The Sacrament

Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants

by Linda Reed

 

WHAT?

A mother I know of has sat alone at church for a number of years with her four young children. Seldom able to concentrate on the Savior during the sacrament, she formed a plan. Now she tries to spend time each Saturday reviewing her week and thinking about her covenants and what she needs to repent of. “Then,” she says, “no matter what kind of an experience I have with my children on Sunday, I am prepared to partake of the sacrament, renew my covenants, and feel of the cleansing power of the Atonement.”

 

SO WHAT?

This is autobiographical.  I wish I had been as wise as this mother.  I wasn't. (This little boy even reminds me of my youngest when he was that age!)

 

 

WHAT?

Why does the Savior put so much importance upon the sacrament, dear sisters? What importance does this weekly renewal of our baptismal covenants play in our lives? Do we recognize the ability of the Savior to completely cleanse us every week as we worthily and thoughtfully partake of the sacrament? President Boyd K. Packer has testified, “That is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement: … that at the end of [our lives, we] can go through the veil having repented of [our] sins and having been washed clean through the blood of Christ.”

 

NOW WHAT?

Now my children are grown, I can focus on my covenants when I take the Sacrament.  Unfortunately, I have been forgetting of late.  I need to recommit myself to be more mindful of Jesus sacrifice for me.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Pictures:

Taking the Sacrament from www.lds.org

Da Vinci's Last Supper from multiple sources on the web.

Instruments in the Lord's Hands

We Have Great Reason to Rejoice

Carole M. Stephens

 

In the Book of Mormon, Ammon speaks of the great reason we have to rejoice. He says: “And now, I ask, what great blessings has [God] bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?”

 

In his excitement, Ammon doesn’t wait for an answer. He says, “Behold, I answer for you; … this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.”  (Alma 26:2–3)

 

 

We are covenant daughters in the Lord’s kingdom, and we have the opportunity to be instruments in His hands.

 

Take a moment to think of a daughter of God who needs encouragement to get back on the covenant path or who needs a little help to stay on the path. Ask your Father in Heaven about her. She is His daughter. He knows her by name. He also knows you, and He will tell you what she needs. Be patient and continue in faith and prayer on her behalf, and act on the promptings you receive. As you act on these promptings, the Spirit will confirm that your offering is acceptable to the Lord.

As we participate in the work of salvation each day in small and simple ways—watching over, strengthening, and teaching one another—we will be able to join with Ammon, who declared:

 

“Behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

 

“Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.”   (Alma 26:11–12)

 

 

I am a lute, strung with strings

But I am not the lute player.

 

Kalil Gibran



 

 

 

Quotes from:

Carole M. Stephens

L.D.S. General Women's Conference

September 2013

Kalil Gibran, The Prophet

 

Pictures:

Quote from www.alighthouse.com

Lute player www.music.iastate.edu

 

Thy Will, O Lord, Not Mine Be Done

It is difficult, when we are hurting the most; when we are challenged almost to our breaking point; when our hearts groan within us, to say, "Not my will but thine be done."  And yet, that is the prayer that never fails.

 

As our prayers ascend heavenward, let us not forget the words taught to us by the Savior. When He faced the excruciating agony of Gethsemane and the cross, He prayed to the Father, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Difficult as it may at times be, it is for us, as well, to trust our Heavenly Father to know best how and when and in what manner to provide the help we seek.

 

I cherish the words of the poet:

 

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given His Word,

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered, soon or late.

And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

But leave my prayers with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send some answer far more blest.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Quotes from President Thomas S. Monson We Never Walk Alone;

Women's Conference September 2013

Poem, Prayer, by Eliza M. Hickok

Picture from www.lds.org

We Never Walk Alone

by President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson

 

  

 

WHAT?

There will be times when you will walk a path strewn with thorns and marked by struggle. There may be times when you feel detached—even isolated—from the Giver of every good gift. You worry that you walk alone. Fear replaces faith.

When you find yourself in such circumstances, I plead with you to remember prayer.

 

The Apostle Paul admonished:

“Let your requests be made known unto God.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6–7)

 

What a glorious promise! Peace is that which we seek, that for which we yearn.

We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask. We have the promise: “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”(Doctrine and Covenants 90:24)

 

SO WHAT?

My sister is facing surgery tomorrow.  Naturally, she is feeling anxious about it.

 

NOW WHAT?

I read this scripture for our daily scripture study.  We are praying.  We welcome your prayers as well.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Photo from www.pinterest.com

 

Are We Shepherds or Sheepherders

True Shepherds

by President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson

 

 

WHAT?

Dad would drive about 35 miles an hour all the way up to Provo Canyon or until we would come around a bend in the road and our journey would be halted by a herd of sheep. We would watch as hundreds of sheep filed past us, seemingly without a shepherd, a few dogs yapping at their heels as they moved along. Way back in the rear we could see the sheepherder on his horse—not a bridle on it but a halter. He was occasionally slouched down in the saddle dozing, since the horse knew which way to go and the yapping dogs did the work.

 

Contrast that to the scene which I viewed in Munich, Germany, many years ago. It was a Sunday morning, and we were en route to a missionary conference. As I looked out the window of the mission president’s automobile, I saw a shepherd with a staff in his hand, leading the sheep. They followed him wherever he went. If he moved to the left, they followed him to the left. If he moved to the right, they followed him in that direction. I made the comparison between the true shepherd who led his sheep and the sheepherder who rode casually behind his sheep.

 

SO/NOW WHAT?

Within our families, are we shepherds or sheepherders? In our callings, do we minister or administer?  Throughout life, do we lead from the front by example or push from the rear by criticism?  Do we watch over our flocks day and night or do we turn a deaf ear and a blind eye?  Are we involved or detached?

 

Good questions.  I want to lead like the Savior.  Do you?

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Picture of the Good Shepherd from www.beingisgood.blogspot.com

God Knows Their Needs

Bind Up Their Wounds

by President Henry B. Eyring

 

WHAT?

Speaking to the men of the Church, President Eyring said: We are not told in the scriptures why the Samaritan was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It is not likely that he was taking a stroll alone since he must have known that robbers waited for the unwary. He was on a serious journey, and as was customary, he had with him a beast of burden as well as oil and wine.

 

In the Lord’s words the Samaritan, when he saw the wounded man, stopped because “he had compassion.”

 

More than only feeling compassion, he acted.

 

You . . . can have at least three assurances. First, the Lord will give you, if you ask, the feelings of compassion He feels for those in need. Second, He will provide others, like the innkeeper, to join with you in your service. And third, the Lord, like the good Samaritan, will more than recompense all who join in giving help to those in need.

 

You cannot know all [whom you are called upon to serve] perfectly well, but God does.

 

SO WHAT?

My "formal" calling in the Church is to teach the women in my ward once a month.  My "informal" calling is to serve anyone else who is in need and who comes before my eyes and into my heart.

 

That could become overwhelming.  That it does not is because I understand that I don't know what they need - can't possibly know what they need.  But God does know and perfectly.  All I have to do is stay close to the Holy Spirit and to act when He lays a prompting upon my heart. 

 

NOW WHAT?

I am teaching tomorrow - a lesson on the redemptive power of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I don't work from notes.  I follow the promptings of my heart.  Although I know the general direction I am going and have prepared a table display and handouts, I may well deviate from the "script" if I feel inspired to do so.  I have done so on several occasions. 

 

When I feel anxious, I know I have forgotten to pray and do so.

I love the opportunity to serve my Father's children, knowing how much He loves and serves me.

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

 

Picture from www.familytimes1986.blogspot.com

 

 

Die With Their Music In Them

You Can Do It Now

by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

I have watched men filled with potential and grace disengage from the challenging work of building the kingdom of God because they had failed a time or two. These were men of promise who could have been exceptional priesthood holders and servants of God. But because they stumbled and became discouraged, they withdrew from their priesthood commitments and pursued other but less worthy endeavors.

 

And thus, they go on, living only a shadow of the life they could have led, never rising to the potential that is their birthright. As the poet lamented, these are among those unfortunate souls who “die with [most of] their music [still] in them.”¹

 .  .  .

 

That does not mean that we should be comfortable with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an important difference between the sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.

 

^{1"The Voiceless" by Oliver Wendell Holmes}

 

The Touch of the Master's Hand

by Myra Brooks Welch

'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three," 
                            
But, No, 
                           
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow. "One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he. 
                            
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand." 
                           
And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone. But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand. 

Quotes from:

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Myra Brooks Welch

 

Pictures:

Touch of the Master's Hand from www.tractleague.com

Touch of the Master's Hand, print, from www.redbubble.com

 

Candlesticks and Redemption

Redemption

by Apostle D. Todd Christofferson

 

 

WHAT?

An example from Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, though fictional, has always touched and inspired me. Near the beginning of the story, Bishop Bienvenu gives food and overnight shelter to the homeless Jean Valjean, who has just been released from 19 years in prison for having stolen a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving children. Hardened and embittered, Valjean rewards Bishop Bienvenu’s kindness by stealing his silver goods. Later detained by suspicious gendarmes, Valjean falsely claims the silver was a gift to him. When the gendarmes drag him back to the bishop’s house, to Valjean’s great surprise, Bishop Bienvenu confirms his story and for good effect says, “‘But! I gave you the candlesticks also, which are silver like the rest, and would bring two hundred francs. Why did you not take them along with your plates?’ …

 

“The bishop approached him, and said, in a low voice:

 

“‘Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.’

 

“Jean Valjean, who had no recollection of this promise, stood confounded. The bishop … continued, solemnly:

“‘Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!’”

 

 

 Jean Valjean indeed became a new man, an honest man and a benefactor to many. Throughout his life he kept the two silver candlesticks to remind him that his life had been redeemed for God.¹

 

¹See Victor Hugo, Les Misérables (1992), 91–92

 

SO WHAT?

Les Misérables is, at its heart, a story of redemption.  Bishop Bienvenu is a type for Jesus Christ and Valjean is everyman - and woman.  We all have sinned, whether it be large, silver candlestick sins or small loaf of bread sins, and thus have fallen short of the Glory of God.  We all need to be redeemed by our Savior and Redeemer, for we owe a debt to justice that none of us can pay.

 

But the allegory goes even further as Valjean examines his life.  Remember his soliloquy?  "What have I become? A thief in the night?"  Valjean does make better choices in his life and, in turn, becomes a "savior" to many, including Fantine, Cosette, and Marius - even, to some extent, Javert.

 

NOW WHAT?

I have been saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Do I now sit around on my laurels or do I gird up my loins, pick up my cross, and serve my Father's children with all the love within me?  I believe the latter.  I strive to do that and pray for continued strength and the ability to press forward in His service as His disciple.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures:

Valjean from www.cultura.blogosphere.it

Bienvenu from www.wikia.com

Valjean with candlesticks from www.catholicfire.blogspot.com

Aspirational Attributes

 

V. Aspirational Attributes

WHAT?

The thirteenth article of faith provides special insight into how we should conduct our lives and present ourselves. It reads:

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
 

All of us should aspire to embody these attributes and lead lives that exemplify them. The truths taught in the Articles of Faith build upon one another like the components of a cell phone mutually supporting one another. Like the elaborate supply chain that adds components to a cell phone, the Articles of Faith supply us with key doctrines of the Restoration. Each article of faith adds unique value to our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.


SO WHAT?
 
The Prophet Joseph references the writings of Paul when he penned the thirteenth Article of Faith.  The quote comes from the fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippian Saints:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any ^gvirtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (verse 8)

 

NOW WHAT?
That verse was preceded by two of my favorite verses in scripture:

Be careful [full of care] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (verses 6, 7)

 

We live in a world full of care.  The only peace on earth that we can know is through Jesus Christ.  We do that through prayer and supplication, giving thanks for the multitudes of blessing given us by Him Who love us first.

 

With Thanksgiving just a little over a week away, it is wise to remember to thank God before we ask God.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

 

Picture from www.mormonshare.com

 

 

 

 

    

 

A World of Many Nations

The Articles of Faith Continue in the words of Elder Perry:

WHAT?
IV. [Sharing] the gospel in a world of many nations and various laws

We learn about the gathering of Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior.

The Gathering of Israel; Relief from the Mesa, Arizona, Temple

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

We are instructed that men and women are agents unto themselves, and they can either accept or reject the word of God according to their own conscience.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Finally, we learn as we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth that we must respect the governments of each nation we enter. Truly, we believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law of each land.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

 

 

SO WHAT?
Latter-day Saints are some of the most patriotic citizens of the United States.  My understanding is that they are also exemplary citizens of the other nations around the world where they live - 14 million strong.

 

NOW WHAT?

Having said that, I still look forward with joyous anticipation of when Jesus Christ will return and rule personally upon the earth.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

 

Picture:

Gathering of Israel from www.lds.org

Many faiths from www.patheous.org

We the people from multiple sources on the web

Eternal Resources in a Mortal Jouney

WHAT?

This doctrine is to the Church like a battery is to a cell phone. When you remove the battery from your cell phone, it becomes useless. A church in which true doctrine is no longer taught is similarly useless. It cannot guide us back to our Heavenly Father and our eternal home.

III. Eternal Resources in a Mortal Journey
 

The next three articles of faith—seven, eight, and nine—outline resources available to instruct us in our mortal journey. We are given spiritual gifts to guide us as we follow the Lord’s teachings and to protect us from evil. The scriptures are another guide; if we read carefully the word of God, He will reveal our path back to eternal life.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
 

 

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

The ninth article of faith teaches us that God has revealed, does reveal, and will reveal in the future many great and important truths to His prophets, seers, and revelators. We learn that in addition to listening to the still, small voice of the Spirit and reading the scriptures, another source of guidance is our Church leaders, who are chosen, called, and set apart to bless our lives through the lessons they teach.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom.

NOW WHAT?

It is such a comfort to know that we are not left alone.  The Lord loves us as much as He loved His children in ancient days.  He has given us spiritual gifts, including the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost.  He has given us scripture - ancient, modern, and on-going.  If we go the wrong way in life, it is because we have chosen to do so.  We cannot shake our fists at the Lord and say, "You don't understand.  You never warned me."

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Quotes from a Conference Address by Elder L. Tom Perry, October 2013

 

Pictures:

Jesus from unknown source

Spiritual gifts from www.newcov.tv

Scriptures from www.nothingwavering.org

Ensign to the Nations from www.lds.org/churchmagazines

 

The Organization and Order of the Priesthood

WHAT?
The second section of the Articles of Faith deals with the priesthood.  Elder Perry compared the doctrines of the Church with the battery of a cell phone.  A battery is a good analogy.  Extended that thought I would say that the priesthood is to the Church as a battery is to a cell phone - or any other battery powered item.  If you remove the battery, the cell phone won't work.  If you remove the priesthood - which is the power to act in God's name - then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no different from any other organization.  It is the priesthood that turns the keys of God's power on earth.

II. Organization and Order of the Priesthood

After we start to understand the basic doctrine of Christ, the fifth and sixth articles of faith teach us about the organization and order of the priesthood. Under the direction of the Lord, Joseph Smith organized the Savior’s Church using priesthood authority—the power of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same organization that Christ organized and directed while He was on the earth.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

 

SO WHAT?
The apostle, Paul, wrote to the Hebrew Saints: And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Hebrews 5:4)  Even Jesus Christ was called of God and ordained to his calling.  He held the priesthood.  Paul tells us that Jesus Christ was called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedek. (Hebrews 5:10)

The only two Christian Churches of which I know that claim divine authority directly from God are the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They claim to have it directly from Jesus Christ through Peter.  The Latter-day Saints understand that the authority was lost through apostasy and was restored through the resurrected John the Baptist and Apostles Peter, James, and John.

Paul also wrote to the Ephesians that Christ's Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner (Ephesians 2:20).

I don't know of any other Christian Church which has a foundation of living apostles and prophets.

A living Prophet with his Counselors
and the Quorum of living Twelve Apostles

NOW WHAT?

I'm still looking for my copy of The Articles of Faith by Talmage.  I may have to order a new copy.

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures:

Restoration of the Melchesidek Priesthood from www.lds.org

Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood from www.lds.org

Apostles and Prophets from www.lds.org/Ensign

The Godhead and the Basic Doctrine of Christ

The Doctrines and Principles Contained
in the Articles of Faith 

   by Apostle L. Tom Perry

WHAT?  

It is difficult to pick one thing that leaped out as I studied this conference address.  I met Elder Perry many years ago at a stake conference when I was asked to speak at the Saturday evening session.  I also used to see him walking to work at the Church Office Building in the morning when I was on my mission in Salt Lake City.  So I feel a special kinship with him and appreciate his wisdom.

I am choosing to talk about his entire talk and spread it out over several days.  One piece if it makes no sense without the other pieces.

He told the story of his Primary teacher when he was a boy, teaching his class about the Articles of Faith.  Among other things, she taught them that the articles can be grouped into five major topics.  What a great memory tool and an organizational tool to help us understand the precious doctrine contained in the articles.  I am inserting the references Article after each of Elder Perry's comments.  Here is the first of those five categories:  

I. The Godhead and the Basic Doctrine of Christ

We learn from the first article of faith that the Godhead is three personages: God the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
 

The second article teaches us that we are responsible for our own actions on earth.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

 

The third gives a vision of the Savior’s mission for the salvation of Father in Heaven’s children.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

 

The fourth teaches the importance of basic principles and ordinances.

 

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

SO WHAT?    
I memorized the Articles of Faith when I was in Primary and reviewed them as I taught my children.  I remember jogging in the morning with Sess when he was eleven; both of us reciting the articles in unison. 

In recent years, I haven't given them much thought.

NOW WHAT?    
Elder Perry wrote: The power of our teacher’s words has been a source of inspiration to me because of the emphasis she placed on gospel study. The scriptures guide us to a standard of truth by which we can judge the knowledge we are receiving, whether it be true or false. True doctrine comes from God, the source and foundation of all truths. The teachings and concepts of true doctrine are found in the gospel of our Lord and Savior.

Another Apostle (now since deceased), Elder James E. Talmage, wrote the quintessential book about the Articles of Faith.  Kim ho Jik, the first Korean convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said of Talmage's book that it was the best book on the Lord Jesus Christ that he had ever read.  Because it's been around for fifty-plus years, I have forgotten.   I want to re-read this landmark book on the Articles of Faith before Christmas! 

 

Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education

Picture from www.deseretbook.com