Do you know what really irks me?
Well, a lot of things but, yesterday while I was watching Jeopardy I was really getting perturbed. I'm absolutely sick of political advertisements. This time of year, that's practically all you see on TV, besides R-rated television promotions for scumbag sitcoms and dramas. But that's another story.
Up here in the liberal Pacific Northwest, we have been bombarded with political advertisements for a referendum in favor of homosexual rights. I really cannot stomach political advertisements showing homosexuals complaining about the so-called "injustices" they face.
For one thing, these advertisements are shown during prime time family television viewing. It is absolutely wrong to subject children to these sinful lies. Not only children, but all people who are only trying to catch up on the local news or watch an innocent show like Jeopardy. It's absolutely ridiculous.
What happened to the days when people were actually ashamed of committing sin? Now, they are not only proud of their sinful lifestyle, but they flaunt it on TV. In so doing, they are convincing many vulnerable people into believing their lies. It is yet another example of the power the media has over people's lives. Satan is an expert in playing on people's emotions to convince them that lies are truth. This is what these commercials attempt to do. But for me, all they do is make steam come out of my ears, and make my blood boil.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Football Picks Week Eight
Name:____________________________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 8
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tulsa at UTEP
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Florida State at North Carolina
Friday, October 23, 2009
Rutgers at Army
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Texas at Missouri
Clemson at Miami
Oklahoma and Kansas
Colorado at Kansas State
Minnesota at Ohio State
Georgia Tech at Virginia
South Florida at Pittsburgh
Indiana at Northwestern
Central Michigan at Bowling Green
UAB at Marshall
Connecticut at West Virginia
Illinois at Purdue
Arkansas at Mississippi
Iowa State at Nebraska
Oklahoma State at Baylor
Northern Illinois and Miami, Ohio
Maryland at Duke
Louisiana Tech at Utah State
Tennessee and Alabama
Louisville and Cincinnati
Oregon and Washington
Penn State at Michigan
Boston College at Notre Dame
Akron at Syracuse
UCF at Rice
Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee State
Wake Forest at Navy
North Texas at Troy
Air Force at Utah
San Diego State at Colorado State
Idaho at Nevada
Washington State at California
UCLA at Arizona
Iowa at Michigan State
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
Florida international at Arkansas State
Tulane at Southern Miss
Texas A&M at Texas Tech
Temple at Toledo
Florida at Mississippi State
Auburn at LSU
TCU at Brigham Young
Southern Methodist at Houston
Oregon State at USC
UNLV at New Mexico
Arizona State at Stanford
Fresno State at New Mexico State
Boise State at Hawaii
Tiebreaker: Total score in
TCU at Brigham Young __________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 8
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tulsa at UTEP
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Florida State at North Carolina
Friday, October 23, 2009
Rutgers at Army
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Texas at Missouri
Clemson at Miami
Oklahoma and Kansas
Colorado at Kansas State
Minnesota at Ohio State
Georgia Tech at Virginia
South Florida at Pittsburgh
Indiana at Northwestern
Central Michigan at Bowling Green
UAB at Marshall
Connecticut at West Virginia
Illinois at Purdue
Arkansas at Mississippi
Iowa State at Nebraska
Oklahoma State at Baylor
Northern Illinois and Miami, Ohio
Maryland at Duke
Louisiana Tech at Utah State
Tennessee and Alabama
Louisville and Cincinnati
Oregon and Washington
Penn State at Michigan
Boston College at Notre Dame
Akron at Syracuse
UCF at Rice
Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee State
Wake Forest at Navy
North Texas at Troy
Air Force at Utah
San Diego State at Colorado State
Idaho at Nevada
Washington State at California
UCLA at Arizona
Iowa at Michigan State
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
Florida international at Arkansas State
Tulane at Southern Miss
Texas A&M at Texas Tech
Temple at Toledo
Florida at Mississippi State
Auburn at LSU
TCU at Brigham Young
Southern Methodist at Houston
Oregon State at USC
UNLV at New Mexico
Arizona State at Stanford
Fresno State at New Mexico State
Boise State at Hawaii
Tiebreaker: Total score in
TCU at Brigham Young __________
Monday, October 19, 2009
Results Week Seven
1.Michael -14
2. Dad -17
3.mom -21 tiebreaker 35
4.Lisa -21 tiebreaker 54
5.Tammy -22
6.Derrinda -24
7.Juliet -27
actual tiebreaker 29
2. Dad -17
3.mom -21 tiebreaker 35
4.Lisa -21 tiebreaker 54
5.Tammy -22
6.Derrinda -24
7.Juliet -27
actual tiebreaker 29
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
17 Seconds
Unranked Arkansas versus number one Florida tied at 20. 17 seconds remaining in the game. Dad and I are watching the game in HD down in the theater. I voted for Arkansas to upset number one Florida. Florida is marching down the field ready to score. The satellite goes out. Aargh! How aggravating. Why does this have to happen in this game at this time? This was one of the most exciting games I have seen this year. I really wanted Arkansas to upset Florida. So, we waited a few minutes for the satellite signal to return. Finally deciding to come upstairs and find out the results of the game on the computer. How anticlimactic. And for those of you who don't know the results, Florida ended up kicking a field goal, winning 23 to 20. :-(
my poor Razorbacks gave the gators a good fight. There were a couple questionable calls which resulted in a touchdown by Florida. And Arkansas missed several opportunities. Including two missed field goals from the mid-30 range. It was a really exciting game to watch. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the end. I don't think Florida will be ranked number one, or should be, after this performance. I guess we will have to see how Alabama does today.
Anyway, this is how my luck goes. Now of course the heavy rains have lifted and the satellite is back. But it's too late.
That's my two cents.
my poor Razorbacks gave the gators a good fight. There were a couple questionable calls which resulted in a touchdown by Florida. And Arkansas missed several opportunities. Including two missed field goals from the mid-30 range. It was a really exciting game to watch. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the end. I don't think Florida will be ranked number one, or should be, after this performance. I guess we will have to see how Alabama does today.
Anyway, this is how my luck goes. Now of course the heavy rains have lifted and the satellite is back. But it's too late.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Religious Freedom Being Threatened
From the LDS newsroom:
Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened
SALT LAKE CITY 13 October 2009 An apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said religious freedom is being threatened by societal forces intimidating those with religious points of view from having a voice in the public square. (See the full text of the speech here)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks made the comments today in a major address to Brigham Young University-Idaho students on the importance of preserving the religious freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Elder Oaks has had a front-row seat in observing what he calls the "significant deterioration in the respect accorded to religion" in public life. Prior to his appointment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Oaks had an illustrious law career. He served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court, was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School and Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School and clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court.
Although his address on religious freedom was not written in response to the Proposition 8 battle over same- sex marriage in California, Elder Oaks likened the incidents of outrage against those who prevailed in establishing marriage between a man and a woman to the "widely condemned voter-intimidation of blacks in the South."
He said members of the Church should not be deterred or coerced into silence by threats. "We must insist on our constitutional right and duty to exercise our religion, to vote our consciences on public issues, and to participate in elections and debates in the public square and the halls of justice."
Elder Oaks also said religious freedom is being jeopardized by claims of newly alleged human rights. As an example, he referred to a set of principles published by an international human rights group which calls for governments to assure that all persons have the right to practice their religious beliefs regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Elder Oaks said, "This apparently proposes that governments require church practices to ignore gender differences. Any such effort to have governments invade religion to override religious doctrines should be resisted by all believers."
Noting that the students he was addressing were among the generation that would face continuing challenges to religious freedom, Elder Oaks offered five points of counsel:
Speak with love and show patience, understanding and compassion to those with differing viewpoints.
Do not be deterred or coerced into silence by intimidation from opponents, insisting that churches and their members be able to speak out on issues without retaliation.
Insist on the freedom to preach the doctrines of their faith.
Be wise in political participation, remaining respectful of those who do not share their religious beliefs and contributing to reasonable discussion.
Be careful to never support or act on the idea that a person must subscribe to a specific set of religious beliefs in order to qualify for public office.
"Religious values and political realities are so interlinked in the origin and perpetuation of this nation that we cannot lose the influence of Christianity in the public square without seriously jeopardizing our freedoms", Elder Oaks concluded. "I maintain that this is a political fact, well qualified for argument in the public square by religious people whose freedom to believe and act must always be protected by what is properly called our "First Freedom", the free exercise of religion. "
I found this article in the LDS newsroom today and thought it was worth posting. Elder Oaks basically backs up things I've posted in my blog before. Except, he says it much more eloquently than I. And he has experience in the justice system, which I do not. It's nice to have an apostle speak about this topic which I have blogged about several times. Reiterating that our religious freedoms are being threatened by so-called civil rights of those who are living sinful lifestyles and those who support them. It's pretty bad when actual civil rights, such as religious freedoms, are being threatened by people who twist civil rights into things that aren't actually civil rights but actually they're sinful lifestyle. Which they try to justify in the name of civil rights.
That's my two cents.
Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened
SALT LAKE CITY 13 October 2009 An apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said religious freedom is being threatened by societal forces intimidating those with religious points of view from having a voice in the public square. (See the full text of the speech here)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks made the comments today in a major address to Brigham Young University-Idaho students on the importance of preserving the religious freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Elder Oaks has had a front-row seat in observing what he calls the "significant deterioration in the respect accorded to religion" in public life. Prior to his appointment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Oaks had an illustrious law career. He served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court, was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School and Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School and clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court.
Although his address on religious freedom was not written in response to the Proposition 8 battle over same- sex marriage in California, Elder Oaks likened the incidents of outrage against those who prevailed in establishing marriage between a man and a woman to the "widely condemned voter-intimidation of blacks in the South."
He said members of the Church should not be deterred or coerced into silence by threats. "We must insist on our constitutional right and duty to exercise our religion, to vote our consciences on public issues, and to participate in elections and debates in the public square and the halls of justice."
Elder Oaks also said religious freedom is being jeopardized by claims of newly alleged human rights. As an example, he referred to a set of principles published by an international human rights group which calls for governments to assure that all persons have the right to practice their religious beliefs regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Elder Oaks said, "This apparently proposes that governments require church practices to ignore gender differences. Any such effort to have governments invade religion to override religious doctrines should be resisted by all believers."
Noting that the students he was addressing were among the generation that would face continuing challenges to religious freedom, Elder Oaks offered five points of counsel:
Speak with love and show patience, understanding and compassion to those with differing viewpoints.
Do not be deterred or coerced into silence by intimidation from opponents, insisting that churches and their members be able to speak out on issues without retaliation.
Insist on the freedom to preach the doctrines of their faith.
Be wise in political participation, remaining respectful of those who do not share their religious beliefs and contributing to reasonable discussion.
Be careful to never support or act on the idea that a person must subscribe to a specific set of religious beliefs in order to qualify for public office.
"Religious values and political realities are so interlinked in the origin and perpetuation of this nation that we cannot lose the influence of Christianity in the public square without seriously jeopardizing our freedoms", Elder Oaks concluded. "I maintain that this is a political fact, well qualified for argument in the public square by religious people whose freedom to believe and act must always be protected by what is properly called our "First Freedom", the free exercise of religion. "
I found this article in the LDS newsroom today and thought it was worth posting. Elder Oaks basically backs up things I've posted in my blog before. Except, he says it much more eloquently than I. And he has experience in the justice system, which I do not. It's nice to have an apostle speak about this topic which I have blogged about several times. Reiterating that our religious freedoms are being threatened by so-called civil rights of those who are living sinful lifestyles and those who support them. It's pretty bad when actual civil rights, such as religious freedoms, are being threatened by people who twist civil rights into things that aren't actually civil rights but actually they're sinful lifestyle. Which they try to justify in the name of civil rights.
That's my two cents.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
College Football Picks Week Seven
Name:____________________________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 7
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Boise State at Tulsa
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cincinnati at South Florida
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Oklahoma and Texas
Ohio State at Purdue
Iowa at Wisconsin
Louisville and Connecticut
Northwestern at Michigan State
Delaware State at Michigan
Wake Forest at Clemson
Bowling Green at Ball State
George at Vanderbilt
Mississippi State at Middle Tennessee State
Army at Temple
UAB at Mississippi
Miami, Ohio at Ohio
Wyoming and Air Force
Nevada and Utah State
Arkansas at Florida
USC at Notre Dame
Minnesota at Penn State
Texas Tech at Nebraska
Houston at Tulane
California at UCLA
North Carolina State at Boston College
Rice and East Carolina
Marshall at West Virginia
Akron at Buffalo
Central Michigan at Western Michigan
Colorado State at TCU
Virginia and Maryland
Hawaii at Idaho
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
Brigham Young at San Diego State
Stanford at Arizona
New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech
Kansas and Colorado
Baylor at Iowa State
Illinois at Indiana
Troy at Florida international
Texas A&M at Kansas State
Memphis at Southern Miss
Florida Atlantic and North Texas
Northern Illinois at Toledo
Miami at UCF
Kentucky at Auburn
South Carolina and Alabama
Navy at Southern Methodist
Washington and Arizona state
Missouri at Oklahoma State
Utah at UNLV
San Jose State at Fresno State
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Oklahoma versus Texas __________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 7
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Boise State at Tulsa
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cincinnati at South Florida
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Oklahoma and Texas
Ohio State at Purdue
Iowa at Wisconsin
Louisville and Connecticut
Northwestern at Michigan State
Delaware State at Michigan
Wake Forest at Clemson
Bowling Green at Ball State
George at Vanderbilt
Mississippi State at Middle Tennessee State
Army at Temple
UAB at Mississippi
Miami, Ohio at Ohio
Wyoming and Air Force
Nevada and Utah State
Arkansas at Florida
USC at Notre Dame
Minnesota at Penn State
Texas Tech at Nebraska
Houston at Tulane
California at UCLA
North Carolina State at Boston College
Rice and East Carolina
Marshall at West Virginia
Akron at Buffalo
Central Michigan at Western Michigan
Colorado State at TCU
Virginia and Maryland
Hawaii at Idaho
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
Brigham Young at San Diego State
Stanford at Arizona
New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech
Kansas and Colorado
Baylor at Iowa State
Illinois at Indiana
Troy at Florida international
Texas A&M at Kansas State
Memphis at Southern Miss
Florida Atlantic and North Texas
Northern Illinois at Toledo
Miami at UCF
Kentucky at Auburn
South Carolina and Alabama
Navy at Southern Methodist
Washington and Arizona state
Missouri at Oklahoma State
Utah at UNLV
San Jose State at Fresno State
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Oklahoma versus Texas __________
Monday, October 12, 2009
Week Six Results
1.Tammy -12
2. Michael -13
3.dad -14
4.Derrinda -19 tiebreaker 35
5.Lisa -19 tiebreaker 47
6.Juliet -21
actual tiebreaker 16
2. Michael -13
3.dad -14
4.Derrinda -19 tiebreaker 35
5.Lisa -19 tiebreaker 47
6.Juliet -21
actual tiebreaker 16
Monday, October 5, 2009
Football Picks Week Six
Name:____________________________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 6
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Middle Tennessee State at Troy
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Nebraska at Missouri
Friday, October 9, 2009
Louisiana Tech in Nevada
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Alabama and Mississippi
Houston at Mississippi State
Georgia at Tennessee
Auburn at Arkansas
West Virginia at Syracuse
Connecticut at Pittsburgh
Kansas State at Texas Tech
Boston College at Virginia Tech
Eastern Illinois at Penn State
Miami, Ohio at Northwestern
Purdue at Minnesota
Vanderbilt at Army
Michigan State and Illinois
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M
Iowa State at Kansas
Kentucky at South Carolina
Ball State at Temple
New Mexico at Wyoming
Baylor in Oklahoma
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Oregon at UCLA
Georgia Southern at North Carolina
Texas Southern at Rutgers
Navy at Rice
Indiana at Virginia
Bowling Green at Kent State
Marshall at Tulane
Duke at North Carolina State
Arizona State in Washington state
Utah at Colorado State
Maryland at Wake Forest
Florida A&M at Miami
Florida international at Western Kentucky
Stanford at Oregon State
North Texas and Louisiana Lafayette
Western Michigan at Toledo
Colorado at Texas
TCU and Air Force
Southern Mississippi at Louisville
Florida at LSU
Georgia Tech at Florida State
Idaho at San Jose State
Utah State and New Mexico State
UTEP at Memphis
East Carolina at Southern Methodist
Michigan and Iowa
Brigham Young at UNLV
Arizona at Washington
Fresno State at Hawaii
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Florida at LSU __________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 6
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Middle Tennessee State at Troy
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Nebraska at Missouri
Friday, October 9, 2009
Louisiana Tech in Nevada
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Alabama and Mississippi
Houston at Mississippi State
Georgia at Tennessee
Auburn at Arkansas
West Virginia at Syracuse
Connecticut at Pittsburgh
Kansas State at Texas Tech
Boston College at Virginia Tech
Eastern Illinois at Penn State
Miami, Ohio at Northwestern
Purdue at Minnesota
Vanderbilt at Army
Michigan State and Illinois
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M
Iowa State at Kansas
Kentucky at South Carolina
Ball State at Temple
New Mexico at Wyoming
Baylor in Oklahoma
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Oregon at UCLA
Georgia Southern at North Carolina
Texas Southern at Rutgers
Navy at Rice
Indiana at Virginia
Bowling Green at Kent State
Marshall at Tulane
Duke at North Carolina State
Arizona State in Washington state
Utah at Colorado State
Maryland at Wake Forest
Florida A&M at Miami
Florida international at Western Kentucky
Stanford at Oregon State
North Texas and Louisiana Lafayette
Western Michigan at Toledo
Colorado at Texas
TCU and Air Force
Southern Mississippi at Louisville
Florida at LSU
Georgia Tech at Florida State
Idaho at San Jose State
Utah State and New Mexico State
UTEP at Memphis
East Carolina at Southern Methodist
Michigan and Iowa
Brigham Young at UNLV
Arizona at Washington
Fresno State at Hawaii
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Florida at LSU __________
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Week Five Results
1.mom -16 tiebreaker 63
2.Michael -17 tiebreaker 47
3.Juliet -18 tiebreaker 70
4.Tammy -19 tiebreaker 54
5.dad -21 tiebreaker 64
6.Lisa -23 tiebreaker 63
7.Derrinda -26 tiebreaker 37
Actual tiebreaker 52
2.Michael -17 tiebreaker 47
3.Juliet -18 tiebreaker 70
4.Tammy -19 tiebreaker 54
5.dad -21 tiebreaker 64
6.Lisa -23 tiebreaker 63
7.Derrinda -26 tiebreaker 37
Actual tiebreaker 52
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Week Five Football Picks
Name:____________________________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 5
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hawaii at Louisiana Tech
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Colorado at West Virginia
Friday, October 2, 2009
Pittsburgh at Louisville
Utah State at Brigham Young
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Virginia Tech at Duke
Michigan State at Michigan
Clemson at Maryland
Wisconsin and Minnesota
Virginia at North Carolina
South Florida at Syracuse
East Carolina at Marshall
Tulane at Army
Toledo at Ball State
Northwestern at Purdue
Arkansas State of Iowa
Alabama at Kentucky
Cincinnati at Miami, Ohio
Kansas State at Iowa State
LSU at Georgia
Penn State at Illinois
UCLA at Stanford
Washington at Notre Dame
Florida State at Boston College
North Carolina State at Wake Forest
Central Michigan at Buffalo
Memphis at Central Florida
Air Force at Navy
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois
New Mexico at Texas Tech
Florida international at Louisiana Monroe
Ohio at Bowling Green
Wyoming at Florida Atlantic
UNLV at Nevada
Ohio State at Indiana
Mississippi at Vanderbilt
Oregon State at Arizona State
Kent State at Baylor
South Carolina State at South Carolina
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
Texas A&M versus Arkansas
Tulsa at Rice
Auburn at Tennessee
UC Davis at Boise State
USC at California
Oklahoma and Miami
Southern Methodist at TCU
New Mexico State at San Diego State
Houston at UTEP
Washington State and Oregon
Colorado State at Idaho
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Utah State at Brigham Young __________
Score:___________
2009 Football Picks
Week 5
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hawaii at Louisiana Tech
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Colorado at West Virginia
Friday, October 2, 2009
Pittsburgh at Louisville
Utah State at Brigham Young
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Virginia Tech at Duke
Michigan State at Michigan
Clemson at Maryland
Wisconsin and Minnesota
Virginia at North Carolina
South Florida at Syracuse
East Carolina at Marshall
Tulane at Army
Toledo at Ball State
Northwestern at Purdue
Arkansas State of Iowa
Alabama at Kentucky
Cincinnati at Miami, Ohio
Kansas State at Iowa State
LSU at Georgia
Penn State at Illinois
UCLA at Stanford
Washington at Notre Dame
Florida State at Boston College
North Carolina State at Wake Forest
Central Michigan at Buffalo
Memphis at Central Florida
Air Force at Navy
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois
New Mexico at Texas Tech
Florida international at Louisiana Monroe
Ohio at Bowling Green
Wyoming at Florida Atlantic
UNLV at Nevada
Ohio State at Indiana
Mississippi at Vanderbilt
Oregon State at Arizona State
Kent State at Baylor
South Carolina State at South Carolina
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
Texas A&M versus Arkansas
Tulsa at Rice
Auburn at Tennessee
UC Davis at Boise State
USC at California
Oklahoma and Miami
Southern Methodist at TCU
New Mexico State at San Diego State
Houston at UTEP
Washington State and Oregon
Colorado State at Idaho
Tiebreaker: Total score in
Utah State at Brigham Young __________
Monday, September 28, 2009
Week 4 Results
1. Tammy -14
2. Lisa -15 tiebreaker 62
3.dad -15 tiebreaker 49
4.Michael -18 tiebreaker 57
5.Derrinda -18 tiebreaker 52
6.mom -21 tiebreaker 45
7.Juliet -21 tiebreaker 32
Actual tiebreaker 63
2. Lisa -15 tiebreaker 62
3.dad -15 tiebreaker 49
4.Michael -18 tiebreaker 57
5.Derrinda -18 tiebreaker 52
6.mom -21 tiebreaker 45
7.Juliet -21 tiebreaker 32
Actual tiebreaker 63
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Relief Society Lesson - Prophets
Once again, I have just finished teaching my Relief Society lesson today. I chose to teach about Prophets because General Conference is coming up next week. I am once again going to post my outline/visual aids/quotes I used on my blog. Something I didn’t anticipate, which I have noticed, is that a lot of people are logging on to my blog because they are googling Relief Society lessons. As a matter of fact, I had over a hundred hits over the past two or three days from all over the world. Granted, most of them were probably the same person logging on multiple times. I guess a lot of people procrastinate until the day before, or even the morning of, the lesson to prepare. But nonetheless, if other people can benefit from my efforts, then all the better. So here it is. Enjoy!
His Servants, the Prophets
Elder F. Michael Watson of the Seventy
April 2009 General Conference
“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are commissioned by God and sustained by you as prophets, seers, and revelators, with the President of the Church sustained as the prophet, seer, and revelator, the senior Apostle, and as such the only man authorized to exercise all of the revelatory and administrative keys for the Church.” -- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland November 2004
The Master speaks to us through his Prophets.
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” -Doctrine and Covenants 1:38
“Important admonition has been given in general conferences of yesteryear and will continue to be expounded by those who have the wisdom of ages past, which allows our hearts to burn within us. It will be in following such counsel that we must be strong, never give up, and endure to the end.”-F. Michael Watson
“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views . . . [or] your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if [we] listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that . . . ‘the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory’.” -Harold B. Lee 1970
“One who rationalizes that he or she has a testimony of Jesus Christ but cannot accept direction and counsel from the leadership of His church is in a fundamentally unsound position and is in jeopardy of losing exaltation” -- Ezra Taft Benson 1982
“That which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.” -- Ezra Taft Benson 1979
“If we have a prophet, we have everything. If we do not have a prophet, we have nothing. We do have a prophet. We have had prophets since the founding of this Church. We shall never be without a prophet if we live worthy of a prophet.”-Gordon B. Hinckley 1992
“The Lord is watching over this work. This is His kingdom. We are not as sheep without a shepherd. We are not as an army without a leader.” -Gordon B. Hinckley 1992
Quotes I used but did not make visual aids for:
“In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 118, we are admonished to "seek . . . out of the best books words of wisdom." Surely these books must first include the scriptures. Next, and alongside them, must be the words of the Presidents of the Church. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 21, verse 5, the Lord said of the President of the Church, "His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth." These books make up what has been referred to as "the Lord's library"--namely the standard works and the various volumes that contain the words of the different Presidents of the Church. Of the latter volumes, that which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.
The Lord has also given a special mantle to the apostles, and the significance of their words is pointed out in section 1, verse 14--the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants-- where he says that those who will not "give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people." The writing of other General Authorities should be given consideration also.” -- Ezra Taft Benson March 4, 1979 BYU fireside “in his steps”
“... The most vital knowledge you can learn is the saving truths of the gospel--the truths that will make the difference in your eternal welfare. The most vital words that you can read are those of the Presidents of the Church--particularly the living prophet--and those of the apostles and prophets.” -- Ezra Taft Benson March 4, 1979 BYU fireside “In His Steps”
From President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“I heard President Grant on several occasions before I met him. As teenage boys, my brother and I came to this Tabernacle at conference when there was room for anybody who wished to come. As boys are wont to do, we sat in the balcony at the very far end of the building. To me it was always impressive when this tall man stood to speak. Some kind of electricity passed through my boyish frame. His voice rang out in testimony of the Book of Mormon. When he said it was true, I knew it was true. He spoke with great power on the Word of Wisdom and, without hesitation, promised blessings to the people if they would observe it. I have often thought of the human misery, the pain that has resulted from the smoking of cigarettes, the poverty that has resulted from the drinking of liquor which might have been avoided had his prophetic counsel been followed.
He spoke on the law of tithing. I can still hear his great testimony of this principle. He spoke of the fast offering and said, as I remember him from my boyhood days, that if all the world would observe this simple principle, which came as a revelation from God, the needs of the poor over the earth would be met without taxing the people for welfare purposes.
He warned against the enslavement of personal debt. The world at that time was on a reckless pursuit of riches. Then came Black Thursday of November 1929. I was nineteen years of age, a student at the university. I saw the economy crumble. I saw men whom I knew lose everything as their creditors moved against them. I saw much of the trauma and the stress of the times. I thought then, and I have thought since, how so many people might have been saved pain and misery, suffering, embarrassment, and trouble had they listened to the counsel of a prophet concerning personal debt.” -- Gordon B. Hinckley May 1992 “Believe His Prophets”
“President Grant carried to his grave a deep sense of sorrow that, contrary to his counsel, the people of Utah cast the final vote, in 1934, that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution.…
Now again, as always, we are faced with public moral issues, this time concerning lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, and other forms of gambling. The Presidents of the Church have spoken clearly and unequivocally on these matters.
These are little things, but they are important things. They bring to mind the great contest between the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. Said Elijah on that occasion, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kgs. 18:21.)
… may I repeat that I have worked with seven Presidents of this Church. I have recognized that all have been human. But I have never been concerned over this. They may have had some weaknesses. But this has never troubled me. I know that the God of heaven has used mortal men throughout history to accomplish His divine purposes. They were the very best available to Him, and they were wonderful.
These men whom I have known and with whom I have worked have been totally unselfish in their zeal to build the kingdom of God and bring happiness into the lives of the people. They have been unsparing in giving of themselves to the great work for which each had responsibility in his particular season.
I speak to the priesthood of this Church, wherever you may be gathered across the world, in gratitude for a prophet to guide us in these latter days. I plead for loyalty to him whom the Lord has called and anointed. I plead for steadfastness in upholding him and giving attention to his teachings. I have said on another occasion at this pulpit that if we have a prophet, we have everything. If we do not have a prophet, we have nothing. We do have a prophet. We have had prophets since the founding of this Church. We shall never be without a prophet if we live worthy of a prophet.
The Lord is watching over this work. This is His kingdom. We are not as sheep without a shepherd. We are not as an army without a leader.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, May 1992 “Believe His Prophets”
His Servants, the Prophets
Elder F. Michael Watson of the Seventy
April 2009 General Conference
“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are commissioned by God and sustained by you as prophets, seers, and revelators, with the President of the Church sustained as the prophet, seer, and revelator, the senior Apostle, and as such the only man authorized to exercise all of the revelatory and administrative keys for the Church.” -- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland November 2004
The Master speaks to us through his Prophets.
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” -Doctrine and Covenants 1:38
“Important admonition has been given in general conferences of yesteryear and will continue to be expounded by those who have the wisdom of ages past, which allows our hearts to burn within us. It will be in following such counsel that we must be strong, never give up, and endure to the end.”-F. Michael Watson
“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views . . . [or] your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if [we] listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that . . . ‘the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory’.” -Harold B. Lee 1970
“One who rationalizes that he or she has a testimony of Jesus Christ but cannot accept direction and counsel from the leadership of His church is in a fundamentally unsound position and is in jeopardy of losing exaltation” -- Ezra Taft Benson 1982
“That which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.” -- Ezra Taft Benson 1979
“If we have a prophet, we have everything. If we do not have a prophet, we have nothing. We do have a prophet. We have had prophets since the founding of this Church. We shall never be without a prophet if we live worthy of a prophet.”-Gordon B. Hinckley 1992
“The Lord is watching over this work. This is His kingdom. We are not as sheep without a shepherd. We are not as an army without a leader.” -Gordon B. Hinckley 1992
Quotes I used but did not make visual aids for:
“In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 118, we are admonished to "seek . . . out of the best books words of wisdom." Surely these books must first include the scriptures. Next, and alongside them, must be the words of the Presidents of the Church. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 21, verse 5, the Lord said of the President of the Church, "His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth." These books make up what has been referred to as "the Lord's library"--namely the standard works and the various volumes that contain the words of the different Presidents of the Church. Of the latter volumes, that which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.
The Lord has also given a special mantle to the apostles, and the significance of their words is pointed out in section 1, verse 14--the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants-- where he says that those who will not "give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people." The writing of other General Authorities should be given consideration also.” -- Ezra Taft Benson March 4, 1979 BYU fireside “in his steps”
“... The most vital knowledge you can learn is the saving truths of the gospel--the truths that will make the difference in your eternal welfare. The most vital words that you can read are those of the Presidents of the Church--particularly the living prophet--and those of the apostles and prophets.” -- Ezra Taft Benson March 4, 1979 BYU fireside “In His Steps”
From President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“I heard President Grant on several occasions before I met him. As teenage boys, my brother and I came to this Tabernacle at conference when there was room for anybody who wished to come. As boys are wont to do, we sat in the balcony at the very far end of the building. To me it was always impressive when this tall man stood to speak. Some kind of electricity passed through my boyish frame. His voice rang out in testimony of the Book of Mormon. When he said it was true, I knew it was true. He spoke with great power on the Word of Wisdom and, without hesitation, promised blessings to the people if they would observe it. I have often thought of the human misery, the pain that has resulted from the smoking of cigarettes, the poverty that has resulted from the drinking of liquor which might have been avoided had his prophetic counsel been followed.
He spoke on the law of tithing. I can still hear his great testimony of this principle. He spoke of the fast offering and said, as I remember him from my boyhood days, that if all the world would observe this simple principle, which came as a revelation from God, the needs of the poor over the earth would be met without taxing the people for welfare purposes.
He warned against the enslavement of personal debt. The world at that time was on a reckless pursuit of riches. Then came Black Thursday of November 1929. I was nineteen years of age, a student at the university. I saw the economy crumble. I saw men whom I knew lose everything as their creditors moved against them. I saw much of the trauma and the stress of the times. I thought then, and I have thought since, how so many people might have been saved pain and misery, suffering, embarrassment, and trouble had they listened to the counsel of a prophet concerning personal debt.” -- Gordon B. Hinckley May 1992 “Believe His Prophets”
“President Grant carried to his grave a deep sense of sorrow that, contrary to his counsel, the people of Utah cast the final vote, in 1934, that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution.…
Now again, as always, we are faced with public moral issues, this time concerning lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, and other forms of gambling. The Presidents of the Church have spoken clearly and unequivocally on these matters.
These are little things, but they are important things. They bring to mind the great contest between the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. Said Elijah on that occasion, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kgs. 18:21.)
… may I repeat that I have worked with seven Presidents of this Church. I have recognized that all have been human. But I have never been concerned over this. They may have had some weaknesses. But this has never troubled me. I know that the God of heaven has used mortal men throughout history to accomplish His divine purposes. They were the very best available to Him, and they were wonderful.
These men whom I have known and with whom I have worked have been totally unselfish in their zeal to build the kingdom of God and bring happiness into the lives of the people. They have been unsparing in giving of themselves to the great work for which each had responsibility in his particular season.
I speak to the priesthood of this Church, wherever you may be gathered across the world, in gratitude for a prophet to guide us in these latter days. I plead for loyalty to him whom the Lord has called and anointed. I plead for steadfastness in upholding him and giving attention to his teachings. I have said on another occasion at this pulpit that if we have a prophet, we have everything. If we do not have a prophet, we have nothing. We do have a prophet. We have had prophets since the founding of this Church. We shall never be without a prophet if we live worthy of a prophet.
The Lord is watching over this work. This is His kingdom. We are not as sheep without a shepherd. We are not as an army without a leader.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, May 1992 “Believe His Prophets”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
In His Steps
I have been working on my Relief Society lesson this week. The subject is, His Servants, the Prophets. Taken from the April 2009 General conference address given by Elder F. Michael Watson of the Seventy. As I was doing my research, I found a wonderful article, well fireside, given by Ezra Taft Benson in 1979. There is so much wonderful prophetic counsel in his talk that I wanted to share it with you. I know I just recently posted another lengthy talk given by President Benson. But, this one is also well worth your time and attention. I will be using much of it in my lesson on Sunday. Please take the time to read it, at least once. There is so much wise counsel given, it is worth reading several times. Enjoy!
In His Steps
EZRA TAFT BENSON
Ezra Taft Benson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 4 March 1979.
© Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
My beloved associates--members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Sister Benson and I are honored to be in your midst tonight. I pray that the spirit of the Lord will be with us and that I might be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bless and edify you.
For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. True, there will be some individuals who will fall away; but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its head--even Jesus Christ. While our generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time. It is that God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God.
All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it--you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us. Never before on the face of this earth have the forces of evil and the forces of good been as well organized. Now is the great day of the devil's power, with the greatest mass murderers of all time living among us. But now is also the great day of the Lord's power, with the greatest number ever of priesthood holders on the earth. And the showdown is fast approaching.
Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good pick up new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain--the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight--and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?
Great battles can make great heroes, but heroes will make great battle. You will never have a better opportunity to be a greater hero in a more crucial battle than in the battle you will face today and in the immediate future. Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul. David's battles in the field against the foe were not as critical as David's battles in the palace against a lustful eye. We will each find our own battlefield. The tactics that the enemy will use against us will vary from time to time; he will feel after our weak spots. We must be alert to the devil's devious designs, to the subtle sins and clever compromises as well as the obvious offenses.
Fortunately for us, we have the privilege of fighting under the Lord's banner. While the devil hates us and seeks to make all men miserable like unto himself (see 2 Nephi 2:27), the Lord instead loves us and seeks for us the fullness of joy which He possesses.
Christ lived on the earth and was subject to all manner of temptation, but He won every battle. He is the most successful warrior that ever walked the earth, and He wants to help us win every battle, be it personal or public. When we fall short, His atonement will cover for us on certain conditions.
Jesus knows that His kingdom will triumph, and He wants you to triumph with it, too. He knows in advance every strategy the enemy will use against you and the Kingdom. He knows your weaknesses and He knows your strengths. By revelation, personal to you, you may discover some of these strengths and weaknesses through a careful and prayerful study of your patriarchal blessing. Through proper prayer you can ask him to reveal to you your weaknesses so that you can amend your life. In the Book of Mormon in Ether, chapter 12, verse 27, the Lord says the following:
If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. . . . If they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
God can reveal to you your talents and your strengths so that you will know upon what you can build. Be assured that in all your righteous endeavors you can say, as Paul said in Philippians, chapter 4, verse 13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." And also be assured, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 13, that no temptation will befall you but what is common to man and that God will, with each temptation, provide a way to escape.
We follow a perfect leader--not just one who tells us to do what he thinks we should do, but the only one who can say that we should be as He is in everything. In the Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi, chapter 27, verse 27, the Lord asked the question, "What manner of men ought ye to be?" And then He answered by saying, "Verily I say unto you, even as I am."
What manner of man was Jesus when He was your age--when He was growing into manhood, when He was personally preparing Himself during those thirty years for His three-year public ministry? Turning to the book of Luke in the New Testament, chapter 2, verse 52, we read these words: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
Here, then, are the four great areas where Jesus grew in personal preparation. Your first thirty years cover the time in your life when most of you will be serving missions, getting your education, dating, getting married, establishing homes, and finding and beginning a career. If we, then, are to follow in His footsteps, we should increase in those same four areas in which He increased. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 93, verse 13, it states that Jesus "received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace [not from sin to grace, but from grace to grace] until he received a fullness." We too should move "from grace to grace" "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." Let us consider these four areas.
"Jesus Increased in Wisdom"
Wisdom could be considered the proper application of true knowledge. Not all knowledge has the same worth, nor are all truths equally valuable. The truths upon which our eternal salvation rests are the most crucial truths that we must learn. No man is truly educated unless he knows where he came from, why he is here, and where he can expect to go in the next life; unless he can adequately answer the question which Jesus posed: "What think ye of Christ?" The world cannot teach us these things as the Kingdom can. Therefore, the most essential knowledge for you to obtain is the saving knowledge within the gospel and the knowledge of its author--even Jesus Christ. In fact, that eternal life for which we should all be striving--which is the greatest gift that God can give and which is God's type of life, the life of the great Eternal One--that eternal life comes from knowing our Father in heaven and His Son, our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. As the scripture in John, chapter 17, verse 3, reads, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." We cannot know about God and Jesus without studying about them and then doing their will. This in turn will lead to additional revealed knowledge which, if obeyed, will eventually lead us to further truths. If we keep following this pattern, we will receive further light and joy that will eventually lead us into God's presence where we, with Him, will have a fullness.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 118, we are admonished to "seek . . . out of the best books words of wisdom." Surely these books must first include the scriptures. Next, and alongside them, must be the words of the Presidents of the Church. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 21, verse 5, the Lord said of the President of the Church, "His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth." These books make up what has been referred to as "the Lord's library"--namely the standard works and the various volumes that contain the words of the different Presidents of the Church. Of the latter volumes, that which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.
The Lord has also given a special mantle to the apostles, and the significance of their words is pointed out in section 1, verse 14--the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants-- where he says that those who will not "give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people." The writing of other General Authorities should be given consideration also.
While the gospel includes the more crucial saving truths contained within theology, it also includes truth in other branches of learning. The Lord encouraged the early missionaries in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 79, to be instructed more perfectly in
things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms.
Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read. "Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Feed only on the best. As John Wesley's mother counseled him: "Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, . . . increases the authority of the body over the mind."
The fact that a book is old does not necessarily make it of value. The fact that an author wrote one good work does not necessarily mean that all his books are worthy of your time. Do not make your mind a dumping ground for other people's garbage. It is harder to purge the mind of rotten reading than to purge the body of rotten food, and it is more damaging to the soul.
Most novels and pulp magazines are filled with a lot of rubbish, and most TV and a lot of radio programs are a waste of time, if not corruptors of morals or distorters of truth. The less newspapers have to say of value and of truth, the more pages they seem to take to say it. Usually a few minutes is more than sufficient to read a paper. One must select wisely a source of news; otherwise it would be better to be uninformed than misinformed. The subscribers of some mass magazines and newspapers are ever reading but seldom able to come to a knowledge of the truth in the areas of most vital concern.
As we approach the showdown, it will be increasingly valuable to have vocational skills--to be able to use our hands. The most essential temporal skills and knowledge are to be able to provide food, clothing, and shelter. Increasingly the Lord, through His servants, is trying to get us closer to the soil by raising our own produce.
Let us summarize. The most vital knowledge you can learn is the saving truths of the gospel--the truths that will make the difference in your eternal welfare. The most vital words that you can read are those of the Presidents of the Church--particularly the living prophet--and those of the apostles and prophets. God encourages learning in many areas, and vocational skills will have increasing importance. There is much reading material that is available that is either time-wasting or corrupting. The best yardstick to use in discerning the worth of true knowledge and learning is to go first and foremost to the words of the Lord's prophets.
"Jesus Increased in . . . Stature"
There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom. God has never given any temporal commandments--that which affects our stature affects our soul. There are at least four basic areas which make the difference in your health--in your growing in stature.
First: righteousness. Sin debilitates; it affects not only the soul but the body. The scriptures are replete with examples of the physical power that can attend the righteous. On the other hand, unrepented sin can diffuse energy and lead to both mental and physical sickness. Disease, fevers, and unexpected deaths are some of the things that have been directly related to disobedience. Jesus healed a man of a physical malady and then told him in John, chapter 5, verse 14, to "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." Galahad said that his strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure.
Second: food. To a great extent we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions, such as no tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcohol. What need additional emphasis are the positive aspects--the need for vegetables, fruits, and grains, particularly wheat. In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state-- without overrefinement and processing--the healthier we will be. To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours because we overindulge in junk foods. I am grateful to know that on this campus you can get apples from vending machines, that you have in your student center a fine salad bar, and that you produce an excellent loaf of natural whole-grain bread. Keep it up and keep progressing in that direction. We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the "king's meat"--and whose countenances show it (see Daniel 1).
Third: exercise. The body needs the toning up that comes from exercise. Walking in the fresh air can be exhilarating and refreshing. Properly directed running can have some beneficial effects. Simple situps or sporting activity can be helpful.
Fourth: sleep. Adequate early rest is best. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 124, the Lord commands: "Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated." There are too many enticements to late evening activities. Not only can this weary the body, but a wearied body may be more susceptible to improper activities in the darkness and lateness of the night. Early to bed and early to rise is still good counsel, and a brief nap during the day can be recuperative.
"Jesus Increased . . . in Favor with God"
What are some of the things that would increase our favor with God? There are many, of course. The book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, chapter 3, verse 25, states that one of the purposes of life is to be proved to see if we "will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]." In short, we are to learn the will of the Lord and do it. We are to follow the model of Jesus Christ and be like Him. The essential question of life should be the same one that Paul asked in the book of Acts, chapter 9, verse 6, when he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" God's will for you can be determined from three sources: (1) the scriptures--particularly the Book of Mormon, of which the Prophet Joseph said, "a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:461)--(2) inspired words from the Lord's anointed--particularly the presidents of the Church and especially the living one, along with the words of the apostles and prophets (local Church leaders are also entitled to give inspired direction for those over whom they preside)--and (3) the spirit of the Lord.
The world has the light of Christ to help guide it, but we are entitled to that great gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the Holy Ghost to be fully operative we have to keep our channels clear of sin. The clearer our channels, the easier it is to receive God's message to us; and the more of His messages we receive and put into action, the greater will be our joy. If our channels are not clear of sin, then we may think we have gotten inspiration on a matter when it is really "sin-spiration"--that is, promptings from the devil.
To the end of clearing our channels and keeping them clear, I would admonish all of you to read President Kimball's book The Miracle of Forgiveness; and the sooner you can read it the greater blessing it will be for you. Other practices that would increase our favor with God would include daily scripture study, along with personal prayers morning, midday, and night. We also need to render service to our Father's children through the family, the Church, and the country.
God has a timetable--a sequence or season for good things. A mission, when its time has arrived, takes priority over marriage and education. And when one is mature enough and has found the right company, then marriage should not be delayed for education. While all three--mission, marriage, and education--are essential, there is a proper order to follow.
We need more men and women of Christ who will always remember Him, who will keep His commandments which He has given them. The greatest yardstick of success is to see how much your daily walk can be like Christ's--how closely you can walk each moment in His steps.
"Jesus Increased . . . in Favor with . . . Man"
The greatest roles you can take to bless your fellowmen are to be strong missionaries and to be strong patriarchs and matriarchs--to raise a righteous posterity who will be part of the solutions to the world's problems and not part of the problems. You have probably heard that the greatest Church work you can perform will be within the walls of your own home. It is also true that no nation is stronger than its homes. For a man, there is no calling as high as that of a righteous patriarch, married in the house of the Lord, presiding over his children. Even the very Elohim has us address Him as "our Father who art in heaven." For a woman there is no calling as high as that of a righteous mother, married in the House of the Lord, rearing a posterity.
Someone has said that happy is the man who has found his worship, his wife, and his work, and loves all three. Do you realize that during your comparatively young years, you will probably be making three of the most momentous decisions of your life? You will be deciding on the role of the Church or worship in your life, selecting a wife or husband, and--particularly for you men--choosing your life's work.
All of you can know, if you do not know already, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church. All you need to do to gain this knowledge is to carefully read the Book of Mormon and then do what is stated in Moroni, chapter 10, verse 4:
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
If the Book of Mormon is true--which I testify that it is--then Joseph Smith was a prophet. If Joseph Smith was a prophet, then the church he established, as an instrument in God's hands, is true--even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the Church is true, then there stands at the head of the Church today a prophet of God.
In addition to finding your worship, you will need to find your wife or husband. This will require careful and prayerful consideration. It would be well to mingle with many good people to have a better understanding of others. It you desire a fine companion, then you should be on a high and wholesome level. One of the best yardsticks for knowing whether a certain person may be best for you is to ask yourself what kind of an influence this person has on you. In their presence do you wish you were better than you are--do you think some of your noblest thoughts--are you encouraged to goodly deeds? If this is so, then that person could be worthy of greater consideration. But if being in their company makes you tend in the opposite direction, you had best leave them.
Young women, you are not required to lower your standards to get a husband. Keep yourselves attractive, maintain high standards, place yourselves in a position to meet worthy men, and be engaged in constructive work. Then, if you are married later than sooner--if you even have to wait until the next life to get a choice man--God will make up the difference to you. Time is numbered only to man. God has your eternal perspective in mind.
And now, so far as your work is concerned: It is divinely ordained what a woman should do, but a man must seek out his work. The divine work of women involves companionship, homemaking, and motherhood. It is well if skills in these three areas can first be learned in the parents' home and then be supplemented at school if the need or desire presents itself. The first priority for a woman is to prepare herself for her divine and eternal mission, whether she is married soon or late. It is folly to neglect that preparation for education in unrelated fields just to prepare temporarily to earn money. Women, when you are married it is the husband's role to provide, not yours. Do not sacrifice your preparation for an eternally ordained mission for the temporary expediency of money-making skills that you may or may not use. I do not think it needs to be an "either/or" choice; but if it does, then choose the divine mission preparation. Some women are well prepared for their mission and want to acquire additional skills in other areas; and that is fine, if they so desire. It is simply a case of putting first things first. To paraphrase the Lord, when He was speaking of those who obeyed the lesser law and neglected the weightier matters: these ye might do, but do not leave the other undone (see Matthew 23:23). Some women acquire money-making skills in areas closely related to their divine missions, and the advantages of that approach are plain.
Brethren, it is your role to be the leader in the home. While the wife may be considered the heart of the home, you are the head. You are the provider, and it takes the edge off your manliness when you have the mother of your children also be a provider. What will you choose for a career? What will your work be? It has been said that no one is born into this world whose work is not born with him or her. We bring from our preexistent state various talents and abilities. We strive to find the right wife, and it is our responsibility to strive to find where we can make a contribution to our fellowman--an area where we have some interest and abilities and where we can, at the same time, provide for our own.
I am glad Beethoven found his way into music, Rembrandt into art, Michelangelo into sculpturing, and President David O. McKay into teaching. To find your proper niche and do well at it can bless you, yours, and your fellowmen. If you need help finding your career, it is available: (1) Ponder and pray about it; (2) study closely your patriarchal blessing; (3) consider what you do well; (4) take some vocational and interest tests; and (5) get acquainted with various professions to see what is available.
I understand that you have a fine career counseling center here at BYU with a diversified program that offers help through classes, testing, seminars, a library, and so on. I hope that if you feel the need you will take advantage of these opportunities. How true it is--happy is the man who has found his worship, his wife, and his work, and loves them all.
The world is gradually beating a path to our door to see how we do things. Stick by your righteous guns and you will bless your fellowman. Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible--but in that order.
My beloved brothers and sisters, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man," and so can you. You are a royal generation. The heavenly grandstands are cheering you on. We are fast coming to the close of this game. The opposition is real and is scoring. But we have scored, we are scoring, and we will score in the future. The Lord is our coach and manager. His team will win, and we can be a valiant part of it if we so desire. Rise up, O youth of Zion! You hardly realize the great divine potential that lies within you. May you all follow your leader, Jesus Christ, and increase mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially, I pray for all of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
In His Steps
EZRA TAFT BENSON
Ezra Taft Benson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 4 March 1979.
© Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
My beloved associates--members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Sister Benson and I are honored to be in your midst tonight. I pray that the spirit of the Lord will be with us and that I might be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bless and edify you.
For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. True, there will be some individuals who will fall away; but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its head--even Jesus Christ. While our generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time. It is that God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God.
All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it--you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us. Never before on the face of this earth have the forces of evil and the forces of good been as well organized. Now is the great day of the devil's power, with the greatest mass murderers of all time living among us. But now is also the great day of the Lord's power, with the greatest number ever of priesthood holders on the earth. And the showdown is fast approaching.
Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good pick up new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain--the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight--and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?
Great battles can make great heroes, but heroes will make great battle. You will never have a better opportunity to be a greater hero in a more crucial battle than in the battle you will face today and in the immediate future. Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul. David's battles in the field against the foe were not as critical as David's battles in the palace against a lustful eye. We will each find our own battlefield. The tactics that the enemy will use against us will vary from time to time; he will feel after our weak spots. We must be alert to the devil's devious designs, to the subtle sins and clever compromises as well as the obvious offenses.
Fortunately for us, we have the privilege of fighting under the Lord's banner. While the devil hates us and seeks to make all men miserable like unto himself (see 2 Nephi 2:27), the Lord instead loves us and seeks for us the fullness of joy which He possesses.
Christ lived on the earth and was subject to all manner of temptation, but He won every battle. He is the most successful warrior that ever walked the earth, and He wants to help us win every battle, be it personal or public. When we fall short, His atonement will cover for us on certain conditions.
Jesus knows that His kingdom will triumph, and He wants you to triumph with it, too. He knows in advance every strategy the enemy will use against you and the Kingdom. He knows your weaknesses and He knows your strengths. By revelation, personal to you, you may discover some of these strengths and weaknesses through a careful and prayerful study of your patriarchal blessing. Through proper prayer you can ask him to reveal to you your weaknesses so that you can amend your life. In the Book of Mormon in Ether, chapter 12, verse 27, the Lord says the following:
If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. . . . If they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
God can reveal to you your talents and your strengths so that you will know upon what you can build. Be assured that in all your righteous endeavors you can say, as Paul said in Philippians, chapter 4, verse 13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." And also be assured, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 13, that no temptation will befall you but what is common to man and that God will, with each temptation, provide a way to escape.
We follow a perfect leader--not just one who tells us to do what he thinks we should do, but the only one who can say that we should be as He is in everything. In the Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi, chapter 27, verse 27, the Lord asked the question, "What manner of men ought ye to be?" And then He answered by saying, "Verily I say unto you, even as I am."
What manner of man was Jesus when He was your age--when He was growing into manhood, when He was personally preparing Himself during those thirty years for His three-year public ministry? Turning to the book of Luke in the New Testament, chapter 2, verse 52, we read these words: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
Here, then, are the four great areas where Jesus grew in personal preparation. Your first thirty years cover the time in your life when most of you will be serving missions, getting your education, dating, getting married, establishing homes, and finding and beginning a career. If we, then, are to follow in His footsteps, we should increase in those same four areas in which He increased. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 93, verse 13, it states that Jesus "received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace [not from sin to grace, but from grace to grace] until he received a fullness." We too should move "from grace to grace" "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." Let us consider these four areas.
"Jesus Increased in Wisdom"
Wisdom could be considered the proper application of true knowledge. Not all knowledge has the same worth, nor are all truths equally valuable. The truths upon which our eternal salvation rests are the most crucial truths that we must learn. No man is truly educated unless he knows where he came from, why he is here, and where he can expect to go in the next life; unless he can adequately answer the question which Jesus posed: "What think ye of Christ?" The world cannot teach us these things as the Kingdom can. Therefore, the most essential knowledge for you to obtain is the saving knowledge within the gospel and the knowledge of its author--even Jesus Christ. In fact, that eternal life for which we should all be striving--which is the greatest gift that God can give and which is God's type of life, the life of the great Eternal One--that eternal life comes from knowing our Father in heaven and His Son, our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. As the scripture in John, chapter 17, verse 3, reads, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." We cannot know about God and Jesus without studying about them and then doing their will. This in turn will lead to additional revealed knowledge which, if obeyed, will eventually lead us to further truths. If we keep following this pattern, we will receive further light and joy that will eventually lead us into God's presence where we, with Him, will have a fullness.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 118, we are admonished to "seek . . . out of the best books words of wisdom." Surely these books must first include the scriptures. Next, and alongside them, must be the words of the Presidents of the Church. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 21, verse 5, the Lord said of the President of the Church, "His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth." These books make up what has been referred to as "the Lord's library"--namely the standard works and the various volumes that contain the words of the different Presidents of the Church. Of the latter volumes, that which would be of greatest importance to you would be the words of the current President of the Church, for his words are directed to our day and our needs.
The Lord has also given a special mantle to the apostles, and the significance of their words is pointed out in section 1, verse 14--the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants-- where he says that those who will not "give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people." The writing of other General Authorities should be given consideration also.
While the gospel includes the more crucial saving truths contained within theology, it also includes truth in other branches of learning. The Lord encouraged the early missionaries in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 79, to be instructed more perfectly in
things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms.
Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read. "Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Feed only on the best. As John Wesley's mother counseled him: "Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, . . . increases the authority of the body over the mind."
The fact that a book is old does not necessarily make it of value. The fact that an author wrote one good work does not necessarily mean that all his books are worthy of your time. Do not make your mind a dumping ground for other people's garbage. It is harder to purge the mind of rotten reading than to purge the body of rotten food, and it is more damaging to the soul.
Most novels and pulp magazines are filled with a lot of rubbish, and most TV and a lot of radio programs are a waste of time, if not corruptors of morals or distorters of truth. The less newspapers have to say of value and of truth, the more pages they seem to take to say it. Usually a few minutes is more than sufficient to read a paper. One must select wisely a source of news; otherwise it would be better to be uninformed than misinformed. The subscribers of some mass magazines and newspapers are ever reading but seldom able to come to a knowledge of the truth in the areas of most vital concern.
As we approach the showdown, it will be increasingly valuable to have vocational skills--to be able to use our hands. The most essential temporal skills and knowledge are to be able to provide food, clothing, and shelter. Increasingly the Lord, through His servants, is trying to get us closer to the soil by raising our own produce.
Let us summarize. The most vital knowledge you can learn is the saving truths of the gospel--the truths that will make the difference in your eternal welfare. The most vital words that you can read are those of the Presidents of the Church--particularly the living prophet--and those of the apostles and prophets. God encourages learning in many areas, and vocational skills will have increasing importance. There is much reading material that is available that is either time-wasting or corrupting. The best yardstick to use in discerning the worth of true knowledge and learning is to go first and foremost to the words of the Lord's prophets.
"Jesus Increased in . . . Stature"
There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom. God has never given any temporal commandments--that which affects our stature affects our soul. There are at least four basic areas which make the difference in your health--in your growing in stature.
First: righteousness. Sin debilitates; it affects not only the soul but the body. The scriptures are replete with examples of the physical power that can attend the righteous. On the other hand, unrepented sin can diffuse energy and lead to both mental and physical sickness. Disease, fevers, and unexpected deaths are some of the things that have been directly related to disobedience. Jesus healed a man of a physical malady and then told him in John, chapter 5, verse 14, to "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." Galahad said that his strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure.
Second: food. To a great extent we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions, such as no tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcohol. What need additional emphasis are the positive aspects--the need for vegetables, fruits, and grains, particularly wheat. In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state-- without overrefinement and processing--the healthier we will be. To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours because we overindulge in junk foods. I am grateful to know that on this campus you can get apples from vending machines, that you have in your student center a fine salad bar, and that you produce an excellent loaf of natural whole-grain bread. Keep it up and keep progressing in that direction. We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the "king's meat"--and whose countenances show it (see Daniel 1).
Third: exercise. The body needs the toning up that comes from exercise. Walking in the fresh air can be exhilarating and refreshing. Properly directed running can have some beneficial effects. Simple situps or sporting activity can be helpful.
Fourth: sleep. Adequate early rest is best. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 124, the Lord commands: "Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated." There are too many enticements to late evening activities. Not only can this weary the body, but a wearied body may be more susceptible to improper activities in the darkness and lateness of the night. Early to bed and early to rise is still good counsel, and a brief nap during the day can be recuperative.
"Jesus Increased . . . in Favor with God"
What are some of the things that would increase our favor with God? There are many, of course. The book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, chapter 3, verse 25, states that one of the purposes of life is to be proved to see if we "will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]." In short, we are to learn the will of the Lord and do it. We are to follow the model of Jesus Christ and be like Him. The essential question of life should be the same one that Paul asked in the book of Acts, chapter 9, verse 6, when he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" God's will for you can be determined from three sources: (1) the scriptures--particularly the Book of Mormon, of which the Prophet Joseph said, "a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:461)--(2) inspired words from the Lord's anointed--particularly the presidents of the Church and especially the living one, along with the words of the apostles and prophets (local Church leaders are also entitled to give inspired direction for those over whom they preside)--and (3) the spirit of the Lord.
The world has the light of Christ to help guide it, but we are entitled to that great gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the Holy Ghost to be fully operative we have to keep our channels clear of sin. The clearer our channels, the easier it is to receive God's message to us; and the more of His messages we receive and put into action, the greater will be our joy. If our channels are not clear of sin, then we may think we have gotten inspiration on a matter when it is really "sin-spiration"--that is, promptings from the devil.
To the end of clearing our channels and keeping them clear, I would admonish all of you to read President Kimball's book The Miracle of Forgiveness; and the sooner you can read it the greater blessing it will be for you. Other practices that would increase our favor with God would include daily scripture study, along with personal prayers morning, midday, and night. We also need to render service to our Father's children through the family, the Church, and the country.
God has a timetable--a sequence or season for good things. A mission, when its time has arrived, takes priority over marriage and education. And when one is mature enough and has found the right company, then marriage should not be delayed for education. While all three--mission, marriage, and education--are essential, there is a proper order to follow.
We need more men and women of Christ who will always remember Him, who will keep His commandments which He has given them. The greatest yardstick of success is to see how much your daily walk can be like Christ's--how closely you can walk each moment in His steps.
"Jesus Increased . . . in Favor with . . . Man"
The greatest roles you can take to bless your fellowmen are to be strong missionaries and to be strong patriarchs and matriarchs--to raise a righteous posterity who will be part of the solutions to the world's problems and not part of the problems. You have probably heard that the greatest Church work you can perform will be within the walls of your own home. It is also true that no nation is stronger than its homes. For a man, there is no calling as high as that of a righteous patriarch, married in the house of the Lord, presiding over his children. Even the very Elohim has us address Him as "our Father who art in heaven." For a woman there is no calling as high as that of a righteous mother, married in the House of the Lord, rearing a posterity.
Someone has said that happy is the man who has found his worship, his wife, and his work, and loves all three. Do you realize that during your comparatively young years, you will probably be making three of the most momentous decisions of your life? You will be deciding on the role of the Church or worship in your life, selecting a wife or husband, and--particularly for you men--choosing your life's work.
All of you can know, if you do not know already, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church. All you need to do to gain this knowledge is to carefully read the Book of Mormon and then do what is stated in Moroni, chapter 10, verse 4:
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
If the Book of Mormon is true--which I testify that it is--then Joseph Smith was a prophet. If Joseph Smith was a prophet, then the church he established, as an instrument in God's hands, is true--even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the Church is true, then there stands at the head of the Church today a prophet of God.
In addition to finding your worship, you will need to find your wife or husband. This will require careful and prayerful consideration. It would be well to mingle with many good people to have a better understanding of others. It you desire a fine companion, then you should be on a high and wholesome level. One of the best yardsticks for knowing whether a certain person may be best for you is to ask yourself what kind of an influence this person has on you. In their presence do you wish you were better than you are--do you think some of your noblest thoughts--are you encouraged to goodly deeds? If this is so, then that person could be worthy of greater consideration. But if being in their company makes you tend in the opposite direction, you had best leave them.
Young women, you are not required to lower your standards to get a husband. Keep yourselves attractive, maintain high standards, place yourselves in a position to meet worthy men, and be engaged in constructive work. Then, if you are married later than sooner--if you even have to wait until the next life to get a choice man--God will make up the difference to you. Time is numbered only to man. God has your eternal perspective in mind.
And now, so far as your work is concerned: It is divinely ordained what a woman should do, but a man must seek out his work. The divine work of women involves companionship, homemaking, and motherhood. It is well if skills in these three areas can first be learned in the parents' home and then be supplemented at school if the need or desire presents itself. The first priority for a woman is to prepare herself for her divine and eternal mission, whether she is married soon or late. It is folly to neglect that preparation for education in unrelated fields just to prepare temporarily to earn money. Women, when you are married it is the husband's role to provide, not yours. Do not sacrifice your preparation for an eternally ordained mission for the temporary expediency of money-making skills that you may or may not use. I do not think it needs to be an "either/or" choice; but if it does, then choose the divine mission preparation. Some women are well prepared for their mission and want to acquire additional skills in other areas; and that is fine, if they so desire. It is simply a case of putting first things first. To paraphrase the Lord, when He was speaking of those who obeyed the lesser law and neglected the weightier matters: these ye might do, but do not leave the other undone (see Matthew 23:23). Some women acquire money-making skills in areas closely related to their divine missions, and the advantages of that approach are plain.
Brethren, it is your role to be the leader in the home. While the wife may be considered the heart of the home, you are the head. You are the provider, and it takes the edge off your manliness when you have the mother of your children also be a provider. What will you choose for a career? What will your work be? It has been said that no one is born into this world whose work is not born with him or her. We bring from our preexistent state various talents and abilities. We strive to find the right wife, and it is our responsibility to strive to find where we can make a contribution to our fellowman--an area where we have some interest and abilities and where we can, at the same time, provide for our own.
I am glad Beethoven found his way into music, Rembrandt into art, Michelangelo into sculpturing, and President David O. McKay into teaching. To find your proper niche and do well at it can bless you, yours, and your fellowmen. If you need help finding your career, it is available: (1) Ponder and pray about it; (2) study closely your patriarchal blessing; (3) consider what you do well; (4) take some vocational and interest tests; and (5) get acquainted with various professions to see what is available.
I understand that you have a fine career counseling center here at BYU with a diversified program that offers help through classes, testing, seminars, a library, and so on. I hope that if you feel the need you will take advantage of these opportunities. How true it is--happy is the man who has found his worship, his wife, and his work, and loves them all.
The world is gradually beating a path to our door to see how we do things. Stick by your righteous guns and you will bless your fellowman. Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible--but in that order.
My beloved brothers and sisters, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man," and so can you. You are a royal generation. The heavenly grandstands are cheering you on. We are fast coming to the close of this game. The opposition is real and is scoring. But we have scored, we are scoring, and we will score in the future. The Lord is our coach and manager. His team will win, and we can be a valiant part of it if we so desire. Rise up, O youth of Zion! You hardly realize the great divine potential that lies within you. May you all follow your leader, Jesus Christ, and increase mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially, I pray for all of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Grandma Sabin Lesson Number Two
I mentioned, in a previous posting, a lesson I learned about decision-making from Grandma Sabin. I would like to tell you about another lesson I learned from her. That is, the value of getting an education. In fact, I can partly attribute my education to Grandma Sabin.
Grandma Sabin always stressed the value of receiving an education. Higher education that is. It was something she never received. Maybe this is why she stressed it so much. She did attend BYU, when her kids were older, majoring in premed, but as far as I'm aware she never received a degree.
Maybe this is where I developed my love for medicine. I don't know. For as long as I can remember I had wanted to become a doctor. And I did eventually reach that goal. Grandma always encouraged me to pursue my education.
Education is never wasted. I hear people say that since they don’t use the education they received, it was a waste. I say, knowledge is never a waste. Just because you don’t use your knowledge on a daily basis in your career, you nonetheless received that knowledge, and carry it with you always. It is surprising to me how much I still remember from my education. And even the knowledge that I don’t remember is still in my brain somewhere. So I don’t feel that receiving an education is ever wasteful. In fact, I would go so far as to say, it’s probably the best investment you can make.
Your knowledge, is the only thing you can take with you when you die. Like my buddy Mark Chesnutt says, “they don’t make a hearse with a luggage rack”.
After I graduated from Utah State University, I faced a decision on what to do next with my life. I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue further education. I rationalized that medical school was another four years plus residency, and I would be an old lady by the time I finished. Grandma told me, "That is true but, you are going to be old eventually anyway, whether you receive a medical degree or not." (that’s not a direct quote but that’s what I got out of the conversation.) So, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided to pursue a medical degree. Even though it was very difficult at times, I am very grateful that I did. Even though, because of present circumstances, I am not able to use my knowledge in a career. I am thankful for my knowledge. Attaining knowledge is never a waste. Knowledge is power.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
I would like to follow in Grandma Sabin’s footsteps and encourage the pursuit of education. It won’t be easy, there will probably be much sacrifice required, but it will be worth it.
That’s my two cents.
Grandma Sabin always stressed the value of receiving an education. Higher education that is. It was something she never received. Maybe this is why she stressed it so much. She did attend BYU, when her kids were older, majoring in premed, but as far as I'm aware she never received a degree.
Maybe this is where I developed my love for medicine. I don't know. For as long as I can remember I had wanted to become a doctor. And I did eventually reach that goal. Grandma always encouraged me to pursue my education.
Education is never wasted. I hear people say that since they don’t use the education they received, it was a waste. I say, knowledge is never a waste. Just because you don’t use your knowledge on a daily basis in your career, you nonetheless received that knowledge, and carry it with you always. It is surprising to me how much I still remember from my education. And even the knowledge that I don’t remember is still in my brain somewhere. So I don’t feel that receiving an education is ever wasteful. In fact, I would go so far as to say, it’s probably the best investment you can make.
Your knowledge, is the only thing you can take with you when you die. Like my buddy Mark Chesnutt says, “they don’t make a hearse with a luggage rack”.
After I graduated from Utah State University, I faced a decision on what to do next with my life. I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue further education. I rationalized that medical school was another four years plus residency, and I would be an old lady by the time I finished. Grandma told me, "That is true but, you are going to be old eventually anyway, whether you receive a medical degree or not." (that’s not a direct quote but that’s what I got out of the conversation.) So, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided to pursue a medical degree. Even though it was very difficult at times, I am very grateful that I did. Even though, because of present circumstances, I am not able to use my knowledge in a career. I am thankful for my knowledge. Attaining knowledge is never a waste. Knowledge is power.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
I would like to follow in Grandma Sabin’s footsteps and encourage the pursuit of education. It won’t be easy, there will probably be much sacrifice required, but it will be worth it.
That’s my two cents.
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