, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 0.722em !important; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">As quoted in "</span><span style="font-size: 12.996px;">Back to Gospel Basics" </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.996px;">By Elder L. Tom Perry </span><span style="font-size: 12.996px;">Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference, April 1993</span></p><p data-aid="150151126" id="p50" style="--height: 37.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4 !important; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.996px;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/back-to-gospel-basics?lang=eng </span></p></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-54564247432261886082023-10-28T10:42:00.002-06:002023-10-28T10:42:35.346-06:00<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Education involves the preparing of the person, and that is usually what matters—more than the particular calisthenics that are used."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">- Neal A. Maxwell, </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 18px;">Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 18px;">, "Taking up the Cross", BYU Devotional, </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 18px;">January 4, 1976</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell/taking-cross/</span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-25139514633778797112023-07-31T12:04:00.000-06:002023-07-31T12:04:08.036-06:00"How Do I Recognize the Spirit?"<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Liahona Magazine, June 2023</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">How Do I Recognize the Spirit?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mark A. Mathews</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0px 1rem;">President Russell M. Nelson taught, “It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; margin-block-start: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline;">1</a> And yet many still wonder, how do I recognize the Spirit? This is a question that I have been asked repeatedly as a teacher at the missionary training center, for Seminaries and Institutes, and at Brigham Young University. Fortunately, the Lord Jesus Christ has answered this question in the scriptures and the teachings of modern prophets.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians that “the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God” (Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Corinthians 2:11 [in <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/2.11#11" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">1 Corinthians 2:11</a>, footnote <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">c</i>]). Because spiritual truths are not typically seen with our natural eyes, they cannot be learned with our natural senses or intellect alone. As a result, we can only come to know them by the Spirit (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/2.9-10#9" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">1 Corinthians 2:9–10</a>). The Holy Ghost must confirm them to us (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.4#4" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Moroni 10:4</a>).</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">“The things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.”</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">This is why it is vital that each of us learn for ourselves how to recognize and rely on the Spirit to know the truth.<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">2</a> As President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015), President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught, “If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">3</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">To guide us in recognizing His Spirit, the Lord has provided the following descriptions:</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Peace to your mind.”</u></b> To help Oliver Cowdery recognize the Spirit, the Lord asked, “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/6.23#23" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 6:23</a>).<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">4</a> Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “The feeling of peace is the most common confirming witness that I personally experience. When I have been very concerned about an important matter, struggling to resolve it without success, I continued those efforts in faith. Later, an all-pervading peace has come, settling my concerns, as He has promised.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">5</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“In your mind and in your heart.”</b> On another occasion, the Lord gave this description of revelation: “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost. … This is the spirit of revelation” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8.2-3#2" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3</a>). Commenting on this, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “The Lord indicates [here] that revelation frequently comes as thoughts to the mind and feelings to the heart.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">6</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">These inspired thoughts and feelings can “enlighten your mind” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/11.13#13" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 11:13</a>) and cause your heart to “be filled with joy” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/4.20#20" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Mosiah 4:20</a>). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that the “first intimation of the spirit of revelation” is when you “feel pure intelligence flowing into you,” giving you “sudden strokes of ideas.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">7</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Heart burn within us.”</b> Reflecting on being taught by the resurrected Christ, two of His disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/24.32#32" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Luke 24:32</a>). Similarly, Jesus Christ told Oliver Cowdery, “I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you” to confirm truth (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9.8#8" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 9:8</a>; see also <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.3#3" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">3 Nephi 11:3</a>). President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, explained that this “is not a feeling of caloric heat like combustion but a feeling of peace and warmth and serenity and goodness.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">8</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Feel that it is right.”</b> Jesus Christ taught Oliver Cowdery that he would know something was true by the Spirit because he would “feel that it is right” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9.8#8" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 9:8</a>). Elder Scott interpreted this to mean that “the answer comes as a <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">feeling</i> with an accompanying conviction.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">9</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“A still small voice.”</b> The Lord taught Elijah that He does not usually speak dramatically through fire, whirlwinds, and earthquakes, but more often His spiritual communication is subtle through “a still small voice” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.12#12" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">1 Kings 19:12</a>).<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">10</a> This spiritual voice is like “a whisper” that pierces “to the very soul” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/5.30#30" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Helaman 5:30</a>), and “even though it is described as a voice,” President Packer taught, “it is a voice that one feels, more than one hears.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">11</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Thou hast received instruction of my Spirit.”</b> Because the Spirit communicates in quiet and subtle ways, we can receive revelation and not even know it. The Lord explained to Oliver Cowdery, “As often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/6.14#14" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 6:14</a>). The Lord was guiding him all along, but he didn’t recognize it at the time. Only in hindsight, when the Lord pointed it out, could he look back and see the Lord’s guidance. Likewise, we are also “living in the revelation”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">12</a> and may not recognize the Spirit until after He has guided us.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I reflected on it again and again.”</b> Joseph Smith described an experience with the Spirit he had while searching the scriptures, stating that a verse “seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.12#12" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Joseph Smith–History 1:12</a>). We too can identify the Spirit when scripture verses and prophetic teachings touch our hearts and inspire us to reread and ponder them.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Line upon line.”</b> Although we sometimes expect revelation to come all at once, the Lord has explained, “I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28.30#30" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">2 Nephi 28:30</a>). In other words, the Lord’s preferred method is to give incremental revelation, little by little, like seeing the gradual light of a sunrise rather than seeing light all at once after turning on a light.<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">13</a> Often, this revelation is only recognized when viewed in the aggregate.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">The Lord’s preferred method is to give incremental revelation, little by little, like seeing the gradual light of a sunrise.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Leadeth to do good.”</b> Some wonder if a prompting to do good is from the Spirit or just their own thoughts. Jesus Christ answered this when He taught Hyrum Smith how to recognize His Spirit: “Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good … ; and this is my Spirit” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/11.12#12" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; margin-block-end: 0px;">Doctrine and Covenants 11:12</a>). We should assume that spiritual promptings to do good are from the Spirit, and we should act on them.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0px 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block-start: 0px;">“Be still and know that I am God.”</b> Sometimes the Lord does not respond through His Spirit as quickly as we expect. This can be difficult and requires us to exercise faith in His direction to “be still and know that I am God” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/101.16#16" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 101:16</a>). President Nelson explained: “There may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">14</a> When we experience this divine silence, we should remember, as President Oaks has taught, “that the Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in His own time and in His own way. … We wait upon the Lord for His revelation.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">15</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">Although these descriptions are helpful, they are ultimately still inadequate. As President Packer explained: “We do not have the words (even the scriptures do not have words) which perfectly describe the Spirit. The scriptures generally use the word voice, which does not exactly fit. These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes, nor heard with our ears.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">16</a> In the end, recognizing the Spirit is like tasting salt: difficult to describe in words but recognizable once you have personally experienced it.<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">17</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">This is why we must learn to recognize the Spirit for ourselves. While we cannot force spiritual experiences, we can create a climate for them to happen. The Lord Jesus Christ has revealed some of the small and simple things we can do to learn to hear Him speak to us through His Spirit so we can better recognize that spiritual influence whenever He speaks to us.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Scriptures.</b> The Lord Jesus Christ revealed that we can hear His spiritual voice speaking to us when we study the scriptures. He said:</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">“These words are not of men, … but of me; …</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">“For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them … ;</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">“Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18.34-36#34" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36</a>).</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;">Explaining this principle, Elder Bednar taught: “One of the ways that I can hear Him is in the scriptures. The scriptures are the pre-recorded voice of the Lord. It is not hearing an audible voice per se, although that can happen. It is hearing the scriptures in a feeling—a feeling in my mind, a feeling in my heart. For me, the scriptures are key in receiving and recognizing those thoughts and feelings.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; margin-block-end: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline;">18</a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0px 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block-start: 0px;">Temple.</b> President Nelson taught that “we can also <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">hear Him</i> in the temple. The house of the Lord <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</i> a house of learning. … There we learn how to part the veil and communicate more clearly with heaven.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">19</a> The Prophet Joseph Smith prayed for us to be able to learn to recognize the Spirit more fully in the temple when he prayed “that all those who shall worship in this house … may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/109.14-15#14" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Doctrine and Covenants 109:14–15</a>). When we consistently worship in the temple, we gain experience feeling the Spirit and we grow in our capacity to recognize His voice in our lives.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">When we consistently worship in the temple, we gain experience feeling the Spirit and we grow in our capacity to recognize His voice.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Prophets.</b> “Finally,” taught President Nelson, “we <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">hear Him</i> as we heed the words of prophets, seers, and revelators.”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">20</a> As we regularly listen to the messages of our living prophets and apostles and act on their counsel, we invite the Holy Ghost to teach us. This is another important source of experience with the Spirit that can help us recognize His influence.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;">In addition, we can pray sincerely, serve faithfully in the Church, record spiritual impressions, and worthily partake of the sacrament. By doing these things with faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit will come, and we will recognize Him by the descriptions of scripture, become familiar with His promptings by our own experience, and more confidently recognize His influence in all areas of our lives. “By learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus”<a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; text-decoration-line: underline;">21</a> and obtain “the mind of Christ” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/2.16#16" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">1 Corinthians 2:16</a>).</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 1rem;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Notes</b></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;"><a style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; margin-block-end: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline;"></a></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;">1. Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Hear Him</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, May 2020, 90.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2. See Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, May 2018, 95.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />3. As quoted in David A. Bednar, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2006/12/quick-to-observe" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Quick to Observe</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, Dec. 2006, 20.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />4. Similarly, the Apostle Paul taught that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/gal/5.22#22" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Galatians 5:22</a>).<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />5. Richard G. Scott, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/04/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, May 2007, 10.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />6. David A. Bednar, “<a href="https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/educationweek/1998_06_04_bednar.htm" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Teach Them to Understand</a>” (Ricks College campus education week devotional, June 4, 1998), byui.edu.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />7. <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith</a> (2007), 132.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />8. Dallin H. Oaks, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/08/in-his-own-time-in-his-own-way" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">In His Own Time, In His Own Way</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, Aug. 2013, 28.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />9. Richard G. Scott, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/04/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer</a>,” 9.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />10. “Although its impact can be incredibly powerful, it most often comes quietly as a still, small voice” (Quentin L. Cook, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/52cook" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, May 2020, 99).<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />11. Boyd K. Packer, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-candle-of-the-lord" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">The Candle of the Lord</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ensign</i>, Jan. 1983, 52.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />12. David A. Bednar, in “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2020-02-1000-an-evening-with-a-general-authority-elder-bednar" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Evening with a General Authority—Elder Bednar</a>” (video), Feb. 2020, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />13. See David A. Bednar, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">The Spirit of Revelation</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liahona</i>, May 2011, 88.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />14. Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives</a>,” 95–96.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />15. Dallin H. Oaks, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/08/in-his-own-time-in-his-own-way" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">In His Own Time, In His Own Way</a>,” 24, 26.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />16. Boyd K. Packer, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-candle-of-the-lord" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">The Candle of the Lord</a>,” 52.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />17. See Boyd K. Packer, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-candle-of-the-lord" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">The Candle of the Lord</a>,” 51–52.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />18. David A. Bednar, “<u style="box-sizing: border-box;">‘</u><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/hear-him-in-your-heart-and-in-your-mind" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Hear Him’ in Your Heart and in Your Mind</a>,” <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Inspiration</i> (blog), Apr. 21, 2020, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />19. Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Hear Him</a>,” 90.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />20. Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Hear Him</a>,” 90.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />21. <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493;">Teachings: Joseph Smith</a>, 132; see also Russell M. Nelson, “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #157493; margin-block-end: 0px;">Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives</a>,” 95.</p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212225; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Arial, "noto sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;"><br /></p><p class="sc-a1mtb-0 jNMONS" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="color: #212225; font-family: Ensign:Sans, Arial, noto sans, sans-serif;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/how-do-i-recognize-the-spirit?lang=eng</span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-32311924115990815682023-03-14T09:37:00.004-06:002023-03-14T09:37:49.255-06:00<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">"Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church, "We Can Do Better and Be Better," General Conference, April 2019</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/36nelson?lang=eng </span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-48710756213714256942022-06-19T14:59:00.004-06:002022-06-19T14:59:41.337-06:00"every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ"<p>" <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">My dear young brothers and sisters, these surely</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!</span></p><p data-aid="137373969" id="p60" style="--height: 143.984px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When we speak of the <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gathering,</em> we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They decide for themselves if they want to know more."</p><p data-aid="137373969" id="p60" style="--height: 143.984px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p data-aid="137373969" id="p60" style="--height: 143.984px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">- President Russell M. Nelson, "Hope of Israel," New Era, Aug 2018</p><p data-aid="137373969" id="p60" style="--height: 143.984px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Ensign:Serif, McKay, McKay ldsLat, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Palatino-Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2018/08-se/hope-of-israel?lang=eng</span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-82657074449448331722022-06-18T17:43:00.006-06:002022-06-18T17:43:54.374-06:00What in you is merely casualness may become hostility in your children<p> "<span style="font-family: verdana;">A very real danger of not enthusiastically supporting Children and Youth is the unintended message we would send to our children that the Church is a buffet where we can simply pick and choose which practices and commandments we want to follow and somehow opt out of the rest without consequence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles powerfully taught, 'What in you is merely casualness about Christianity may, in your children, become hostility; for what you have not defended, your children may reject angrily.'"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Steven J. Lund, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Young Men General President, Liahona, March 2022. quoting Neal A. Maxwell, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Neal A. Maxwell, “Why Not Now?,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 12.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/03/united-states-and-canada-section/how-the-children-and-youth-program-strengthens-families?lang=eng</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Neal A. Maxwell, “Why Not Now?,” </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">October 1974 general conference, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1974/10/why-not-now?lang=eng </span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-69732243043824710272022-06-18T17:38:00.004-06:002022-06-18T17:38:26.686-06:00Children and Youth program improves mental health<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">“The best way to help youth improve their mental health is by engaging them in Children and Youth because of the consistent emphasis on growth in a variety of areas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Children who understand the wonders of the covenant path will not be looking for off-ramps. Through Primary and Children and Youth, the covenants and the milestones will be clear to them, especially when life gets confusing.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Sheldon Martin, mental health expert interviewed about the Children and Youth program, as quoted in "How the Children and Youth Program Strengthens Families" by By Steven J. Lund, Young Men General President, Liahona, Mar 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/03/united-states-and-canada-section/how-the-children-and-youth-program-strengthens-families?lang=eng</span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-90384731998178845322022-05-20T11:38:00.000-06:002022-05-20T11:38:13.742-06:00Home-centered, Church-supported curriculum will dramatically change families<p> "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> Sabbath days will truly be a delight. </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Your</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> life and in </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">- </span><span style="font-family: Ensign:Serif, McKay, McKay ldsLat, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Palatino-Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">President Russell M. Nelson, </span></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">President of the Church, "Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints," General Conference, Oct 2018, https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-exemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng</span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-6016496544423900772022-05-20T11:22:00.002-06:002022-05-20T11:22:52.439-06:00The purpose of gospel habits is primarily to receive the Holy Ghost<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">"everything the Savior’s gospel teaches us to do and become is intended to bless us with the companionship of the Holy Ghost.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Consider the reasons we pray and study the scriptures. Yes, we yearn to communicate in prayer with Heavenly Father in the name of His Son. And yes, we desire to obtain the light and knowledge available in the standard works. But please remember that these holy habits primarily are ways whereby we always remember Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son and are prerequisites to the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Reflect on the reasons we worship in the house of the Lord and in our Sabbath meetings. Yes, we serve our kindred dead in the temple—and our families and friends in the wards and branches in which we live. And yes, we enjoy the righteous sociality we find among our brothers and sisters. But we primarily gather together in unity to seek the blessings of and instruction from the Holy Ghost.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elder David A. Bednar, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Receive the Holy Ghost," General Conference, Oct 2010, https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/receive-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng </span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-48212741783811314012022-05-19T08:38:00.000-06:002022-05-19T08:38:19.157-06:00The natural man is not what constitutes our individuality <p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">Too often when we seek to excuse ourselves, it is, ironically, “the natural man” we are excusing. Yet scriptures inform us “the natural man” is to be “put off” (see </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.19" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Mosiah 3:19</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">). “He” certainly should not be “kept on” because of a mistaken sense that the natural man constitutes our individuality."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">- Elder Neal A Maxwell, </span><span style="font-family: Source Serif Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “In Him All Things Hold Together," BYU Devotional, 31 March 1991 </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Serif Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell/in-him-all-things-hold-together/</span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-24385630424567312632022-02-28T12:40:00.006-07:002022-02-28T12:40:55.738-07:00Vulgarity and innuendo repel the Holy Ghost<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">There are certain things you simply cannot do if you want to have the Holy Ghost with you. It is not possible to listen to vulgar lyrics, watch movies filled with sexual innuendo, tamper with pornography on the Internet (or anywhere else for that matter), take the name of the Lord in vain, wear revealing clothing, compromise in any way the law of chastity, or disregard the values of true manhood and womanhood and expect the Holy Ghost to remain with you. Whenever anyone participates in those kinds of activities, it should not be a surprise if feelings of loneliness, discouragement, and unworthiness follow. Do not make the choice to go it alone rather than have the Spirit of the Lord to guide, to protect, to prompt, to warn, and to fill you with peace. Repent if you need to so you can enjoy the companionship of the Spirit.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">- M. Russell Ballard, "Here Am I, Send Me," </span><span style="font-family: Source Serif Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/m-russell-ballard/send/</span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-6220752542940134092022-02-11T08:14:00.001-07:002022-02-11T08:14:10.054-07:00Conflict is inevitable, contention is a choice<p> "Conflict is inevitable. It is a condition of mortality. It is part of our test. Contention, however, is a choice. It is one way that some people choose to respond to conflict.</p><p>"When we contend with others, we cause discord, dissension, resentment, and even rage. Harmful emotions almost always accompany contention: anger, hurt, jealousy, hostility, revenge, and malice—to name just a few.</p><p>...</p><p>"We cannot adjust the volume on others’ bitterness, wrath, or rage. We can, however, choose our response. We can choose a better way—the Lord’s way. Of course this is easy to say and difficult to do.</p><p>"To refrain from contending requires great discipline. But that’s what it means to be a disciple.</p><p>...</p><p>"We cannot force anyone to change. But we can love them. We can be an example of what the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. And we can invite all to come and belong.</p><p>"When others throw insults at us, do we return fire?</p><p>"There is a better way—the Lord’s way: To some, we say nothing. To others, we state with quiet dignity who we are, what we believe, and why we believe. We stand confident in our faith in God, trusting that He will uphold us in our trials.</p><p>"Let us emulate the gentle Christ. And we do that through learning to love God and reaching out to bless others. Yes, there will still be conflict. But our all-powerful Father in Heaven has promised that He will fight our battles for us."</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Five Messages That All of God’s Children Need to Hear," 17 Aug 2021, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dieter-f-uchtdorf/five-messages-that-all-of-gods-children-need-to-hear/</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">As adapted in BYU Magazine, Winter 2022 issue, </span><span style="font-family: Source Serif Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">https://magazine.byu.edu/article/5-messages/</span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-81335001264731533532022-02-11T08:09:00.000-07:002022-02-11T08:09:34.354-07:00The Lord purposely chooses the humble and "not good enough"<p><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">You say you’re not perfect? You’re not good enough? Well, welcome to the club! You may be just the person God is looking for.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">...</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">The Lord chooses the humble and meek—partly <em>because</em> they are humble and meek. In this way, there is never a question regarding the reason for their success. These wonderful, ordinary people accomplish great things not because of who <em>they</em> are <em>but because of who God is</em>!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">For “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/18.27?lang=eng" rel="noopener" style="font-size: 13px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luke 18:27</a><span style="font-size: 13px;">, NIV</span>)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">...</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">God does not need people who are flawless. He seeks those who will offer their “heart and a willing mind,”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5px;"> (D&C 64:34)</span><span style="font-size: 18px;"> and He will make them “perfect in Christ" (Moroni 10:32-33)."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Five Messages That All of God’s Children Need to Hear," 17 Aug 2021, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dieter-f-uchtdorf/five-messages-that-all-of-gods-children-need-to-hear/</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-87818115964309214292021-11-09T08:02:00.005-07:002021-11-09T08:02:41.168-07:00If you try your best as a parent, that's all God expects<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">"If you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Because She Is a Mother”, General Conference, April 1997 , https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1997/04/because-she-is-a-mother?lang=eng&abVersion=V02&abName=GLOB88 </span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-22486894098983025142021-09-13T20:41:00.001-06:002021-09-13T20:41:34.608-06:00Bishop Thomas S. Monson calls upon extended family for welfare help<p> "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared how Bishop Monson cared for the widows: “Many may know that young Bishop Monson took a week of his personal vacation time every Christmas season to visit all of those eighty-five widows in his ward. Many may</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;">know that for the first several years the gift he would take them was one of the … hens raised and dressed out by him in his own poultry coops.”</span><a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note1" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/07/come-follow-me/ministering-to-our-fellow-travelers?lang=eng#note1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">1</sup></a></p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Bishop Monson recalled how he helped an elderly couple who needed to paint their home: “In a moment of inspiration I called, not upon the elders quorum or upon volunteers to wield paint brushes, but rather, following the welfare handbook, upon the family members who lived in other areas. Four sons-in-law and four daughters took brushes in hand and participated in the project.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note2" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/07/come-follow-me/ministering-to-our-fellow-travelers?lang=eng#note2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">2</sup></a> This inspiration helped the family reconnect and better care for each other."</p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">- in "Ministering to Our Fellow Travelers," Liahona, Jul 2021, p. 37, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/07/come-follow-me/ministering-to-our-fellow-travelers?lang=eng </p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Footnotes: </p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: Man of Action, Man of Faith, Always ‘on the Lord’s Errand,’” Ensign, Feb. 1986, 12–13.</p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Thomas S. Monson, “The Bishop—Center Stage in Welfare,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 89. </p><p data-aid="147019063" id="p7" style="--height: 224px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">)</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-66577129496373443012021-08-27T21:29:00.000-06:002021-08-27T21:29:39.944-06:00Where you put your heart is your god<p> “Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most is his god, and if his god doesn’t also happen to be the true and living God of Israel, that man is laboring in idolatry.”</p><p>- President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) to Church members in 1976, quoted in Liahona, Aug 2021, page 27. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/08/knowing-how-and-what-we-worship?lang=eng</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-85789035332886251722021-08-27T21:08:00.005-06:002021-08-27T21:08:52.110-06:00Repentance is the key to happiness<p>"Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-13235599872091605752021-08-27T21:06:00.000-06:002021-08-27T21:06:01.995-06:00 The Priesthood Is God’s Power<p> The Priesthood Is God’s Power</p><p>God blesses us through the power of the priesthood. Priesthood blessings are</p><p>available to everyone.</p><p>The priesthood is the power of God. He uses this power to bless all of His children</p><p>and to help them return to live with Him. God has given priesthood power to His</p><p>children on earth. With this power, priesthood leaders can lead the Church, and</p><p>priesthood holders can perform sacred ordinances, like baptism, that help us come</p><p>closer to God. Every man and woman who worthily receives priesthood ordinances</p><p>and keeps the covenants (sacred promises) has access to the power of God.</p><p>Priesthood Power Was Given to Joseph Smith</p><p>When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He led His Church with priesthood power. He</p><p>also gave this power to His Apostles. In the centuries after they died, many</p><p>members fell away from the Church. They incorrectly changed the gospel and the</p><p>way the Church worked. The priesthood of God was no longer on the earth. In</p><p>1829, Jesus sent John the Baptist and the Apostles Peter, James, and John to give</p><p>Joseph Smith the priesthood. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the</p><p>only organization on earth with this authority from God.</p><p>Keys of the Priesthood</p><p>Priesthood keys are the authority to direct the use of the priesthood, such as giving</p><p>permission to perform ordinances. Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood.</p><p>The President of the Church is the only person on earth who can use priesthood</p><p>keys to direct the whole Church. Under his direction, others can use certain keys to</p><p>do God’s work. Leaders such as bishops and stake presidents use priesthood keys</p><p>to lead in their wards and stakes. Because callings to serve come from leaders with</p><p>priesthood keys, men and women who serve in callings exercise priesthood</p><p>authority as they do their duties.</p><p>Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood</p><p>The priesthood has two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic</p><p>Priesthood. Through the Melchizedek Priesthood, Church leaders direct all the</p><p>spiritual work of the Church, such as missionary and temple work. The Aaronic</p><p>Priesthood functions under the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is used</p><p>to perform ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament.</p><p>Blessings of the Priesthood</p><p>Through covenants and ordinances, God makes priesthood blessings available to</p><p>all of His children. These blessings include baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the</p><p>sacrament, and temple ordinances. Men and women who are endowed in the</p><p>temple receive a gift of God’s priesthood power through their covenants. We can</p><p>also receive priesthood blessings of healing, comfort, and guidance.</p><p>What Do the Scriptures Say about the Priesthood?</p><p>The priesthood that existed in ancient days is the same that exists now (see Moses</p><p>6:7).</p><p>Priesthood keys help make sure that we accomplish the Lord’s work in an orderly</p><p>way (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:11).</p><p>Men who hold the priesthood can use it “only upon the principles of</p><p>righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36).</p><p>Some of the duties of those who hold the priesthood are described in Doctrine and</p><p>Covenants 20:38–67.</p><p>(Liahona, August 2021, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/08/the-priesthood-is-gods-power?lang=eng )</p><p><br /></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-72948517396043032232021-07-08T10:38:00.001-06:002021-07-08T10:38:24.633-06:00Children and Youth goal setting help. "Action creates motivation"<p> Motivating the Rising Generation</p><p>By Wendy Ulrich, PhD</p><p data-aid="142210600" id="p3" style="--height: 112px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As parents and leaders, we want to help children and youth become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ who are motivated from within to serve the Lord and fulfill their personal missions.</p><p data-aid="142210602" id="p4" style="--height: 280px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Children and Youth is a simple but powerful set of resources to help children and youth grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually, as the Savior did (see <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/2.52?lang=eng#p52" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Luke 2:52</a>). This can happen as they learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, participate in meaningful and exciting service and activities, and set and achieve their own goals. Like the parents in the story below, however, we may already feel overburdened without adding someone else’s goals to our list. Or we may worry that our children won’t grow unless pushed.</p><section style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="142210605" id="title2" style="--height: 76px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: 1.778em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Goal-Setting Conversation, Example 1:</h2></header><p data-aid="142210609" id="p5" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alana, 15, sat with her mother, Rachel, scanning a list they had made of potential goals that Alana could work on. Alana’s dad, Jeff, walked by. “Which of these should I do, Dad?” Alana asked.</em></p><p data-aid="142210612" id="p6" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff looked at his watch, grimacing a little, and glanced at the list. “Um, this one looks easy. How about ‘Memorize a hymn’? You can get that one checked off pretty fast. What else looks easy?”</em></p><p data-aid="142210614" id="p7" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rachel jumped in, remembering how reluctant Alana had been to try out for the school track team. “Actually, maybe you need to try something hard! How about something with exercise?” she suggested.</em></p><p data-aid="142210616" id="p8" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Ugh,” mumbled Alana, reaching for her phone. “I think I’m done.”</em></p></section><section style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="142210619" id="title3" style="--height: 76px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: 1.778em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How Can Parents and Leaders Help?</h2></header><p data-aid="142210623" id="p9" style="--height: 112px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Parents and leaders can do a lot to help children and youth be motivated from within to adopt good values, make good choices, and enjoy both their progress and their accomplishments.</p><p data-aid="142210626" id="p10" style="--height: 140px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Think of a time when you were highly motivated to work toward a goal. What motivated you? Chances are you saw an opportunity or skill you really wanted or a problem you needed to solve. The example and support of others inspired you to try.</p><p data-aid="142210630" id="p11" style="--height: 140px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Likewise, children and youth will be more motivated from within when they (1) prayerfully decide what they want (not just what others want for them), (2) create a plan for getting it, (3) aren’t overly influenced by rewards or punishments, and (4) feel parents and leaders are on their side.</p><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px 0.444em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 data-aid="142210634" id="title4" style="--height: 24px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.111em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.00278em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Help youth figure out what they want most</h3></header><p data-aid="142210635" id="p12" style="--height: 168px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Everyone wants something: to make the team, get more sleep, feel less lonely, be closer to God. The Lord and His messengers often ask people, “What do you want?” (see <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/11.24?lang=eng#p24" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 11:24</a>; <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/11.1-2?lang=eng#p1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Nephi 11:1–2</a>; <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/18.15?lang=eng#p15" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 18:15</a>; <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/27.1-2?lang=eng#p1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Nephi 27:1–2</a>; <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/2.23-25?lang=eng#p23" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ether 2:23–25</a>). But knowing what we want most, not just what we want right now, takes experience and self-reflection.</p><p data-aid="142210638" id="p13" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As you think of a child or youth you want to help, ask yourself:</p><ul class="bullet" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210640" id="p14" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How could I introduce them to new experiences, values, and ideas in a context of positive relationships and fun?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210642" id="p15" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do I let them experience the consequences of poor choices so they want to make better ones?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210645" id="p16" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When can I ask them about what they believe and value? (See the accompanying list, “Helpful Discovery Questions.”)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210647" id="p17" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I point out their strengths? (Try: “I see you being really good at ________________. How could you use that to serve the Lord?”)</p></li></ul></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px 0.444em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 data-aid="142210649" id="title5" style="--height: 24px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.111em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.00278em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Help youth create a plan</h3></header><p data-aid="142210651" id="p18" style="--height: 140px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once they settle on a goal, youth are often pretty good at figuring out a plan. Younger children may need more ideas. Add your suggestions only when they are stuck. But be excited, not defensive, if they like their ideas better than yours!</p><p data-aid="142210656" id="p19" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To help others create a plan, you could ask:</p><ul class="bullet" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210658" id="p20" style="--height: 112px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What’s your goal? (Abstract goals like “Be nicer” are hard to define unless they include specific actions like “Compliment someone every day” or “Apologize when I get mad.”)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210663" id="p21" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why is this goal important to you? (How will it help them live their values or become more like the Savior?)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210666" id="p22" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is this a good time to work on this goal? (Why or why not?)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210670" id="p23" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is a small, easy step you could take to get started? (Remind them that action creates motivation. Help them start, or start again, with something small and simple.)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210674" id="p24" style="--height: 140px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How could you set things up to support your plan? (Consider creating reminders, posting words of encouragement, making a chart or timetable to track progress, removing temptations, getting the right tools, or asking for help.)</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210678" id="p25" style="--height: 112px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What obstacles might get in your way? How could you handle them? (Help them remember their plan, get curious about what went wrong, practice the hard parts more, try a new strategy, or adjust the goal.)</p></li></ul><p data-aid="142210681" id="p26" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To help others through setbacks, you could share experiences from your life or family about people facing trials and being resilient. Also try asking:</p><ul class="bullet" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210686" id="p27" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What have you tried? What else could you try?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210691" id="p28" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who can help? How can I help?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210695" id="p29" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What ideas come to mind as you pray about this?</p></li></ul></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px 0.444em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 data-aid="142210700" id="title6" style="--height: 24px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.111em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.00278em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Be cautious with rewards or punishments</h3></header><p data-aid="142210705" id="p30" style="--height: 252px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small rewards can help people try something new, make a hard task more fun, or celebrate success. When overdone, however, rewards can actually undermine motivation. People who already enjoy a task will often do it less, not more, if they are paid for doing it, concluding that it isn’t worth doing just for the reward. And while children need to experience the consequences of poor choices, they learn to fear and avoid people who punish them rather than learning to internalize good values.</p><p data-aid="142210710" id="p31" style="--height: 140px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Of course, people expect to be paid at work, where bonuses or recognition can also provide helpful feedback. But when it comes to living the gospel and achieving personal goals, internal rewards are the most motivating in the long run. Internal rewards include:</p><ul class="bullet" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210715" id="p32" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feeling the Spirit.</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210720" id="p33" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feeling connected with parents, leaders, and friends.</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210725" id="p34" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Living their values.</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210730" id="p35" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Learning, trying new things, and solving problems.</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210735" id="p36" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Having fun.</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.222em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142210738" id="p37" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Making a difference for good.</p></li></ul><p data-aid="142210743" id="p38" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Help young people recognize and value these internal rewards. And occasionally provide a small related reward to celebrate a job well done!</p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px 0.444em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 data-aid="142210746" id="title7" style="--height: 24px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.111em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.00278em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Help youth feel your love</h3></header><p data-aid="142210750" id="p39" style="--height: 168px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Loving relationships are one of the most important ways to influence others’ values, goals, and motivation. How have people communicated to you that they truly love and cherish you? How do you decide who is safe to be honest with about your mistakes or struggles? If you didn’t really feel loved at home, what do you think you needed that you didn’t get?</p><p data-aid="142210755" id="p40" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Your answers can help you know how to communicate to young people that they are cherished and safe with you.</p><p data-aid="142211760" id="p41" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With practice and heaven’s help, we can help motivate and influence the rising generation.</p></section></section><section style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="142211765" id="title8" style="--height: 76px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: 1.778em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Goal-Setting Conversation, Example 2:</h2></header><p data-aid="142211770" id="p42" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alana, 15, sat with her mother, Rachel, scanning a list of goals Alana could work on when Alana’s dad, Jeff, walked by. “Which of these should I do, Dad?” Alana asked.</em></p><p data-aid="142211774" id="p43" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff looked at his watch, grimacing a little, and glanced at the list. “Um, this one looks easy. How about ‘Memorize a hymn’? You can get that one checked off fast. What else looks easy?”</em></p><p data-aid="142211778" id="p44" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff paused. Something didn’t feel right, so he took the time to think about what it was.</em></p><p data-aid="142211782" id="p45" style="--height: 168px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m late, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">he thought.</em> I just want to get this over with. I’m not very good at this parenting stuff. Hmmm.<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> He looked at his daughter and then realized he felt other feelings too. Hope. Delight. This was not just about checking things off. This was about her growth. And this was a chance to connect with her. A smile spread across his face.</em></p><p data-aid="142211786" id="p46" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let’s stop and think about this,” he said. “What if we each write down what we have felt prompted to work on lately?”</em></p><p data-aid="142211788" id="p47" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Um, OK,” said Alana. Rachel found pencils and paper, and they spent a few minutes thinking and writing.</em></p><p data-aid="142211791" id="p48" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“OK,” said Rachel. “Now what?”</em></p><p data-aid="142211794" id="p49" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alana remembered, “I think we’re supposed to pray about it and then choose a goal and make a plan. But Dad, do you really think Heavenly Father cares about what goal I choose?”</em></p><p data-aid="142211798" id="p50" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff reflected. “You have lots of good ideas, so maybe Heavenly Father just wants you to choose one to start with. But I am absolutely sure of one thing. Heavenly Father cares about you.”</em></p><p data-aid="142211801" id="p51" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know you want to use your gifts to make a difference,” added Rachel, “so if one of these is more important, I’m sure Heavenly Father will help you feel that.”</em></p><p data-aid="142211804" id="p52" style="--height: 56px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alana smiled, then remembered, “President Nelson asked the youth to do a thorough assessment of our lives. Can I go get what I wrote?”</em></p><p data-aid="142211807" id="p53" style="--height: 84px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sure!” said Jeff, smiling. He looked at his watch again. “Oops, I’ve got to run. Find what you wrote and let’s talk at dinner, OK? I have some questions that might help.”</em></p><p data-aid="142211809" id="p54" style="--height: 28px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Great!” said Alana, smiling. “And, Dad? Mom? Thanks.”</em></p></section><aside class="sidebar" id="aside1" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 226, 226); box-sizing: border-box; color: #53575b; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px; padding: 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.444em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="title" data-aid="142211812" id="aside1_title1" style="--height: 24px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.111em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Helpful Discovery Questions</p></header><p data-aid="142211817" id="aside1_p1" style="--height: 38px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.778em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To help children and youth find what they want most, discuss some of these questions with them:</p><ul class="no-marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.778em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211820" id="aside1_p2" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Whom do you admire? Why?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211823" id="aside1_p3" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How do you like to be treated? How do you want to treat others?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211826" id="aside1_p4" style="--height: 38px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What promises in the scriptures, teachings of prophets, or your patriarchal blessing seem important to your future?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211830" id="aside1_p5" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What would you like more or less of in your life?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211831" id="aside1_p6" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When are you happy and engaged with life? Doing what?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211834" id="aside1_p7" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What would you do with your life if you weren’t afraid to fail?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211836" id="aside1_p8" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What problem is bugging you these days?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211838" id="aside1_p9" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you think the Lord wants for you and from you?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211839" id="aside1_p10" style="--height: 19px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What would you like to try or learn this year? Why?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211841" id="aside1_p11" style="--height: 38px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What are your goals this week? Why might they matter to the Lord?</p></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="142211844" id="aside1_p12" style="--height: 38px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As we talk, I hear you saying you want __________. Is that right? What else?</p></li></ul></aside><p>Ensign, Jan 2020, https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/01/motivating-the-rising-generation?lang=eng</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-49833421853785255332021-07-03T11:13:00.006-06:002021-07-03T11:13:56.660-06:00"When we become disciples of Jesus Christ... we volunteer to be mobilized in performing specific assignments to help others"<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">"We are still learning to become ministering brothers and sisters. A change like this can take time, and we will most likely make mistakes. In my mind, one of those mistakes is to dismiss ministering assignments as merely “fake” or “forced” friendship—in a way not normal or natural. But the Lord gives us specific assignments as ministering brothers and sisters. In this way, He ensures that no one is left out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"When natural disasters strike in the United States, the Red Cross and National Guard organizations mobilize their volunteers and assign them to specific areas to get maximum coverage. Receiving an assignment makes the volunteers’ gift of time and love no less voluntary. No one who has experienced a disaster in his or her life seems to question these assignments. The beneficiaries are grateful that someone has come to help!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Like volunteers with the National Guard or Red Cross, when we become disciples of Jesus Christ through making sacred covenants, we volunteer to be mobilized in performing specific assignments to help others."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- "</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ministering to All," </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">By Elder Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Area Seventy, Utah Area. Ensign, Dec 2020, p. 26<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/12/ministering-to-all?lang=eng </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-59803322134349419982021-06-15T16:22:00.004-06:002021-06-15T16:22:45.732-06:00"Casual dress at holy places and events is a message about what is inside a person." "You are Saints of the great latter-day dispensation—look the part."<p> "It is an affront to God to come into His house, especially on His holy day, not groomed and dressed in the most careful and modest manner that our circumstances permit. ... </p><p>"...how can God not be pained at the sight of one who, with all the clothes he needs and more and with easy access to the chapel, nevertheless appears in church in rumpled cargo pants and a T-shirt? Ironically, it has been my experience as I travel around the world that members of the Church with the least means somehow find a way to arrive at Sabbath meetings neatly dressed in clean, nice clothes, the best they have, while those who have more than enough are the ones who may appear in casual, even slovenly clothing.</p><p>"Some say dress and hair don’t matter—it’s what’s inside that counts. I believe that truly it is what’s inside a person that counts, but that’s what worries me. Casual dress at holy places and events is a message about what is inside a person. It may be pride or rebellion or something else, but at a minimum it says, “I don’t get it. I don’t understand the difference between the sacred and the profane.” In that condition they are easily drawn away from the Lord. They do not appreciate the value of what they have. I worry about them. Unless they can gain some understanding and capture some feeling for sacred things, they are at risk of eventually losing all that matters most. You are Saints of the great latter-day dispensation—look the part." </p><p>- D. Todd Christofferson, of the Presidency of the Seventy, "A Sense of the Sacred," BYU Fireside, 7 Nov 2004, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-todd-christofferson/sense-sacred/</p><p><br /></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-51420040536472323132021-06-15T16:10:00.006-06:002021-06-15T16:10:55.295-06:00<p> "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">Do the right things every day for the right reasons, and you will be just fine."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 18px;">- Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Follow </span><span style="font-family: Source Serif Pro, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> the Doctrine and Gospel of Christ," BYU Devotional, 7 Nov 2010, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/m-russell-ballard/follow-the-doctrine-and-gospel-of-christ/ </span></span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-74966449264609017012021-05-16T14:32:00.005-06:002021-05-16T14:32:31.622-06:00<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and
happiness” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- President Thomas S. Monson, (“Hallmarks of a Happy Home,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 69). As quoted in https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/PD10052297/manual-page-families_1489734_prt.pdf</span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-25588524481714883222021-05-16T14:31:00.005-06:002021-05-16T14:32:47.889-06:00<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening.
These are the very practices that help take away stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection
to our homes” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Sister Linda S. Reeves of the Relief Society general presidency, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(“Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home,” Ensign or Liahona,
May 2014, 16–17). As quoted in: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/PD10052297/manual-page-families_1489734_prt.pdf</span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254760268714151552.post-71764913239360561662021-05-16T14:30:00.001-06:002021-05-16T14:30:10.774-06:00<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Parents, help safeguard your children by arming them morning and night with the power of family
prayer. . . . Protect your children from daily worldly influences by fortifying them with the powerful
blessings that result from family prayer. Family prayer should be a nonnegotiable priority in your
daily life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“. . . Make [the scriptures] an integral part of everyday life. If you want your children to recognize, understand, and
act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them. . . . Through daily, consistent scripture
study, you will find peace in the turmoil around you and strength to resist temptations. You will develop strong
faith in the grace of God and know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right according to
God’s timing”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (“Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 93–94). <br />As quoted in this manual: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/PD10052297/manual-page-families_1489734_prt.pdf </span></p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02691469056028536808noreply@blogger.com0