Thursday, September 30, 2010

Parents and Leaders: Well done!


While reading this article I was unable to keep the youth I know and their parents and leaders out of my thoughts. What and interesting world we live in, and what dramatic changes in religious beliefs and importance will occur in this generation's lifetime. Continue teaching truths, continue bearing testimony, continue opening your heart, continue sacrificing. It is making a huge difference in our youth's future.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Avoid the fiery darts!

Samuel the Lamanite on the Wall"For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God... Yet you should have been faithful". (Doctrine and Covenants 3:7-8) What a marvelous message for us today-to be more worried about respecting God and following in His ways than being swayed to follow the ways of "man". Look in verse 8 at the blessings that come when we are faithful: God's extended arm, His support against the "fiery darts" (and even the arrows) of the adversary and His presence in "every time of trouble". Samuel understood this doctrine. Joseph learned it in a very personal and poignant way, and gave us Section 3 and 10 to teach us an invaluable lesson.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Season of the Harvest


Today we celebrate the first day of fall. This is also a special day in church history; Joseph Smith received from the Angel Moroni the golden plates on this day in 1827. Just as fall is the season of the harvest, the translation of the Book of Mormon begins the "harvest"of mankind. What beautiful symbolism to help us remember this heavenly gift. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4 states "Behold, the field is white, ready to harvest..." . We have an exciting work to do, my friends! So happy harvest day to you all.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mormon Church Growth By Stakes

Remember, YOU are a part of the "marvelous work and a wonder" in the Lord's plan for the latter days.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Through Heaven's Eyes


Last week I was able to attend a training day for seminary teachers in Irvine. Speaking was Elder Waddell, our Area Authority Seventy. He spoke of one of his Elders in Spain, where he served as Mission President. This Elder was not very handsome or eloquent. The language was difficult for him, yet he was an incredible missionary, bringing to many people the blessings of the gospel. In an interview with this young man, the question was asked; "What is the key to your success?". His reply? "When the person opens the door, I imagine them dressed in white. I see them for who they are, children of God." This statement came back to me in a very personal way this day, when I looked at the seminary students as who they really are and what they will soon be doing. With name tags on their suits and dresses. Dressed in white. Being spiritual leaders. I love them all. I pray that we can look at our children, our friends and ourselves as the Lord sees us, and strive to be that person while we are here, on this beautiful earth.

I thought you might like to hear this song that I shared at youth conference to help you keep these thoughts with you.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Seminary Website!


Greetings everyone!

Did you know there is a seminary website you can reach from lds.org? It is a bit tricky to find so here is how you locate it...

Go to www.lds.org and click on "Serving in the Church" at the top section.
Click on Seminary and Institutes of Religion in the drop down box.
On the Right is a box with "Seminary Website". Click on that.
Now, on the left is a box that will have in it "Scripture Mastery" Click that.
There you go! There are games that will help you memorize you scripture mastery. Please concentrate the most on Doctrine and Covenants, for the time being! Later on you can brush up on your past scriptures, too. This would be a great date activity, don't you think?

Students-go to the site and tell me what you did and it will be worth some Scripture Bucks. Parents, I would do the games when the kids are at school so you can show off your sweet S.M. skills at FHE. Just a thought... :]

http://seminary.lds.org/scripture-mastery/ Try this-it might get you directly there. Keep your fingers crossed!