To Touch a Life with Faith - Elder Eyring, Oct 1995

To Touch a Life with Faith

by Henry B. Eyring

October 1995 General Conference

"He will make you a fisher of men, however inadequate you may feel now. It won’t be done by a mysterious process. It will be the natural result of your choosing to follow him. Just think about what you must do to be a fisher of men, to touch lives with faith for him. You will need to love the people you serve. You will need to be humble and full of hope. You will need to have the Holy Ghost as your companion to know when to speak and what to say and how to testify."

Always Remember Him - Elder Eyring, Apr 1995

Always Remember Him

by Henry B. Eyring

April 1995 General Conference 

"And if those who hear will take the Savior’s name upon them and always remember him, and keep his commandments, they will finally come to him and he will take them home to his Father and our Father, where we may live forever in families."

Let There Be Light

I wrote a song this year - my first one.  I wanted the Primary children to sing something new for the Primary Program this year, and I came up with a short song that I combined with "I am Like A Star".  We did a few different "mash-ups" for the program, and you can read more here.  I later wrote a few more verses, but only have a recording of the first verse.

1) The earth in the beginning

was dark and without light

but a plan had been prepared

for us to come

We knew we would be tested

to choose from wrong and right

and a path was giv'n

to guide us safely home

2) Our parents in the garden

Father Adam, Mother Eve

Made the choice that gave us

all a chance to live;

A body for our spirit

is everything we'd need

to create the light that

we can freely give.

3)We have a living prophet

to guide us in our day

And he helps us to see

what we can become;

We also have a family,

our closest source of light,

and can live with them

eternally as one.

Chorus:

Let there be light

and let the whole world see

the promises that He

has made are true

May I shine bright

and may I always be

a source of light

my whole life through.

To Draw Closer to God - Elder Eyring, Apr 1991

To Draw Closer to God

by Henry B. Eyring

April 1991 General Conference

"God is perfect and omnipotent, and you and I are mortal. But he is our Father, he loves us, and he offers the same opportunity to draw closer to him as would a loving friend. And you will do it in much the same way: speaking, listening, and doing."

Remembrance and Gratitude - Elder Eyring, Oct 1989

Remembrance and Gratitude

by Henry B. Eyring

October 1989 General Conference

"Remembrance is the seed of gratitude which is the seed of generosity. Gratitude for the remission of sins is the seed of charity, the pure love of Christ."

"Holy Temples on Mount Zion"

As part of our Primary Program this year, I have been doing some "mash-ups" with the music so that we can include more songs in the program.  One of the pairings I made is about the Temple, and it ended up being three songs mixed into two.  I really like the Primary song "I Love to See The Temple" so that was a given for me to teach this year.  The other song came to me a while ago when I was looking at the back of the hymnbook and was noticing the pages that give tunes and meters and group related songs.  I like the tune to "In Humility Our Savior" and found that the words to "Holy Temples on Mount Zion" are a meter match.  Putting the two together gives a new song about Temples that I was able to use with "I Love to See the Temple" in a simple medley:

For more information on the songs:

https://hymnary.org/person/Bennett_AF1?tab=hymnals

https://www.bystudyandfaith.com/holy-temples-on-mount-zion/

https://singpraises.net/text/289/holy-temples-on-mount-zion

Because of Your Steadiness - Elder Eyring, Apr 1988

Because of Your Steadiness

by Henry B. Eyring

April 1988 General Conference

"God loves us, and he intends for us to become like him. He doesn’t ask us now to worry about all his children in all the world, as he does. Instead, he begins with a call to watch over just a few families, just a few people."

The Spark of Faith - Elder Eyring, Oct 1986

The Spark of Faith

by Henry B. Eyring

October 1986 General Conference

"What we can do to help—teaching, and doing it with the spirit of righteousness, with love, with tenderness, with example—centers on the Savior and his atonement. That is what we would teach. The Atonement working in our lives will produce in us the love and tenderness we need. And by remembering Him and His gift, which we promise to do as we take the sacrament each week, we can put a light of hope in our faces which those we love need so much to see."

Ears to Hear - Elder Eyring, Apr 1985

Ears to Hear

by Henry B. Eyring

April 1985 General Conference

"None of us can see now all the wonders of technology and organization and buildings that God may give us; but you, just you, hearing the voice of God through your teacher and leader, will always be at its heart."

"A History of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association 1939 to 1974"

 I found an article about the history of the Young Men's organization, that is interesting to read in light of the recent changes announced to the present day program.  The article focuses on the many different arrangements of ages and leaders and structure over the years, and when you see how often changes are made, the recent changes don't seem as surprising.  What is probably more noticeable is how relatively few changes had been made in the past 30 years or so compared to how often they changed things in the past.

A History of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association 1939 to 1974

This study will present a comprehensive study of the YMMIA from 1939 to 1974. This study includes the emergence of different programs and the changes in age groupings, as well as goals of the program. A short historical background chapter will be included to acquaint the readers with the previous growth and development of YMMIA since it was instituted.

One section talked about changes made in 1972, where the wards and stakes were given more leeway in planning activities and events.  There are also mentions of how the church needs to meet the needs of members across the globe, and you kind of see that it still is taking time to make a program that meets the needs of the members in all situations.  Continuing revelation will provide future guidance, and I'm sure there are still many things to come as we enter a new phase of church growth.

The Armour of God - Come Follow Me

This week's Come Follow Me lesson is on Ephesians - "For the Perfecting of the Saints".  It covers the epistle Paul wrote to the Ephesians and focuses on keeping the church holy.

It begins with a discussion on predestination, and what role that plays in our mortal life here on earth:

Although no one is predestined to be saved or not saved, modern revelation teaches that some were chosen or “foreordained” in the premortal world to fulfill certain responsibilities here on earth. This includes the responsibility that all Latter-day Saints have to share the gospel and help all of God’s children on both sides of the veil come to Christ.

One of the key passage of Ephesians talks about the armor of god.  In the 90's, as part of Seminary the Church of Jesus Christ produced a video that related the armor of god to modern day situations.  It was pretty well done:

October 2019 General Conference

It's here!

Join us for #GeneralConference beginning Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MDT. The women’s session for all women and girls eight years of age and older will be Saturday at 6:00 p.m. MDT. Watch the sessions live at https://t.co/A4DbES4c4N. https://t.co/oQqgmGPTWP pic.twitter.com/cDpH0Q9vRx

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@ChurchNewsroom) October 5, 2019

Where Will This Lead? - Elder Oaks, Apr 2019

Where Will This Lead?

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2019 General Conference

"We make countless choices in life, some large and some seemingly small. Looking back, we can see what a great difference some of our choices made in our lives. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead."

Cleansed by Repentance - Elder Oaks, Apr 2019

Cleansed by Repentance

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2019 General Conference

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the only way to achieve the needed cleansing through repentance, and this mortal life is the time to do it. Although we are taught that some repentance can occur in the spirit world, that is not as certain. Elder Melvin J. Ballard taught: 'It is much easier to overcome and serve the Lord when both flesh and spirit are combined as one. This is the time when men are more pliable and susceptible. This life is the time to repent.'"

Truth and the Plan - Elder Oaks, Oct 2018

Truth and the Plan

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2018 General Conference

"When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search: prayer, the witness of the Holy Ghost, and study of the scriptures and the words of modern prophets. I am always sad when I hear of one who reports a loss of religious faith because of secular teachings. Those who once had spiritual vision can suffer from self-inflicted spiritual blindness."

Parents and Children - Elder Oaks, Oct 2018

Parents and Children

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2018 General Conference

"Be kind to others. Kindness is something many of our youth are doing already. Some groups of youth in some communities have shown the way for all of us. We have been inspired by our young people’s acts of kindness to those in need of love and help. In many ways, you give that help and show that love to one another. We wish all would follow your example."

The Powers of the Priesthood - Elder Oaks, Apr 2018

The Powers of the Priesthood

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2018 General Conference

"If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do. Fathers who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should keep the commandments so they will have the power of the priesthood to give blessings to their family members. Fathers should also cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask their fathers for blessings. And parents should encourage more priesthood blessings in the family."

Small and Simple Things - Elder Oaks, Apr 2018

Small and Simple Things

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2018 General Conference

"We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things."

The Plan and the Proclamation - Elder Oaks, Oct 2017

The Plan and the Proclamation

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2017 General Conference

"God created this earth according to His plan to provide His spirit children a place to experience mortality as a necessary step toward the glories He desires for all His children. While there are various kingdoms and glories, our Heavenly Father’s ultimate desire for His children is what President Monson called “eternal life in the kingdom of God,” which is exaltation in families."

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation - Elder Oaks, Apr 2017

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2017 General Conference

"As spirit children of God, in an existence prior to mortality, we desired a destiny of eternal life but had progressed as far as we could without a mortal experience in a physical body. To provide that opportunity, our Heavenly Father presided over the Creation of this world, where, deprived of our memory of what preceded our mortal birth, we could prove our willingness to keep His commandments and experience and grow through the other challenges of mortal life."

Sharing the Restored Gospel - Elder Oaks, Oct 2016

Sharing the Restored Gospel

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2016 General Conference

"Sharing the gospel is not a burden but a joy. What we call “member missionary work” is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us. It is also an opportunity to witness how we feel about the restored gospel of our Savior."

Opposition in All Things - Elder Oaks, Apr 2016

Opposition in All Things

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2016 General Conference

"To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition."

Newness of Life

The other day I was asked to give a talk on Baptism at the baptismal service for a family that is newly attending our congregation.  I like to talk of the symbolism of baptism, and there are many different ways that the physical act of full immersion under the water can be viewed.  In Romans 6:3, we read, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?".  One symbol of baptism is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul goes on in Romans 6:4, telling us, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

The week before the baptism, I happened upon a quote on Facebook that caught my attention:

A seed is buried,
It comes undone,
It becomes unrecognizable,
It’s old self dies.
And just at the moment when all seems destroyed,
New life comes.

 

A new connection was made in my mind - the transformation of a seed at the moment it begins to grow, and how it has to be buried for that to happen.  And then I thought about us being the seed.  In Moses 5:11 we read, "And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

The analogy began to form.  If we are buried as the seed during baptism, then our "new life" begins at that moment  We are no longer the seed, but a plant growing and developing. 

As I thought about this, I thought if a bag of pumpkin seeds I have had in our drawer for a few years.  I didn't use them in the garden, and they have just sat there in the same state with no development.  It is only when I put them in the ground that they are able to transform into a pumpkin plant, and from there they are able to grow and produce new pumpkin seeds that perpetuate their existence.  So it is with us - the "newness of life" that comes from baptism, and ultimately resurrection, that will lead us to eternal life.

Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ - Elder Oaks, Oct 2015

Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2015 General Conference

"Our Savior’s Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us."

The Parable of the Sower - Elder Oaks, Apr 2015

The Parable of the Sower

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2015 General Conference

"We have the seed of the gospel word. It is up to each of us to set the priorities and to do the things that make our soil good and our harvest plentiful. We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Loving Others and Living with Differences - Elder Oaks, Oct 2014

Loving Others and Living with Differences

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2014 General Conference

"In dedicated spaces, like temples, houses of worship, and our own homes, we should teach the truth and the commandments plainly and thoroughly as we understand them from the plan of salvation revealed in the restored gospel. Our right to do so is protected by constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and religion, as well as by the privacy that is honored even in countries without formal constitutional guarantees."

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood - Elder Oaks, Apr 2014

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2014 General Conference

"Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used."

No Other Gods - Elder Oaks, Oct 2013

No Other Gods

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2013 General Conference

"Knowledge of God’s plan for His children gives Latter-day Saints a unique perspective on marriage and family. We are correctly known as a family-centered church. Our theology begins with heavenly parents, and our highest aspiration is to attain the fulness of eternal exaltation. We know this is possible only in a family relationship. We know that the marriage of a man and a woman is necessary for the accomplishment of God’s plan. Only this marriage will provide the approved setting for mortal birth and to prepare family members for eternal life. We look on marriage and the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God’s plan and a sacred duty of those given the opportunity to do so. We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity."

Followers of Christ - Elder Oaks, Apr 2013

Followers of Christ

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2013 General Conference

"Jesus’s teachings were not meant to be theoretical. Always they were to be acted upon. Jesus taught, 'Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man'"

Protect the Children - Elder Oaks, Oct 2012

Protect the Children

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2012 General Conference

"Children are highly vulnerable. They have little or no power to protect or provide for themselves and little influence on so much that is vital to their well-being. Children need others to speak for them, and they need decision makers who put their well-being ahead of selfish adult interests."

Sacrifice - Elder Oaks, Apr 2012

Sacrifice

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2012 General Conference

"I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity."

Teachings of Jesus - Elder Oaks, Oct 2011

Teachings of Jesus

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2011 General Conference

"Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. He is our Creator. He is the Light of the World. He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth, and you can know this for yourself, as I know it for myself. The Holy Ghost, who testifies of the Father and the Son and leads us into truth, has revealed these truths to me, and He will reveal them to you. The way is desire and obedience."

Desire - Elder Oaks, Apr 2011

Desire

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2011 General Conference

"Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."

Two Lines of Communication - Elder Oaks, Oct 2010

Two Lines of Communication

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2010 General Conference

"We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life. If personal religious practice relies too much on the personal line, individualism erases the importance of divine authority. If personal religious practice relies too much on the priesthood line, individual growth suffers. The children of God need both lines to achieve their eternal destiny. The restored gospel teaches both, and the restored Church provides both."

Healing the Sick - Elder Oaks, Apr 2010

Healing the Sick

by Dallin H.Oaks

April 2010 General Conference 

"Latter-day Saints believe in applying the best available scientific knowledge and techniques. We use nutrition, exercise, and other practices to preserve health, and we enlist the help of healing practitioners, such as physicians and surgeons, to restore health.

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings."

Love and Law - Elder Oaks, Oct 2009

Love and Law

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2009 General Conference

"God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons’ choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons—even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another—for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress. He will bless us to endure the consequences of others’ choices, but He will not prevent those choices."

Unselfish Service - Elder Oaks, Apr 2009

Unselfish Service

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2009 General Conference

"Each year tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints submit their papers for full-time missionary service. Seniors put aside the diversions of retirement, the comforts of home, and the loving companionship of children and grandchildren and go forth to serve strangers in unfamiliar places. Young men and women put work and education on hold and make themselves available to serve wherever they are assigned. Hundreds of thousands of faithful members participate in the unselfish service we call “temple work,” which has no motive other than love and service for our fellowmen, living and dead. The same unselfish service is given by legions of officers and teachers in our stakes and wards and branches. All are uncompensated in worldly terms but committed to Christlike service to their fellowmen."

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament - Elder Oaks, Oct 2008

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2008 General Conference

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Testimony - Elder Oaks, Apr 2008

Testimony

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2008 General Conference

"A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration."

Good, Better, Best - Elder Oaks, Oct 2007

Good, Better, Best

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2007 General Conference

"It is good to belong to our Father in Heaven’s true Church and to keep all of His commandments and fulfill all of our duties. But if this is to qualify as “best,” it should be done with love and without arrogance. We should, as we sing in a great hymn, “crown [our] good with brotherhood,” showing love and concern for all whom our lives affect."

Divorce - Elder Oaks, Apr 2007

Divorce

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2007 General Conference

"President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 'Two individuals approaching the marriage altar must realize that to attain the happy marriage which they hope for they must know that marriage … means sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties. It means long, hard economizing. It means children who bring with them financial burdens, service burdens, care and worry burdens; but also it means the deepest and sweetest emotions of all.'"

Early Christian Writings

Recently I found an interesting website about Early Christian Writings. I've been reading a different book about the early periods of Christianity that I found on Amazon that talks about the other writings that we know of from that time period. In the past I've read some of what is known as the Apocrypha as well as parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and I really enjoy some of the insight and inspiration I have received from reading them. This latest website is a huge treasure trove of information, and I can't wait to dig in and start exploring!

More info on the website:

"Early Christian Writings is the most complete collection of Christian texts before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The site provides translations and commentary for these sources, including the New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers, and some non-Christian references."

He Heals the Heavy Laden - Elder Oaks, Oct 2006

He Heals the Heavy Laden

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2006 General Conference

"Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us."

All Men Everywhere - Elder Oaks, April 2006

All Men Everywhere

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2006 General Conference 

"When new writings come forth—and according to prophecy they will—we hope they will not be treated with the rejection some applied to the Book of Mormon because they already had a Bible (see 2 Ne. 29:3–10). As the Lord said through a prophet in that book, “And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man” (2 Ne. 29:9).

Truly, the gospel is for all men everywhere—every nation, every people. All are invited."

Book of Mormon Videoos - Official Trailer of 1 Nephi

Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church

Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2005 General Conference

"The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. We are the spirit children of heavenly parents. The gospel plan is implemented through earthly families, and our highest aspiration is to perpetuate those family relationships throughout eternity. The ultimate mission of our Savior’s Church is to help us achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom, and that can only be accomplished in a family relationship."

Pornography - Elder Oaks, Apr 2005

Pornography

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2005 General Conference

"Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our spirituality, our marriages, and our children."

Be Not Deceived - Elder Oaks, Oct 2004

Be Not Deceived

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2004 General Conference

"The Holy Ghost will protect us against being deceived, but to realize that wonderful blessing we must always do the things necessary to retain that Spirit. We must keep the commandments, pray for guidance, and attend church and partake of the sacrament each Sunday. And we must never do anything to drive away that Spirit. Specifically, we should avoid pornography, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and always, always avoid violations of the law of chastity. We must never take things into our bodies or do things with our bodies that drive away the Spirit of the Lord and leave us without our spiritual protection against deception."

Preparation for the Second Coming - Elder Oaks, Apr 2004

Preparation for the Second Coming

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2004 General Conference

"Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during a millennium of righteousness and peace. (2) At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. (3) No one knows the time of His coming, but (4) the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and to be prepared for it."

Repentance and Change - Elder Oaks, Oct 2003

Repentance and Change

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2003 General Conference

"The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change. “Repent” is its most frequent message, and repenting means giving up all of our practices—personal, family, ethnic, and national—that are contrary to the commandments of God. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change."

Give Thanks in All Things - Elder Oaks, Apr 2003

Give Thanks in All Things

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2003 General Conference

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same."

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go - Elder Oaks, Oct 2002

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2002 General Conference

"We have a great tradition of unselfish service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Indeed, one of the distinguishing characteristics of this Church is the fact that we have no paid or professional clergy in our thousands of local congregations and in the regional stakes, districts, and missions that oversee them. As an essential part of God’s plan for His children, the leadership and work of His Church is provided by His children who give their time freely for the service of God and their fellowmen."

The Gospel in Our Lives - Elder Oaks, April 2002

The Gospel in Our Lives

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2002 General Conference

"The Church gives us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. If given in the right way and for the right reasons, that service will reward us beyond anything we have given."

The Kybalian and Hermetism

I started reading The Kybalion: Hermetic Philosophy last week and it has been interesting.  I can't remember exactly how I found it - I think it was something on Twitter that led me to something else on Wikipedia that led me to downloading the book on my Kindle.

The Wikipedia page on Hermetism has a section on Mormonism and the attempts that some scholars have made to link early Mormonism and Hermetism.

While it may not have been a direct influence, it's interesting to read the seven points, or principles, of Hermetism:

1. Principle of Mentalism
2. Principle of Correspondence
3. Principle of Vibration
4. Principle of Polarity
5. Principle of Rhythm
6. Principle of Cause and Effect
7. Principle of Gender

Book Cover

I'm really happy with how the book cover turned out! I used Canva.com to create the design except for the "Brazil" part that I made in PowerPoint. Pretty simple stuff! It's amazing how much easier it is to do this on your own.

 

Happy Golden Spike Day!

On May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit in Northern Utah.  To comemorate the event, a golden spike was driven into the rails and the famous photo of the two trains meeting was taken.  Today marks 150 years since the railroad was complete.

I had the opportunity to participate in the 125th anniversary celebration.  I was in Jr. High and our choir was invited to sing as part of the program.  It was a great experience! 

The book is complete!

I finished it and it's going to be published on May 1st!  I had originally planned on May 10th, but I finished it early and decided to push the date forward.  It's exciting to see and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

"What Brazil Did to My Hair: Thoughts on a Mormon Mission" will be available on Amazon Kindle and paperback

One Month Left

The countdown has begun! One month until the book goes live on Amazon!  I created the pre-order page and it is up and running.  The book will be available for download on May 10th.  I have also created my author page on Amazon.  Not much is on there right now, but hopefully it will eventually be the home to several books!

Completing the book

I've set a goal to finish the Mission Journal book by May 10th.  I have started the process to publish with Amazon Publisher and should be able to release the book in paperback and on the Kindle the same day.  I am nearly complete with the manuscript and am feeling pretty good about it!  We'll see if anyone ends up actually reading the thing!

Sharing the Gospel - Elder Oaks, Oct 2001

Sharing the Gospel

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2001 General Conference

"All of us have family members or friends who need the gospel but are not now interested. To be effective, our efforts with them must be directed by the Lord so that we act in the way and at the time when they will be most receptive. We must pray for the Lord’s help and directions so we can be instruments in His hands for one who is now ready—one He would have us help today. Then, we must be alert to hear and heed the promptings of His Spirit in how we proceed."

Focus and Priorities - Elder Oaks, Apr 2001

Focus and Priorities

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2001 General Conference

"As regards knowledge, the highest priority religious knowledge is what we receive in the temple. That knowledge is obtained from the explicit and symbolic teachings of the endowment, and from the whisperings of the Spirit that come as we are desirous to seek and receptive to hear the revelation available to us in that sacred place."

The Challenge to Become - Elder Oaks, Oct 2000

The Challenge to Become

by Dallin H. Oaks.

October 2000 General Conference

"Now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. As we do so, we should remember that our family relationships—even more than our Church callings—are the setting in which the most important part of that development can occur. The conversion we must achieve requires us to be a good husband and father or a good wife and mother. Being a successful Church leader is not enough. Exaltation is an eternal family experience, and it is our mortal family experiences that are best suited to prepare us for it."

Resurrection - Elder Oaks, Apr 2000

Resurrection

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2000 General Conference

"In our eternal journey, the resurrection is the mighty milepost that signifies the end of mortality and the beginning of immortality. The Lord described the importance of this vital transition when He declared, “And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe” (D&C 29:43)."

Gospel Teaching - Elder Oaks, Oct 1999

Gospel Teaching

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1999 General Conference

"Every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is, or will be, a teacher. Each of us has a vital interest in the content and effectiveness of gospel teaching. We want everyone to have great gospel teachers, and we want those teachers to help all of us find our way back, not just to them but to our Heavenly Father."

The Witness: Martin Harris - Elder Oaks, Apr 1999

The Witness: Martin Harris

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1999 General Conference

"What do we learn from the example of Martin Harris? (1) Witnesses are important, and the testimony of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon is impressive and reliable. (2) Happiness and spiritual progress lie in following the leaders of the Church. (3) There is hope for each of us, even if we have sinned and strayed from a favored position."

The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament - Elder Oaks, Oct 1998

The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1998 General Conference

"We are commanded to repent of our sins and to come to the Lord with a brokenheart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament in compliance with its covenants. When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In this way we are made clean and can always have His Spirit to be with us. The importance of this is evident in the Lord’s commandment that we partake of the sacrament each week."

Have You Been Saved? - Dallin Oaks, Apr 1998

Have You Been Saved?

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1998 General Conference

"As Latter-day Saints use the words saved and salvation, there are at least six different meanings. According to some of these, our salvation is assured—we are already saved. In others, salvation must be spoken of as a future event (e.g., 1 Cor. 5:5) or as conditioned upon a future event (e.g., Mark 13:13). But in all of these meanings, or kinds of salvation, salvation is in and through Jesus Christ."

Following the Pioneers - Dallin Oaks, Oct 1997

Following the Pioneers

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1997 General Conference

"The foremost quality of our pioneers was faith. With faith in God, they did what every pioneer does—they stepped forward into the unknown: a new religion, a new land, a new way of doing things. With faith in their leaders and in one another, they stood fast against formidable opposition. When their leader said, “This is the right place,” they trusted, and they stayed. When other leaders said, “Do it this way,” they followed in faith."

"Bishop, Help!" - Dallin Oaks, Apr 1997

"Bishop, Help!"

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1997 General Conference

"How do we help? To lighten the load of the bishopric, auxiliary presidencies and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum presidencies and group leaders need to exercise initiative and fully function in the great responsibilities of their callings. Bishops are responsible to call; they should not be required to beg or push. All of us should accept the callings we are given and serve in all diligence."

"Always Have His Spirit" - Dallin Oaks, Oct 1996

Always Have His Spirit

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1996 General Conference

"The Light of Christ is given to all men and women that they may know good from evil; manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to lead sincere seekers to gospel truths that will persuade them to repentance and baptism."

"Joseph, the Man and the Prophet" - Dallin H. Oaks, Apr 1996

Joseph, the Man and the Prophet

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1996 General Conference

"The Prophet Joseph had no role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and leader of the Lord’s people. He learned from heavenly messengers and from the harvest of his unique spiritual gifts. He had to rely on associates who had no role models either. They struggled and learned together, and the Prophet’s growth was extremely rapid."

"Powerful Ideas" - Dallin Oaks, Oct 1995

Powerful Ideas

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1995 General Conference

"Let us follow the commandments of God and the examples of his servants. Let us focus our teachings on those great and powerful ideas that have eternal significance in promoting righteousness, building up the children of God, and helping each of us toward our destiny of eternal life."

"Apostasy and Restoration" - Dallin Oaks, Apr 1995

Apostasy and Restoration

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1995 General Conference

"The theology of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is comprehensive, universal, merciful, and true. Following the necessary experience of mortal life, all sons and daughters of God will ultimately be resurrected and go to a kingdom of glory. The righteous—regardless of current religious denomination or belief—will ultimately go to a kingdom of glory more wonderful than any of us can comprehend. Even the wicked, or almost all of them, will ultimately go to a marvelous—though lesser—kingdom of glory. All of that will occur because of God’s love for his children and because of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ."

"Worship through Music" - Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 1994

Worship through Music

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1994 General Conference

"We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and learn our doctrine. We need to make better use of our hymns in missionary teaching, in gospel classes, in quorum meetings, in home evenings, and in home teaching visits. Music is an effective way to worship our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We should use hymns when we need spiritual strength and inspiration."

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" - Dallin H. Oaks, Apr 1994

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1994 General Conference

"The kind of faith that includes trust in the Lord stands in contrast to many imitations. Some people trust no one but themselves. Some put their highest trust in a friend or another family member, perhaps because they feel that person is more righteous or more wise than they. But that is not the Lord’s way. He told us to put our faith and our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ."

"Tithing" - Dallin H. Oaks, Apr 1994

Tithing

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1994 General Conference

“Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things” (Lectures on Faith, 6:7)

"Let Us All Press On" by the Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) has released a new album, Let Us All Press On: Hymns of Praise and Inspiration, their first new recording with the new name.  It is a collection of favorite hymns recorded in the Tabernacle, and includes one of my favorites, "All Creatures of Our God and King".

Of note is a new song written by President Nelson:

Contained on the album is the hymn “Our Prayer to Thee,” with text written by Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nelson wrote the words in 2003, and it was first performed as a hymn in April of that same year at the Church’s general conference, where it was matched to a tune by composer Joseph Parry.

The tracklist includes:

1. Press Forward, Saints
2. More Holiness Give Me
3. On This Day of Joy and Gladness
4. Lord, I Would Follow Thee
5. Have I Done Any Good?
6. Rejoice, the Lord Is King
7. Our Prayer to Thee
8. Let Us All Press On
9. Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah
10. Hark, All Ye Nations
11. Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy
12. Standing on the Promises
13. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
14. All Creatures of Our God and King

"The Great Plan of Happiness" - Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 1993

The Great Plan of Happiness
by Dallin H. Oaks
October 1993 General Conference

"Our understanding of life begins with a council in heaven. There the spirit children of God were taught his eternal plan for their destiny. We had progressed as far as we could without a physical body and an experience in mortality. To realize a fullness of joy, we had to prove our willingness to keep the commandments of God in a circumstance where we had no memory of what preceded our mortal birth."

"The Language of Prayer" - Dallin H. Oaks, Apr 1993

The Language of Prayer

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 1993 General Conference

"Scholarship can contradict mortal explanations, but it cannot rescind divine commands or inspired counsel. In our day the English words thee, thou, thy, and thine are suitable for the language of prayer, not because of how they were used anciently but because they are currently obsolete in common English discourse. Being unused in everyday communications, they are now available as a distinctive form of address in English, appropriate to symbolize respect, closeness, and reverence for the one being addressed."

"Bible Stories and Personal Protection" - Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 1992

Bible Stories and Personal Protection

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 1992 General Conference

"All over the world, faithful Latter-day Saints are protected from the powers of the evil one and his servants until they have finished their missions in mortality. For some the mortal mission is brief, as with some valiant young men who have lost their lives in missionary service. But for most of us the mortal journey is long, and we continue our course with the protection of guardian angels."