"The Approachable Master"
Douglas R. McKinlay (BYU Communications dept)
-The further we get from the Savior, we closer we get to the adversary.
-We come vulnerable when Satan makes us feel alone.
Strategies Satan uses to keep us from the Master:
1. He convinces us that we are unworthy—even through prayer—to enter the presence of the Master.
2. He makes us believe that we can do all things on our own
-"I can do it myself" is the 3-year old tantrum phrase/leaves us out there and alone
- I memorized this quote from Harvard philosopher James Allen that points out the danger of “going it alone”:
Man is the causer (though nearly always unconsciously) of his[own] circumstances, and that, whilst aiming at a good end, he is continually frustrating its accomplishment by encouraging thoughts and desires which cannot possibly harmonize with that end.
-3. He creates doubt about our own self-worth and our God-given abilities.
4. He gives us a feeling of entitlement.
5. He helps us develop our powers of
-He lives and He wants nothing more than to help us perform well on this playing field of life.
TUESDAY: BYU Devotional
"The Great Plan of Redemption"
Bruce L. Brown (BYU Psychology dept)
-Imagine living in the existentially empty universe portrayed by so many of the nihilistic philosophers of our time. Fortunately for them, as well as for us, they are wrong.
TUESDAY: BYU Devotional
"The Great Plan of Redemption"
Bruce L. Brown (BYU Psychology dept)
-Imagine living in the existentially empty universe portrayed by so many of the nihilistic philosophers of our time. Fortunately for them, as well as for us, they are wrong.
-The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them” (Teachings, p. 12)
-Truly the doctrines of the Restoration are from God, and truly they are doctrines of optimism.
-“This is a book written by a Jew to a Jew in a very unself-conscious way.”
WEDNESDAY: General Conference (2001)
"Witnesses Unto Me"
Jeffrey R. Holland
People do not join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel (what they see and want spiritually)
Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives.
If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends.
I promise you thatsomething in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more.
Joseph Smith: “After all that has been said, [our] greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”
THURSDAY: BYU Devotional (2009)
"Zion Is the Pure in Heart"
Elaine S. Dalton
-He outlined the process of decision making by referring to Doctrine and Covenants section 9. Everyone else seemed to be very familiar with this section of the scriptures except me. You are all familiar with it too, but for me, that day, it was pure revelation and provided a pattern for me to receive an answer to my prayers. He read:
Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong. [D&C 9:7–9]
I knew that I had to act!
-You may even be asked to run to the point of exhaustion, but by doing so, the warmth of the Lord’s love will preserve you for the great work yet to come.
- Virtue and chastity are inseparably connected. You cannot have one without the other. A return to virtue is a return to purity.
-No wonder Satan has increased the intensity of his attacks. If you can be distracted, delayed, or disqualified from entering into the temples and doing the very work you have been prepared and reserved to do, he wins.
-We live in a world that is concerned about cleanliness and purity—the cleanliness of our air and the cleanliness of our environment, our water, and even our food. Yet society tolerates moral pollution in the form of pornography on billboards, television, and the Internet and in entertainment and other media.
-Do not allow pornography to diminish your personal power. Remain pure so that you can exercise the power of the priesthood with which God has entrusted you.
-Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God. [Mormon 9:28]
-We called it our Thanksgiving run, and as we ran we called out things for which we were thankful.
-“Satan wants you to think that you cannot repent, but that is absolutely not true.”14 A return is always possible because of the Savior’s Atonement.
-Seek the companionship of virtuous friends, not virtual friends. Remember, “virtue loveth virtue [and] light cleaveth unto light” (D&C 88:40). This is a relationship scripture. In your pursuit of friendships and an eternal marriage partner, you cannot just make a list of all the qualities you are looking for in another or in an eternal companion. You must be your list at all times and in all things and in all places.
MONDAY: General Conference (1984)
"Live the Gospel"
Gordon B. Hinckley
-I urge the people of the Church, wherever you may be, when you are faced with problems, first to try to solve those problems yourselves. Think about them, study alternatives available to you, pray about them, and look to the Lord for direction.
-Your bishop or branch president is a man of God, called under the authority of the holy priesthood as the shepherd of the flock. It is so much better that you consult with these your local brethren rather than that you write to the General Authorities of the Church, who, in many instances, will simply refer your query back to your bishop or stake president.
-Enjoy your membership in the Church. Where else in all the world can you find such a society?
-“Live the gospel.” That is the greatest challenge we face.
-It is a simple declaration, but encompassed in those few words is a mandate applicable to each of us. -It concerns our home and family life. It concerns our daily work. It concerns our activities and responsibilities as men and women, brothers and sisters, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we return to our homes, let us resolve within our hearts to more fully live the gospel.
-“Life is good.” Life in the service of the Lord is good. It is beautiful. It is rewarding.
-Cultivate a spirit of gladness in your homes. Subdue and overcome all elements of anger, impatience, and unbecoming talk one to another.
TUESDAY: General Conference (2012)
"How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life"
Richard G. Scott
-A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life.
-Careful, quiet speech will favor the receipt of revelation.
-Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation.
-An individual who is arrogant or who lets his or her emotions influence decisions will not be powerfully led by the Spirit.
-When we are acting as instruments in behalf of others, we are more easily inspired than when we think only of ourselves. In the process of helping others, the Lord can piggyback directions for our own benefit.
No comments:
Post a Comment