Resurrection

I had an interview with a member of my stake presidency a couple weeks ago.  During our conversation he mentioned that he was a church educator.  He mentioned that teaching kids (teenagers) about the resurrection was a little difficult because their bodies are already close to perfect in terms of not having any health problems.  So being resurrected to a perfect state really has no impact on them.  Teenagers already feel like they're invincible.

Partly because of that conversation and because Easter is around the corner, I've been thinking quite a bit about the resurrection.  Not only Christ's resurrection, which is why we celebrate Easter.  But also my own resurrection.  Because of Christ's resurrection we will all be resurrected.  It is a free gift given to us through His atonement.

I understand where those kids are coming from -- those who don't think much about their own resurrection -- because I was the picture of perfect health at that age also.  The only time I went to the doctor as a young adult was for my mission physical. I could have been a textbook example of perfect health.

But one fateful September day several years ago, everything changed.  Now my body is broken and scarred and doesn't work right.  I am constantly reminded of just how broken my body is.

I now have a much greater appreciation of the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in giving us the gift of resurrection.  In fact, it is my knowledge of the doctrine of the resurrection and the hope it brings that keeps me going.  Without that knowledge, life would be much more difficult.  But I know that one day I will be made perfect.  I will be resurrected.  And not even one hair of my head will be lost.  We will all be resurrected.  What a glorious, wonderful, marvelous gift from our Savior.

The doctrine is beautifully taught in the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. Amulek, who was a missionary, taught the following doctrine to a wicked man named Zeezrom:

Alma 11:42-45

42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

I'm so grateful for the doctrine of the resurrection.  I know that we will all be resurrected one day.  We will all be raised to immortality with perfected bodies never to die again.  What a glorious day that will be.  I'm so thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for His resurrection which made it possible for all of us to be resurrected one day.  What a marvelous gift He has given all of us. 

I hope we will all remember the real reason we celebrate Easter. I hope we will all give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son and His resurrection that we may all be resurrected again someday.

That's my two cents.

FHE Lesson: I Am a Child of God

Tammy’s FHE lesson March 2018

I Am a Child of God

Opening song: I Am a Child of God, #301 

Opening prayer: by invitation

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom:

“Our most fundamental doctrine includes the knowledge that we are children of a living God.”  ¹

“This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain. A correct understanding of our heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation. It is foundational to comprehending the glorious plan of salvation and to nurturing faith in the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus the Christ, and in His merciful Atonement. Further, it provides continual motivation for us to make and keep our indispensable eternal covenants.”  ¹

“In real life, we face actual, not imagined, hardships. There is pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual. There are heartbreaks when circumstances are very different from what we had anticipated. There is injustice when we do not seem to deserve our situation. There are disappointments when someone we trusted failed us. There are health and financial setbacks that can be disorienting. There may be times of question when a matter of doctrine or history is beyond our current understanding.

“When difficult things occur in our lives, what is our immediate response? Is it confusion or doubt or spiritual withdrawal? Is it a blow to our faith? Do we blame God or others for our circumstances? Or is our first response to remember who we are—that we are children of a loving God? Is that coupled with an absolute trust that He allows some earthly suffering because He knows it will bless us, like a refiner’s fire, to become like Him and to gain our eternal inheritance?

“Recently, I was in a meeting with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. In teaching the principle that mortal life can be agonizing but our hardships have eternal purpose—even if we do not understand it at the time—Elder Holland said, “You can have what you want, or you can have something better.”” ¹

“We live in a world that can cause us to forget who we really are. The more distractions that surround us, the easier it is to treat casually, then ignore, and then forget our connection with God.” ¹

“In today’s world, no matter where we live and no matter what our circumstances are, it is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God. Knowing that will allow our faith to flourish, will motivate our continual repentance, and will provide the strength to “be steadfast and immovable” throughout our mortal journey.” ¹

President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“If you really know that you are a child of God, you will also know that He expects much of you, His child. He will expect you to follow His teachings and the teachings of His dear Son, Jesus. He will expect you to be generous and kind to others. He will be offended if you swear or use foul language. He will be offended if you are dishonest in any way, if you should cheat or steal in the slightest. He will be happy if you remember the less fortunate in your prayers to Him. He will watch over you and guide you and protect you. He will bless you …” ²

“Never forget, my dear young friends, that you really are a child of God who has inherited something of His divine nature, one whom He loves and desires to help and bless. I pray that our Heavenly Father will bless you.” ²

President Russell M. Nelson:

“Recently I observed young men who attracted attention to themselves because of their extreme styles of dress and grooming. One made a revealing remark when he said, “I’m trying to find out who I really am.” This occurred after I had come from a Church meeting where Primary children had sung “I Am a Child of God.” Such contrasting experiences emphasize the importance of knowing that we are literally children of God.

We are dual beings. Each soul is comprised of body and spirit, both of which emanate from God. A firm understanding of body and spirit will shape our thoughts and deeds for good.” ³

“Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited.” ³

(show video – “We Are Children of God” by Russell M. Nelson, October 1998 General Conference)

Closing remarks

Closing song: O My Father, hymn #292

Closing prayer: by invitation

References:

1 – Donald L. Hallstrom, “I Am a Child of God”, April 2016 General Conference

2 – Gordon B. Hinckley , “You Are a Child of God”, April 2003 General Conference

3 – Russell M. Nelson, “We Are Children of God”, October 1998 General Conference

My handout: I made personalized handouts for everybody with their picture and name on it.  Yes it took me two days.  But they turned out awesome!  As an example I will show mine:

 Back:

Scripture of the Day

Enos 1:26-27

26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.

27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.

Some Common Sense

I've been thinking of doing several different blog posts for a while.  But haven't felt like putting forth the effort required to do so.  And I still don't.  But I do want to succinctly impart a little bit of common sense.

Since the school shooting in Florida recently, the lunatic wacko leftists have seized the opportunity to politicize the tragedy and attack the NRA and sing the praises of gun control.

First of all, the NRA had absolutely nothing to do with the school shooting in Florida.  In fact, the shooter was not a member of the NRA -- nor were any of the other mass murderers, in recent history, who used guns to commit their crimes. As a matter of fact the only NRA member that I know of involved in a mass shooting was the good guy protecting the innocent victims from a killer.  This was the shooting at a Baptist church in Texas.  Coincidentally the good guy NRA member (Stephen Willeford) who confronted the shooter and chased him down used an AR 15 to protect innocent victims from the shooter.

FYI, the bad guys don't care about the second amendment or gun rights.  They have no problem getting guns illegally.  It's the good guys who follow the law who want to protect their rights to legally own and carry guns. That's why the good guys support the NRA.

So the leftist liberals attacking the NRA is merely an attack on good guys.  Attacking and destroying the NRA does absolutely nothing to prevent evil people from obtaining guns and shooting innocent victims in cold blood. Obviously these leftist liberal wackos have lost all common sense to even attack and try to destroy the NRA.  The NRA is just minding its own business and had absolutely zero, zilch, nada, nothing to do with the mass shooting in Florida.  So ridiculous.

Secondly, gun control laws don't stop evil people from getting guns and shooting innocent victims.  All gun control laws do is prevent good guys -- who want to protect themselves their families and society from bad guys-- from legally obtaining guns. As I said before, the bad guys will easily obtain guns illegally.  Bad guys have no respect for laws nor do they care about obeying laws.  But good guys who respect and obey laws are punished by gun control laws.  Good guys whose access to firearms is restricted by gun control laws are less able to defend themselves from bad guys.

Evil men who want to shoot a bunch of people will find a place where it's easiest for them to commit their crime with the least resistance.  They know where gun free zones are.  They know that fire will not be returned in gun free zones because no one else will have a gun.  Only the bad guy.  Makes his mission a lot easier.

It's basic common sense that attacking the NRA and praising gun control does nothing to prevent future mass shootings.  In fact, it makes such mass shootings easier for the perpetrator knowing that he will be the only one with a gun.

Liberal Leftist wackos use tragedies committed by evil people merely for their political gain.  Liberal leftists have lost all common sense.  Their agenda is to take away agency from people.  They want control.  It's that simple.

The Constitution of the United States of America is an inspired document.  The second amendment to that Constitution protects the citizens of the United States of America. Why would anyone want to take their own rights away?  Yet the left has convinced many that that is what they should do.  All in the guise of protection and safety.  When in reality the exact opposite is what it does.

No law will ever prevent evil people from doing evil things.  You cannot legislate morality. 

It's simple common sense.

That's my two cents.