| Stake Conference |
| Brian L Taylor <bjt087@gmail.com> | Sun, Feb 24, 2013 at 4:25 PM | |
| To: Wilford Scott <scott.wilford@gmail.com> | ||
| ||
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
February 20, 2013, Wilford Woodruff Home
February 20, 2013:
I served with Sister Brooks today at the Wilford Woodruff Home. It was a pretty quiet day for the most part. Toward afternoon, a man (Alex) came for a tour. He mainly said he wanted history, not spiritual stuff. He sure asked a lot of spiritual questions as well as history questions. We answered them as well as we could. He decided to take a Book of Mormon with him to read again. He said he had already read it. He said he was researching lots of churches. I don't remember the ones he named. He didn't want to fill out a quest card but the sisters that served in the Brigham Young Home said he took one with him. Sister Brooks was talking to him in front of the temple and we pulled up. I got out and went to talk to them. He said it had been an intellectually and spiritually invigorating day for him. He said he was going to Springfield but then he said he decided to head home to Anna, Illinois because of the weather forecast. Smart man! I hope he gets home safely. As it says in Rendezvous, "He seemed to be a right good man". Oh and he said he went to the Brickyard and showed us his souvenir brick. I pray he can find what he is searching for and have a good life. Hopefully he will come back again sometime. It would be interesting to know the rest of the story but I trust Heavenly Father knows and will take care of it. So I guess I don't have to know the rest of the story.
I served with Sister Brooks today at the Wilford Woodruff Home. It was a pretty quiet day for the most part. Toward afternoon, a man (Alex) came for a tour. He mainly said he wanted history, not spiritual stuff. He sure asked a lot of spiritual questions as well as history questions. We answered them as well as we could. He decided to take a Book of Mormon with him to read again. He said he had already read it. He said he was researching lots of churches. I don't remember the ones he named. He didn't want to fill out a quest card but the sisters that served in the Brigham Young Home said he took one with him. Sister Brooks was talking to him in front of the temple and we pulled up. I got out and went to talk to them. He said it had been an intellectually and spiritually invigorating day for him. He said he was going to Springfield but then he said he decided to head home to Anna, Illinois because of the weather forecast. Smart man! I hope he gets home safely. As it says in Rendezvous, "He seemed to be a right good man". Oh and he said he went to the Brickyard and showed us his souvenir brick. I pray he can find what he is searching for and have a good life. Hopefully he will come back again sometime. It would be interesting to know the rest of the story but I trust Heavenly Father knows and will take care of it. So I guess I don't have to know the rest of the story.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
February 18, 2013, Elder Miller's Debut!
Elder Miller's Debut!
Inbox
x
Inbox
Dear Joseph Cast,
We had quite a night last night! Elder Miller did a super job for his first time and I personally loved the "back pedaling" he did in the early scene with Sister Newman, when George has walked off the stage. Many thanks to the Newmans who have helped to train so many Doctors and Editors in our cast. What wonderful examples and supportive missionaries they are!
Germers and Johnsons... we are only to glad to fill in so you don't have to risk your lives on the icy roads. We missed you at the wonderful spaghetti dinner put on by the Jennings, Gneitings and Munhozs. We had some fun as Elder Sims prepared the part of Man #1 in Willingly very quickly that night. Thanks to Elder O.Poulsen for the quick tutorial in the Green Room.
We had the Murdochs and Sister Miller and President and Sister Gilliland as our very sympathetic audience to our follies. Sister Mendenhall was a trouper and came back to MAN the prompter's chair after losing her "cookies" in the trashcan. Now there's the Pioneer Spirit in action!
We had a good laugh as the curtain got closed on Thomas and Elizabeth a bit too soon. I am sure that won't happen again.
I think you are all doing a wonderful job and we continue to improve as we go.
Enjoy the sunshine today...they say a big storm is blowing in on Thursday.
Love,
Sister Poulsen
| ||||||||
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
February 11, 2012, email from Sister Poulsen about the Joseph cast
The Joseph Cast is FANTASTIC!
Inbox
x
Inbox
Dear missionaries,
I don't know when or where I have seen a better show than tonight! You sounded and looked energetic from start to finish and the sound was GREAT! Welcome was all timed perfectly and whoever did that horse sound....WOW ! Who WAS that ? (Elder Scott!)
Peter and Abigail....you were WORD PERFECT! Okay everybody ....the standard has been set. LOVED Elder Spencer's facial expressions and comedic timing! S/Spencer you looked as lovely and were as sweet as ever.
Noah and Sophia,.....HOORAY for Elder Johnson....You were total perfection tonight. You had your whole body going in rhythm!! That was SO GREAT! You nailed it tonight. You both looked and sounded so good.
Sorry about Sister Mendenhall going out the back door and exposing Abigail back there. That was TOTALLY my fault. I wanted her to go on tonight and be able to get out the back because of her cast. Next time.....Abigail will need to stand back and let her out .....THEN come up those stairs. I just didn't think ahead.
Thanks to the Gillilands for another wonderful performance and with Sister G. not feeling well. No one could tell I'm sure.
Jed and Annie....Thank you for NOT banging those pots while you said your lines....that was PERFECT! You both projected really well tonight. I could hear every word from the back.
Geroge and Agatha....your timing was impeccable....as usual....with the large crowd....it was so perfect when you WAITED for the laughter about the picture of women without mouths....and THEN you proceeded on ...so the audience didn't miss the next line. Sharp thinking on your part Sister Newman. Elder Newman....LOVED the pause at the end before the AMEN! The audience went wild!!!
Doctorr...Elder Jennings....THAT WAS A PERFECT DELIVERY! The best I have seen you do so far! You kept the scene moving and the audience was LOVING it!
You ALL did such a GREAT job! And the Relief Society sewed with their LEFT hands! WHOOT! We can do ANYTHING now! Too bad that camera wasn't rolling tonight!
Thank you everyone! That was a memorable performance and didn't we have FUN in the Green Room tonight....thanks Sister Green...the motion machine! Now THAT performance should have been captured ON FILM!!!
Love you all,
Sister Poulsen
| ||||||||
Monday, February 11, 2013
February 10, 2013, Relief Society lesson I gave
God, the
Eternal Father
It’s found
on page 36 in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith lesson book.
Sister Call
had agreed to relate a story from her youth to us and then she got called to go
with her companion, President Call, to fulfill another assignment. She gave me
permission to have it read to us and Sister Skidmore has agreed to read it and
then bear her testimony.
“The
purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and
His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad,
knowing that ‘this God is our God forever and ever, and He will be our Guide
until death.’ (Psalm 48:14)
Because I
know the vast amount of knowledge that sits before me and that I could only
bring to your remembrance things that you already know, I am asking for your
help on this sacred subject.
Throughout
the lessons in Sunday school and Relief Society in the last few weeks, even
before the ice storm Sunday, we have been discussing how Joseph Smith’s parents
and even his progenitors sought to know the true God. Joseph’s own parents were
deeply spiritual, and although they did not find the full truth about God in
the churches around them, they honored the Bible as God’s word and made prayer
a part of daily life.
This early
spiritual training sank deep into young Joseph Smith’s soul. When he became
concerned about his eternal welfare and sought to know which church to join, he
knew he could turn to God for answers.
As Joseph
learned in the scriptures that God was the same yesterday, today, and forever,
that he was no respecter to persons, for he was God, he looked around himself
and saw evidence of an “omnipotent and omnipresent power” in the world.
What are
some of the things you observe when you look around you that bear testimony of
God? Think about just the things here in Nauvoo. One of the sisters I served
with in a site told me it’s like living in the Garden of Eden. Of course this
time of year they would have to warm it up a bit! So, what are some of the
things you have seen, not only here in Nauvoo, but where ever you’ve been?
Will the
sister I gave # 1 to, please read how Joseph Smith answered this question?
Joseph’s
faithful prayer for mercy and wisdom was answered with the first vision. That
vision gave the young Prophet far greater knowledge about God than any of the
churches of his day possessed, knowledge that had been lost to the world for
centuries. In the First Vision, Joseph learned for himself that the Father and
the Son are individual beings, that Their power is greater than the power of
evil, and that man is indeed fashioned in God’s image---truths that are
essential in understanding our actual relationship to our Father in Heaven.
Will the
sister I gave # 2 to please read it?
In my mind it seems to come down to faith.
Faith that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, faith that he did have the first
vision and had authority to speak for God. Then we can learn from what Joseph
taught about the nature of God and our relationship to God. So let’s explore
the teachings of Joseph Smith about God, the Eternal Father.
On page 39, the
first thing under Teachings of joseph Smith, read to yourselves the first three
paragraphs looking for teachings that reveal the character of God:
1- He is the Great
Parent of the universe.
2- He cares for us
like a parent.
3- He views us as
His offspring.
4- He doesn’t have
feelings like those that influence man.
5- He is not a
respecter of persons/He causes ‘His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and
sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.’ [Matthew 5:45]
6- He is the great
source and fountain from whence proceeds all good.
7- He is perfect
intelligence.
8- * His wisdom is
alone sufficient to govern and regulate the mighty creations and worlds which
shine and blaze with such magnificence and splendor over our heads, as though
touched with His finger and moved by His Almighty word….The heavens declare the
glory of a God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork [see Psalms 19:1]; and
a moments reflection is sufficient to teach every man of common intelligence,
that all these are not mere productions of chance, nor could they be supported
by any power less than an Almighty hand.”
9- He sees
everything we do and knows our hearts.
Sister read
# 3.
We really do
have cause to rejoice and be glad, don’t we?
Now, I can
kind of understand how those who don’t have prophets leading and guiding them
get confused about The Godhead. All through the scriptures it talks about God,
Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost being one.
The first
Article of Faith is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son,
Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”
Joseph Smith
taught the following in April 1843, later recorded in Doctrine and Covenants
130:22: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son
also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage
of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.”
“Any person
that had seen the heavens opened knows that there are three personages in the
heavens who hold the keys of power, and one presides over all. These
personages...are called God, the first, the Creator; God the second, the
Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator.”
“[It is] the
province of the Father to preside as the Chief or President, Jesus as the
mediator, and the Holy Ghost as the Testator or Witness.”
*If time
have sisters take turns reading bottom of page 39 and page 40: When we comprehend the character of God, we
comprehend ourselves and know how to approach Him.
If not, go
to testimony and conclusion.
*I know that
God, the Eternal Father is the literal Father of our spirits and this being the
case; we are literally gods in embryo. I know that our loving Heavenly Father
put into place the plan of salvation, whereby our spirits could get a physical
body, fashioned in the image and likeness of His own, and gain salvation.
I know that
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That He, being a God in His own right,
came to earth to show us how to live by His very example, suffered and died for
us, and was resurrected, showing us that we too will be resurrected.
I know that
Jesus Christ didn’t leave us comfortless. He, again according to the plan of
salvation that the Loving Father of our spirits put into place, gave us the
Holy Ghost to guide us, comfort us, and help us come to the knowledge of things
we knew before the veil was put over our eyes at birth.
I know God
and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three different and separate persons
just like we are all different and separate people; and I quote from the last
few words in the lesson: “but they are united and all agree in one or the
selfsame thing.”
I am
grateful for this knowledge, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Thanks to
each of you, who have touched our hearts and minds with your comments.
I would
invite you to read this lesson through if you haven’t already (it is only 6
pages, well, 7 if you include the notes). Read of Joseph Smith’s story and
testimony and do as he did; pray about it and receive your own witness through
the Holy Ghost of these things.
TO GREATER UNDERSTANDING
Sister Mary Jean
Call
As told
to Sister Bonita Skidmore
I grew up in
Louisiana. My mother was a Baptist and my father was a
Catholic. Because there was a small Baptist church within walking
distance, I attended that church and went to Bible Vacation School every
summer.
I was about 9
years old when I went this particular summer, and the classes were about God
and who he was. They taught me that he was so large that he filled the
universe and so small that he could dwell in my heart.
I couldn't
understand this so I came home and asked my mother to explain God to me.
I remember that she went into the other room and got her Bible because
she was a good Bible reading Christian; but whatever she read to me or taught
me, I can't remember. It must have not been profound because I
don't remember what she said.
So still not
understanding, I went out to play in our big pecan orchard. It was
a clear summer day, and I looked into what I thought must be heaven and only
saw one little white fluffy cloud in the sky. Since God had been
explained to me as a wispy sort of being, I thought, “Are you God?”
As I looked at
the cloud, I said to myself: If you are God, I don't understand
you. Because you don't have any eyes, you can't see me. You don't have any
ears, so you can't hear me. You don't have a mouth, so you can't tell me
anything. You don't have any hands; you can't even help me. And you
don’t have any feet; you can't even come to me.
So I knelt down,
and asked, “God, someday help me understand who you are.” It was
important to me; and with my question being sent to Heaven and as children do,
I got up, began playing and forgot it.
Much later, when
I was 27 years old, had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
at age 20, had married in the temple and had 3 children, I was called to teach
the monthly Spiritual Living Lesson in Relief Society. The sisters I
would be teaching were older and seasoned in the church. They intimidated
me, and I was worried sick. I prayed for help and studied and studied and
studied as I prepared.
The day of my
lesson, I got up at 5:00 in the morning while the children were all asleep so I
could review and make sure I had my lesson the way I wanted it to be.
While I was studying it, this deep impression came into my mind.
“Remember when you were a child, and you
asked to know who I am.”
I did immediately
remember, and the mental picture appeared to me of my younger self kneeling in
that orchard and praying, God, someday help me understand who you
are.
The impression
continued, “You were a child, and you've forgotten; but I am God, and I never
forget. And today you are teaching who I am.”
I was amazed
because that was the first time I had thought of that incident in all these
years. All those thoughts came flooding back into my mind, and I
felt so thankful because now I knew. God the Father had a body, and
he had all those special parts: eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet.
Not only do I
know it, now it's my turn to teach it.
I did teach that
lesson and felt a great comfort in the personal revelation that had come to me
that morning.
My testimony has
continued to grow; and today I have the opportunity of serving a full time
mission in the Nauvoo Illinois Mission. I get to share my testimony
every day of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I am so thankful
that I understand who God truly is.
Now when I look
into the sky and see a beautiful wispy cloud, I am grateful for it, but I know
it isn’t God – because God does have eyes to see my needs, ears to hear my
prayers and deepest desires, lips to whisper to my heart and give me personal
revelation; arms to encircle me with peace and love; and feet to come to me
when I invite him in.
“The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad, knowing that ‘this God is our God forever and ever, and He will be our Guide until death.’ (Psalm 48:14)
Because I know the vast amount of knowledge that sits before me and that I could only bring to your remembrance things that you already know, I am asking for your help on this sacred subject.
Throughout the lessons in Sunday school and Relief Society in the last few weeks, even before the ice storm Sunday, we have been discussing how Joseph Smith’s parents and even his progenitors sought to know the true God. Joseph’s own parents were deeply spiritual, and although they did not find the full truth about God in the churches around them, they honored the Bible as God’s word and made prayer a part of daily life.
This early spiritual training sank deep into young Joseph Smith’s soul. When he became concerned about his eternal welfare and sought to know which church to join, he knew he could turn to God for answers.
As Joseph learned in the scriptures that God was the same yesterday, today, and forever, that he was no respecter to persons, for he was God, he looked around himself and saw evidence of an “omnipotent and omnipresent power” in the world.
What are some of the things you observe when you look around you that bear testimony of God? Think about just the things here in Nauvoo. One of the sisters I served with in a site told me it’s like living in the Garden of Eden. Of course this time of year they would have to warm it up a bit! So, what are some of the things you have seen, not only here in Nauvoo, but where ever you’ve been?
Will the sister I gave # 1 to, please read how Joseph Smith answered this question?
Joseph’s faithful prayer for mercy and wisdom was answered with the first vision. That vision gave the young Prophet far greater knowledge about God than any of the churches of his day possessed, knowledge that had been lost to the world for centuries. In the First Vision, Joseph learned for himself that the Father and the Son are individual beings, that Their power is greater than the power of evil, and that man is indeed fashioned in God’s image---truths that are essential in understanding our actual relationship to our Father in Heaven.
Will the sister I gave # 2 to please read it?
In my mind it seems to come down to faith. Faith that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, faith that he did have the first vision and had authority to speak for God. Then we can learn from what Joseph taught about the nature of God and our relationship to God. So let’s explore the teachings of Joseph Smith about God, the Eternal Father.
On page 39, the first thing under Teachings of joseph Smith, read to yourselves the first three paragraphs looking for teachings that reveal the character of God:
1- He is the Great Parent of the universe.
2- He cares for us like a parent.
3- He views us as His offspring.
4- He doesn’t have feelings like those that influence man.
5- He is not a respecter of persons/He causes ‘His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.’ [Matthew 5:45]
6- He is the great source and fountain from whence proceeds all good.
7- He is perfect intelligence.
8- * His wisdom is alone sufficient to govern and regulate the mighty creations and worlds which shine and blaze with such magnificence and splendor over our heads, as though touched with His finger and moved by His Almighty word….The heavens declare the glory of a God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork [see Psalms 19:1]; and a moments reflection is sufficient to teach every man of common intelligence, that all these are not mere productions of chance, nor could they be supported by any power less than an Almighty hand.”
9- He sees everything we do and knows our hearts.
Sister read # 3.
“The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad, knowing that ‘this God is our God forever and ever, and He will be our Guide until death.’ (Psalm 48:14)
Because I know the vast amount of knowledge that sits before me and that I could only bring to your remembrance things that you already know, I am asking for your help on this sacred subject.
Throughout the lessons in Sunday school and Relief Society in the last few weeks, even before the ice storm Sunday, we have been discussing how Joseph Smith’s parents and even his progenitors sought to know the true God. Joseph’s own parents were deeply spiritual, and although they did not find the full truth about God in the churches around them, they honored the Bible as God’s word and made prayer a part of daily life.
This early spiritual training sank deep into young Joseph Smith’s soul. When he became concerned about his eternal welfare and sought to know which church to join, he knew he could turn to God for answers.
As Joseph learned in the scriptures that God was the same yesterday, today, and forever, that he was no respecter to persons, for he was God, he looked around himself and saw evidence of an “omnipotent and omnipresent power” in the world.
What are some of the things you observe when you look around you that bear testimony of God? Think about just the things here in Nauvoo. One of the sisters I served with in a site told me it’s like living in the Garden of Eden. Of course this time of year they would have to warm it up a bit! So, what are some of the things you have seen, not only here in Nauvoo, but where ever you’ve been?
Will the sister I gave # 1 to, please read how Joseph Smith answered this question?
For I looked
upon the sun, the glorious luminary of the earth, and also the moon rolling in
[its] majesty through the heavens and also the stars shining in their course;
and the earth also upon which I stood, and the beast of the field and the fowls
of heaven and the fish of the waters; and also man walking forth upon the face
of the earth in majesty and in the strength of beauty, [with] power and intelligence
in governing the things which are so exceedingly great and marvelous, even in
the likeness of Him who created them.
“And when I
considered upon these things my heart exclaimed, Well hath the wise man said it
is a fool that saith in his heart there is no God [see Psalms 53:1]. My heart exclaimed,
All these bear testimony an bespeak an omnipotent and omnipresent power, a
Being who maketh laws and decreeth and bindeth all in their bounds, who filleth
eternity, who was and is and will be from all eternity to eternity. And when I
considered all these things and that that Being seeketh such to worship Him as
worship Him in spirit and in truth [see John 4:23], therefore I cried unto the
Lord for mercy, for there was none else to whom I could go and obtain mercy.”
Joseph’s faithful prayer for mercy and wisdom was answered with the first vision. That vision gave the young Prophet far greater knowledge about God than any of the churches of his day possessed, knowledge that had been lost to the world for centuries. In the First Vision, Joseph learned for himself that the Father and the Son are individual beings, that Their power is greater than the power of evil, and that man is indeed fashioned in God’s image---truths that are essential in understanding our actual relationship to our Father in Heaven.
Will the sister I gave # 2 to please read it?
Other
revelations about the nature of God followed, including many that are now in
our latter-day scriptures. As God’s chosen instrument in restoring gospel truth
to the world, the Prophet testified of God throughout his ministry. “I am going
to inquire after God,” he declared, “for I want you all to know Him….You will then
know that I am His servant; for I speak as one having authority.”
In my mind it seems to come down to faith. Faith that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, faith that he did have the first vision and had authority to speak for God. Then we can learn from what Joseph taught about the nature of God and our relationship to God. So let’s explore the teachings of Joseph Smith about God, the Eternal Father.
On page 39, the first thing under Teachings of joseph Smith, read to yourselves the first three paragraphs looking for teachings that reveal the character of God:
1- He is the Great Parent of the universe.
2- He cares for us like a parent.
3- He views us as His offspring.
4- He doesn’t have feelings like those that influence man.
5- He is not a respecter of persons/He causes ‘His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.’ [Matthew 5:45]
6- He is the great source and fountain from whence proceeds all good.
7- He is perfect intelligence.
8- * His wisdom is alone sufficient to govern and regulate the mighty creations and worlds which shine and blaze with such magnificence and splendor over our heads, as though touched with His finger and moved by His Almighty word….The heavens declare the glory of a God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork [see Psalms 19:1]; and a moments reflection is sufficient to teach every man of common intelligence, that all these are not mere productions of chance, nor could they be supported by any power less than an Almighty hand.”
9- He sees everything we do and knows our hearts.
Sister read # 3.
“The
purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and
His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad,
knowing that ‘this God is our God forever and ever; and He will be our guide
until death.’ [Psalm 48:14.]
We really do have cause to rejoice and be glad, don’t we?
Now, I can kind of understand how those who don’t have prophets leading and guiding them get confused about The Godhead. All through the scriptures it talks about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost being one.
The first Article of Faith is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”
Joseph Smith taught the following in April 1843, later recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 130:22: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.”
“Any person that had seen the heavens opened knows that there are three personages in the heavens who hold the keys of power, and one presides over all. These personages...are called God, the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator.”
“[It is] the province of the Father to preside as the Chief or President, Jesus as the mediator, and the Holy Ghost as the Testator or Witness.”
*If time have sisters take turns reading bottom of page 39 and page 40: When we comprehend the character of God, we comprehend ourselves and know how to approach Him.
If not, go to testimony and conclusion.
*I know that God, the Eternal Father is the literal Father of our spirits and this being the case; we are literally gods in embryo. I know that our loving Heavenly Father put into place the plan of salvation, whereby our spirits could get a physical body, fashioned in the image and likeness of His own, and gain salvation.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. That He, being a God in His own right, came to earth to show us how to live by His very example, suffered and died for us, and was resurrected, showing us that we too will be resurrected.
I know that Jesus Christ didn’t leave us comfortless. He, again according to the plan of salvation that the Loving Father of our spirits put into place, gave us the Holy Ghost to guide us, comfort us, and help us come to the knowledge of things we knew before the veil was put over our eyes at birth.
I know God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three different and separate persons just like we are all different and separate people; and I quote from the last few words in the lesson: “but they are united and all agree in one or the selfsame thing.”
I am grateful for this knowledge, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Thanks to each of you, who have touched our hearts and minds with your comments.
I would invite you to read this lesson through if you haven’t already (it is only 6 pages, well, 7 if you include the notes). Read of Joseph Smith’s story and testimony and do as he did; pray about it and receive your own witness through the Holy Ghost of these things.
Brian Taylor's letter, February 3, 2013
My love to you!
Inbox
x
Inbox
Feb 3 (8 days ago)
 | | |||
Dear Elder Willie and Sister Judy,
This is the third week that my grandson and his wife who are living
with me made the comment to one another that they surely hoped to get
a calling soon. That wish was granted today when Nick came to the
area I was waiting after church and said the bishop wanted to see
them. (Later: Jen came to see me when they got back home and said
they are being called as family history specialists with the special
assignment to teach the temple preparation lessons. They were given
permission to hold the classes in my home, so I will enjoy being an
innocent (?) bystander. I am glad they are the kind of folk that they
are--anxious to help "pull the load." Most people who had moved from
a ward where they had a busy schedule would welcome a brief vacation.
That kind of vacation is dangerous.
Today is my monthly family gathering. Based on my experience from
the past, I don't expect a "standing room only" crowd. The big
football game has a higher priority with some of my sons-in-law, but
my own children are usually in attendance at all our family
gatherings. Dads' attitudes usually carry over into the next
generation, so I know what to expect from the second generation today.
Today being a testimony meeting, I thought I would watch carefully
and if there were a lull in testimony bearing, I would make my way to
the podium. However, we had a steady line today. I love it when I
get the feeling that our members are ANXIOUS. Some of those who
responded did not really bear a testimony, but I was glad that they
were eager to participate. Some of the participants are reasonably
new to the ward--a good way to get acquainted. I'll have some new
faces to add to my sacrament meeting prayer participants list. I'm
always happy when missionaries' parents give a report on your
activity/progress/experiences. I'd just like to mention that our
grandson Jeremy is surprising us family members with the vigor he is
exhibiting in getting his feet on the ground in the Naga Mission in
the Philippine Islands. He actually sounds positive in trying to
learn the language so he can speak easily from his heart. I feel as
if I belong to a missionary family.
Just before our sacrament meeting began today, we noticed our two
assigned missionaries talking to the priests and writing down their
names. I wondered if they will have something to do with training. I
wish I were able to circulate more in the community so I could do some
finding. Bt then I have participated in the past and need to be
grateful for those favors. There is a right time in our lives for
everything. I may not be able to search for potential contacts, but
then I can send these weekly missives your way.
Those missionaries came over and shook our hands. One of them said
he was from Boston. That brought back a flood of memories to me. I
recall the days while I worked in the mission office in Cambridge and
had to travel into Boston each Sunday afternoon to present a short
WCOP radio program.
One closing thought that just hit my mind. Were it not for the
Gospel, I would not be here today. Then I think--what if we had been
born in one of the foreign countries where some of our ancestors came
from??? It is unlikely that we would ever have had the missionary
opportunities that we do today. I hope you appreciate your current
status as much as I do.
Love, Brian
This is the third week that my grandson and his wife who are living
with me made the comment to one another that they surely hoped to get
a calling soon. That wish was granted today when Nick came to the
area I was waiting after church and said the bishop wanted to see
them. (Later: Jen came to see me when they got back home and said
they are being called as family history specialists with the special
assignment to teach the temple preparation lessons. They were given
permission to hold the classes in my home, so I will enjoy being an
innocent (?) bystander. I am glad they are the kind of folk that they
are--anxious to help "pull the load." Most people who had moved from
a ward where they had a busy schedule would welcome a brief vacation.
That kind of vacation is dangerous.
Today is my monthly family gathering. Based on my experience from
the past, I don't expect a "standing room only" crowd. The big
football game has a higher priority with some of my sons-in-law, but
my own children are usually in attendance at all our family
gatherings. Dads' attitudes usually carry over into the next
generation, so I know what to expect from the second generation today.
Today being a testimony meeting, I thought I would watch carefully
and if there were a lull in testimony bearing, I would make my way to
the podium. However, we had a steady line today. I love it when I
get the feeling that our members are ANXIOUS. Some of those who
responded did not really bear a testimony, but I was glad that they
were eager to participate. Some of the participants are reasonably
new to the ward--a good way to get acquainted. I'll have some new
faces to add to my sacrament meeting prayer participants list. I'm
always happy when missionaries' parents give a report on your
activity/progress/experiences. I'd just like to mention that our
grandson Jeremy is surprising us family members with the vigor he is
exhibiting in getting his feet on the ground in the Naga Mission in
the Philippine Islands. He actually sounds positive in trying to
learn the language so he can speak easily from his heart. I feel as
if I belong to a missionary family.
Just before our sacrament meeting began today, we noticed our two
assigned missionaries talking to the priests and writing down their
names. I wondered if they will have something to do with training. I
wish I were able to circulate more in the community so I could do some
finding. Bt then I have participated in the past and need to be
grateful for those favors. There is a right time in our lives for
everything. I may not be able to search for potential contacts, but
then I can send these weekly missives your way.
Those missionaries came over and shook our hands. One of them said
he was from Boston. That brought back a flood of memories to me. I
recall the days while I worked in the mission office in Cambridge and
had to travel into Boston each Sunday afternoon to present a short
WCOP radio program.
One closing thought that just hit my mind. Were it not for the
Gospel, I would not be here today. Then I think--what if we had been
born in one of the foreign countries where some of our ancestors came
from??? It is unlikely that we would ever have had the missionary
opportunities that we do today. I hope you appreciate your current
status as much as I do.
Love, Brian
David Taylor's letter, February 10, 2013
Letter from home
Inbox
x
Inbox
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Dear Elder and Sister Scott, I am glad that our son got to visit Nauvoo last summer with the single adult ward. They did baptisms for many of our dead ancestors while there. I just talked to Delbert and Doris Dabb last Friday after I got off work. I went to their house to make a special visit before they leave for their St. George Temple Visitors Center mission. They are leaving tomorrow to go to the MTC in Provo. They expressed that they feel both nervous and excited. I told them that they will have a wonderful mission just like you are experiencing in Nauvoo. They think very highly of you and miss you. I think they will be serving their mission for about two years. Julia Dabb will be moving into their house while they are gone. Del told my son, Michael, that he will be renting the old house that Julia has been staying in. Michael talked like Del said that the old house is going to be up for sale after his parents return from their mission. Julia will have to find another place to live after they return. We have been getting a lot of snow this last few weeks. I wondered about the bad snow storms that several state around New York and Massachusetts. I hope the storms haven't hit hard where you are at. You are so blessed to be by that beautiful Nauvoo Temple!! I have never been there, yet. My father was doing poorly last November. I wondered if he would be around much longer because his health was poor and he fell several times. Lately, he has been doing great! My nephew and niece moved in with him last December before Christmas. They have an eleven month old daughter who is very good-natured. If she had been a very fussy child, I think my dad would have had a hard time with that because he has been alone for almost five years. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the First Presidency, said in the February 2013 Ensign that if we are the hesitant missionary, we should remember four things: First, be a light. That can mean to preach the gospel at all times with words or unspoken words. Sometimes the most powerful sermons are unspoken. Radiate happiness. That can lead others to ask you, "Why are you so happy?" Second, be conversational. Bring up spiritual experiences or Church activities you have had and work those experiences into your casual conversations with friends and acquaintances. Internet and social media make it easier to talk about these things in a conversational way. Third, be full of grace. We should be more charitable and speak words of grace and be charitable to others. Fourth, we should be filled with faith. The Lord doesn't expect us to do the converting. Conversion comes not through our words but through the heavenly ministrations of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of filling the world with light and truth. As we do so, we will find the joy that comes to those who are faithful and courageous enough "to stand as witnesses of God at all times." I wish you many wonderful experiences and know you will receive so many blessings for your service to your Heavenly Father's children. Your own children and grandchildren will be taken care of and will receive blessings while you are serving your mission. I love you for all your goodness and kindness. Love, David Taylor | ||||||||
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
