The Will of God

The scriptures discussing the last days, talk about the fiery darts of the adversary that will be severe and the sore deceptions of our day, so much that even the very elect may be deceived. Matthew 1:22 

Sounds pretty bad. It's prophesied to be so grim that if the last days were not shortened, none would be saved. Matthew 1:19-20

That's pretty powerful language. So what are these hurtful darts? And why fiery? How can you recognize them?

Tactics and strategies of the adversary designed to mislead mankind can be referred to as fiery darts. They are destructive. They may appear relatively small, yet are incredibly powerful, hence why so many are deceived.

And what is the significance of a fiery dart? Well. I think one way to explain it follows:

You have all played darts. Seems like a relatively harmless game. Yet the darts used in the jungle to kill prey can be coated with poison, which means they would be more painful and damaging. But a fiery dart is even more destructive. Fiery darts are the most dangerous of all and may leave devastation in their path. It's not really the "point" of the dart that is really the most concerning. It's the flame. A properly positioned fiery dart can destroy an entire covered wagon, a ship, a fort, or even a city.

A partial list may include the depression, pornography, other addictions, and challenges we are called to face in the every day obstacles of life.

Of course, that is not comprehensive but a sampling. Yet the tactical strategies to overcome the multitude of fiery darts of the adversary are the same. They could include the following:

• Holding Fast to the Rod (keep the commandments)
• Blessings of the temple (attend the temple)
• Strength of studying the scriptures (study the scriptures)
• Our Duty to God (find strength and unity in the home)
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ (live the gospel)

Ephesians 6:16 promises us that the shield of faith will protect us from all the fiery darts. You can recognize and deal with them. And you needn't face them alone because, family and friends can provide help, support, and strength.

Enduring to the end is key. This gives the Lord an opportunity to help us. I love the words Paul spoke at the close of his life:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7)

We build our testimonies on the rock of Jesus Christ that we, too, may be able to say those words during hardship and in the twilight of our lives.

That is my hope and prayer. Mormon 9:37

Two Principles for Any Economy

How to Endure to the End

Mothers and Daughters

Essence

At the Brigham City Temple dedication this morning. President Packer noted how fortunate he feels that we came from stalwart pioneers that kept struggling forward. When challenges came along, they didn't give up but just faced them and moved ahead.

One of my favorite references about Jesus Christ comes from Acts where it reads that he "went about doing good." No, it's not a dramatic passage that stirs the soul. It may not be one of your seminary scriptures that you memorize and repeat over and over all through your life. But for me, it provides an opportunity to follow the Master's footsteps and be a little more like Him each day even amid challenges. And it is great to see happiness in the faces of others.

Going about doing good, especially when it's difficult, is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." 3 John 1:4

The Gardner

In the scripture story of the ten lepers, only one of the men returned to thank the Lord for cleansing him. I have thought, like you, that if I were in that situation, I certainly would have been the one who returned to say thanks after I had just been made clean. Similarly, we face challenges in this life. And I hope that we are mindful of Who helps us through these difficulties, and that at every opportunity in our prayers we thank the Father for sending His Son to make us clean, so that we might inherit the mansion He has prepared for us, despite whatever our challenges may be at any particular time.

As Elder Christofferson notes, all of us can meet God's high expectations, however great or small our capacity and talent may be. The attitude and practice we need to adopt to meet our Heavenly Father's high expectations is this: Willingly accept and even seek corrections. Someday when you are laden with fruit... Forgiveness for my ungratefulness. Let us pray for His love-inspired correction.

I really like the following video. You may have had heard this message before, but the presentation in this video is particularly moving. I also really like the title "The Will of God" because His plan for us is much greater than what we can even imagine for ourselves. And joy is His purpose for all of use. Challenges then are "love-inspired correction."

Thanks be to the Lord for His Grand Plan of Happiness!

The Profound Power of Gratitude (read this; you'll be glad you did)

Finlandia

Fam,
Wow! You know when something hits you so hard that it rocks your soul. You didn't see it coming, but suddenly you have tears running down your cheeks, and you're not even sure why.

That happened to me today, when I listened to the Finnish song Finlandia. I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't even looking for it, but my Youtube search happened to bring up that as one of the choices. When I clicked on the link and heard the words sung in Finnish, it caught me of guard, and today's message took on a totally different spin.


(version in Finnish we sang frequently as missionaries)


(version in English)

The music was written by well-known composer Jean Sibelius. I say "well-known," but that is especially true for the Finns, because Sibelius was of Finnish descent. Though this song is not the Finnish national anthem, to me and many others it is equally important. Sibelius' music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."

You may be saying "I have heard that song somewhere before," and I am not at all surprised. That's exactly what I said a few years ago in 1985 when this hymn was added to the Church hymnal shortly after I returned from my mission. You can imagine my surprise when I first heard the melody and then sang at it church.


(choir)

I'd love to tell you about the history of this anthem and why it is so important to them when they sing it with such emotion and tears streaming down their faces. All the renditions above are worth listening to. It's amazing how music brings back emotions, hopes, and experiences.

Thank you for letting me reminisce today.

I love you, dad

Indescribable

The blessings available to us here and now are unbelievable.

We have temples all around us just minutes away. It occurs to me that with the abundance of blessings we each have, no sacrifice is too great to obtain the blessings available in Holy Temples. 

Listen to this special message about the indescribable blessings of the temple from President Monson in the video below. The following is an excerpt from his brief message:

"No sacrifice is too great, no price is too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive [temple] blessings. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace. We will be renewed and fortified. May we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple to have the Spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes."  --President Thomas S. Monson

I have listened to the following message dozens of times, it is so sweet and provides such strength.

Enjoy!

Something special

When I consider the opportunity and challenge of serving a full-time mission, I am amazed.

Relatively young men and women make themselves available and pay their own way in the prime of their lives to face rejection, hard work, and considerable challenges. They put private endeavors on hold and learn dedication, personal improvement, interpersonal preparations, and testimony to further the work of the Lord.

Going on a mission is a once in a lifetime opportunity: not the pinnacle of your life but a launching point for the remainder of your life. When I consider this experience, I realize that it is a foreshadowing of the rest of your life. You discover that you can do hard things. Though faced with challenges, you learn to overcome obstacles and be successful.

Everybody does not get this opportunity, but those who do experience something special that continues to benefit them throughout their lives. The Lord provides opportunities for us all to work wonders.

Whether you served a mission or did not, I believe the same benefits are available to all those that focus on others and assist their brothers and sisters with determination in whatever capacity.

We have many in the family preparing to serve full-time missions as an elder or a sister or as couples.

Great new video discusses the value of serving a mission.

Enjoy!

Forgiven

Today's message if one of hope and familiarity. Remember when we were children and something didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, we would just yell "do-over" and try again until we got it right. Boy. I never appreciated those carefree days until youth was long behind me.

We have all had experiences, large and small, when we have made mistakes and need a do-over...

• sent an email with a misspelling
• bombed a test
• set a bad first impression
• some other mistake or misfortune

But the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that another opportunity is still available to us. Call it a "do over" or "second chance" or whatever, the Lord Jesus Christ has paid for all our mistakes and hardships, then patiently waits for us to accept His gift:

 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelations 3:20

The Savior is consistent in the lessons He teaches and in the life He lives. He willingly desires to forgive us and provide us another chance...again and again.

Until we get it right.

http://youtu.be/w5GXnM_TxSQ