Seek Ye the Kingdom of God

Luke 12:13-34

Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink...
... But rather seek ye the kingdom of God;
and all these things shall be added unto you. 

The book of Luke details an event where the Savior of the world teaches apostles and those gathered a parable about inheritance and worldly posession. He teaches of how we are not to seek for the worldly inheritance and riches, but to seek for the kingdom of God.

The important teaching here is to evaluate, really check and search within ourselfs and see as to whether what we are focused on is the right thing to do. It's hard sometimes to put God first in our lifes above family and friends, above work and leisure commitments, or even above church commitments. I know from experience that the joy that comes from thinking first of God before the others is unparallelled to any.

'Considering the lillies', as the Savior teaches, which are in the fields unable to care for themselves can teach us a valuable lesson. Nobody looks afterthem, yet they remain. God looks after them and has put procesess in nature by which they can be sustained. He has a great plan for them, and a great plan for us. When we seek His will and His plan in our lives, we will truely flourish.Read the account and see the video depicting this teaching by clicking here.

The Savior of the world teaches us,

if we follow in God and His path

for us

we will not need to worry.

It requires pure faith and trust,

and the rest will be made up. 

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What is the Book of Mormon?

What is the Book of Mormon?

"Whatever our age, capacity
Mormons believe the Book of Mormon
does not replace the Bible;
rather, they are companion works of scripture
that together teach about God and Jesus Christ."

As members of the Church we all know of the Book of Mormon and what it teaches. We would have gained testimony of it that lead to baptism in this church rather than an other. The power of the Book of Mormon is unprecedented to any other book. It holds authority that no other book does.

Preach My Gospel teaches that the Book of Mormon is the foundation of our testimony. It likens it to an arch, if the keystone is removed it crumbles. The Book of Mormon is our keystone of testimony. The truths taught within span our entire religion.

Millions are testifying of the Book of Mormon around the world. Are you one of them? Share a video on Facebook, or pass a free copy on to a friend through either the local missionaries or online.

An Apostle of the Lord teaches
how we all can remember
the testimony we have, and share it, 
of the Book of Mormon.

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Member Missionary Work

Member Missionary Work

I've talked about it before, but I found something funny today about member missionary work.

Me and my companion were investigating into community service and I found a post card that made me laugh. I related it to member missionary work. Don't think mental health, think about talking to friends about the gospel.

 

As missionaries, we understand that it can be hard to talk to friends about the gospel. I would say - don't think about it as what we do on the streets. You aren't there to tell them about Joseph Smith receiving the priesthood on the Susquehanna river (unless they ask I suppose!). You want to aim at sharing with them when they're having a hard time with wayward kids about the youth programs in the church. Perhaps to speak about the spirit world when they grieve the loss of their loved ones. 

In whatever you do, remember that the best way to help someone understand the gospel is by making it part of everyday life and likening truth you know to questions they have. You don't have to be a doctrinal wizard, you merely need to testify of what the principle means to you and how it has changed your life.

Best of luck, try look for these opportunities this week :)

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We Are One

President Henry B. Eyring

"Whatever our age, capacity
church calling, or location,
we are as one,
called to the work to help
Him in His harvest of souls
until He comes again."

 

A talk from a conference of the church held in April 2013 motivates me. I am currently a religious missionary, but that will not last much longer (only 5 weeks infact!). That shouldn't and won't stop me from sharing the gospel message, and working in harmony with other members of the church in the same goal and action.

Everybody is taught from the Holy Bible of the importance of doing good to others, and bringing them unto Christ. Some are not there yet, those of us who are with Christ must bring the rest of us there too.

Informatively I watched a video this morning about the tree of life as shared in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 8. It teaches of a dream had by a prophet, Lehi, detailing the state of the world we live in. It teaches of how in many ways people will find it too hard, not worth it, and unproductive to be a disciple of Christ. I pray we know better, that we can guide our friends and neighbours along the path leading to Christ and eternal life.

An Apostle of the Lord teaches
we are all one in the same cause
and in the same calling
to brings souls to Christ,
and to bring the gospel to all.

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The Reason Behind Conversion

D&C 88:22

For he who is not able to abide
the law of a celestial kingdom, 
cannot abide a celestial glory.

 

A new mormon message came out from a 2006 talk by Richard G Scott about rock climbing. He likens how some people go soloing, and it's very dangerous, versus people who go in groups or together with the right equipment, which is quite safe.

Just like rock climbing alone can be dangerous, living your life without the help of the Savior can have disastrous consequences. We all don't want to be 'that guy' who tells people that without the Savior they cannot truely be happy. They can be very happy people, you can indeed live your life just great without the Savior in it at all. I wasn't there, but I can safely say there were many happy and fulfilled people all throughout time in non-christian areas of the world, and will continue to be.

What is the truth though, is what we cannot see from our side of the veil. It is the fact that we cannot live in happiness for eternity without the Savior, Jesus Christ. His atonement ransomed us from sin, and his atonement allows us entrance to the Celestial Kingdom of God.

Dallin H Oaks put a very good point across which can be found in Preach My Gospel:

"We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this"

Rock climbing alone can be dangerous,
when we go prepared, we can be safe. 
This is like salvation.
When we want to be safe, and
return to God, we need Christ.

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Learning from Children

3 Nephi 17:21-23

And he took their little children, one by one, 
and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
And when he had done this he wept.

And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them:
Behold your little ones.

 

Elder Ballard, one of the Lord's twelve apostles in our day said of this scripture: "Notice that He didn't say 'glance at them' or 'casually observe them' or 'occasionally take a look in their general direction.' He said to behold them. To me that means that we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divine attributes".

I think it is important to take many lessons from these children. We need to always remember the simple humility that they posses. They were with God more recently than us, and still have that purity about them. They can be little devils, but they have no real pride or guile like we can often have. 

When we drop the technicalities, the 'what' and 'how's of a situation, and think of the reason 'why' we do things, we can see that some activities are more important than others. We can see what really matters, just as a child so often does. 

The boys in this video each learn
an important lesson which sticks with them
throughout their life. They learn that showing love
instead of playing tricks is more rewarding,
and teach many along the way.

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The Grain of Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain, 
Remove hence to yonder place
and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

I think in our lives we have changing levels of faith displayed. For every moment we have an amount of faith in a person or a thing or a principle based on our experiences with it. The above scripture declares that all we need to move mountains is faith as a grain of mustard seed. The picture above shows just how small that is; the seeds are usually 1mm or 2mm in diameter.

For me, the size isn't really what makes it, it is the fact that it is physical, and an object. Most likely used because in Christ's time that would likely have been the smallest conceivable object to the people, and yet they don't even have that much faith.

It says a lot to me that our faith isn't quite a tangible object, and we might think that we have a lot of faith, but in actual fact, we don't have as much as we had hoped. Joseph B Wirthlin (one of the Lords apostles in our day) says something similar, he likens it to a fire. Some people may feel like their testimony is strong, their fire is powerful, when actually it is only a candle flame compared to another person's roaring bonfire. This is applicable to faith too, we may feel like we have enough faith to overcome challenges, or to receive inspiration and revelation, but in actual fact it is not much at all.

When trials come, we need our faith to be as strong as possible.

The girl in this video learns the truthfulness of
the Book of Mormon, by asking and praying 
to God in faith. Her faith helped her find a crucial
answer; what can your faith do for you?

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Give Thanks Daily

Alma 34:38

Take upon you the name of Christ...
...live in the spirit of thanksgiving daily, 
for the many mercies and blessings which he doth 
bestow upon you.

I am trying at the moment to develop charity. I have realised this week a lot more of what charity is. Charity is essentially pure love, in the way that Christ would love somebody. When we do things for others without realising that it's either tasking our time and effort or other resources, and not minding it, it is an act of charity. 

I've always tried to be charitable by finding ways to do good, which of course is good, but I feel just as richly when I realise that what I am doing constantly for another is charitable living. When we develop an attitude of gratitude, we see the good in more and more people, and selflessly serve.

It's more often than not the small and simple things which we can be grateful for which help our perspective change. God has done so much for us in sending Christ for all men to be forgiven through. I hope each day I can recognise the small ways Christ's gift to me has blessed not only my life, but the lives of others I meet and serve.

 This video teaches us the things each day
we can be grateful for, and how that
brings happiness in hard times and in good.

"We should thank the Lord God in all things"

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Fear Not What Man Can Do

Moroni 8:16-17

I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love

I was shown this scripture yesterday and I thought it was such a great scripture! It really helped me to reflect about just what our potentials in life can be. We can often get dragged down by the negative things, dwell on them too long and then fear. Many times in the scriptures and in modern revelation we are told that God is almighty and can overcome all things (because he created them!!) If we have faith then we can see this be fulfilled in our lives.

A little bit of faith can change any situation for the better, and allow healing and happiness for our souls.

Watch a video which teaches how faith can overcome
all fears and doubts we may have in this life.
God's love can surround us and make us better
and stronger individuals, who rely on Him.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go

 

The bishop here in Maidstone has really felt the spirit from the World Wide Missionary Broadcast. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are taught to share good principles, morals and values that we personally have developed with our friends and family, to bring the same happiness into their lives that we enjoy. The church very recently broadcasted a meeting which presented and discussed multiple ways to share this joy with others, and how to become involved in the missionary program which is recognised world-wide.

Do you want to try and share your beliefs with others, or find more joy in serving? Do you know friends who could really use a better reason to smile, or chat? I feel that there isn't ever a good enough reason to not want others to enjoy the same blessings that you personally enjoy. I wish everybody I knew had the same happiness that I enjoy from my beliefs, and I want to be able to share it with everybody; however I recognise that comes little by little, not from big displays but from small examples and kind acts.

Watch a video from the broadcast on missionary work.
Without words, it teaches and speaks loudly of the ways

we as children of God can share joy with those around us.

Missionary work becomes easy when we see how normal it can be.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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The Family is of God

Something I wanted to share about this week is the family. I think it's very important to consider the lesson taught by 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World'.

When we think about the way we are as people, we cannot help but think that it is the way we were raised that has one of the biggest influences in our behavior, our attitude, even our thoughts. It's a good thing to live positively and happily, and that starts by how we think and act. If we want to be happy, we can do a lot to get there. There's a lot to be said for people who go through life looking at the downside of things rather than the upside; glass half-empty people.

I think about the way I was raised as a kid. I know that my parents reflected upon the words taught in the referenced proclamation. It teaches how we are all created in God's image and we are all his children. It teaches how we can inherit eternal life; in fact it is our destiny to do so. It tells of how important every single human life is. It shares the importance of marriage and having a husband and wife lead the family.

I am grateful for my parents example of sticking through it even during hard times, and their teachings supporting this proclamation that I personally had divine worth. They never gave up on me, and always supported me and encouraged me to do good things with my life. I felt love as they told me that I had a Father in heaven that loved me more than anybody else, and more than I could possibly imagine. This has caused me to always reflect back on what they have said, and be able to link that concept and fact to every decision I make.

I know that I am not just someone, but everything, to God.

Watch this video talking about the important 

responsibility of raising children in Faith.

Parents need to work together to bring the best out

of their children, and help them reach their full potential.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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God Raises us by Miracles

Here's a great scripture I found in the Bible. 

1 Corinthians 6:14 - "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." 

I think this is remarkable, and there are two parts to this scripture, the first addressing the raising up of the Lord, the second of us. 

God raised Christ in many different ways. He raised him in righteousness, literally teaching him and instructing him. He grew in strength, maturity and spirituality, all to become our example. He was raised in an environment of spirit, because the role of the Savior is completely key in eternal life for all living people. 

He knew he was a man, and physically surrounded by negative influence which could make him stumble like we all do, but because of this, God sent angels and teachers to Him from birth so that he would be able to withstand any influence of evil, which he did many many times. 

Because of the Father's constant watchful care of the Savior, his Son, he became the Messiah who saved us all. 

He cares about his all of his children. He raises us up through inspiration, scriptures, prophets, angels (including those mortals around us), action of service and so forth. All of these are ways for us to grow and learn and develop, and he nurtures and nourishes us all. 

If you have children, you could understand better the scope of Heavenly Fathers love for us. If you don't have children, try imagine what it would be like to have a child you love unconditionally, and the desires and wishes you would have for that child. It's something that I can only imagine, and for me it seems like a rewarding prospect spiritually for personal development. 

I think that the powers by which God works by, as stated in this scripture, are miracles. He provided a Savior for us all that we can be saved, and he provides that we can all return to live with him in peace and happiness which lasts forever. There were many miracles in the life of
Jesus, and there are many miracles in our life too. We ought to seek these out, and thank God for the many miracles he provides for us daily. 

Watch this video comparing the role of this father 

on earth to that of our Heavenly Father. He believes

his children teach him lessons which he

can relate to his personal relationship with God.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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Choose the Right

In our Church, there is a phrase that has become very common and well known over the years - "Choose the Right". It's so well known, that many people wear rings with "CTR" on it (standing for Choose the Right), a small reminder that impacts decisions to live better daily.

As a child I remember getting really angry with my parents at an LDS shop which sold lots of churchy things, including lots of styles of CTR rings. I thought they were awesome, and particularly liked the look of one of them. Being the child I was, I would not quit until I got it (never mind it was an adult size, and about £75!), and so I blew the store down whining for about 20 minutes. They said I couldn't have it, tried to show their case, but I wouldn't give up until we left the store, and I had nothing at all, despite my brothers and sisters getting stuff.

Just a year ago I went to a similar shop down in the south where I live now, looking at these rings again. I was reminded of this story, and chuckled a bit! Despite not getting the ring I wanted, I got a different one later; and I always remembered the phrase, Choose the Right, which I know this impacted my life.

I now understand that each day when I choose the right, I am getting closer and closer to happiness, and our Father in Heaven. It's not about setting a goal of perfection and then striving to do it, it's about improving a little each day, and being happy with reaching the goals set.

Here's a great video about Jeremy. He believes
each persons life is important to God, 
and it's important what we personally do each day.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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God Lifts Us Up

In the April 2013 general conference of the LDS church, Preisdent Dieter F. Uctdorf provided and suggested three ways of 'opening our eyes to the hope of God's light'. He informs us that once we have found where we are, found our bearings in the path of the Lord, that we simply must 'walk in the light'.

I made a graphic (which you're welcome to share) from what he instructed us, which said "he desires that you rise up and become the person you were designed to be". I think this is a great thought we can all draw help from. When we remember what God has done for us, all that he has provided, (quite literally everything!) we can hardly be grateful enough. All he wants in return, is for us to use it all to rise up and be happy! He wants us to follow the Savior, Jesus Christ, and be good. He wants us to see His expectations for us, and try our best to meet those.

Much like the graphic above, we need help to rise up. It's not enough to desire to just rise up, we won't get much higher than we ever have been! We need tools, much like the hang glider. The hope of God's light is the hope we need to lift us higher. If we want to become great, we cannot do it on our own! We must rely and trust on the instruments the Lord provides for us, and they can lift us as high as we want to go. 

I hope we realise in our lives that the tools are there, we can rise high, but we cannot do it on our own. He wants to help us through our mistakes, and help us indeed to be the person we were designed to be.

The Will of God is an inspiring video about how 

God cuts us down, but he will lift us up each time.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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Open the Door

On LDS.org, finding Revelations chapter 3 has the header, right before it begins with scripture: 

He who overcomes will retain his name in the book of life, reach godhood, and be with Jesus as He is with the Father.

This is good information to remember, as Christians we know that we will be saved because of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. To overcome in this sense we can take to mean overcoming temptations, sin, all things negative and indeed things evil. Google provides with suggestions of what the word "overcome" might mean:

• Succeed in dealing with
• Defeat; prevail

What do these mean? I understand them to mean that through overcoming sin, which of course is only possible through the Savior, we are succeeding in fulfilling God's plan and vision for us - to become happy, to gain eternal life. Also to defeat sin is interesting visually, in our lives we can defeat sin through prayer, scripture study, and all the good stuff we've been taught from being young, and even are still being taught today.

20 verses in there is a very informative scripture:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him...

I find this part of the verse very important - back to what I said a second ago about defeating Sin, we must first open the door (so to speak) between us and the Savior, before we can be with him. Letting him in is very important, it is essentially allowing change in our lives, and helping us to overcome troubles and trials we have every day. Until we open the door, as a famous painting by Warner Sallman and many others have depicted, we cannot overcome the mountains in our life that are too often too hard to climb.

I know that strength comes from an unseen source, when we humbly open the door to the Savior in our lives.

Mountains to Climb is a humbling video about how the Savior 

gives strength through all of our hard times, if we open to him.

Click to watch, and please share with friends!

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