EMERGENCY NUMBERS!!!

 

Heaven Is Ready To Speak TO YOU!!!

Sorry I didn't get this posted before General Conference -

But really good to refer with other upcoming conferences.

From Instagram   saltandhart

 

Four Friends . . .

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four friends.

She loved the fourth friend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third friend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second friend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl's first friend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first friend, although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four friends with me, but when I die, will I be alone?'

Thus, she asked the fourth friend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No way!' replied the fourth friend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third friend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!' replied the third friend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second friend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time... At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first friend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four friends in your lives:

Your fourth friend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third friend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second friend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first friend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Promised Blessing From President Russell M. Nelson

2015 - 2024

See original post at

saltandhart

Seven Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Serving A Mission

 1. Let Jesus Christ be the center of every teaching opportunity.  Remember you are teaching people, not lessons.

2.  Write EVERYTHING in your journal EVERYDAY of your mission.  You'll thank me in 30 years . . . 

3.  Never argue with people about doctrine or try to prove them wrong.  "Winning" an argument is not your purpose and will not convert them.

4.  See people "TWICE IN WHITE".  Along with your purpose, have the vision to see people enter the waters of baptism and the temple.

5.  The gift of tongues is real.  No matter how hard the language is, the Lord will help you along the way.  Start as soon as you get your call!

6.  It's okay to think about the future.  Take time during your mission to ponder about your post-mission goals and plans.

7.  The Lord keeps unprepared missionaries from prepared people.  the more knowledge and testimony you have about Jesus Christ, the more success you have in helping other come unto him.

From Instagram post on missionariesworldwide

IN and OUT of My Control -

 

Heavenly Manifestation

Written by Heber Q. Hale, President Boise Stake.

A Heavenly Manifestation given to Heber Q. Hale, President of the Boise Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as related by him at the Genealogical Conference held in the auditorium of the Bishops Building, Salt Lake City, Utah on October 1920, requested by the Presidency of the Church of 1920.

"It is with a very humble and grateful spirit that I attempt to relate on this occasion, by request, a personal experience which is very sacred to me.  I must of necessity be brief.  Furthermore there were certain things made known to me which I don't feel at liberty to relate here.  Let me say by way of preface that between the hours of 12.00 and 7.30 on the night of January 20, 1920, while alone in a room at the home of W. R. Rawson in Carey, Idaho, this glorious manifestation was vouchsafed to me.  I was not conscious of anything that transpired during the hours mentioned except what was experienced in this manifestation. I did not turn over in bed nor was I disturbed by any sound which indeed is unusual for me.  Whether it be called a dream, an apparition, a vision, or a pilgrimage of my spirit into the world of spirits, I know not.  I care not.  I know that I actually saw and experienced the things related in this heavenly manifestation, and they are as real to me as any experience of my life.  For me, at least, this is sufficient.

Of all the doctrines and practices of the church, the principle of vicarious work for the dead has been the most difficult for me to comprehend and whole heartedly accept.  I consider this vision as the Lord's answer to the prayer of my soul on this and certain other questions.

I passed but a short distance from my body through a film into the world of spirits.  This was my experience after going to sleep.  I seemed to realize that I had passed through the change called death and I so referred to it in my conversation with the immortal beings with whom I immediately came in contact.  I readily observed their displeasure at our use of the word death and the fear which we attach to it.  They use there another word in reference to the transition from mortality to immortality which word I do not recall, and I can only approach its meaning and the impression which was left upon my mind, by calling it the new birth.

My first visual impression was the nearness of the world of spirits to the world of mortality.  The vastness of this heavenly sphere was bewildering to the eyes of the spirit-novice.  Many enjoyed unrestricted vision and unimpeded action, while many others were visibly restricted as to both vision and action.  The vegetation and landscape were beautiful beyond description, not all green as here, but gold with varying shades of pink, orange, and lavender as the rainbow, and sweet calmness pervaded everything.  The people I met there I did not think of as spirits, but as men and women, self thinking and self acting individuals, going about important business in a most orderly manner.

There was perfect order there and everybody had something to do and seemed to be about their business.  That the inhabitants of the spirit world are classified according to their lives of purity and their subservience to the Father's will was subsequently made apparent.  Particularly was it observed that the wicked and unrepentant are confined to a certain district by themselves, the confines of which are as definitely determined and impassable as the line marking the division of the physical from the spirit world.  A mere film but impassible until the person himself was changed.  The world of spirits is the temporary abode of all spirits pending the resurrection from the dead and the judgment.  There was much activity within the different spheres, and appointed ministers of salvation were seen coming from the higher to the lower spheres in pursuit of their missionary appointments.

I had a very pronounced desire to meet certain of my kinsfolk and friends but I was at once impressed with the fact that I had entered a tremendously great and extensive world, even greater than our earth and more numerously inhabited.  I could only be in one place at once, could do only one thing at a time, could only look in one direction at a time and accordingly it would require many, many years to search out and converse with all those I had known and all those whom I desired to meet unless they were especially summoned to receive me.  All men and women are appointed to special and regular service under a well organized plan of action directed principally towards preaching the gospel to the unconverted, teaching those who seek for knowledge, and establishing family relationships, and gathering genealogies for the use and benefit of mortal survivors of their respective families, that the work of baptism and the sealing of ordinances may be vicariously performed for the departed in the Temples of God on the earth.

The authorized representatives of families in the world of spirits have access to our temple records and are kept fully advised of the work done therein, but the vicarious work done there does not become automatically effective.  The recipients must first believe, repent and accept baptism and confirmation, then certain consummating ordinances are performed effectualising these saving principles in the lives of these regenerated beings.  And so the great work is going on...  They are doing work there which we cannot do here, and we a work here that they cannot do there for the salvation of all God's children who will be saved.

I was surprised to find that there were no babies in arms there.  I met the infant son of Orson W. Rawlings, my first counselor.  I immediately recognized him as the baby who died a few years ago, and yet he seemed to have the intelligence, and in certain respects, the appearance of an adult, and was engaged in matters pertaining to his family and its genealogy.  My mind was quite contented upon the point that mothers will again receive into their arms their children who died in infancy and will be fully satisfied by the fact that entrance into the world of spirits is not an inhibition to growth but the greatest opportunity for development.  Babies are adult spirits in the infant bodies.

I presently beheld a might multitude of men.  The largest I had ever seen gathered in one place, who I immediately recognized as soldiers, the millions who died, who had been slaughtered and rushed to the spirit world during the first world war.  Among them moved calmly and majestically a great general in supreme command.  As I drew nearer, I received the kindly smile and generous welcome of a great, loving man, General Richard V. Young.  Then came the positive conviction to my soul that of all the men living or dead, there is no one who is more perfectly fitted for the great mission unto which he had been called.  He commands immediately the attention and respect of all the soldiers, he is at once a great general and a great High Priest of God.  No earthly field of labour to which he could have been assigned, could compare with it in importance and extent.  I passed from this scene to return later when I found General Young and his vast army of men completely organized with officers over successive divisions, and he was preaching the gospel on great earnestness to them.  As I passed forward, I soon met my beloved mother, she greeted me most affectionately and expressed surprise at seeing me there, and reminded me that I had not completed my allotted mission on earth.  She seemed to be going somewhere and was in a hurry, and accordingly took her leave saying that she would see me again soon.

I moved forward covering an appreciable distance and consuming considerable time, viewing the wonderful sights of landscapes, parks, trees, and flowers, and meeting people.  Some I knew, but many thousands I did not recognize.  I presently approached a small group of men standing in a path lined with spacious stretches of flowers, grasses, and shrubs, all of gold and hue, marking the approach to a beautiful building.  The group was engaged in earnest conversation.  One of their number parted from the rest and came walking down the path.  I at once recognized my esteemed President Joseph F. Smith.  He embraced me as a father would his son and after a few words of greeting, quickly remarked "You have not come to stay."  This remark I understood as a declaration and not an interrogation.

For the first time I became fully conscious of my uncompleted mission on earth and as much as I would have liked to remain, I at once asked President Smith if I might return.  "You have expressed a  righteous desire," he replied "and I shall take the matter up with the authorities and let you know later."  We then returned and he led me toward the little group of men from whom he had just separated.  I immediately recognized President Brigham Young and the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I was surprised to find the former a shorter and heavier built man than I had pictured him to be in my mind.  On the other hand I found the latter to be taller than I expected to find him.  Both they and the president were possessed of a calm and holy majesty which was at once kind and friendly.  We then traced our steps and President Smith took his leave, saying he would see me again.

From a certain point of vantage, I was permitted to view the earth and what was going on there, there was no limitation of my vision and I was astounded to this.  I saw my wife and my children at home, I saw President J. Grant at the head of the great Church and Kingdom of God and felt the divine power that radiates from God giving it light and truth and guiding its destiny.  I beheld this nation founded as it is upon correct principles and designed to endure, but beset by evil and sinister forces that seek to lead man to thwart the purpose of God.  I saw towns and cities, the sins and sickness of men and women.  I saw vessels sailing the oceans and scanned the battle scarred fields of France and Belgium.

In a word, I beheld the whole world, as if it were put a panorama passing before my eyes, then there came to me the unmistakable impression that this earth and scenes and persons upon it are open to the vision of the spirits only when special permission is given or when they are assigned to special service here.  This is particularly true of the righteous who are busily engaged in the fields of activity at the same time, the wicked and unrepentant have still, like the rest, their free agency and applying themselves to no useful or wholesome undertaking, seek pleasure, bout their old haunts, and exalt in the sins and wickedness of degenerated humanity.

To this extent they are still tools of satan.  It is these idle mischievous and deceptive spirits who appear as miserable counterfeits at spiritualist seances, table dancing and ouija board operations.  The noble and great ones do not respond to the call of the mediums and to every group of meddlesome enquirers, they would not do it in the world of mortality.  These wicked and unrepentant spirits are allies of satan and his host, operating through willing mediums in the flesh.

These three forces [Satan, his host, and the unrepentant spirits] constitute an unholy trinity upon the earth and are responsible for all the sin, wickedness, distress and misery among men and nations.

I moved forward feasting my eyes upon the beauty of everything about me glorying in the indescribable peace and happiness that abound in everybody and through everything.  The further that I went the more glorious things appeared.  While standing at a certain vantage point I beheld a short distance away, a wonderful beautiful temple, capped with golden domes, from which emerged a small group of men dressed in white robes who paused for a brief conversation.  They were in uniforms, in this little group of holy men my eyes centered upon one more splendorous and holy than the rest.  While I thus gazed, President Joseph F. Smith parted from the others and came to my side.  "Do you know him?" he inquired.  I quickly answered "Yes I know him, my eyes behold my Lord and Saviour."  "It is true" said President Smith, and oh how my soul thrilled with rapture and unspeakable joy filled my heart.

President Smith informed me that I had been given permission to return and complete the mission on the earth which the Lord had appointed to me to fulfill, and then with his hand upon my shoulder, uttered these memorable and significant words.  "Brother Heber you have a great work to do.  Go forward with a prayerful heart and thou shall be blessed in thy ministry.  From this time on never doubt that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son, the Saviour of the world, that the Holy Ghost is God of spirit and the messenger of the Father and the Son.  Never doubt the resurrection of the dead and immortality of the soul—that the destiny of man is eternal progress.  Never again doubt that the mission of the Latter-day Saints is for all mankind, both the living and the dead and that the great work in the Holy Temples for the living and the dead has only begun.  Know this, that Joseph Smith was sent of God to usher in the gospel dispensation of the fullness of times, which is the last unto mortals upon the earth.  His successors have recognized and ordained head of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth.  Give him your confidence and support.  Much you have seen and heard you will not be permitted to repeat when you return.  Thus saying he bade me good bye and God bless you."

I traveled quite a distance through various scenes and passing innumerable people before I reached the spheres which I first entered.  On my way I was greeted by many friends and relatives certain of whom sent word of greetings and counsel to their dear ones, my mother being one of them.  One other I will mention, I met Brother John Adamson, his wife and his son James and their daughter Isabelle, all of whom were killed by a foul assassin in their home at Carey, Idaho in the mortality and immediately said, "Tell the children that we are very happy and very busy and they should not mourn at our departing, nor worry their minds over the manner by which we were taken.  There is a purpose in it, and we have work to do here which required our collective efforts and which we could not do individually."  I was at once made to know that the work referred to was that of Genealogy on which they were working in England and Scotland.

One of the grandest and most sacred things of heaven is the family relationship.  The establishment of the complete chain without any broken links being a fullness of joy.  Links wholly bad will be dropped out and either new links put in or the two adjoining links welded together.  Men and women everywhere throughout the world are being moved upon by their departed ancestors to gather genealogies.  These are the links for the chain.  The ordinances of Baptism, Endowments, and Sealings performed in the Temples of God by the living for the dead are the welding of the links.  Ordinances are performed in the spirit world effectualizing the individual recipient for their receiving the saving principles of the gospel vicariously performed here.

As I was approaching the place where I entered, my attention was attracted towards a number of small groups of women, preparing what appeared to be wearing apparel.  Observing my inquiring countenance one of the women remarked, "We are preparing to receive Brother Phillip Worthington very soon."  As I gasped his name in repetition I was admonished, "If you knew the joy and the glorious mission that awaits him here you would not ask to have him longer detained upon the earth."  Then came flooding my consciousness this awful truth, that the will of the Lord can be done on earth as it in is heaven, only when we resign completely to His will and let His will be done in and through us.  On account of the selfishness of many, persons who might have otherwise been taken in innocence and peace, have been permitted to live, and have lived to their own perils, man and the assertion of the personal will as against the will of God.  Phillip Worthington died January 22, 1920, for which I was advised by telegram, and returning to Boise, preached his funeral sermon on January 25, 1920.

Men, women and children are often called to missions of great importance on the other side, and some respond gladly while others refuse to go and their loved ones will not give them up.  Also, many die because they have not the faith to be healed.  Others yet live among and pass out of the world of mortals without any special manifestation of action of the divine will.  When a man is stricken ill, the question of prime importance is not... is he going to live?  Or is he going to die?  What matter is not whether he lives or dies as long as the will of the Father is done.

Surely we can trust him with God.  Herein lies the special duty and privilege of administration by the right and authority of the Holy Priesthood.  Namely, it is given to the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ to divine the will of the Father concerning the one upon whose head their hands are laid.  If for any reason they are unable to presage the Father's will, then they should continue to pray in faith for the afflicted ones, humbly conceding supremacy to do the will of God, that His will may be done in earth as it in done in heaven.

To the righteous person, birth into the world of sprits is a glorious privilege and blessing.  The greatest spirits in the family of the Father have not usually been permitted to tarry longer in the flesh than to perform a certain mission; then they are called to the world of spirits where the field is greater and the workers fewer.  This earthly mission, may therefore, be long or short, as the Father wills.

I passed quietly out where I had entered the world of spirits and immediately my body was quickened, and I was to ponder over and record the many wonderful things I had seen and heard.

Let me here and now declare to the world that irrespective of the opinion of others I do know of my own positive knowledge and from my own personal experience, that God is the Father of the spirits of all men, and that He lives, that Jesus Christ is His Son and the Savior of the world, that the spirit of man does not die but survives the change called death and goes to the world of spirits, that the world of spirits is on or near this earth, that the principles of salvation are now being taught to the spirits and the great work of joining the Father's family among the living and the dead is now in progress, and that but comparatively few will ultimately be lost, that spirits will literally take up their bodies again in the resurrection, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been established upon the earth with all of its keys, powers, authority, and blessings through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that this is the power that will not only save and exalt everyone who yields obedience to its principles, but will ultimately save the world, that the burden of our mission is to save souls unto God, and that the work for the salvation of the dead is of no less importance than the work for the living.

Why Go To Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! 
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!


A Church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday:

'I've gone for 30 years now,' he wrote, 'and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the preachers and priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.'

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column.  Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

'I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!

When you are DOWN to nothing, God is UP to something!  

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!  Be Thankful to God for our physical & our spiritual nourishment!  

IF YOU CANNOT SEE GOD IN ALL, YOU CANNOT SEE GOD AT ALL !

B. I. B. L. E. simply means: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!

When you are about to forward this to others, the devil will discourage you.    So go on! Forward this to people who are DEAR to you and TRUST GOD.

Pray Always

David A. Bednar talks on Prayer

in beautiful visual format

Great Trials Ahead - Apostles Quoted in Video

GREAT TRIALS LIE AHEAD

 BE PREPARED FOR TRIBULATIONS 

AND DESTRUCTION THAT SOON SHALL BE

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear..

Latter-day Preparations: What We Learned at Conference

2009 October General Conference
By Gary C. Lawrence

Remember (past) General Conferences when we were told to grow gardens, put in a supply of food, prepare 72-hour kits, get out of debt, and put our houses in order by preparing every needful thing?

The Church's instructions on provident living still stand, of course, and there are wonderful resources available to help us. But when was the last time such counsel received significant attention in General Conference?

As best I can recall, there was a turning point when President Hinckley, after an extensive sermon in a priesthood session on financial preparations, said,

"Now that's all I'm going to say about that."

It may have been the last time he mentioned physical preparations in a General Conference address.

During the five sessions of conference just completed, I attempted to write down every admonition, instruction, exhortation, suggestion or recommendation given by the speakers. I collected 430 items of counsel in all, but -

No one talked about food storage
No one advised putting together emergency kits
No one exhorted us to get out of debt
No one said to grow a garden

There were only three references to financial matters (Elder Watson, Bishop Burton and Elder Christofferson) and all of them were warnings against excesses and greed, not about preparations.

Many sense that things could soon break loose - that it wouldn't take much to put many prophesied events about the last days into motion. At this time of turmoil throughout the world, a roller coaster economy, crime, thugocracies, natural disasters, looming inflation and even nuclear threats, it would seem a natural time for our leaders to talk about nuts-and-bolts preparation - to tell us what we should do next.

Well, they did. But not in a direction some may have expected.

We've been hearing about food storage and other preparations since 1936. The way I see the talks this conference, those days are over. Members who haven't prepared physically are not very likely to start now simply because two or three more General Authorities plead with them.

This is not to suggest we'll never hear counsel about physical preparations again in General Conference, but rather it appears the emphasis is shifting from physical preparation to spiritual preparation - to build strength of heart, mind and spirit for whatever is coming, and especially to become more proficient at receiving personal revelation.

Those who watched conference hoping for a fish found that they instead were instructed how to fish. Of the 29 individuals who addressed us 16 of them spoke about the Holy Ghost - how we can cultivate the gift of the Holy Ghost, how to improve our sensitivity to promptings, how to purify our lives so we can hear gentle spiritual communications, and related counsel - in other words, how we can gain personal instruction to guide us through coming events from the Source that knows everything. The 16 below, in speaking order:

Elder Scott: Consistently strive to recognize and follow the feelings prompted by the Spirit.

Sister Matsumori: Help others become more familiar with promptings of the Spirit.

Elder Clayton: Be humble so you can hear the word of the Lord.

President Uchtdorf: Listen for the Father's voice for it leads to the ministration of the Holy Spirit.

Elder Oaks: Listen and feel of God's love.

Elder Hales: Yield to the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Elder Watson: Be temperate in all things as guided by the Holy Ghost.

Elder Anderson: Turn away from pride, anger and impure thoughts.

President Packer: The Holy Ghost communicates to our spirit with promptings and impressions.

President Eyring: Learn to follow inspiration.

President Monson: Refrain from anger so you will have the Spirit with you.

Elder Perry: Listen to the Spirit for guidance.

Bishop Burton: Let virtue garnish your thoughts.

Sister Dibb: Use the safety equipment of scriptures, prophets, and the Holy Ghost.

Elder Nelson: Cultivate spiritual discernment.

Elder Ringwood: Be sensitive to the Holy Ghost.

The emphasis on these basic principles suggests that we haven't been following them as we should. Which brings to mind the well-known story of Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Every season, even after the Packers had won two Super Bowls, Lombardi would address his players and start with the basics:

"Gentlemen, this is a football." (And Max McGee, the team's star receiver who scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl history, would say, "Not so fast, coach, not so fast.")

There wasn't a player who didn't already know what Lombardi would say - blocking, tackling, mental alertness. But he said it over and over because they fell short on execution.

Our leaders are obviously telling us it's time to execute the basics better and bulk up our spiritual preparations to match whatever we've prepared for our physical survival.

Having a house full of wheat, beans and rice will be insufficient if we are not strong in spirit and mind as we face prophesied events.

A Stake President Reviews 2012 -

  A stake president reviews 2012….

Mathew S. De Visser
Stake President Sandy Utah Hidden Valley Stake
Best Stake Conference I Ever Attended

On Sunday we had the best stake conf I've ever attended. The Stake President was the concluding speaker. Below is his talk exactly as he emailed it to me today. Sorry for the length but there was nothing I could cut out of it. It was that good.
Stake Conference General Session Talk: 2/3/13

President De Visser:

My dear brothers and sisters, it has been a wonderful conference weekend. I have been inspired by those who have shared their stories and testimonies. I have been equally inspired by the music. I have learned that it is not an easy thing to plan a stake conference. Much fasting, prayer, and deliberation go into it and I have felt the spirit of the Lord guide me in selecting our speakers and topics. I express my appreciation to those who have participated. The spirit of the Lord has been with us in abundance, and I pray that it will continue to be with us as I now address you. 

Another year has come and gone, but not just any year – it was the year 2012. A year about which much was speculated, predicted, and some would even argue prophesied. And while the most discussed prediction or prophecy – that of the Mayans concerning the end of the world – did not come to pass, I feel and believe that 2012 will still prove to be one of the more significant years in our life time.

Let’s take a moment and look back at a few things that happened in 2012: 

      - Gaza fired missiles on Jerusalem causing heightened unrest in the Middle East 

      - The Director of the CIA, a man considered to be of the highest moral integrity, 

              resigned due to improprieties and adultery

      - The UN Ambassador was instructed by the White House to cover up what
            happened in Libya, attempting to minimize the deaths of four Americans
            who were murdered                    

      - There was an attempt to raise taxes during the worst economic times since
             the great depression
      - Hurricane Sandy, called the “perfect storm” hit the east coast causing
             great devastation
      - Iran became closer to a nuclear weapon
      - The use of marijuana was legalized in Washington and Colorado
      - Some states legalized same sex marriage
      - 23 states began a petition to secede from the nation
      - Russia strengthened its coalitions with North Korea and Iran
      - Forces aligned to stop school prayer, but allowed the handing out of birth control
      - The government used tax dollars to fund abortions
      - Examples of violence, gambling, drug misuse, and infidelity were more
               prevalent than ever
      - Hollywood promoted parenthood without marriage
      - Education scores of our youth plummeted to their lowest levels ever
      - And finally, we were brought to the edge of the fiscal cliff - 

In my opinion, the first 30 days of 2013 have proven to be the same. In fact, my head is spinning at all of the insanity and craziness that is happening in the world. - Now, I want to make it clear that it is not my intent today to be controversial, political, or even dire. My intent is to state the facts as I see them, as the Stake President, having been moved upon by the Holy Ghost. When I speak from this pulpit as the Stake President, the primary intent of my voice is one of love and compassion, but I also have an obligation to use my voice as a warning when it is necessary. Today is a day when I choose to use it primarily as a voice of warning hoping you will realize and understand that it is in love and compassion for you that I do. Each of us has our agency and we are free to act for ourselves. We are agents unto ourselves and each of us is free to take what I say as he or she will. You may choose to disagree with me. You may even choose to ignore me, but I have been impressed by the spirit to say what I must say. Never in my life have I witnessed a more stark difference between good and evil than I did in 2012. Never has there been a greater moral, economic, or political decline in society, than there was in 2012 and over the last few years. These climates combined, were as bad in 2012 as they have ever been in the history of the world. The current moral condition of our world and country reminds me of the condition described in Helaman, chapter 5, verse 2, and I quote:

             “For their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the
               people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who
               chose good, therefore they were ripening with destruction, for the laws
               had become corrupted.”       End quote. 

In 2012 the voice of the people spoke loudly and clearly as it chose:
      - Socialism over capitalism
      - Entitlements over free enterprise
      - Redistribution and regulation over self reliance Unfortunate as it is, this should not
            come as a surprise to any of us who have spent the better part of our lives as
            members of this church. 

The scriptures and the prophets have warned us for hundreds of years, and have been trying to prepare us for this time. The scriptural and modern-day prophesies we have read and heard throughout our lives are no longer prophesies to us – they are now our living reality. Let me take a moment and share with you a few of the scriptural and modern-day prophesies and quotes that I find interesting and revealing.

First, on November 9th, 2012 (just a few months ago) the First Presidency issued the following statement: 

          “We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, 

           to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they 

           lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect 

           the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to 

           them by the American people.” 

The most glaring part of this statement, to me, is the acknowledgement from our prophet and the First Presidency that we are living in difficult and turbulent times.

Now, listen carefully to these two quotes. To me, these quotes are fascinating, and they reflect the ability of our leaders to see and predict the future. In 1976 (this statement was made over 35 years ago) while serving as a President of the Seventy, Neal A. Maxwell said the following: 

           “I fear, that, as conditions worsen, many will react to the failures of too much 

            government by calling for even more government. Then there will be more 

            and more lifeboats launched, because fewer and fewer citizens know how
            to swim. Unlike some pendulums, political pendulums do not swing back
            automatically; they must be pushed. History is full of instances when people
            have waited in vain or  pendulums to swing back”. 

In 1966 (this statement was made over 45 years ago) while serving as an apostle, 

Howard W. Hunter said this:

           “The government will take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” 

             [When this happens] Both have lost their freedom. Those who “have,” lost 

             their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. 

             Those who “have not”, lost their freedom because they did not earn what they 

             received. They got “something for nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the 

             gift nor the giver of the gift”. 

Now I quote from 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-4:

          “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall 

           be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
           disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce
           breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
           traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”. 

Sound familiar? It does to me, and as the Stake President, I not only see it happening throughout the world, but I also see it happening right here in our stake. These conditions described by Paul concerning the wickedness of the last days, are being realized right before my very eyes. As the Stake President, I see and hear all manner of sin – violence, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and immorality of every kind. I believe there are not many things left for my eyes to see and my ears to hear. Evil is escalating at an alarming pace even here at home. Just as the Savior prophesied concerning the conditions in the world that would precede his Second Coming: “iniquity does abound, the love of men does wax cold” (JS-Matt. 1:30) and “all things are in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts do fail them, for fear has come upon all people” (D&C 88:91). 

I now quote Elder Bednar in a talk he gave one day after the tragic events that occurred only 45 days ago in Connecticut. He said:

              “We live in a world that grows increasingly confused and chaotic - ever more 

               evil and dark. Nothing could have emphasized that truth more than the tragic 

               events that occurred yesterday in Connecticut.” 

With his comments, Elder Bednar also quoted recent comments made by President Packer, who said: 

                      “The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace.” 

Now, pay close attention to this next sentence brothers and sisters –
President Packer said: 

                                “I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better.”

President Packer goes on to say: 

              “I know of nothing in the history of the Church, or in the history of the world 

               to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and 

               Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds 

               us now. Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. 

               Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hidden in dark places;
               now they are in the open, and even accorded legal protection. At Sodom
               and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now, they are spread across
               the world, and they are among us”. 

Brothers and Sisters, as I said last year during Ward Conferences – “we are in the count down.” 

Again, I say to you, that the scriptural and modern-day prophesies we have read and heard all throughout our lives are no longer prophesies to us – they are now our living reality. If there was ever a time in the history of the world for a people to wake up, pay attention, and get it together – now is that time. This is a defining moment for us, and we cannot delay. We need to get our temporal and spiritual houses in order. It is a must. Difficult times are still ahead and we need to be prepared. In my opinion, the last 5 years have put us on notice, and they should serve as a wake-up call in both temporal and spiritual matters. All throughout my life I have been counseled by our church leaders to live within my means and get out of debt. In fact, there was no topic talked about more by President Hinckley, during his time as the Prophet, than living within our means and getting out of debt. As I look back on the last 5 years, it is no wonder to me why he did. We experienced the worst economic, political, and spiritual times in the history of our country, and even globally. The words of President Packer during his visit to our stake 4 years ago still ring loudly in my ears when he mentioned this topic and warned us, by saying: 

            “This time is different. We have not experienced this in the past.
              This time it is global,  and it will be deeper and last longer than
              anything we have economically and spiritually experienced.”

Today, it is easy for us to reflect upon his words and know that he was right. Many of us would be better served today if we had taken his warning more seriously. For example, from 2008 to 2009 our stake experienced a 150% increase in welfare assistance to its own members. That assistance stayed about the same during 2010 and 2011. In 2012 we saw some improvement, and I am happy to report that we are now only 70% above our pre 2009 level of assistance. While there are some of us who could have done better, all in all, I commend you brothers and sisters. We are one of a few stakes in the entire church that remained a Fast Offering Giver rather than a Fast Offering Receiver during this time – meaning that we were able to meet the temporal needs of our own members and still have a surplus to pass on to the church to assist other stakes. I also want to commend you for following the counsel of your priesthood leader to prayerfully consider a more generous Fast Offering. It is overwhelming to me that during this temporal meltdown you have risen to the occasion and given more generously. I am very pleased to report that over the past 4 years our fast offering contributions have increased by 11%. This is amazing, especially since we now have 1,000 members less in our stake than we did in 2008. So, I thank you brothers and sisters. You are wonderful and I promise the Lord will continue to bless you as you continue to give generously. 

Now, while temporal and economic conditions appear to be getting somewhat better, let us not kid ourselves about what is really going on. Any improvement is only temporary, and the conditions we have experienced over the last 5 years will eventually and certainly return, and even get worse. Let us not forget the last 5 years, and let us learn from it. Let us all finally follow the counsel of our prophets to live within our means and get out of debt. It is possible to get out of debt if we live within our means, but it is not if we don’t. Now, not only is temporal preparedness vital for our mortal existence, but it also sets the stage for us to be spiritually prepared. The most important matter for us to consider right now and always is our spiritual preparedness. Over the past 4 years, it has been a wonderful exercise for me to call upon the Lord for guidance and direction concerning this stake, and in particular the setting of stake goals. It has been an interesting evolution to witness. Let me share with you part of a statement we prepared for all of us this year (a copy of which can be obtained from your bishop):

            “As the Stake Presidency discussed, pondered, and prayed about our stake 

            goals for 2013, we were impressed by the feeling that goals should be a matter 

            of focus and commitment at a personal level.
             In conjunction with this direction, we encourage each individual member to set 

             their own goal based on the following question:

             What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?

Let me repeat:

We encourage each individual member to set their own goal based on the following question:

What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior? We trust that as you prayerfully consider and ponder this question, it will be clear to you what your goal should be. We also testify that your personal commitment and discipline to fulfill this goal will indeed bring you closer to the Savior and will give you spiritual strength to remain firm and steadfast in the gospel regardless of the circumstances. We are impressed to share with you one goal you might consider, as you ponder the question: What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?

                        Spend time each day reading and studying the Book of Mormon.

Two others which are not in the statement but which I would like to also suggest are:

                  1) Don’t let a day go by in your life when you do not humbly and sincerely

                      kneel before God to thank Him for your blessings and plead with Him to 

                      give you the spiritual strength to meet the challenges which are coming.
                  2) Perform a spiritual self examination. Examine every aspect of your life. 

                      Identify those things for which you need to repent and then do it. 

                      Simply put, focus on your own personal worthiness.

In the end, the only things that will matter will be our personal worthiness and our relationships, especially the one we have with the Savior. 

Brothers and Sisters, President Packer was absolutely right when he said: 

                        “I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better.” 

As difficult as it may be to embrace, it is simply God’s plan. The moral, economic, and political conditions of the world will not, overall, get better. You and I were held back for this special time to prepare the earth for the return of the Savior. I believe many within the sound of my voice will be part of, and witnesses to, all of the events that will transpire prior to the return of the Savior. This will require each of us to be temporally and spiritually stronger than we are currently. In closing let me share a quote from Heber C. Kimball:

                “The time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys 

                 to the extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint, from the face of 

                 an enemy to the people of God. Then, brothers and sisters, look out for the
                 great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say
                 unto you there is a test, a TEST, a TEST is coming, and who will be able
                 to stand?  This church and each member of it has before it many close places
                 through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with
                 victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you
                 to be temporally and spiritually prepared, and have a knowledge of the truth
                 of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that
                 the man or woman who does not possess these things will fall.” 

Brothers and sisters, the test has come. It is now upon us. No man or woman will be able to endure what is happening now, or what is ahead, if we are not temporally and spiritually prepared. If you are not, you will not stand. I love you brothers and sisters. I testify to you that I speak the truth. I have a personal witness of the Savior and I know that He lives. He is the Son of Almighty God. He will return in glory and He will sustain us through the difficult times ahead if we do our part and are temporally and spiritually prepared. 

And, I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Interesting 1966 Prophecy

Quote from Thomas S. Monson:

"Your Future is as bright 

as your faith in Jesus Christ." 

1966 Prophecy:

In an address given on February 28, 1966 and recorded in his book, 

"An Enemy Hath Done This," on pages 106-107, 

Ezra Taft Benson spoke about the buildup of communism and socialism in the future of the U.S.A.; what damages these doctrines would bring, and what it would take for Americans to willingly accept these evil doctrines.

In his published book, he stated:
"There would be a further huge expansion of government and of its control over our economy, education, medical services, and every detail of our family and individual lives. During such a period, it is reasonable to expect -- unless sufficient brakes are put on the present stampede to the left, we will get exactly what the communist-socialist coalition is planning -- the nationalization of insurance, transportation, communications, utilities, banks, farms, housing, hospitals, and schools.

To take over our schools, the educational system will first have been federalized and then prostituted entirely to serving the propaganda needs of the state planners with absolutely no regard for truth or scholarship or tradition." (italics added)

Seems pretty prophetic to me. Let's see:
1. Expansion of government -- check
2. control over economy -- check
3. control over medical services -- check
4. nationalization of insurance -- check
5. control over transportation -- partially checked
6. control over communications -- Fairness Doctrine ---being debated now
7. control over utilities -- no new coal or nuclear power plants -- check
8. control over banks -- Citigroup, JP Morgan, etc. -- check
9. housing -- Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac -- check
10. hospitals -- check
11. Schools -- see National Education Agency -- check



Ezra Taft Benson served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower cabinet.
He later was President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Counsel From An Apostle

Elder Neal A. Maxwell's Counsel, Referencing Today

Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and year ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency.  Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago,
that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked.  In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ .  . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted . . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive.  Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened ....

Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost.  Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.  Ther will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will
step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do.  We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.  Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.
Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."


 --- Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Feb 1979 Ensign, “A More Determined Discipleship”

Forwarded November 2008