(The words in red are my thoughts on the the talk given and are my opinion only. The highlights are mine as well. Take your thoughts and impression to the Lord for confirmation. The Holy Spirit is the real teacher.
Turn your soul toward the light.Sister Eubanks said in her talk that we need to "turn ON our light". Here we are told to "turn our soul toward the light." Ponder light. Begin your own wonderful journey home.Home is the light we are to turn towards. Perhaps the light we are to turn on is the "homing beacon"... As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful.
Recently, as we met with President Thomas S. Monson, he expressed, with great solemnity "solemnity" could mean 'serious' and a countenance of happiness, I want to have a countenance of happiness when I am that close to going home...how much he loves the Lord and that he knows that the Lord loves him. I think it is common to believe the Lord loves us, but less common to 'know' the Lord loves us. My dear brothers and sisters, I know that President Monson is very grateful for your love, your prayers, and your dedication to the Lord and His great gospel. He used this same expression in the women's session, but here he adds dedication to 'His great gospel'.
Bobbie the Wonder Dog
Nearly a century ago, September 1924 a family from Oregon was vacationing in Indiana—over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) away—when they lost their beloved dog, Bobbie. The frantic family searched for the dog everywhere but to no avail. Bobbie could not be found.
Heartbroken, they made the trip home, each mile taking them farther away from their cherished pet.
Six months later, the family was stunned to find Bobbie on their doorstep in Oregon. “Mangy, scrawny, feet worn to the bone—[he] appeared to have walked the entire distance … by himself.”1 Mind you, the dog made this 2,000 mile trek in the dead of winter, arriving in the month of February! Bobbie’s story captured the imagination of people across the United States, and he became known as Bobbie the Wonder Dog. You are making your own trek 'home' and may find that you also arrive there 'mangy, scrawny, feet worn to the bone' and you will see that you ultimately made the journey by yourself. No one can make the journey for you. You must choose it. Others may walk beside you, but they can't walk for you.
Bobbie is not the only animal who has baffled scientists with an amazing sense of direction and instinct for home. We all have this 'amazing sense of direction and instinct for home'...we just have to 'turn it on'.
suited for their survival.
(97,000 km).
When scientists study this fascinating behavior, they ask questions such as “How do they know where to go?” and “How does each successive generation learn this behavior?” Questions are the key to discovery and learning. We need to get better at asking questions.
When I read of this powerful instinct in animals, I can’t help but wonder, see? He's asking a question:) “Is it possible that human beings have a similar yearning—an inner guidance system, if you will—that draws them to their heavenly home?”
I believe that every man, woman, and child has felt the call of heaven at some point in his or her life. What does the 'call of heaven' sound like for you? Deep within us is a longing to somehow reach past the veil and embrace Heavenly Parents we once knew and cherished. I love how he's talking of Heavenly Parents...our Father and Mother. Think about it! Do you think they gave you birth and then put you in some kind of heavenly 'daycare'?? Just because the mortal mind can't conceive of how they could actually nuture and parent untold numbers of spirit children in any kind of intimate way, doesn't negate the fact that they know and love you personally even more than an earthly parent could. Remember, "on earth....as it is in heaven..."
Some might suppress this yearning and deaden their souls to its call. But those who do not quench this light within themselves can embark on an incredible journey—a wondrous migration toward heavenly climes. Notice who does the suppressing and deadening and quenching of light...we do.
God Calls to You
The sublime "supreme; outstanding" message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that God is our Father, This is the first lesson/statement in "Preach My Gospel"- God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father that He cares about us, if He didn't we couldn't call Him 'loving'...and that there is a way to return to Him.If we could somehow remember Him as our actual loving Father, why would we not want to return to Him? He's not just a "father" He is GOD, our ETERNAL Father; the creator of Heaven and Earth!
God calls to you. Read it like this: GOD calls to you....God CALLS to you...God calls TO you...God calls to YOU. Think about it... WHO is calling to you? What is He doing? WHO is He calling? What does each statement mean to you?
God knows your every thought, your sorrows, and your greatest hopes. God knows the many times you have sought Him. The many times you have felt limitless joy. The many times you have wept in loneliness. The many times you have felt helpless, confused, or angry.
Yet, no matter your history—if you have faltered, failed, feel broken, bitter, betrayed, or beaten—know that you are not alone. God still calls to you. That is what 'unconditional love' looks like. Never abandoned. Never alone. Never tired of calling you. Never tired of waiting; watching; forgiving; helping; teaching; loving. The Savior extends His hand to you. He doesn't wait for you to reach for Him. He stands already with arms outstretched...And, as He did to those fishermen who stood long ago on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, with infinite love He speaks to you: “Come, follow me.”2 Notice that He speaks to YOU first. If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day.He is ever calling. You just have to choose to hear.
When you walk the path of discipleship—when you move toward Heavenly Father this is the 'path to discipleship' - moving toward Heavenly Father —there is something within you that will confirm that you have heard the call of the Savior and set your heart toward the light. Why set your heart? Why not your mind? or your will? I think it is because the heart represents our emotions, and only thoughts that we take into our hearts will move us to action. It's the difference between testimony and conversion. One is in your head and the other is in your heart. It will tell you that you are on the right path and that you are returning home.Have you heard this 'call of the Savior' and have you 'set your heart toward the light? Are you on the right path to home?
Since the beginning of time, God’s prophets have urged the people of their day to “hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, … 'give heed; pay attention to'
keep his commandments and his statutes … , [and]
turn unto [Him] with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.”3
The scriptures teach us a thousand reasons why we should do this.
Today, let me offer two reasons why we should turn to the Lord.
First, your life will be better. who couldn't stand having their life better?
Second, God will use you to make the lives of others better. Ahh...here's the secret. You must be happy first because then you will see others in a positive light without judgment...that alone will make their lives better!
Your Life Will Be Better
I testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better.
This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust.4 In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith.
No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest. Trials are not optional. Your choice is between God being with you or the adversary being with you; God directing your steps or the adversary directing your steps; God walking beside you or the adversary walking beside you; God carrying you or the adversary pulling you down. There really is no 'going it alone'. You will have someone with you. There is no God's way, Satan's way or My way. Our choice is to yield to God's way or Satan's way. We think there's a 'my way', but there isn't. It's just another one of Satan's lies...
You will experience the sublime fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith.”5
These spiritual fruits are not a product of temporal prosperity, success, or good fortune. They come from following the Savior, and they can be our faithful attendants even in the midst of the darkest storms.Dark storms are coming (if not already here for you...) so pray for these fruits of the Spirit. Your house (which may be the product of your temporal prosperity, success, and good fortune) just burned down...do you feel love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith? If not, what do you need to believe in order to experience that?
The firesso many literal fires since the eclipse and conference! and tumults of mortal life may threaten and frighten, but those who choose to incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten. That feels like a 'circle' of protection. Remember these trials are a test to see if we will abandon our faith. Choose to see God's love in everything. Trust His promises, even when you're being tested!
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,” the scriptures teach, “and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”6
Those who choose to heed the inner call and seek God, those who choose to pray, believe, and walk the path the Savior has prepared—even if they stumble along the path at times—receive the consoling assurance that “all things shall work together for [their] good.”7
For God “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”8
Interesting that he chose to use the New International Version of this scripture. The King James Version reads: "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”
Also used the NIV instead of the KJV: "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." The important thing he's pointing out here is that the important 'thing' is that YOU CHOOSE to walk the path, pray as you go along and believe in the promises of the Lord. That you will stumble and feel weak and get weary, over and over, should not discourage you. You WILL rise again! with increased strength and power because God is with you! Focus on the choice to walk the path, not what happens on the path. TRUST it will ALL work for your good!
And the Lord in His goodness because there's not other way for Him to be, but 'in goodness'...asks:
"Do you want to experience abiding joy? not just 'joy' but 'ABIDING' joy. That's 'enduring; continuing without change' joy. I want that!
Perhaps it passes all understanding because the outward circumstances defy feeling peace...and yet it is there!
Then turn your soul toward the light. All you have to do is 'turn' towards the light. This is the act of choosing to yield to the enticings of the light, or the Holy Spirit or the Light of Christ. You turn AWAY from the dark, which is the voice of temptation that brings thoughts and beliefs that bring anger, jealousy, envy, strife, depression, fear, anxiety, etc. Once you exercise your agency to 'turn' then the divine 'tractor beam' of God's love will begin to 'draw you home'.
Begin your own wonderful journey home. As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful.
God Will Use You
On your journey back to Heavenly Father you will soon realize that this journey isn’t just about focusing on your own life. No, this path inevitably leads you to become a blessing in the lives of God’s other children—your brothers and sisters. And the interesting thing about the journey is that as you serve God, and as you care for and help your fellowmen, Remember that the Savior's last parable to his disciples was about the sheep and the goats and the determining factor was who chose to serve others and who didn't. you will see great progress in your own life, in ways you could never imagine. Here is where you don't 'lean to your own understanding' and instead, TRUST your life to God. You don't have to be able to imagine the ways he will bless you. Just know enough about Him to trust that His plans are better than yours or even what you could imagine. I always say, "Father, may I have this?.... or something better:)" You + God = infinite possibilities. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes.
His work has always advanced on this important principle: “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”11 Notice it is not "out of great things proceedeth that which is great" and it's not "out of weak things proceedeth that which is great." It is "out of SMALL things..." Ether 12:27 tells us that when we "come unto Christ" that He will first show us our weakness; then he'll make weak things become strong (assuming we've humbled ourselves and have faith to act in His grace). Perhaps the "small" thing He refers to is us in 'humbled' condition. Small is one of the definitions of 'humble'. We're used to thinking of the contrast between small and great as tiny and large, or low and high, but here...it might mean humble and power that is magnified.
His work has always advanced on this important principle: “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”11 Notice it is not "out of great things proceedeth that which is great" and it's not "out of weak things proceedeth that which is great." It is "out of SMALL things..." Ether 12:27 tells us that when we "come unto Christ" that He will first show us our weakness; then he'll make weak things become strong (assuming we've humbled ourselves and have faith to act in His grace). Perhaps the "small" thing He refers to is us in 'humbled' condition. Small is one of the definitions of 'humble'. We're used to thinking of the contrast between small and great as tiny and large, or low and high, but here...it might mean humble and power that is magnified.
When writing to the Saints in Corinth, the Apostle Paul observed that not many of them would be considered wise by worldly standards. But that didn’t matter, because “God hath chosen the weak things of the world Perhaps we should take note as to whether we are considered 'wise' by 'world standards'...perhaps we are on the wrong side of this equation... to confound the things which are mighty.”12
The history of God’s work is filled with people who considered themselves inadequate. But they humbly served, relying on the grace of God If we consider ourselves 'adequate' we might not feel like we need to rely on the grace of God. We need to understand, however, that even the most 'learned and truly wise' can still consider themselves a student and humbly rely on the grace of God. It's not a measure of actual knowledge, but of self-assessment of whether or not we have attained enough knowledge to be considered wise enough for others to rely on our wisdom instead of God's. and His promise: “Their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield … , and they shall fight manfully for me; and … I [will] preserve them.”13 I will make a list of all of the promises spoken of in this conference. I heard a strong message that we must know and trust these promises for the days ahead.
This past summer our family had a wonderful opportunity to visit some early Church history sites in the eastern United States. In a special way, I wonder if he's referring to some actual 'special way'... we relived the history of that time. People I had read so much about—people like Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and Thomas B. Marsh—became more real to me as we walked where they walked and pondered the sacrifices they made to build the kingdom of God. You can read more about each man if you click on their names...
They had many great traits that allowed them to make significant contributions to the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. But they were also human, weak, and fallible—just as you and I are. Some found themselves at variance with the Prophet Joseph Smith and fell away from the Church. Later, many of the same people had a change of heart, humbled themselves, and once again sought and found fellowship with the Saints. We will yet see many leave the church. Do not judge them. Be grateful for the contributions they made while in the fold. They may yet return so do not be unkind or write them off. Continue to love and be forgiving.
We might have a tendency to judge these brethren and other members like them. We might say, “I would never have abandoned the Prophet Joseph.”
While that may be true, we don’t really know keep saying this to yourself when you are tempted to judge, "I don't really know, do I..." also, we may have to make some hard choices by following a prophet in the future. Will you abandon him when you don't like what he asks of you? Is this a warning? what it was like to live in that time, in those circumstances. No, they were not perfect, but how encouraging it is to know that God was able to use them anyway. He knew their strengths and weaknesses, and He gave them the extraordinary opportunity to contribute a verse or a melody to the glorious anthem of the Restoration.
How encouraging it is to know, though we are imperfect, if our hearts are turned to God, He will be generous and kind and use us for His purposes.God doesn't need you to be perfect. He just needs you to be willing and trusting. He will make you enough and more.
Those who choose to love and serve God and fellowmen and humbly and actively participate in His work will see wondrous things happen in their lives and in the lives of those they love. Notice you must 'actively' participate in this work. You don't love and serve others from a couch. And we serve from a position of humility and 'smallness' not out of greatness. Who wouldn't want to see 'wondrous' things happen in their lives???
Doors that seemed shut will open. So don't be discouraged when you see a shut door!
Angels will go before them and prepare the way.Trust that the way has been prepared, even though you don't see it.
No matter your position in your community or in the Church, God will use you, if you are willing. You must CHOOSE it. He will magnify your righteous desires and turn the compassionate actions you sow into a bountiful harvest of goodness.Remember You + God = infinite possibilities!!
We Can’t Get There on Autopilot
We are, each one of us, “strangers and pilgrims”14 Take the time to read all of Hebrews 11, the footnote for this passage. Study it. Ponder it. So important! in this world. In many ways, we are far from home. But that doesn’t mean we need to feel lost or alone.
Our beloved Father in Heaven has given us the Light of Christ. And deep within each one of us, a heavenly stirring urges us to turn our eyes and hearts to Him as we make the pilgrimage back to our celestial home.
This requires effort. choice! You cannot get there without striving to learn of Him, understanding His instructions, earnestly applying them, and putting one foot in front of the other. Again...all words of choice and action: strive, understand, earnestly apply, put one foot in front of the other...
No, life is not a self-driving car. It is not an airplane on autopilot.
You cannot just float in the waters of life and trust that the current will take you wherever you hope to be one day. I love this statement. This is the "all is well" or "eat, drink and be merry" approach to life. Acting like you need to make no real effort at 'becoming' Christlike and overcoming the natural man....just go to work, go to church, don't break any laws or the major commandments and all will be well at the end of your life. God will tolerate your 'weakness' and forgive your mortal mishaps as part of life, with no real worry or effort on your part to change or be 'born again'. Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed. The 'when needed' will be coming shortly, if it hasn't hit you already. You may have to swim against the social tide, or your own comfortable inherited beliefs. Are you willing?
No one else is responsible for your personal journey. As much as we talk about unity and community, at the end of the day you can only be responsible for your own salvation; your own journey. That includes your spouse and your children...The Savior will help you and prepare the way before you, I love the idea that He is preparing the way before me; anticipating my decisions be they good or bad...I always think of the 'Lost Manuscript' and how the Lord prepared for that hundreds of years before it happened. but the commitment to follow Him and keep His commandments must come from you. That is your sole burden, your sole privilege.Notice it is a burden and a privilege. It's a burden because it's not easy. It takes effort and commitment. It's a privilege because the right and ability to even make the journey comes as a gift from our Father in Heaven.
This is your great adventure. Expand your view of this earth life. It's part of your 'great adventure'. Quit thinking every 'chapter' is the end of your story or how things will always be.
Please heed the call of your Savior.Note that this is the first talk of the General Sessions and that the last song of the last session was "Israel, Israel God is Calling." I felt like it was the perfect ending to this October General Conference. Listen to these words:
1. Israel, Israel, this is you God is calling, calling you!
Calling thee from lands of woe. grief, distress, affliction, trouble - our world is full of woe
Babylon the great is falling; stop living in Babylon and trusting in and worshiping it's treasures.
God shall all her tow'rs o'erthrow. this is a promise
Come to Zion, come to Zion Here is the call - to come TO somewhere not just leave Babylon
Ere his floods of anger flow. 'ere' means 'before'. Come out of the world 'before' the floods
Come to Zion, come to Zion the call is made repeatedly. He never tires of calling you
Ere his floods of anger flow. and the scriptures warn us of what is sure to come
INVITATION:
PROMISES:
Doors that seemed shut will open. So don't be discouraged when you see a shut door!
Angels will go before them and prepare the way.Trust that the way has been prepared, even though you don't see it.
No matter your position in your community or in the Church, God will use you, if you are willing. You must CHOOSE it. He will magnify your righteous desires and turn the compassionate actions you sow into a bountiful harvest of goodness.Remember You + God = infinite possibilities!!
We Can’t Get There on Autopilot
We are, each one of us, “strangers and pilgrims”14 Take the time to read all of Hebrews 11, the footnote for this passage. Study it. Ponder it. So important! in this world. In many ways, we are far from home. But that doesn’t mean we need to feel lost or alone.
Our beloved Father in Heaven has given us the Light of Christ. And deep within each one of us, a heavenly stirring urges us to turn our eyes and hearts to Him as we make the pilgrimage back to our celestial home.
This requires effort. choice! You cannot get there without striving to learn of Him, understanding His instructions, earnestly applying them, and putting one foot in front of the other. Again...all words of choice and action: strive, understand, earnestly apply, put one foot in front of the other...
No, life is not a self-driving car. It is not an airplane on autopilot.
You cannot just float in the waters of life and trust that the current will take you wherever you hope to be one day. I love this statement. This is the "all is well" or "eat, drink and be merry" approach to life. Acting like you need to make no real effort at 'becoming' Christlike and overcoming the natural man....just go to work, go to church, don't break any laws or the major commandments and all will be well at the end of your life. God will tolerate your 'weakness' and forgive your mortal mishaps as part of life, with no real worry or effort on your part to change or be 'born again'. Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed. The 'when needed' will be coming shortly, if it hasn't hit you already. You may have to swim against the social tide, or your own comfortable inherited beliefs. Are you willing?
No one else is responsible for your personal journey. As much as we talk about unity and community, at the end of the day you can only be responsible for your own salvation; your own journey. That includes your spouse and your children...The Savior will help you and prepare the way before you, I love the idea that He is preparing the way before me; anticipating my decisions be they good or bad...I always think of the 'Lost Manuscript' and how the Lord prepared for that hundreds of years before it happened. but the commitment to follow Him and keep His commandments must come from you. That is your sole burden, your sole privilege.Notice it is a burden and a privilege. It's a burden because it's not easy. It takes effort and commitment. It's a privilege because the right and ability to even make the journey comes as a gift from our Father in Heaven.
This is your great adventure. Expand your view of this earth life. It's part of your 'great adventure'. Quit thinking every 'chapter' is the end of your story or how things will always be.
Please heed the call of your Savior.Note that this is the first talk of the General Sessions and that the last song of the last session was "Israel, Israel God is Calling." I felt like it was the perfect ending to this October General Conference. Listen to these words:
1. Israel, Israel, this is you God is calling, calling you!
Calling thee from lands of woe. grief, distress, affliction, trouble - our world is full of woe
Babylon the great is falling; stop living in Babylon and trusting in and worshiping it's treasures.
God shall all her tow'rs o'erthrow. this is a promise
Come to Zion, come to Zion Here is the call - to come TO somewhere not just leave Babylon
Ere his floods of anger flow. 'ere' means 'before'. Come out of the world 'before' the floods
Come to Zion, come to Zion the call is made repeatedly. He never tires of calling you
Ere his floods of anger flow. and the scriptures warn us of what is sure to come
2. Israel, Israel, God is speaking. Put your name in here - "Mary, Mary, God is speaking"
Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice! Listen! to the voice of the One who delivers you from your woe
Now a glorious morn is breaking Don't look at the darkness. It's the dawn a new millennial day
For the people of his choice. How do we become the people of His choice? Is this is you?
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Can you feel the divine tractor beam pulling you in? Come! Come!
And within her walls rejoice. Think about why you will rejoice in Zion. What does that look like?
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Come! Come! The invitation is so strong!
And within her walls rejoice.
Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice! Listen! to the voice of the One who delivers you from your woe
Now a glorious morn is breaking Don't look at the darkness. It's the dawn a new millennial day
For the people of his choice. How do we become the people of His choice? Is this is you?
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Can you feel the divine tractor beam pulling you in? Come! Come!
And within her walls rejoice. Think about why you will rejoice in Zion. What does that look like?
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Come! Come! The invitation is so strong!
And within her walls rejoice.
3. Israel, angels are descending
From celestial worlds on high, Who are these angels? They must be sent by God to be celestial.
And to man their pow'r extending, What is this power they are extending? Receive it!
That the Saints may homeward fly. This whole talk was about your journey home.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Come! Come!
For your coming Lord is nigh. His coming truly is near. He is coming!
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Zion is who you are before it is where you are.
For your coming Lord is nigh. His coming as the 2nd Comforter might be first. Pray for that day!
From celestial worlds on high, Who are these angels? They must be sent by God to be celestial.
And to man their pow'r extending, What is this power they are extending? Receive it!
That the Saints may homeward fly. This whole talk was about your journey home.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Come! Come!
For your coming Lord is nigh. His coming truly is near. He is coming!
Come to Zion, come to Zion, Zion is who you are before it is where you are.
For your coming Lord is nigh. His coming as the 2nd Comforter might be first. Pray for that day!
4. Israel! Israel! Canst thou linger Notice the ! after Israel! Listen to the call!
Still in error's gloomy ways? Why wait? Go back to the "Three Sister's" talk. Quit being sad/mad!
Mark how judgment's pointing finger 'mark' - take note; write it down; you'll see it come to pass
Justifies no vain delays. Don't wait til tomorrow for what you know you should do today
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Hear the call!
Zion's walls shall ring with praise. And what will we be praising?
Come to Zion, come to Zion! You have to choose to respond to the call
Zion's walls shall ring with praise. Praise God for His loving kindness and goodness and love!
Follow Him. Do you know how to do that?
The Lord has established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help you in this commitment to serve God and fellowmen. This is one way to follow Him. Its purpose is to encourage, teach, lift, and inspire. This wonderful Church provides opportunities for you to exercise compassion, reach out to others, and renew and keep sacred covenants. It is designed to bless your life and improve your home, community, and nation.Your life should be better for heeding this call.
Come, join with us and trust the Lord. Lend your talents to His wonderful work. Reach out, encourage, heal, and support all who desire choose to feel and heed the yearning for our supernal home. Let us join together in this glorious pilgrimage to heavenly climes. Everything is better when we do it together in love.
The gospel is a transcendent message of hope, happiness, and joy. It is the pathway that leads us home. It will lift you above your woes and cares.
As we embrace the gospel in faith and deed,faith requires deeds and is expressed by deed each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes. Of this I testify and leave you my blessing in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
REFERENCES
Still in error's gloomy ways? Why wait? Go back to the "Three Sister's" talk. Quit being sad/mad!
Mark how judgment's pointing finger 'mark' - take note; write it down; you'll see it come to pass
Justifies no vain delays. Don't wait til tomorrow for what you know you should do today
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Hear the call!
Zion's walls shall ring with praise. And what will we be praising?
Come to Zion, come to Zion! You have to choose to respond to the call
Zion's walls shall ring with praise. Praise God for His loving kindness and goodness and love!
Follow Him. Do you know how to do that?
The Lord has established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help you in this commitment to serve God and fellowmen. This is one way to follow Him. Its purpose is to encourage, teach, lift, and inspire. This wonderful Church provides opportunities for you to exercise compassion, reach out to others, and renew and keep sacred covenants. It is designed to bless your life and improve your home, community, and nation.Your life should be better for heeding this call.
Come, join with us and trust the Lord. Lend your talents to His wonderful work. Reach out, encourage, heal, and support all who desire choose to feel and heed the yearning for our supernal home. Let us join together in this glorious pilgrimage to heavenly climes. Everything is better when we do it together in love.
The gospel is a transcendent message of hope, happiness, and joy. It is the pathway that leads us home. It will lift you above your woes and cares.
As we embrace the gospel in faith and deed,faith requires deeds and is expressed by deed each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes. Of this I testify and leave you my blessing in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
REFERENCES
- See Susan Stelljes, “Bobbie the Wonder Dog,” The Oregon Encyclopedia, oregonencyclopedia.org.
- See Matthew 4:19; Luke 18:22.
- Isaiah 40:29, New International Version.
- Proverbs 24:16, New International Version.
- See Philippians 4:7.
INVITATION:
- Tune in to my inner guidance system and feel the call to my heavenly home
- Hearkent to the voice of God; keep his commandments and turn to Him with all my heart and soul.
- If I choose to love and serve God and others and humbly and actively participate in His work I will see wondrous things happen in my life and in the lives of those I love.
- No one else is responsible for my personal journey. This is my great adventure.
- Heed the call of the Savior. Follow Him.
PROMISES:
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