Lesson Summary

Lesson Summary: From the Life of Lorenzo Snow Chapter #15  

Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God

"Knowing our religion to be true we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced.”

 

Because we have received the fullness of the gospel, we serve as ambassadors of Christ.

We testify to the whole world that we know, by divine revelation, even through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that he revealed himself toJoseph Smith as personally as he did to his apostles anciently, after he arose from the tomb, and that he made known unto him [the] heavenly truths by which alone mankind can be saved. This … is assuming a very important and responsible position, knowing, as we do, that God will hold us accountable for the disposition we make of this sacred trust which he has committed to us.

Then, having assumed this position, we assume all the responsibilities of ambassadors of Christ, we become answerable for our individual acts and for the manner in which we use the talents and ability the Lord has given us.

Membership in the Church is a call to help others receive salvation.

When the Lord calls an individual or a class of individuals out from the world, it is not always with an object to benefit that particular individual or individuals. The Lord has not in view merely the salvation of a few people called Latter-day Saints â€¦ , but the salvation of all men, the living and the dead. When the Lord called Abraham He made him certain promises concerning the glory that should come upon him and his posterity, and in these promises we find this remarkable saying: that in him and in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed [see Genesis 22:15–18; Abraham 2:9–11]. … The design of the Lord was to bless not only him and his posterity, but all the families of the earth. â€¦

Every calling and responsibility is important in the Lord’s work.

Now the question is, do we sense our position, do we comprehend fully the nature of the work we have undertaken to consummate? I am sometimes led to believe that some of our brethren, Elders in Israel, are too ready and willing to shirk the obligations they are under by reason of their covenants, the faith they once possessed seems to be almost exhausted, and they appear to settle down into the quiet satisfaction of a mere nominal membership in the Church.

There are others who think because their names are not very widely known, because they are perhaps … occupying narrow spheres, that it does not matter much what habits they contract, or what kind of examples they set before their brethren. But then, if they held responsible positions, such as a Church leadership position, then they would consider it important how they conducted themselves. Herein they manifest great weakness or gross ignorance, their lamp is either growing dim or they never sensed the position they assumed in taking upon themselves the responsibilities of the gospel.

When we serve God with faith, energy, and cheerfulness, He strengthens us and helps us succeed.

I say, let men serve God faithfully and energetically, and be cheerful. … There are times when persons are brought into conditions where it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to assume a cheerful aspect. But such times are very few.⁹

Knowing our religion to be true we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced. Knowing as we do, or should know, that the gospel we have received promises all our hearts can wish or desire, if we are faithful, we ought to be very faithful, devoted, energetic and ambitious in carrying out the designs and wishes of the Lord as He reveals them from time to time through His servants. We ought not to be lukewarm or negligent in attending to our duties, but with all our might, strength and souls we should try to understand the spirit of our calling and the nature of the work in which we are engaged.

… Had the apostles or seventies in the days of Jesus imagined that they could have fulfilled the missions given them by building an ark as Noah did, or building granaries and storing grain as Joseph did they would have been grandly mistaken.

Joseph in the land of Egypt was called upon to perform a certain class of duties, which were made incumbent upon him. He was not called to preach the gospel without purse or scrip; but to build granaries, and to use all his influence with the King, nobles and people of Egypt to store their grain against a day of famine. … Now supposing that Joseph had gone to work and built an ark, he would not have been accepted of the Lord, neither could he have saved the people of Egypt nor his father’s house. When Noah was commanded to build an ark, supposing he had established granaries, he and his house could not have been saved. So in regard to ourselves, when duties are required at our hands, … whatever we may be required to do within the pale of the kingdom of the Almighty, we have to walk in the spirit of these requirements and perform them if we would gain power and influence with our God.

The work of the Lord is sometimes difficult, but it brings great joy.

We meet many things associated with this labor that are not pleasant, but there is a great pleasure connected with it. When we look back upon our determinations to devote ourselves to the cause of truth and keep our covenants, we have great joy, because the spirit of our callings rests mightily upon us, without which spirit we cannot keep pace with the kingdom of God.¹¹

Lesson Summary July 14, 2013

 LESSON: #13     From the Life of Lorenzo Snow   Relief Society: True Charity and Pure Religion

 

No institution was ever founded with a nobler aim. Its basis is true charity, which is the pure love of Christ.

 

    The Relief Society was organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the inspiration of the Lord. Today it is recognized as one of the most powerful forces for good in the Church.

    The mission of the Relief Society is to succor the distressed, to minister to the sick and feeble, to feed the poor, to clothe the naked, and to bless all the sons and daughters of God. No institution was ever founded with a nobler aim. Its basis is true charity, which is the pure love of Christ.

 

    The Apostle James said that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. [James 1:27.] Accepting that as true, the members of the Relief Society have most surely exemplified in their lives pure and undefiled religion; for they have ministered to those in affliction, they have thrown their arms of love around the fatherless and the widows, and they have kept themselves unspotted from the world. I can testify that there are no purer and more God-fearing women in the world than are to be found within the ranks of the Relief Society.

 

    Relief Society sisters work with priesthood holders to advance the interests of the kingdom of God. You have ever been found at the side of the Priesthood, ready to strengthen their hands and to do your part in helping to advance the interests of the kingdom of God; and as you have shared in these labors, so you will most certainly share in the triumph of the work and in the exaltation and glory which the Lord will give to His faithful children.

 

    It would be a good thing to have the influence of of the Relief Society organization in every home. I ask you, my sisters, in your visits to the homes of the Latter-day Saints, to carry this influence wherever you go. Teach charity to those whom you visit, especially to the young ladies. You, my sisters, as members of the Relief Society and as mothers in Israel, should exercise all your influence in favor of pure motherhood and faithfulness to the marriage covenant.

 

    The Relief Society's splendid work is known throughout Zion, and in many parts of the world. Suffice it to say, it has been true to its mission, and its record is not surpassed, if equaled, by any other charitable organization.  From the beginning of their work the blessing of God has been bestowed upon [the women of the Church], and I have watched with a great deal of delight and pleasure and deep interest their progress. They have succeeded astonishingly, and it is marvelous how God has blessed them and poured out upon them His Spirit.

 

    The Relief Society sisters have become, I might almost say with propriety, as angels standing in the presence of the people of the world.  This is what we desire to instill into the hearts of all sisters to be useful in their sphere and not be discouraged because of difficulties in the way, but trust in God and look to Him, and His marvelous blessings, I promise you, will be poured out upon you. 

 

    When a person commences to travel over a path that the Lord has marked out, and by which to accomplish good in His interest, he is sure to succeed. If you will continue faithful to the work in which you are engaged, you will attain unto this glory, and rejoice evermore in the presence of God and the Lamb. 

Emiko, we are so glad to have you as one are new teachers!  You did a wonderful job presenting this lesson, and we could feel the spirit of the Lord as you taught.  Thank you.

Lesson Summary July 7, 2013

DiAnne Casperson gave the lesson from May 2006 Ensign, "As a Child, Enduring through Perilous Times"  by Elder Henry B. Eyring

 

      Our natures must be changed to become as a child to gain the strength we must have tobe safe in the times of moral peril

                                       

 

The prophets of God have foreseen the times in which we live. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of prophets knows that the peril is great. The peril comes from the forces of wickedness. Those forces are increasing. And so it will become harder, not easier, to keep the covenants we must make to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 

There is hope in the promise the Lord has given us - of a place of safety in the storms ahead.  A loving father told his sons of it this way as he tried to strengthen them against the storms of temptation:

 

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation ¦ whereon if men build they cannot fall.

 

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.

 

And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

 

What we need is faith in Him and to love Him. We must know that He lives and who He is. When we do, we will love Him.

 

King Benjamin suggested how to know Him in these words:

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

 

We come to love those we serve. If we choose to begin to serve the Master out of even a glimmer of faith, we will begin to know Him. We will come to know His purposes for the people we serve for Him. Even when they do not accept our offer to serve them, we will feel His appreciation if we persist.

 

I bear you my witness that the Savior lives and that He is the sure foundation. I know that by acting on our faith in Him we can be cleansed and changed to become pure and strong, as a little child. I bear you my testimony that the Holy Ghost can lead us to truth and away from sin.

 

 

Elder Henry B. Eyring

 

Thank you Diane for presenting this wonderful lesson               

 

Lesson summary June 23, 2013

     lesson summary:

               

Loye gave her lesson from the May Ensign of 2013 talk by Elder Quentin L. Cook entitled "Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness."                                                              
                     Even with trials of life, because of the Saviors Atonement and His grace,  
                                   righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace.


    Recent experiences have caused me to reflect on the doctrine of peace and especially the role of Jesus Christ in helping each of us obtain lasting personal peace.

A recent event that has touched me deeply was when I spoke at the funeral for Emilie Parker, a precious six year old who lost her life along with 25 others, including 19 young children, in a tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. I mourned with her family and recognized that a many had been deprived of peace, but I found strength and faith in  her parents, Robert and Alissa Parker. Events often occur that rob us of peace and heighten our sense of vulnerability.

 

        I have been impressed with the doctrinal difference between universal or world peace and personal peace.  At the birth of the Savior, a multitude of the heavenly host praised God and proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  Yet, as recited in the 10th chapter of Matthew, the Savior instructed the Twelve and acknowledged that His mission would not achieve universal peace in this mortal life. The Spirit of Christ which is given to every person who comes into the world, "shall not always strive with man."  therefore "peace shall be taken from the earth."  Prophets have declared that peace has indeed been taken from the earth. Lucifer has not yet been bound and he exercises power in this dominion.

 

          President Heber J. Grant described the Savior's peace this way: "His peace will ease our suffering, bind up our broken hearts, blot out our hated engender in our breasts a love of fellow men that will suffuse our souls with calm and happiness." In my meetings with Emilie Parker's parents, I saw that the Savior's peace has eased their suffering and is helping to bind up their broken hearts. It is notable that immediately after the shooting, Brother Parker expressed forgiveness to the perpetrateor.  As President Grant said, the Savior's peace can "blot out out hates."

 

           What are the sources of peace? Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed. Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. The answer is the Savior, who is the source and author of peace. He is the Prince of Peace."

 

            How do we stay close to the Savior? Humbling ourselves before God, praying always, repenting of sins, entering the waters of baptism with a broken heart and contrite spirit, and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

            The Church is a refuge where followers of Christ attain peace. The temples are also a source of peaceful refuge from the world.

 

            The Savior promised His Apostles that they would be blessed with the "Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost" and then uttered these important words: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Then just before His Intercessory Prayer Christ said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Thank you Loye for your wonderful lesson .

Lesson Summary June 16, 2013

Tithing, a Law for Our Protection and Advancement                                                   

                         "The law of tithing is one of the most important ever revealed to man. . . 
                             Through obeying this law the blessings of prosperity and success 
                                                        will be given to the Saints,"
                               

        In May of 1899, President Lorenzo Snow felt prompted to visit the city of St. George and other settlements in southern Utah. He quickly began organizing a group of people, including several General Authorities, to take the long trip with him.  "When we left Salt Lake," he later said, "we did not know just what we were going to visit these southern settlements for."  But on May 17, 1899, soon after the travelers arrived in St. George, the Lord's will was "clearly manifested" to His prophet. 

 

        In a meeting held on May 18, President Snow declared, " The word of the Lord to you is not anything new; it is simply this: The time has now come for every Latter-Day Saint, who calculates to be prepared for the future and to hold his feet strong upon a proper foundation, to do the will of the Lord and to pay his tithing in full. That is the word of the Lord to you, and it will be the word of the Lord to every settlement throughout the land of Zion. There is no man or woman that now hears what I am saying who will feel satisfied if he or she fails to pay a full tithing."

 

        In his previous 50 years as an Apostle, President Snow had rarely mentioned the law of tithing in his sermons. That changed in St. George, Utah, because of the revelation he received. "I never had a more perfect revelation, than  [the revelation] I received on this subject of tithing."

 

        President Snow had repeatedly assured the Saints that they would be blessed individually, both temporally and spiritually, as they obeyed the law of tithing. That promise was partially fulfilled in August 1899, when the people of St. George enjoyed temporary relief from their drought; their faith was rewarded with 2.93 inches of rain, more than they had received in the previous 13 months combined. President Snow had also promised that obedience to the law of tithing would bring blessings to the Church as a whole. He felt certain that the tithes of the faithful would enable the church to break free from its indebtedness.  

 

        The law of tithing is one of the most important ever revealed to man . . .  Through obeying this law the blessings of prosperity and success will be given unto the Saints. If we will keep that law . . . the land will be sanctified, and we shall be counted worthy to receive the blessings of the Lord and to be sustained and supported in our financial affairs and in everything we do, temporal as well as spiritually. The temporal salvation of this Church depends upon obedience to this law.

 

         " .... I require it at your hands, not only to obey it, but to teach it to the children of the Latter-day Saints, and to impress it upon the tablets of their memories, so that when they shall grow into years of discretion, it may be said they were taught it, and that they obeyed it from their youth up."

 

 

           Thank you, Jan, for all the work you put into this lesson; it was wonderfully taught and we could fell the Spirit present.

                    

Lesson Summary June 9, 2013

Sarah Bodrero gave lesson #11 "I Seek Not Mine Own Will, but the Will of the Father."
 
      On March 31, 1899, President Lorenzo Snow traveled to Brigham Young  Academy where Latter-day Saints had gathered to commemorate his 85th birthday. As part of the afternoon meeting, 23 children "marched upon the rostrum, and facing President Snow, sang two songs . . . , after which each child presented the President with a bouquet of flowers." President Snow expressed his gratitude to the children and pronounced a blessing  upon them. Then eight Brigham Young Academy students came to the stand, one at a time. They presented a carefully prepared tribute to the prophet. In response to these words of affection and admiration, President Snow said some words of gratitude. In part he said:

 

    "It is the Lord that you honor when you honor me and my counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve. We have discovered that a long time since, every one of us, that of ourselves we could do nothing. Only as far as we followed that principle which Jesus followed when He was in the world has success followed our efforts; and it will be so with you."

 

       President Snow taught: "The Church has passed through very strange experiences, and the people have made great sacrifices....  and as a people there has been no failure. Why has there been no failure? Because the people, as a whole, have had their minds fixed upon the true principles of life, and they have conformed to their duty.... The people generally have had the Spirit of the Lord, and have followed it.  Hence there has been no failure. So it may be with individuals. There is a course for every person to pursue in which there will be no failure. It will apply to temporal as well as spiritual matters. The Lord has given us the keyword in these verses from the Doctrine and Covenants:"

 

    "If your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you, and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things. Therefore sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God."[D&C 88: 67-68.]

    "We have been called to act in God's name, and we acknowledge His hand in all the good we do. We came into the world for a great purpose, the same as Jesus, our elder brother, to do the will and works of our Father; in this there is peace, joy and happiness, an increase of wisdom, knowledge and the power of God; outside of this there are no promised blessings."  

 

    "Thus let us devote ourselves to righteousness, help each and all to be better and happier; do good to all and evil to none; honor God and obey His Priesthood. 

Cultivate and preserve an enlightened conscience and follow the Holy Spirit; faint not, hold fast to what is good, endure to the end and your cup of joy shall be full even to overflowing, for great shall be your reward for your trials and your sufferings, our God will give you a crown of unfading glory." 

 

       Thank you, Sarah, for the sweet spirit you brought to the lesson, we are going to miss you and your cute family. Good luck in our life and may God bless you.

        

Lesson Summary June 2, 2013

 Kathy Chee gave her lesson from the BYU Devotional by Donald W. Parry (July 31, 2012)
   

"Angels, Chariots, and the Lord of Hosts" 

 

 

    The ministry of Angels has been on the earth since the days of Adam and Eve. They have had significant responsibilities in the Lord's great plan of happiness. Angles figure prominently in ancient and modern scripture. They have ministered to or communicated with such notables as Daniel, Mary the mother of Jesus [Luke 1:26-38] Mary Magdalene, Salome, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, other women [Mark 16:4-6; Luke 24:2-4; John 20:11-12], Peter, Paul, John the Revelator, and many others. Angels have also ministered to the prophets in the Book of Mormon.

 

        In our own dispensation prophets and apostles have testified of the eminence and considerable standing of angels. It has been a period of extraordinary angelic activity. Joseph Smith received dozens of communications from angels. Additional Church authorities and others have been recipients of angelic communications. The Gospel was restored, in part, when angels imparted revelations and truths to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the Doctrine and Covenants it tells of the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood. [D&C 128:21]

 

         The title "Lord of hosts" is so important that it is found some 250 times in the Old Testament; Isaiah alone used the term about fifty times. This title, then, is a frequent reminder that the Lord has hosts of angels. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne . . . :and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." [Revelation 5:11] 

 

          We have help from both sides of the veil. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--we need to remember that if our eyes could be opened, we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see, riding at great speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed. Joseph Smith wrote that Elder Roger Orton saw a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire, with a flaming sword in his hand, followed by five others, encircle the house [Temple], and protect the Saints, even the Lord's anointed, from the power of Satan and a host of evil spirits, which were striving to disturb the Saints.

 

 

          Most of us will never be protected by angel in a lions' den, nor will the majority of us be privileged to see horses and chariots of fire. But we should bear in mind that angelic communications are not reserved for those who lived during the time of Old Testament or the Book of Mormon. Church authorities have clearly taught that we who are laypersons may receive angelic communications or help from them according to the divine will of our loving Heavenly Father.

           It is my testimony that angels are agents of love, light, and power. The Lord's angels exist because of Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. I testify that angels appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I also testify that the sacred work of angels continues in our day.
 
Thank you Kathy for your very interesting and enlightening lesson.  

May 19th 2013 Lesson Summary

DiAnne Casperson gave the Lesson from the Teachings of Lorenzo Snow Lesson 10 "Come into the Temples"
 
         Soon after President Snow's baptism he attending meetings in the Kirtland Temple. There, with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other church leaders, he received great spiritual blessings. In his journal he reported: "There we had the gift of prophecy-- the gift of tongues--the interpretation of tongues--visions and marvelous dreams were related--the singing of heavenly choirs was heard, and wonderful manifestations of the healing power, through the administrations of the Elders were witnessed.

         Lorenzo loved the Kirtland Temple, knowing that "The Son of God, in His glory, had honored it with His royal presence." He said "No language can describe my feelings," when, for the first time, I stood up in one of the pulpits to address an audience-- a pulpit on the breastwork of which, only a short time before, this holy Personage stood---'His hair as white as pure snow, his eyes as a flame of fire'-- where also Moses, Elias and Elijah, came and committed the keys of their dispensations to Joseph Smith."

          Many years later, on April 6, 1892 President Lorenzo Snow stood before another gathering, this time in front of the almost-completed Salt Lake Temple. About 40,000 Latter-day Saints crowded into the enclosure surrounding Temple Square, and about 10,000 more " occupied the tops of houses and places from which a view could be obtained. They had gathered for a ceremony in which the capstone would be secured on the temple's highest spire. Later that day the angel Moroni was placed on the capstone. 

          Lorenzo was assigned by the First Presidency to lead the Saints in the Hosanna Shout. As the Temple capstone moved securely into its position. The scene that followed is beyond the power of language to describe. The President of the Twelve, Apostle Lorenzo Snow, came forward and led Saints in shouting in concert. "Each shout was accompanied by the waving of white handkerchiefs. . . The eyes of thousands were moistened with tears in the fullness of their joy. The ground seemed to tremble with the volume of sound which sent forth its echoes to the surrounding hills. The hosannas had scarce ceased when the vast congregation burst forth in the glorious inspirational hymn, "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning." 

            Exactly one year later, on April 6, 1893 President Woodruff dedicated the Salt Lake Temple the Saints had labored 40 years to complete it, and President Snow was called to serve as the first president of that temple. He fulfilled this calling until he became President of the Church in September 1898.

            In temples we learn of the marvelous blessings God has prepared for the faithful. . . He has prepared everything for the Latter-day Saints that they could possibly wish or imagine in order to effect their complete happiness throughout the vast eternities. We have learned that, in temples, we are able to form ties which are not dissolved at death, but which reach into eternity; sacred ties which bind families together for time and eternity.

            "In temples we receive the ordinances of exaltation in behalf of our kindred dead. We did not come into this world accidentally. We came for a special purpose, and it was undoubtedly through certain arrangements in the other life where we dwelt that we came into this life. It is within the Temples that we are accomplishing a great work in reference to our kindred dead." 

            "Now, it should be an object in every man's and woman,s mind to come into our Temples and to perform this labor. It is a great labor, and an important one, too. When we go back into the other life and find our dead love ones living there, if we have not performed the labor that is necessary for their exaltation and glory we shall not feel very happy and it will not be a very pleasant meeting."
 
            This work has got to be accomplished before the Son of Man can come and receive His kingdom to present it to His Father.
 
Thank you, DiAnne, for this up lifting lesson.

Mother's Day lesson summary May 12, 2013

Lesson taught by President Kim Nydegger

I taught last Sunday's Relief Society Lesson. For the summary, I included my outline for the lesson entitled, 

 

Each Sister Is a Beloved Daughter of Heavenly Parents and Has a Divine Destiny

 

If you would like a copy the the "Pre-Existence Script" that I used, I'll be happy to send it to you.

Thank you to everyone for attending and to those who commented - the lesson is always better when we can learn from each other. 

 

 

 

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"Who Am I?"  Where did I come from?  Where am I going?

 

 â€œWhat is man, that thou art mindful of him?

and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”              (Psalms 8:4)

 

 

The answer is taught most simply in this song:  

I am a child of God,                                   I am a child of God,

And He has sent me here,                        Rich blessings are in store;

Has given me an earthly home                 If I but learn to do his will

With parents kind and dear. …                 I’ll live with him once more.

 

We are Children of our Heavenly Father

 

Dallan H. Oaks:

"All knowledge is not of equal value. Some knowledge is more important than others. .. Consider the power of the idea taught in our beloved song "I Am a Child of God" Here is the answer to one of life's greatest questions. "Who am I?" .. I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parent.  That parentage defines our eternal potential.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:                                                                                                                   â€œYou are literally spirit daughters of Deity, ‘offspring of exalted parents’ with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. You received your first lessons in the world of spirits from your heavenly parents.

President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901):                                                                                                                                â€œWe believe that we are the offspring of our Father in heaven, and that we possess in our spiritual organizations the same capabilities, powers and faculties that our Father possesses,  although in an infantile state. " 

"It is required to pass through a certain courses or ordeals by which these attributes will be developed and improved according to the heed we give to the principles we have received”

Boyd K. Packard                                                                                                                                                               Those lyrics teach a basic doctrine of the Church.  We are the children of God. This doctrine is not hidden away in an obscure verse.           It is taught over and over again in scripture.

“All of you are children of the most High.” (Psalms 82:6)

And: “We are the offspring of God.” (Acts 17:29.)

 

*   There is an old saying that if you pick up one end of a stick,  you pick up the other end as well.

So if you concede that we are His children, you must allow that God is our Father.

 

Elder Quentin L. Cook (twelve apostles)

*   Among the first principles lost in the Apostasy was an understanding of  God the Father.

*   It is not surprising, then, that among the first principles revealed in the Restoration              

    was an understanding of God the Father.

*   By priority, the first declaration of faith by Latter-day Saints is

    â€œWe believe in God, the Eternal Father” (Articles of Faith 1:1).

 

Christ did not speak only of the Father, or my Father; He spoke of your Father, and our Father.

He even put them together in one sentence, saying, â€œYour Father, and your God, and my God.”(D&C 88:75;)

We are commanded to pray â€œOur Father which art in heaven”? (Matt. 6:9.)

 

 Loving Choice and Deliberate Act   (it was no accident)

 (Matthew 1:1–16; Ether 10:31).

Every human being is a begotten spirit son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.⁴ Begotten is the adjective form of the verb beget and means â€œbrought into being.” Beget is the expression used in the scriptures to describe the process of giving life

 

(Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335).

God is not only our Ruler and Creator; He is also our Heavenly Father.

All men and women are literally the sons and daughters of God.

“Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, before coming upon the earth in a physical body.”

 

Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities.

Our spirits came into being out of love and a deliberate choice by our Father to give us life and opportunity.

 

 

Heavenly Father Knows by Name

In the few scriptures that mention individuals in the pre-mortal world, they were identified by name in a pattern similar to how we are identified in mortality.

In the Father’s recorded visits to individuals on earth, He uses names to express that He knows and identifies us personally and individually.

As the Prophet Joseph Smith said in reference to the First Vision appearance of the Father, “One of them spake unto me, calling me by name” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17)

 

Our Pedigree

Our mortal pedigree charts show many generations winding backward through the ages.

Our spiritual pedigree chart, however, has only two generations—our Father’s and ours.

 

We Developed Personalities and Talents While We Lived in Heaven

 

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith 2007)

The scriptures teach us that the prophets prepared themselves to become leaders on earth while they were still spirits in heaven (see Alma 13:1–3).

 

Before they were born into mortal bodies, God foreordained (chose) them to be leaders on earth.   Jesus, Adam, and Abraham were some of these leaders. (See Abraham 3:22–23.)

 

 Joseph Smith taught that “every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was [fore]ordained to that very purpose”.

However, everyone on earth is free to accept or reject any opportunity to serve.

 

(Thomas S. Monson)

We were not all alike in heaven. We know, for example, that we were sons and daughters of heavenly parents—males and females.

 

We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth.   

 

?? Where can we learn more about our “Eternal Possibilities?  From our Patriarchal Blessings.

 

 

The Veil

*  We know that Heavenly Father provided an earth for us where we would prove ourselves.

*  A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home.

*  This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without     

    being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father.

*  Thus we could obey Him because of our faith in Him, not because of our knowledge or

    memory of Him.

*  Heavenly Father would help us recognize the truth when we heard it again on earth.

 

The Apostle Paul taught        that....  â€œThe Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

The Spirit gives us glimpses into who we are. Often the Spirit speaks to us when we pray, read the scriptures, ponder upon the Lord’s mercies to us, receive priesthood blessings, serve others, or feel loved and affirmed by others.

 

*  A veil covers our memories of our pre-mortal life, but our Father in Heavenknows who we are and what we did before we came here.

*  Heavenly Father has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need, and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.

 

 

The Void

At some level of awareness, each of us experiences the feeling of a void created by our separation from Heavenly Father. This void is a necessary part of God's plan.

By divine design, our Heavenly Father anticipated our feeling this void and knew that this feeling, when properly understood, would incline us toward Him and help us be receptive to the gifts He provides for us to fill the void.

 

ENSIGN Article

In her aptly titled Ensign article "Filling the Void," clinical psychologist Victoria Anderson described an evening when she prayed and wondered aloud with God about why she felt "a yearning - almost a need - to fill every minute with music or television or something to satisfy a void she is feeling." As she questioned her own need to satisfy the void, she wondered about her client' needs.  "Why, " she wondered, "does Sherry seek to fill her void with food?  Why does Susan feel a need to fill her void with drugs, and why does Burt seek to fill his void with sex?  Why does there sometimes seem to be a giant hole in our lives, even when we want to do what is right?

 

She recounts that "after these questions, thoughts, and feelings filled my heart and soul, the answer came in a peaceful awareness. "I had lived with my Heavenly Father in the pre-mortal existence.  In that realm I was filled with His divine love for me as His daughter.  When I came to earth, I left His presence, and a void was created. I felt the void was placed in my heat for my earthly journey so I would seek Him again.  As I seek to know and love my Heavenly Father, the void can be filled. 

 

The void prompts 2 feelings in each of us that will aid us in our return to God.

First,    It leads us to feel as if something is missing in our life. 

.          That we  are not quite complete.     

.          There is something lacking and unfulfilled about us.

Second,  It creates a desire in us to fill this void.                                                                         

.          The feeling of the void makes us restless and unsettled.                                                   

 .          We are not content.                                                                                                 

.          We need to fill the void even if we don't understand its origin.

 

 

Why is knowing we are Daughters of God Important?

It brings a feeling of self-worth, dignity, self-respect.

Then self-pity and depression fade away.

We then can accept even the very hard lessons of life.

 

 

President James E. Faust                                                                             

“A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth.   It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ.

It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity”

 

 

Purity

Boyd K. Packer teaches...

What could inspire one to purity and worthiness more than to possess a spiritual confirmation that we are the children of God?

What could inspire a more lofty regard for oneself, or engender more love for mankind?

This thought does not fill me with arrogance. It fills me with overwhelming humility. Nor does it sponsor any inclination to worship oneself or any man.

Because Moses knew that he was God’s son and that God had a mission for him, he had the power and ability to resist Satan, to make righteous judgments, to call upon God for strength, and to continue to have His Spirit to be with him.

 

 

 Pre-existence Script

******************

 

 

President Brigham Young

"I want to tell you.... that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father.... You are all well acquainted with him,  for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year... We are the sons and daughter of celestial Beings, and the germ of the Deity dwells within us."

 

 

President Ezra Taft Benson stated...

... The biggest surprise we will have when we pass back through the veil is how well we know our Heavenly Father's face. ...

 

 

 

 

  

 Joseph Smith Teaches about God the Father

What kind of being is He? â€œGod Himself was once as we are now, and is now an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!”¹

What does He look like? â€œThe Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.”² â€œIf you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves.”³

What is our relationship to God? â€œThe Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family â€¦ as His offspring.”⁵

Why did He establish the plan of salvation for us?   â€œGod himself, …instituted laws whereby his children could have the privilege to advance like himself.”⁶

 

 

Boyd K. Packer

The Chicks

Some years ago I returned home to find our little children were waiting in the driveway. They had discovered some newly hatched chicks under the manger in the barn. When they reached for them, a protective hen rebuffed them. So they came for reinforcements.

 

I soon gathered a handful of little chicks for them to see and touch.

As our little girl held one of them, I said in a teasing way, “That will make a nice watchdog when it grows up, won’t it?” She looked at me quizzically, as if I didn’t know much.

 

So I changed my approach: “It won’t be a watchdog, will it?” She shook her head, “No, Daddy.” Then I added, “It will be a nice riding horse.”

 

She wrinkled up her nose and gave me that “Oh, Dad!” look. For even a four-year-old knows that a chick will not be a dog, nor a horse, nor even a turkey. It will be a chicken. It will follow the pattern of its parentage. She knew that without having had a course in genetics, without a lesson or a lecture.

 

 

After Their Own Kind

No lesson is more manifest in nature than that all living things do as the Lord commanded in the Creation. They reproduce “after their own kind.” (See Moses 2:12, 24.) They follow the pattern of their parentage. Everyone knows that; every four-year-old knows that! A bird will not become an animal nor a fish. A mammal will not beget reptiles, nor “do men gather … figs of thistles.” (Matt. 7:16.)

 

In the countless billions of opportunities in the reproduction of living things, one kind does not beget another. If a species ever does cross, the offspring cannot reproduce. The pattern for all life is the pattern of the parentage.

Since every living thing follows the pattern of its parentage, are we to suppose that God had some other strange pattern in mind for His own offspring? Surely we, His children, are not, in the language of science, a different species than He is?