The Following Blog Description Explains Why My Blog is named: "Four Books of Scripture Testify of Jesus Christ!
Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson
 |
| Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson |
WELCOME, NEW AND REGULAR
VIEWERS OF THIS BLOG: In this
and in every additional post of this blog
you will be led on a carefully and
prayerfully planned exciting and inspiring
journey as you prepare by means of a
guided study of the four sacred books of
scripture I am shown holding above.
Devoted Study of them will assist you in
becoming more righteously happy now
and more fully prepared for eventual
After-Mortality Eternal Endeavors on
your part, along with your loved ones and
countless other mortals who are seeking
to qualify as our Heavenly Father's worthy
children.
Those enabling Books of Scripture were brought about through the love and
wisdom of the Heavenly Father of our
Immortal Spirits which now inhabit our mortal bodies; and were a key part
of the Restoration of the Gospel,
and of the establishment of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
through the Prophet Joseph Smith early
in the Nineteenth Century.
Leading out in all of this, was of course,
Our Heavenly Father's Only Begotten
who is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer,
Jesus Christ (who initially was our
eldest spirit brother and is the only one
of us our Heavenly Father will have ever sired into mortality).
Jesus accomplished His Infinite Atonement, the Ultimate Mortal
Sacrifice, along with His infallibly
witnessed Resurrection. He is our
Redeemer and Savior who opened
the way for each of us to learn with
certainty through those four books
of scripture, and through the
inspired teachings of His prophets, seers and revelators of our day
and those authorized by them;
that some time after our mortal
deaths, because of His Atonement
and Resurrection, and depending
on the level of individual
righteousness to which we each
attain, through His grace, we can
eventually experience Eternal Life
in our own Resurrected Bodies,
which in the case of those who fully
heeded all of His scriptural guidance
and the guidance of His authorized
living servants, there will be full
possession of Godly capabilities!
J. Neil Birch
WELCOME, NEW AND REGULAR
VIEWERS OF THIS BLOG: In this
and in every additional post of this blog
you will be led on a carefully and
prayerfully planned exciting and inspiring
journey as you prepare by means of a
guided study of the four sacred books of
scripture I am shown holding above.
Devoted Study of them will assist you in
becoming more righteously happy now
and more fully prepared for eventual
After-Mortality Eternal Endeavors on
your part, along with your loved ones and
countless other mortals who are seeking
to qualify as our Heavenly Father's worthy
becoming more righteously happy now
and more fully prepared for eventual
After-Mortality Eternal Endeavors on
your part, along with your loved ones and
countless other mortals who are seeking
to qualify as our Heavenly Father's worthy
children.
wisdom of the Heavenly Father of our
Immortal Spirits which now inhabit our mortal bodies; and were a key part
of the Restoration of the Gospel,
and of the establishment of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
through the Prophet Joseph Smith early
in the Nineteenth Century.
Leading out in all of this, was of course,
Our Heavenly Father's Only Begotten
who is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer,
Jesus Christ (who initially was our
eldest spirit brother and is the only one
of us our Heavenly Father will have ever sired into mortality).
Sacrifice, along with His infallibly
witnessed Resurrection. He is our
Redeemer and Savior who opened
the way for each of us to learn with
certainty through those four books
of scripture, and through the
inspired teachings of His prophets, seers and revelators of our day
and those authorized by them;
that some time after our mortal
deaths, because of His Atonement
and Resurrection, and depending
on the level of individual
righteousness to which we each
attain, through His grace, we can
eventually experience Eternal Life
in our own Resurrected Bodies,
which in the case of those who fully
heeded all of His scriptural guidance
and the guidance of His authorized
living servants, there will be full
possession of Godly capabilities!
J. Neil Birch
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****
TODAY'S THEME:
I, J. Neil Birch, Author of this Blog Post as you have
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
Priesthood Meeting talk given by President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Which
He Speaks on the Subject of: "You Can Do It Now!"
First, I desire that you learn about President
Uchtdorf's background: www.lds.org/church/leader/dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng
Now I invite you to listen to the recording of President
Uchtdorf's Talk:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/bind-up-their-wounds?lang=eng
You are next invited to thoughtfully and prayerfully
read through the printed version of President
Uchtdorf's General Conference Priesthood meeting
talk in which you will come across, each of the nine
reference notes he has inserted through which he,
(with some additional assistance from this blogger
through the means of the Internet which facilitates
this and all blogs), and gives us inspired guidance:
You Can Do It Now!
****
TODAY'S THEME:
I, J. Neil Birch, Author of this Blog Post as you have
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
Priesthood Meeting talk given by President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Which
He Speaks on the Subject of: "You Can Do It Now!"
First, I desire that you learn about President
Uchtdorf's background: www.lds.org/church/leader/dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng
Now I invite you to listen to the recording of President
Uchtdorf's Talk:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/bind-up-their-wounds?lang=eng
You are next invited to thoughtfully and prayerfully
read through the printed version of President
Uchtdorf's General Conference Priesthood meeting
talk in which you will come across, each of the nine
reference notes he has inserted through which he,
(with some additional assistance from this blogger
through the means of the Internet which facilitates
this and all blogs), and gives us inspired guidance:
You Can Do It Now!
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
Priesthood Meeting talk given by President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Which
He Speaks on the Subject of: "You Can Do It Now!"
First, I desire that you learn about President
Uchtdorf's background: www.lds.org/church/leader/dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng
Now I invite you to listen to the recording of President
Uchtdorf's Talk:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/bind-up-their-wounds?lang=eng
You are next invited to thoughtfully and prayerfully
read through the printed version of President
Uchtdorf's General Conference Priesthood meeting
talk in which you will come across, each of the nine
reference notes he has inserted through which he,
(with some additional assistance from this blogger
through the means of the Internet which facilitates
this and all blogs), and gives us inspired guidance:
You Can Do It Now!
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
As long as we are willing
to rise up again and
continue on the path,
… we can learn something
from failure and become
better and happier.
When I was young, falling and getting up seemed
to be one and the same motion. Over the years,
however, I have come to the unsettling conclusion
that the laws of physics have changed—and not to
my advantage.
Not long ago I was skiing with my 12-year-old
grandson. We were enjoying our time together
when I hit an icy spot and ended up making a
glorious crash landing on a steep slope.
I tried every trick to stand up, but I couldn’t
—I had fallen, and I couldn’t get up. I felt fine
physically, but my ego was a bit bruised. So I
made sure that my helmet and goggles were in
place, since I much preferred that other skiers
not recognize me. I could imagine myself sitting
there helplessly as they skied by elegantly,
shouting a cheery, “Hello, Brother Uchtdorf!”
I began to wonder what it would take to
rescue me. That was when my grandson came
to my side. I told him what had happened, but
he didn’t seem very interested in my
explanations of why I couldn’t get up. He looked
me in the eyes, reached out, took my hand, and in
a firm tone said, “Opa, you can do it now!”
Instantly, I stood.
I am still shaking my head over this. What had
seemed impossible only a moment before
immediately became a reality because a 12-year-
old boy reached out to me and said, “You can do
it now!” To me, it was an infusion of confidence,
enthusiasm, and strength.
Brethren, there may be times in our lives when
rising up and continuing on may seem beyond
our own ability. That day on a snow-covered
slope, I learned something. Even when we think
we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And
sometimes we just need someone to look us in
the eyes, take our hand, and say, “You can do it now!”
to rise up again and
continue on the path,
… we can learn something
from failure and become
better and happier.
When I was young, falling and getting up seemed
to be one and the same motion. Over the years,
however, I have come to the unsettling conclusion
that the laws of physics have changed—and not to
my advantage.
to be one and the same motion. Over the years,
however, I have come to the unsettling conclusion
that the laws of physics have changed—and not to
my advantage.
Not long ago I was skiing with my 12-year-old
grandson. We were enjoying our time together
when I hit an icy spot and ended up making a
glorious crash landing on a steep slope.
grandson. We were enjoying our time together
when I hit an icy spot and ended up making a
glorious crash landing on a steep slope.
I tried every trick to stand up, but I couldn’t
—I had fallen, and I couldn’t get up. I felt fine
physically, but my ego was a bit bruised. So I
made sure that my helmet and goggles were in
place, since I much preferred that other skiers
not recognize me. I could imagine myself sitting
there helplessly as they skied by elegantly,
shouting a cheery, “Hello, Brother Uchtdorf!”
—I had fallen, and I couldn’t get up. I felt fine
physically, but my ego was a bit bruised. So I
made sure that my helmet and goggles were in
place, since I much preferred that other skiers
not recognize me. I could imagine myself sitting
there helplessly as they skied by elegantly,
shouting a cheery, “Hello, Brother Uchtdorf!”
I began to wonder what it would take to
rescue me. That was when my grandson came
to my side. I told him what had happened, but
he didn’t seem very interested in my
explanations of why I couldn’t get up. He looked
me in the eyes, reached out, took my hand, and in
a firm tone said, “Opa, you can do it now!”
rescue me. That was when my grandson came
to my side. I told him what had happened, but
he didn’t seem very interested in my
explanations of why I couldn’t get up. He looked
me in the eyes, reached out, took my hand, and in
a firm tone said, “Opa, you can do it now!”
Instantly, I stood.
I am still shaking my head over this. What had
seemed impossible only a moment before
immediately became a reality because a 12-year-
old boy reached out to me and said, “You can do
it now!” To me, it was an infusion of confidence,
enthusiasm, and strength.
seemed impossible only a moment before
immediately became a reality because a 12-year-
old boy reached out to me and said, “You can do
it now!” To me, it was an infusion of confidence,
enthusiasm, and strength.
Brethren, there may be times in our lives when
rising up and continuing on may seem beyond
our own ability. That day on a snow-covered
slope, I learned something. Even when we think
we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And
sometimes we just need someone to look us in
the eyes, take our hand, and say, “You can do it now!”
rising up and continuing on may seem beyond
our own ability. That day on a snow-covered
slope, I learned something. Even when we think
we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And
sometimes we just need someone to look us in
the eyes, take our hand, and say, “You can do it now!”
The Delusion of Toughness
We may think that women are more likely than
men to have feelings of inadequacy and
disappointment —that these feelings affect them
more than us. I’m not sure that this is true. Men
experience feelings of guilt, depression, and
failure. We might pretend these feelings don’t
bother us, but they do. We can feel so burdened
by our failures and shortcomings that we begin
to think we will never be able to succeed. We
might even assume that because we have fallen
before, falling is our destiny. As one writer put it,
“We beat on, boats against the current, borne
back ceaselessly into the past.”1
We may think that women are more likely than
men to have feelings of inadequacy and
disappointment —that these feelings affect them
more than us. I’m not sure that this is true. Men
experience feelings of guilt, depression, and
failure. We might pretend these feelings don’t
bother us, but they do. We can feel so burdened
by our failures and shortcomings that we begin
to think we will never be able to succeed. We
might even assume that because we have fallen
before, falling is our destiny. As one writer put it,
“We beat on, boats against the current, borne
back ceaselessly into the past.”1
men to have feelings of inadequacy and
disappointment —that these feelings affect them
more than us. I’m not sure that this is true. Men
experience feelings of guilt, depression, and
failure. We might pretend these feelings don’t
bother us, but they do. We can feel so burdened
by our failures and shortcomings that we begin
to think we will never be able to succeed. We
might even assume that because we have fallen
before, falling is our destiny. As one writer put it,
“We beat on, boats against the current, borne
back ceaselessly into the past.”1
I have watched men filled with potential and
grace disengage from the challenging work of
building the kingdom of God because they had
failed a time or two.
These were men of promise who could have been
exceptional priesthood holders and servants of God.
But because they stumbled and became discouraged,
they withdrew from their priesthood commitments
and pursued other but less worthy endeavors.
And thus, they go on, living only a shadow of the
life they could have led, never rising to the potential
that is their birthright. As the poet lamented, these
are among those unfortunate souls who “die with
[most of] their music [still] in them.”2
2 Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Sr.
- Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
These were men of promise who could have been
exceptional priesthood holders and servants of God.
But because they stumbled and became discouraged,
they withdrew from their priesthood commitments
and pursued other but less worthy endeavors.
exceptional priesthood holders and servants of God.
But because they stumbled and became discouraged,
they withdrew from their priesthood commitments
and pursued other but less worthy endeavors.
And thus, they go on, living only a shadow of the
life they could have led, never rising to the potential
that is their birthright. As the poet lamented, these
are among those unfortunate souls who “die with
[most of] their music [still] in them.”2
life they could have led, never rising to the potential
that is their birthright. As the poet lamented, these
are among those unfortunate souls who “die with
[most of] their music [still] in them.”2
2 Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Sr.
- Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
Holmes, Sr.
- Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
-
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (August 29, 1809
- – October 7, 1894) was an American physician,
- ...... Small, 96; ^ Small, 110–111; ^ Holmes,
- Complete Poetical Works, 187; ^ Arms, 99; ^ Arms,
- 101 ... Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1908.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (August 29, 1809
- – October 7, 1894) was an American physician,
- ...... Small, 96; ^ Small, 110–111; ^ Holmes,
- Complete Poetical Works, 187; ^ Arms, 99; ^ Arms,
- 101 ... Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1908.
No one likes to fail. And we particularly don’t
like it when others—especially those we love—see us
fail. We all want to be respected and esteemed. We want
to be champions. But we mortals do not become
champions without effort and discipline or without
making mistakes.
Brethren, our destiny is not determined by the
number of times we stumble but by the number of
times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.
No one likes to fail. And we particularly don’t
like it when others—especially those we love—see us
fail. We all want to be respected and esteemed. We want
to be champions. But we mortals do not become
champions without effort and discipline or without
making mistakes.
like it when others—especially those we love—see us
fail. We all want to be respected and esteemed. We want
to be champions. But we mortals do not become
champions without effort and discipline or without
making mistakes.
Brethren, our destiny is not determined by the
number of times we stumble but by the number of
times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.
number of times we stumble but by the number of
times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.
Godly Sorrow
We know this mortal life is a test. But because our
Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He
shows us where to find the answers. He has given us
the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain
terrain and unexpected trials that each of us
encounters. The words of the prophets are part of
this map.
When we stray—when we fall or depart from the
way of our Heavenly Father—the words of the
prophets tell us how to rise up and get back on track.
Of all the principles taught by prophets over the
centuries, one that has been emphasized over and
over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message
that mankind can repent, change course, and get
back on the true path of discipleship.
That does not mean that we should be comfortable
with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an
important difference between the sorrow for sin that
leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.
The Apostle Paul taught that “godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation … but the sorrow of the world
worketh death.”
3 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of but
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Five of Them Were Wise, `By Walter Rane.
Godly sorrow inspires change and hope through the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. Worldly sorrow pulls us
down, extinguishes hope, and persuades us to give in
to further temptation.
Godly sorrow leads to conversion4
4Acts 3:19 ¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
and a change of heart.5
5 Ezekial 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and
a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an
heart of flesh.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites - by Gary Kapp
Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an
enemy to God, and has been from the fall
of Adam, and will be, forever and ever,
unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy
Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and
becometh a saint through the atonement of
Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of
love, willing to submit to all things which
the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him,
even as a child doth submit to his father.
6 Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice,
saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast
spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and
truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our
hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually.
It encourages us to stand up and walk in the light of
Christ’s love. True repentance is about transformation,
not torture or torment. Yes, heartfelt regret and true
remorse for disobedience are often painful and very
important steps in the sacred process of repentance.
But when guilt leads to self-loathing or prevents us
from rising up again, it is impeding rather than
promoting our repentance.
Christ's Image -by Heinrich Hofmann
Brethren, there is a better way. Let us rise up and
become men of God. We have a champion, a Savior,
who walked through the valley of the shadow of death
on our behalf. He gave Himself as a ransom for our
sins. No one has ever had greater love than this—
Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish, willingly laid
Himself on the altar of sacrifice and paid the price for
our sins to “the uttermost farthing.”7
The Sermon on the Mount -by Carl Heinrich Bloch
7Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee,
Thou shalt by no means come out thence,
till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Christ in Gethsemane -by Harry Anderson
He took upon Himself our suffering. He took our
burdens, our guilt upon His shoulders. My dear
friends, when we decide to come to Him, when we
take upon ourselves His name and boldly walk in
the path of discipleship, then through the
Atonement we are promised not only happiness
and “peace in this world” but also “eternal life in
the world to come.”8
8 Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 But
learn that he who doeth the works of
righteousness shall receive his reward,
even peace in this world, and eternal life
in the world to come.
When we make mistakes, when we sin and fall, let
us think of what it means to truly repent. It means
turning our heart and will to God and giving up sin.
True heartfelt repentance brings with it the heavenly
assurance that “we can do it now.”
We know this mortal life is a test. But because our
Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He
shows us where to find the answers. He has given us
the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain
terrain and unexpected trials that each of us
encounters. The words of the prophets are part of
this map.
Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He
shows us where to find the answers. He has given us
the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain
terrain and unexpected trials that each of us
encounters. The words of the prophets are part of
this map.
When we stray—when we fall or depart from the
way of our Heavenly Father—the words of the
prophets tell us how to rise up and get back on track.
way of our Heavenly Father—the words of the
prophets tell us how to rise up and get back on track.
Of all the principles taught by prophets over the
centuries, one that has been emphasized over and
over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message
that mankind can repent, change course, and get
back on the true path of discipleship.
centuries, one that has been emphasized over and
over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message
that mankind can repent, change course, and get
back on the true path of discipleship.
That does not mean that we should be comfortable
with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an
important difference between the sorrow for sin that
leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.
with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an
important difference between the sorrow for sin that
leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.
The Apostle Paul taught that “godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation … but the sorrow of the world
worketh death.”
repentance to salvation … but the sorrow of the world
worketh death.”
3 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of but
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
repentance to salvation not to be repented of but
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
|
| Five of Them Were Wise, `By Walter Rane. |
Godly sorrow inspires change and hope through the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. Worldly sorrow pulls us
down, extinguishes hope, and persuades us to give in
to further temptation.
Godly sorrow leads to conversion4
4Acts 3:19 ¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
and a change of heart.5
5 Ezekial 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and
a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an
heart of flesh.
a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an
heart of flesh.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
|
| King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites - by Gary Kapp |
Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an
enemy to God, and has been from the fall
of Adam, and will be, forever and ever,
unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy
Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and
becometh a saint through the atonement of
Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of
love, willing to submit to all things which
the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him,
even as a child doth submit to his father.
6 Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice,
saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast
spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and
truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our
hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually.
saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast
spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and
truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our
hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually.
It encourages us to stand up and walk in the light of
Christ’s love. True repentance is about transformation,
not torture or torment. Yes, heartfelt regret and true
remorse for disobedience are often painful and very
important steps in the sacred process of repentance.
Christ’s love. True repentance is about transformation,
not torture or torment. Yes, heartfelt regret and true
remorse for disobedience are often painful and very
important steps in the sacred process of repentance.
But when guilt leads to self-loathing or prevents us
from rising up again, it is impeding rather than
promoting our repentance.
from rising up again, it is impeding rather than
promoting our repentance.
|
| Christ's Image -by Heinrich Hofmann |
Brethren, there is a better way. Let us rise up and
become men of God. We have a champion, a Savior,
who walked through the valley of the shadow of death
on our behalf. He gave Himself as a ransom for our
sins. No one has ever had greater love than this—
Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish, willingly laid
Himself on the altar of sacrifice and paid the price for
our sins to “the uttermost farthing.”7
|
| The Sermon on the Mount -by Carl Heinrich Bloch |
7Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee,
Thou shalt by no means come out thence,
till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
|
| Christ in Gethsemane -by Harry Anderson |
He took upon Himself our suffering. He took our
burdens, our guilt upon His shoulders. My dear
friends, when we decide to come to Him, when we
take upon ourselves His name and boldly walk in
the path of discipleship, then through the
Atonement we are promised not only happiness
and “peace in this world” but also “eternal life in
the world to come.”8
8 Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 But
learn that he who doeth the works of
righteousness shall receive his reward,
even peace in this world, and eternal life
in the world to come.
learn that he who doeth the works of
righteousness shall receive his reward,
even peace in this world, and eternal life
in the world to come.
When we make mistakes, when we sin and fall, let
us think of what it means to truly repent. It means
turning our heart and will to God and giving up sin.
True heartfelt repentance brings with it the heavenly
assurance that “we can do it now.”
us think of what it means to truly repent. It means
turning our heart and will to God and giving up sin.
True heartfelt repentance brings with it the heavenly
assurance that “we can do it now.”
Who Are You?
One of the adversary’s methods to prevent us
from progressing is to confuse us about who we
really are and what we really desire.
We want to spend time with our children, but
we also want to engage in our favorite manly
hobbies. We want to lose weight, but we also
want to enjoy the foods we crave.
We want to become Christlike, but we also want
to give the guy who cuts us off in traffic a piece of
our mind.
Satan’s purpose is to tempt us to exchange the
priceless pearls of true happiness and eternal
values for a fake plastic trinket that is merely an
illusion and counterfeit of happiness and joy.
Another method the adversary uses to
discourage us from rising up is to make us see the
commandments as things that have been forced
upon us. I suppose it is human nature to resist
anything that does not appear to be our own idea
in the first place.
If we see healthy eating and exercise as
something only our doctor expects of us,
we will likely fail. If we see these choices
as who we are and who we want to become,
we have a greater chance of staying the
course and succeeding.
If we see home teaching as only the stake
president’s goal, we may place a lower value
on doing it. If we see it as our goal —something
we desire to do in order to become more
Christlike and minister to others—we will not
only fulfill our commitment but also accomplish
it in a way that blesses the families we visit and
our own as well.
Often enough, we are the ones who are being
helped up by friends or family. But if we look
around with observant eyes and the motive of a
caring heart, we will recognize the opportunities
the Lord places in front of us to help others rise
up and move toward their true potential. The
scriptures suggest, ”9
9 Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
unto men;
It is a great source of spiritual power to live
lives of integrity and righteousness and to keep
our eyes on where we want to be in the
eternities. Even if we can see this divine
destination only with the eye of faith, it will help
us to stay the course.
When our attention is mainly focused on our
daily successes or failures, we may lose our way,
wander, and fall. Keeping our sights on higher
goals will help us become better sons and
brothers, kinder fathers, and more loving
husbands.
Even those who set their hearts upon divine
goals may still occasionally stumble, but they
will not be defeated. They trust and rely upon
the promises of God. They will rise up again
with a bright hope in a righteous God and the
inspiring vision of a great future. They know
they can do it now.
One of the adversary’s methods to prevent us
from progressing is to confuse us about who we
really are and what we really desire.
from progressing is to confuse us about who we
really are and what we really desire.
We want to spend time with our children, but
we also want to engage in our favorite manly
hobbies. We want to lose weight, but we also
want to enjoy the foods we crave.
we also want to engage in our favorite manly
hobbies. We want to lose weight, but we also
want to enjoy the foods we crave.
We want to become Christlike, but we also want
to give the guy who cuts us off in traffic a piece of
our mind.
to give the guy who cuts us off in traffic a piece of
our mind.
Satan’s purpose is to tempt us to exchange the
priceless pearls of true happiness and eternal
values for a fake plastic trinket that is merely an
illusion and counterfeit of happiness and joy.
priceless pearls of true happiness and eternal
values for a fake plastic trinket that is merely an
illusion and counterfeit of happiness and joy.
Another method the adversary uses to
discourage us from rising up is to make us see the
commandments as things that have been forced
upon us. I suppose it is human nature to resist
anything that does not appear to be our own idea
in the first place.
discourage us from rising up is to make us see the
commandments as things that have been forced
upon us. I suppose it is human nature to resist
anything that does not appear to be our own idea
in the first place.
If we see healthy eating and exercise as
something only our doctor expects of us,
we will likely fail. If we see these choices
as who we are and who we want to become,
we have a greater chance of staying the
course and succeeding.
something only our doctor expects of us,
we will likely fail. If we see these choices
as who we are and who we want to become,
we have a greater chance of staying the
course and succeeding.
If we see home teaching as only the stake
president’s goal, we may place a lower value
on doing it. If we see it as our goal —something
we desire to do in order to become more
Christlike and minister to others—we will not
only fulfill our commitment but also accomplish
it in a way that blesses the families we visit and
our own as well.
president’s goal, we may place a lower value
on doing it. If we see it as our goal —something
we desire to do in order to become more
Christlike and minister to others—we will not
only fulfill our commitment but also accomplish
it in a way that blesses the families we visit and
our own as well.
Often enough, we are the ones who are being
helped up by friends or family. But if we look
around with observant eyes and the motive of a
caring heart, we will recognize the opportunities
the Lord places in front of us to help others rise
up and move toward their true potential. The
scriptures suggest, ”9
helped up by friends or family. But if we look
around with observant eyes and the motive of a
caring heart, we will recognize the opportunities
the Lord places in front of us to help others rise
up and move toward their true potential. The
scriptures suggest, ”9
9 Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
unto men;
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
unto men;
It is a great source of spiritual power to live
lives of integrity and righteousness and to keep
our eyes on where we want to be in the
eternities. Even if we can see this divine
destination only with the eye of faith, it will help
us to stay the course.
lives of integrity and righteousness and to keep
our eyes on where we want to be in the
eternities. Even if we can see this divine
destination only with the eye of faith, it will help
us to stay the course.
When our attention is mainly focused on our
daily successes or failures, we may lose our way,
wander, and fall. Keeping our sights on higher
goals will help us become better sons and
brothers, kinder fathers, and more loving
husbands.
daily successes or failures, we may lose our way,
wander, and fall. Keeping our sights on higher
goals will help us become better sons and
brothers, kinder fathers, and more loving
husbands.
Even those who set their hearts upon divine
goals may still occasionally stumble, but they
will not be defeated. They trust and rely upon
the promises of God. They will rise up again
with a bright hope in a righteous God and the
inspiring vision of a great future. They know
they can do it now.
goals may still occasionally stumble, but they
will not be defeated. They trust and rely upon
the promises of God. They will rise up again
with a bright hope in a righteous God and the
inspiring vision of a great future. They know
they can do it now.
You Can Do It Now
Every person, young and old, has had his
own personal experience with falling. Falling
is what we mortals do. But as long as we are
willing to rise up again and continue on the
path toward the spiritual goals God has given
us, we can learn something from failure and
become better and happier as a result.
My dear brethren, my dear friends, there
will be times when you think you cannot
continue on. Trust the Savior and His love.
With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the
power and hope of the restored gospel, you
will be able to walk tall and continue on.
Brethren, we love you. We pray for you.
I wish you could hear President Monson
pray for you. Whether you are a young
father, an elderly priesthood bearer, or a
newly ordained deacon, we are mindful of
you. The Lord is mindful of you!
We acknowledge that your path will at times
be difficult. But I give you this promise in the
name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the
footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and
one day you will look back and be filled with
eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the
Atonement and its power to lift you up and
give you strength.
My dear friends and brethren, no matter
how many times you have slipped or fallen,
rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand
tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you
realize. You are more capable than you can
imagine. You can do it now! Of this I testify
in the sacred name of our Master and
Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
Every person, young and old, has had his
own personal experience with falling. Falling
is what we mortals do. But as long as we are
willing to rise up again and continue on the
path toward the spiritual goals God has given
us, we can learn something from failure and
become better and happier as a result.
own personal experience with falling. Falling
is what we mortals do. But as long as we are
willing to rise up again and continue on the
path toward the spiritual goals God has given
us, we can learn something from failure and
become better and happier as a result.
My dear brethren, my dear friends, there
will be times when you think you cannot
continue on. Trust the Savior and His love.
With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the
power and hope of the restored gospel, you
will be able to walk tall and continue on.
will be times when you think you cannot
continue on. Trust the Savior and His love.
With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the
power and hope of the restored gospel, you
will be able to walk tall and continue on.
Brethren, we love you. We pray for you.
I wish you could hear President Monson
pray for you. Whether you are a young
father, an elderly priesthood bearer, or a
newly ordained deacon, we are mindful of
you. The Lord is mindful of you!
We acknowledge that your path will at times
be difficult. But I give you this promise in the
name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the
footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and
one day you will look back and be filled with
eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the
Atonement and its power to lift you up and
give you strength.
I wish you could hear President Monson
pray for you. Whether you are a young
father, an elderly priesthood bearer, or a
newly ordained deacon, we are mindful of
you. The Lord is mindful of you!
We acknowledge that your path will at times
be difficult. But I give you this promise in the
name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the
footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and
one day you will look back and be filled with
eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the
Atonement and its power to lift you up and
give you strength.
My dear friends and brethren, no matter
how many times you have slipped or fallen,
rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand
tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you
realize. You are more capable than you can
imagine. You can do it now! Of this I testify
in the sacred name of our Master and
Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
how many times you have slipped or fallen,
rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand
tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you
realize. You are more capable than you can
imagine. You can do it now! Of this I testify
in the sacred name of our Master and
Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
-
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925), 180.
- 2. “The Voiceless,” in The Complete Poetical Works
- of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1908), 99.
- 3. 2 Corinthians 7:10;
- 4. See Acts 3:19.
- 5. See Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Mosiah 3:19.
- 6. See Mosiah 5:2.
- 7. Matthew 5:26.
- 8. Doctrine and Covenants 59:23.
- 9. Colossians 3:23.
- Now I, J. Neil Birch, blogger, suggest as
- I usually do at this point in each blog, a
- hymn from the LDS Hymn Book which
- I feel fits this particular blog post message.
- I invite you, the reader, to invite others,
- either male or female who might be near
- by to join you in singing: Called to Serve
- p. 249
- You may want to ask those singing with
- you to decide which part: Soprano, Alto,
- Tenor or Base each would like to sing.
- The music is actually provided in the
- recording you will access in the following
- link.
- http://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/called-
- to-serve?lang=eng
- 1. F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925), 180.
- 2. “The Voiceless,” in The Complete Poetical Works
- of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1908), 99.
- 3. 2 Corinthians 7:10;
- 4. See Acts 3:19.
- 5. See Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Mosiah 3:19.
- 6. See Mosiah 5:2.
- 7. Matthew 5:26.
- 8. Doctrine and Covenants 59:23.
- 9. Colossians 3:23.
- Now I, J. Neil Birch, blogger, suggest as
- I usually do at this point in each blog, a
- hymn from the LDS Hymn Book which
- I feel fits this particular blog post message.
- I invite you, the reader, to invite others,
- either male or female who might be near
- by to join you in singing: Called to Serve
- p. 249
- You may want to ask those singing with
- you to decide which part: Soprano, Alto,
- Tenor or Base each would like to sing.
- The music is actually provided in the
- recording you will access in the following
- link.
- http://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/called-
- to-serve?lang=eng
____________
____________
- DISCLAIMER This website is not owned by or affiliated with the ChurchOf Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDSChurch). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positionof the Church.____________
TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Readthe Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or Any Item orBlog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph,Please click on the Post Title Shown below: When You See aPortayal of Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy pleaseplease scroll down to the entry entitled: Do It Now! It featuresa talk of Dieter G. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the FirstPresidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -Post 47z.Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property andcreative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be givenin writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.
____________
I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found
very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this
blog post.
If you have any questions about what you have read orviewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine,or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, pleasee-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is:jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get backto you just as soon as possible.
Neil Birch
