President Uchtdorf: Seeking Christ at Christmas Time

In this message Preident Uchtdorf hits home.  We seek Christ.  President Uchtdorf describes others who sought Christmas at his birth.  The shepherds, were not seeking Jesus, but when the heard of his coming their hears were touched, and the went to see.  The wise men represents those who are intellectual, and seek Jesus through their knowledge.  Though academic study pointed them towards the Lord, but their faith was no only academic, for when the signs appeared, the traveled to worship Jesus.  Those who met Jesus at the temple, Simeon and Anna had sought Jesus spiritually, and when he was presented at the temple, though a babe the recognized him and worshipped him.  Lastly, there are those in the new world, who believed the words of Samuel the Lamanite, and looked for the signs of his birth.  Despite persecution and threat of death, they held firm to their testimonies.  We seek Jesus and especially at this time of year.  We seek Him with our hearts and souls, so we may worship Him.

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.

Our True Identity

Terrific presentation of the Hans Christian Anderson story, the Ugly Duckling as told by President Uchtdorf and what it means for us.

Teaching in the Lord's Way

I have been taking a series of classes one week a month during church on becoming a better teacher.  I am teaching the four and five year-olds in Primary.  It is fun.  We have been focusing on teaching from where the student is coming from.  Check out this brief discourse from Elder Uchtdorf.

Article Review: Our Father, Our Mentor

This is a very interesting talk by Elder Uchtdorf about the role our Heavenly Father plays in our lives, as well as the role of our Earthly father.  He points out the Father has given us tools to help us in our struggle in life

• He has given us the priceless gift of the Holy Ghost, which has the potential to be our personal, heavenly tutor as we study the word of God and attempt to bring our thoughts and actions into alignment with His word.
• He has given us 24/7 access to Him through prayers of faith and supplications of real intent.
• He has given us modern-day apostles and prophets, who reveal the word of God in our day and have the authority to bind or seal on earth and in heaven.
• He has restored His Church—an organization of believers who work together to help one another as they work out their salvation with fear, trembling, and unparalleled joy.1
• He has given us the holy scriptures—His written word to us.
• He has given myriad tools of modern technology to help us in our walk of discipleship. Many of these marvelous instruments can be found at LDS.org.

In similar fashion earthly fathers are also mentors.  Not only that be we also play the  role of mentor to each other.  We can support each other in our earthly endeavors.  
As I read this article, it reminds me that I need to be active in my role as father.  However it also tells me that in this role I have not been left alone.  There is guidance and assistance.  Prayer is one of those things he has given us.

Shower of Heavenly Blessings

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This presentation by President Uchtdorf made me stop and think.  The thought I had is what is my umbrella?  What am I doing to block the blessings of heaven.  Usually you would think an umbrella is a good thing, but in this case the rain represents the blessings.  I think of the stupid little things I do that open my umbrella.  It had me in tears as I had those thoughts.  I am glad Jesus can close the umbrella, so blessings can fall unencumbered.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional: 2015

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/christmas-devotional/2015/12?lang=eng&vid=4649217759001
We attended the Christmas devotional last night.  President Uchtdorf gave a very inspirational message talking about the origins of the carol: "Carol of the Bells."  This is one of Tony's favorites.  The whole presentation was excellent.

Sunday Talk: What is the Lord's Way to Care for the Poor and Needy?

What is the Lord's Way to Care for the Poor and Needy?

The great commandments (tell)  Mark 12 several people tempt the Lord by asking him questions, hoping to find something in his words with which they can accuse him.  A scribe watches this questioning, and satisfied with Jesus' answers, approaches Jesus in an attitude to learn, "Which is the greatest commandment?"

mark 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Brother Uchtdorf quoting J Reuben Clark: As always, we can look to our perfect example, Jesus Christ, for a pattern. As President J. Reuben Clark Jr. taught, “When the Savior came upon the earth he had two great missions; one was to work out the Messiahship, the atonement for the fall, and the fulfilment of the law; the other was the work which he did among his brethren and sisters in the flesh by way of relieving their sufferings.”⁸

President Uchtdorf points out that a coin had two sides.  Such is our worship.  We must tend to the spiritual as well as the temporal.  You cannot have one without the other.

President Uchtdorf said, "Unfortunately, there are those who overlook the temporal because they consider it less important. They treasure the spiritual while minimizing the temporal. While it is important to have our thoughts inclined toward heaven, we miss the essence of our religion if our hands are not also inclined toward our fellowman."

Brigham Young: In 1856 when Brigham Young was presented with the news that the handcart companies were late, he immediately knew they would be in trouble.  General Conference was the next day, and he introduced the theme,  saying in essence, I will now give you the subject for those who speak today.  Our brethren are on the plains, far from the safety of this place.  They must be brought here.  We will send them aid.  then quoting President Young:

“I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains. And attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties. Otherwise, your faith will be in vain. The preaching you have heard will be in vain to you, and you will sink toHell, unless you attend to the things we tell you.”

Almost two months later when those in the last handcart company finally arrived, it was again Sunday and President Young was speaking in church:  

“When those persons arrive I do not want to see them put into houses by themselves; I want to have them distributed in the city among the families that have good and comfortable houses; and I wish all the sisters now before me, and all who know how and can, to nurse and wait upon the new comers and prudently administer medicine and food to them. To speak upon these things is a part of my religion, for it pertains to taking care of the Saints. …

“The afternoon meeting will be omitted, for I wish the sisters to go home and prepare to give those who have just arrived a mouthful of something to eat, and to wash them and nurse them up. You know that I would give more for a dish of pudding and milk, or a baked potato and salt, were I in the situation of those persons who have just come in, than I would for all your prayers, though you were to stay here all the afternoon and pray. Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion; give every duty its proper time and place. 

What is the Lord's Way to Care for the Poor and Needy?

Legos and Skylar:  If we put Legos together haphazardly, we get something, but not what the Legos were intended to be.  

"The Lord’s way of caring for the needy is different from the world’s way.  He is not only interested in our immediate needs; He is also concerned about our eternal progression. For this reason, the Lord’s way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Providing in the Lord’s Way,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 54).  

Personal stories: growing up, some idea of the Lord’s way.  pull home, pull out of mud, push Butch Halstead, come upon woman with broken hip.  Mom’s broken neck. welfare system, missionary suits: mom county clerk

President Uchtdorf: This very hour there are many members of the Church who are suffering. They are hungry, stretched financially, and struggling with all manner of physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. They pray with all the energy of their souls for succor, for relief.

We are all enlisted. “All” means all.  ...there is something everyone can contribute.¹¹

Alfred P. Doolittle, a character from My Fair Lady sand, The Lord above made man to help his neighbor, but with a little bit of luck when he comes around you won't be home.  Many of us put blinders on, and do our best to avoid helping others.  However we should keep ourselves open to the idea of helping others.  

When Alma Amulek and the Zoromites the found a group who were poorer, who had been turned out from the church becasue of the coarse apparel.  To these people Amulek said:

 “After [you] have [prayed], if[you] turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if [you] have [it], to those who stand in need—I say untoyou, … your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and [you] are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.”¹⁵ ALma 34:28

President Eyring in a discourse entitled: Opportunities to do good, gives a list of things we can be doing:

First, all people are happier and feel more self-respect when they can provide for themselves and their family and then reach out to take care of others. 

Elmore model

A second gospel principle that has been a guide to me in welfare work is the power and blessing of unity. 

the third principle of action in welfare work for me: Draw your family into the work with you so that they can learn to care for each other as they care for others.

The fourth valuable principle of Church welfare I learned as a bishop....  I found that the Lord sends the Holy Ghost to make it possible to “seek, and ye shall find.” I also learned to involve the Relief Society president in the search. She may get the revelation before you do.

President Uchtdorf:  The place to begin is to familiarize ourselves with what the Lord has already revealed.  

providentliving.org

justserve.org

Jeffrey R. Holland, in conference address entitled: Are we not all beggars, told the story of Mary and Judas Iscariot.  Mary anointed Jesus with oil, and Judas felt it was a waste.  Jesus responded to leave her alone. "She hath done what she could"

the star fish

2.For one thing, we can, as King Benjamin taught, cease withholding our means because we see the poor as having brought their misery upon themselves. 

(another talk) Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being me  

3.In addition to taking merciful action in their behalf, we should also pray for those in need....  I don’t know exactly how each of you should fulfill your obligation to those who do not or cannot always help themselves. But I know that God knows, and He will help you and guide you in compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and praying and looking for ways to keep a commandment He has given us again and again. 

4.  We are always expected to help ourselves before we seek help from others.

5. all who are physically able are to observe the law of the fast. Isiah  58: 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

three quarters of a million people are helped annually with fast offering donations.  WHat a blessing that our bishops have this resource.  Additionally millions of dollars are donated by church members to be used in humanitarian efforts.

As we seek for spiritual blessings, may we not lose sight of the temporal needs around us.  We are all enlisted.  Because we have been given much we too must give. As I have Loved you, love one another, Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too.  

In the name of Jesus Christ AMEN  

Bullying - Stop It

This movie is made over the discourse from President Uchtdorf where he gives his two-word sermon, "Stop it!"  This film moved me this morning.  The insensitivity of people can be amazing, but at the same time, when we take the time to listen, then we can be a instrument for good.

Elder Uchtdorf, The Perfect Christmas vs. the Sublime Christmas

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0010-president-dieter-f-uchtdorf?category=topics/christmas
The perfect Christmas is unattainable, as sooner or later something will go wrong, the dinner may be burned, the baby may cry, we may over extend etc., etc.  However if we focus on the Savior, and give Him our love, we can have a sublime Christmas.  The Savior gives us immortality, forgiveness and eternal life.  These gifts are given through the atonement.  We should keep the fire of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts the entire year. 

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.

ces fireside

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/ces-devotionals/2013/01?lang=eng&vid=2093631404001
Brother Uchtdorf gave a very good talk last month for the CES fireside.  He was talking about truth, and being able to discern truth.  He started by telling the story of the six blind men and the elephant.
http://whilhelmsthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/02/poetry-stories-i-like-blind-men-and.html
He asks the question: How can anyone know the truth?

Heavenly Father knows all truth.  Some day we will as well.  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.  If we seek him diligently we will find him.  We are expected to come to a personal knowledge of the truth.   We learn precept on precept, line upon line.  We have the gift of the Holy Ghost to teach us all things.  We must live worthy of his constant companionship.

Our search for truth will lead us to our Lord and Savior, the way, the truth and the life.  This truth will make you free.  

I recommend this talk to anyone seeking truth.