Booklet: A Christmas Dress for Ellen: Thomas S. Monson

This is a story from President Monson, the master story teller.  It is adapted form the First Presidency Christmas Devotional 1997.  Christmas stories always choke me up, and this is no exception.  It is because people as so willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others.  This is about a family living in Canada, who had no prospects for Christmas, or for even having Christmas Breakfast let alone presents.  She had sent a letter to her sister living in Idaho with a list of their needs, at the request of the sister.  The citizens of Malad, Idaho sacrificed to meet those needs.  However no package had arrived in Canada.  father had been to town, and stayed until noon checking the railway and the post office.  However, sacrifice was not over.  The packages arrived late Christmas Eve at the post office.  The postman, George Schow, was going to leave the delivery until after Christmas.  However, after prayer, he felt he had to go, even with the snow, and the distance.  His own horses were worn out, so he borrowed horse and sleigh, and took his older son with him.  They would not arrive until after 3:30 a.m.  Mother was still awake, worrying about her children.  It was five before they started the trip back to town, to arrive around noon.  They wore the husband's clothes for the return trip after warming theirselves by the fire.  Their own clothing was wet and cold.  This gave mother just a few hours to set everything out for Christmas.  When the children woke they smelled bacon cooking for breakfast.  Ellen was last to wake, as she know they would have no Christmas.  However, she found a red Christmas dress.
That is what Christmas is about.

LDS General Conference October 2017

LDS General Conference continues this weekend.  All are invited to participate.  The sessions are live at the stake center, and are on BTUTV.  Times are (In California) 9 and 1 both Saturday and Sunday with an additional Saturday Priesthood session Saturday at 5.  The women's session was last weekend and can be found on the link provided.
I look forward to general conference as a time to rejuvenate and also as a time to get some things done as I watch.
The church has announced that both President Monson and Robert D. Hales will not be in attendance.

LDS General Conference: My Thoughts

It is impossible for me to add to anything that was said at conference this weekend.  However I heard a couple scriptures quoted over and over.  D&C 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."  There were at least three talks directly on the Holy Ghost and many more talked about the spirit.  Even President Monson talked about gaining a testimony through the spirit if we do not have one, and making sure it is vibrant.  
that is what I heard, it is so important to make the Holy ghost an active part in our lives.  On talk pointed out there are three things we need from the Holy Ghost, protection, comfort and testimony.  
I also heard a couple people quote D&C 19 about the savior:  16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;  18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.  the Savior plays such a key role in repentance.

2017 04 1000 invite to watch april 2017 general conference 1080p eng

The church has published methods you can watch conference.  Even though the Women's session was tonight, it is still not too late to watch it.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir in concert with Rebecca Luker, Dallyn Bayles, an...

This is the President Monson 85th birthday concert.  It is hosted by Steve Young and Jane Clayson Johnson.  It features the Mormon tabernacle Choir.  Soloist were Dallyn Vail Bayles, Rebecca Luker and Stanford Olsen.  The each sang two songs.  Bayles does a beautiful rendition of "Bring Hime Home" as well as "There But for You Go I."  His voice is clear and piercing and his sound is incredible.  Olsen sings 'Golden Days" and "The Holy City."  It gets emotions singing "The Holy City" which is likely the high light of the concert.  Lastly Rebecca Luker sings "Memories and 'All I ask of You."  The choir sings "You raise Me UP," "Seventy-six Trombones" and another high spot, "Consider the Lillies."  The concert includes portrayals of President Monson's life, as well as tributes from other general authorities and also the Boy Scouts.  This concert is very enjoyable.

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit - The True Meaning of Christmas

Very touching, and has to do with focus during Christmas.

Dec 22: Jesus Showed Gratitude and So Can You

A grateful heart is a happy heart.  President Monson says we should have and "attitude of gratitude."  The enclosed article was given in October 2010 conference.  

Dec 16: Jesus Showed Compassion and So Can You

President Monson has always given such great discourses on service and compassion.  This discourse is the same.  It is from April 2001 conference when President Monson served as a counsellor in the First Presidency.  It is simply titled "Compassion."

Dec 9: Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can you

President Monson exemplifies this attribute in his life as demonstrated by this article or this one.    Sometimes the problem with visiting the lonely, is knowing who actually is in need of your visit.  Prayer can answer this question.  

Special Witness - President Monson

President Monson testifies of the Book of Mormon as a testimony of Jesus Christ.  This was produced when he was a counsellor in the First Presidency.

SundaY School: Honor God Like Samuel and President Monson

President Monson explains that God will qualify those whom he calls
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-063-whom-the-lord-calls?category=old-testament/joshua-song-of-solomon&&lang=eng&order=chronological

God calls Samuel
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-062-samuel-and-eli?category=old-testament/joshua-song-of-solomon&&lang=eng&order=chronological

We must honor God.  Eli's son's honored themselves, taking the sacrificial offerings for themselves.  Eli honored man, not being willing to discipline his sons, Israel also chose to honor the world, asking for a king like other nations.  Samuel honored God.  And God honored Samuel.

Old Testament: Joseph of Egypt

The last two weeks for Sunday School we have examined the Life of Joseph.  Here is a man who had much trial, but that trial lead to great blessings for his family.  He was despised of his brothers, and they intended to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery.  In Egypt God prospered him, but because he did not give in to temptation from Potiphar's wife, he was sent to prison.  There again he prospered.  He interpreted the dream of the baker and the butler.  The butler, who was restored to his position, forgot to mention Joseph to others so he might be rescued from prison.  He anguished two long years more, until Pharoah had a dream.  Joseph was called upon to interpret, and as a result became the second only to Pharoah in all the land.  Also, because of the dream they planned, and were prepared for the coming years of famine.  Egypt prospered, as did Joseph.  When his family came to buy corn, he was in a position to save his family.
His life exemplifies the poem "The Weaver". 


My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.  [He knows what they should be]

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I, the underside.

Not till the loom in silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

- Author Unknown
 
The enclosed films deal mostly with sexual fidelity.  These are the films linked through the lesson manual online. 
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-2340-these-things-are-an-abomination?category=book-of-mormon/alma-helaman&&lang=eng
These Things are an Abomination: deals with the question of why to remain pure sexually

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-0150-within-bounds?category=topics/standards&&lang=eng
Within Bounds comparing skiing to sexual purity

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-03-come-what-may-and-love-it?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2009&&lang=eng
"Come What May, and Love It" Joseph B. Wirthlin


https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-032-joseph-in-egypt?category=old-testament/introduction-deuteronomy&&lang=eng
"Joseph in Egypt" President Benson

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/i-will-not-fail-thee-nor-forsake-thee?lang=eng
"I Will Not Fail Thee Nor Forsake Thee" President Monson

President Monson Christmas Devotional 2011: Because of Him

Christmas Devotional messages are timeless, as is this by President Monson where he talks of his annual reading habits where he finds the spirit of Christmas.  He then testifies that Jesus came, and because of that we can receive remission of our sins.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0040-president-thomas-s-monson?category=topics/christmas

Christmas Song: What Shall I Give?

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-12-42-what-shall-we-give?category=topics/christmas

This is President Monson with the song "What Shall We Give" under his words.  Giving, not getting is the spirit of Christmas.  He reminds us that Christmas is Christ.  "If we are to have the best Christmas ever we must reach out for the carpenter's hand."

What shall we give to the babe in the manger,
What shall we offer the child in the stall?
Incense and spices and gold we've a-plenty-
Are these the gifts for the king of us all?
What shall we give to the boy in the temple,
What shall we offer the man by the sea?
Palms at his feet and hosannas uprising;
Are these for him who will carry the tree?
What shall we give to the lamb who was offered,
Rising the third day and shedding his love?
Tears for his mercy we'll weep at the manger,
Bathing the infant come down from above.

The True Spirit of Christmas from President Monson

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-12-0030-president-thomas-s-monson?category=topics/christmas
As only President Monson can tell, he gives us the message of love and hope as it relates to the Christmas season.  He teaches us how to be better people by his example, and by his words of inspiration.  I am thankful for a prophet.

Merry Christmas from the First Presidency

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-043-good-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?category=topics/christmas

This is so beautiful, each of the members of the first presidency testify of Christ, with Christmas scenes throughout.  Jesus is our savior, and his birth is a real, holy event.  May we find peace in this time or worship, and remember the reason for the holiday is the gift of a redeemer.  I am looking for Christmas devotional this year.

What having a Living Prophet Means to Me

http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2013/10/sunday-school-mormon-movie-review.html

A movie I watched recently about the Watchtower, and a prophet being a seer, someone who can see just beyond the edge of what we can see, and this makes me grateful that we live in a time of prophets and apostles.  We have access to the spoken word, and by paying head to the messages of the living prophets, we are guided in the things we should be doing to be safe spiritually and physically.  President Monson often talks about hardship, and how to maintain our attitude even during hardships.  I am grateful for a prophet.
From We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet:
We thank thee, O God, for a prophet
To guide us in these latter days.
We thank thee for sending the gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays.

2. When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us
And threaten our peace to destroy,
There is hope smiling brightly before us,
And we know that deliv’rance is nigh.

Follow the Prophet:

1.  Now we have a world where people are confused.
   If you don't believe it, go and watch the news.
   We can get direction all along our way,
   If we heed the prophets-follow what they say.
2. Chorus
   Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
   Follow the prophet; don't go astray.
   Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
   Follow the prophet; he knows the way.
3. Words and music: Duane E. Hiatt, b. 1937. (c) 1989