Monday, October 31, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There never has been a person – who couldn't add to their store of knowledge – by listening to their neighbor!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

Sunday, October 30, 2016

A BETTER WORLD

As I begin this Thought my mind is going through turmoil. In one flashing moment I go from not being one who spends a lot of time being nostalgic and dreaming of the good old days to thinking about yesteryears and the wonders of my youth. I am not totally positive, but I think writing about the vision of the world I grew up in has won the moment.

My father made a beneficial professional move from American Falls, Idaho, to Long Beach, California, I was just starting my 10th year of life so I joined with my mother and sister in this family relocation.

As any who have had a sans agency relocation in their lives will readily attest, even if the move is from a windy wintery gorge along the Snake River to a sunny/beach hamlet on the Pacific Ocean, it is still troubling and traumatic.

In the few lonely weeks before school started, I found the local Bixby Branch Library and became a rabid reader of biographies based on the heroes of our nation. Just a few of the people I remember reading about were George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Davey Crockett, Eli Whitney, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Franklin D. Roosevelt along with a whole library shelf of the orange hard bound hero histories.

There have been many moments during my life when the unsophisticated, simplistic words of these heroes I read about as a young boy, have been revealed to have had warts and failings by authors telling the real story.

I am not sure my world is better because the king’s nakedness has been revealed.

While we were in Long Beach, we lived in a quiet neighborhood where all the streets were name after trees. Halloween was a delightful day celebrated with costumes and candy. Most of the costumes we wore were of fairy book characters or sports heroes. Once you arrived at the age of 10 or if you had a brother or sister who was of that age, parents never accompanied you on your race through the neighborhood with you pillowcase dragging behind. (Taking a pillowcase was mostly just an indicator of hopefulness, because the candy we collected would have easily fit in a lunch sack.) Upon returning home there was some bartering with siblings in an effort to expand on the supply of your favorites. I remember my mother and father enjoying some of their favorites from our stash, but I don't ever remember having them examine the loot to make sure it was safe.

I am not involved with what Halloween has evolved into in the technologically enlightened age of the 21st century, but if what I see reported as the celebratory rituals of today are accurate, I don't feel a great loss. Costuming has become a contest in how creative gruesomeness can be portrayed. My zombie must be scarier than yours. My bloody characterization of a slaughtered and mutilated face and body must be more horrifying than yours. Even my fairytale representations have to be more revealing than yours. Neighborhoods are patrolled by police and parents watch every step their children take as they go from store to store in a well-lighted mall. Candy must be collected in a pumpkin designed by Gucci. No child is allowed to eat anything which is not triple safety wrapped and anything homemade or fresh will be thrown in the garbage can before entering the house. The booty which remains will be taken to a hospital to be x rayed and then and only then will I be able to have one piece of candy before going to bed. As the one piece of candy per day limit continues, by Thanksgiving the remaining goo is sent to the same fate the apples and brownies went to on Halloween night.

I am not sure my world is better because Peter Pan has to glance away when Tinkerbell flies into the room.

If my father lived today and still had the same level of character and integrity he had when I was growing up in my parents’ home, I suspect he would think he had been transmitted to another world. Not only was the profane not used in polite society, but it was even indelicate to speak of a women’s condition in mixed company or when children were present. It was a time when your word was a bond and trust was the foundation of all relationships. It was a day when we expected leaders to be examples of morality, people who would seek for the common good for the majority of the populace.

I don't have room in this thought to enumerate all the things which would shock my father if he were thrust back into our world today. (I don't even dare think about the list which my mother’s shocking’s would require.) I will venture to say that among the list would be the equal right women have acquired to be just as vulgar and profane as the proverbial dock worker. Also, the number of words required to safeguard any transaction, even among the best of friends. (I was about to say paper work required, but then I realized most of our words are now stored in cyber space.) Not far from the top of his list would be the state of leadership, where the loss of common sense is almost universal, being elected or retaining positions is more important than integrity, party line is more important than the welfare of the community and truth is what I say today, but not necessarily what I might say tomorrow. I guess if you really want to don the scariest costume this year you would have to be portraying a politician.

I am not sure my world is a better because censorship has become universally uncensored.

I know that the vision of the world I lived in when I was a lad is full of Pollyanna colorings and will easily be labeled, by those living in the sophisticated world of today, as unrealistic tripe. Never the less, I am grateful to still hold George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Davey Crockett, Eli Whitney, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Franklin D. Roosevelt in my memory as heroes in my mind. (This is one of the advantages of long term memory lingering while short term memory shortens.) I am grateful to have had my wonder year Halloween celebrations. I am grateful to have had parents who enlightened my mind with values such as integrity, honesty and proper use of words.

I am not sure the world is better because Happy Days has been replaced by Reality TV.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There never has been a person – who mastered – even a fraction of the available knowledge!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

Friday, October 28, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the signs of maturation – may be when fewer and fewer commercial propaganda messages – stimulate our must-have impulses!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the signs of maturation – is when our night-life enjoyment – changes to sleep-time enjoyment!!

AMOR - PAZ - GOZO - ABRAZOS!!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the signs of maturation – is when those we enjoy socializing with – expands to include – those who were born in a multiplicity of decades!!

AMOR - PAZ - GOZO - ABRAZOS!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the signs of maturation – is when the spectrum of our favorite colors – expands throughout the rainbow!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the signs of maturation – is when we willingly – eat green foods – and – even at times enjoy it!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is interesting – how many times we stand the tallest – when we rise after being knocked down!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

Monday, October 24, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times – when we grow and advance further – when we go back and start again – on a path with brighter light!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS

Sunday, October 23, 2016

ENOUGH OR ALMOST

A few weeks ago when I was writing some Life's Lessons Learned statements, for some reason I got started on thinking about how different individual and societal existence would be if people ‘almost’ did something for which they are remembered in the history books.

Christopher Columbus left Castilian Palos de la Fonterra on August 3, 1492 and 72 days later followed a flock of large birds to the island the natives called Guanahani, which today is known as San Salvador in the Bahamas.

If he had yielded to the pleadings of his crew to turn back earlier, there would have been no way he could have cheated two of his crew out of the reward for having first sighted land. There would be no disputations today as to whether he is worthy of having a day of celebration in the nations of the Americas.

The estimated number of failures Thomas Edison’s lamp factory had before successfully having light generated and sustained in a vacuum bulb varies from thousands to tens of thousands. He has been quoted as saying that they didn't have 1,000 failures, but 1,000 steps toward success.

Whatever the number, if they had stopped short of success we would be defaming a company by some other name for the amount of our energy bills. The debate whether it is a good or bad thing to have our days lighted 24/7 would defame or praise someone else.

The first person martyred for attempting to translate the Christian Scriptures into a ‘modern’ language is reported to have taken place during the 8th century and the last reported killing of persons attempting to translate the Bible into a language took place in the year 2016.

It is estimated that the Bible is currently translated, wholly or at least a portion of it, into 2,883 languages.

Although the exact number of martyrs, who have made the ultimate sacrifice to translate the word of God into the Babel diffused languages of the world, has only been accurately recorded in heaven, we have to understand what a different world we would live in if only clerics had access to the word.

Our world would surely be lacking if we weren't able to universally ignore Peter’s admonition that no scripture or prophecy was for individual interpretation. My personal world would have been lacking, if, as a youth, I hadn't been able to listen to the ‘old salts’ arguing over passages of the Bible at the ‘Spit and Argue’ gatherings on the shore of Long Beach, California.

In spite of my ‘tongue in cheek’ treatment of these discoverers, inventors and martyrs, I am grateful that none of them fell short in their quests and I know as I sit at my well-lit desk, referencing the scriptures in my native tongue in my California condo my life would have been much less had any of them and their like fallen short.

After that lengthy, introduction I now return to what I wrote on that recent Sunday past.

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one prayer short of a sure testimony?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one step short of a goal?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of service short of becoming filled with charity?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of kindness short of loving our neighbor?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one verse short of finding comfort in the word?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of courage short of gaining victory?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one patient act short of becoming more selfless?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of forgiveness short of being forgiven?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one trial short of gaining a more sure witness?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one sacrifice short of enjoying the personal love and comfort of Jesus the Christ?

Now that I have exhausted my limit of ten items in a list, let me add the following quotes and some counsel from the scriptures.

“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” ~ Og Mandino

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~ Pablo Picasso

The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
~ New Testament – Mark 4: 14-20

And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
~ Book of Mormon – Mosiah 4: 26, 27

Just as Columbus had no idea whether land would be found in 72 or 82 days, and Edison had no idea what medal would burn without being consumed in a vacuum tube, and the martyrs did not know how many words they would be able to translate before their lives would be taken; none of us know what tomorrow will bring.

Therefore, it is expedient that today I say one more prayer, take one more step, do one more act of service, one more act of kindness, read one more verse, seek once again, overcome one more trial, learn one more concept and make one more sacrifice.

May our daily efforts be sufficient to allow us to be counted among those servants who, in even small ways, multiplied their talents so that when we once again regain his presence, we may be privileged to hear the Master say, ‘well done my good and faithful servant’ is my fervent prayer.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

A few minutes on a well-lighted path – will advance us closer to our appointed destination – than stumbling through our lives in darkness!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Friday, October 21, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It would be sad – if the relationship we had with our Heavenly Father – and His son Jesus the Christ – during our premortal estate – were to grow more distant and estranged – during mortality!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It may turn out – that the person we needed – to know and understand most deeply – during mortality – is ourselves!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!

If coins only had one side – some people would never – be able to make a decision!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The Tree of Life – representing the pure love of Christ – is not the goal – but the key to obtaining the ultimate goal of Eternal Life!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Monday, October 17, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

In order to keep our egos in check – and to keep us from thinking we are all that much – we are reminded – that after all we do – salvation comes only through and by Jesus the Christ!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

HELPING ME BECOME MY ETERNAL SELF 6

Sunday, October 16, 2016

In his address at the conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, 7 April 1844, the Prophet Joseph revealed this about the nature of God and man’s relationship to him.

In the first place, I wish to go back to the beginning—to the morn of creation. There is the starting point for us to look to, in order to understand and be fully acquainted with the mind, purposes and decrees of the Great Eloheim, who sits in yonder heavens as he did at the creation of the world. It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God himself in the beginning. If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time, but if we start wrong we may go wrong,. And it will be a hard matter to get right.

If a man learns nothing more than to eat, drink and sleep, and does not comprehend any of the designs of God, the beast comprehends the same things. It eats, drinks, sleeps, and knows nothing more about God; yet it knows as much as we, unless we are able to comprehend by the inspiration of Almighty God. If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves. I want to go back to the beginning, and so lift your minds into more lofty spheres and a more exalted understanding than what the human mind generally aspires to…

God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was able to make himself visible—I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another.

In order to understand the subject of the dead, for consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary we should understand the character and being of God and how He came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.

These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they ae simple. It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Himself did; and I will show it from the Bible.

…Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.
(History of the Church, Volume 6 pages 303, 305-206)

As I have written in previous Thoughts, the road to becoming like our Heavenly Father is long and will not be completed by any of us during mortality no matter how long we are privileged to dwell in our mortal shells.

However, we can hasten our journey along the path by choosing to listen to and apply the teachings of wise and inspired Telestial Mentors; by listening intently to the Terrestrial Mentoring of the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and being susceptible to the promptings of our self-spirits; finally and probably most importantly of all, by striving to become worthy to receive instruction from the Celestial Mentoring of Jesus the Christ and our Eternal Father.

Less any of us should become overwhelmed by the eternal task we might be facing, I hasten to remind us of two thoughts. First, Elder Bruce R. McConkie often taught that it was more import to be on the path and pressing forward than to be worrying about our pace, relative position with others or our point of progress. Second, the administrator and actuary of The Plan is the Eternal Father of us all and He has dedicated His eternal life to the progress of His children.

Although I have now written two appropriate conclusions to this series of Thoughts, I will add one more conclusion with the following scriptures.

If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61)

Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.

And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.

And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.
(Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-38)

And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.

Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
(3 Nephi 27:28, 29)

But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory. (Doctrine and Covenants 76: 114-118)

May the Lord bless us with the wisdom to earnestly seek for all the help the Father has provided, that with these aids we might all move forward together. I am certain that He inspired the Irishman, John Greenleaf Whittier, to write, thee lift me and I'll lift thee and we'll ascend together. I am likewise sure that The Father is striving to lift us all to dwell with Him forever.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is no such thing as coincidence – when I comes to Heavenly Father – parenting and blessing His children!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Friday, October 14, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are types of growth which can be expressed by numbers and size – but eternal growth is usually difficult to measure – and is normally only known on a personal level!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is no reason – once having made a move – if we discover where we came from – was better – we cannot be wise enough to go back!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When you decide it is time to move from your comfort zone – it would be wise to initially take small and careful steps!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When you decide it is time to move from your comfort zone – it would be wise to initially take small and careful steps!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Monday, October 10, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When a comfort zone – becomes uncomfortable and binding – it is probably time for someone to make a move!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Sunday, October 9, 2016

HELPING ME BECOME MY ETERNAL SELF 5

Celestial Mentors

JESUS THE CHRIST

(Doctrine and Covenants 20:77; New Testament-John 14: 15-18;
Book of Mormon-Moroni 7: 47,48)

As I mentioned in last week’s Thoughts, mentoring by celestial mentors has a propensity to diminish as we ascend the hierarchy of the Godhead. Hence, any direct mentoring we might receive from the Savior will not only be rare, but for most of us not at all during our mortal probationary period.

Preparation:


It seems that the conditions which would precipitate direct mentoring to a mortal by the Savior of mankind usually seem to fall into two very unique categories. First, the Lord has need of a strong and faithful voice to be an instrument in bringing universally needed repentance or to usher in a new dispensation. Such as we find in the cases of Moses, Paul, Alma the son of Alma and Joseph Smith. Second, an individual or groups of individuals have acted in all holiness to the point they have reached a level of faith and sanctification that they have become pure enough to be in His presence. Such as we find in the cases of the people of Enoch or the
Book of Mormon people who were visited by Him shortly after his resurrection.

(Doctrine and Covenants 67:10-12; 84: 19-25; 50:40-46; 88:68; Book of Mormon-1 Nephi 11:1; Helaman 3:35; Alma 5:54; Moroni 10:33)

Process:

Mentoring from Jesus the Christ is usually referred to by using the words revelation, vision and visitation. I will again attempt to help us understand this process by using a chart I have found useful but is somewhat difficult to explain when not involved in a question and answer forum.

Jesus the Christ  Holy Spirit (condensation or translation)  Personal spirit mentor  Physical mortal mind


I will attempt to explain this chart. Since the Savior is a resurrected Celestial Being in order for him to be in the presence of mortals through the power of the Holy Spirit will either diminish His glory, which is called condensation or the Holy Spirit will increase a mortal’s glory which is called translation.

Once again we can see the essential passage most of us must go through by becoming familiar with the mentoring from our personal spirit and from the Holy Spirit so that we will be somewhat prepared if and when we ever have the privilege of personal mentoring by the Savior during our mortal sojourn.

(Doctrine and Covenants 76:14)

Caution:

I won’t spend much time talking about cautions which relate to being personally mentored by Jesus the Christ, since the prerequisites are so stringent that most of humanity will never be in this type of setting. However, we are warned that if a person were to have the privilege of being mentored personally by Jesus the Christ and then fall away, that denial might fall into the realm of the unforgivable.

(Doctrine and Covenants 76: 53; 132: 26; 88:33)

ELOHIM – THE ETERNAL FATHER OF OUR SPIRITS

(New Testament-John 14: 23; Doctrine and Covenants 130: 3)

Preparation:


Since there have been so few instances of our Father personally coming to this earth to mentor, which He has assigned to His First Born Jesus the Christ to administer, we probably don't need to spend a great deal of time worrying about preparing for His mentoring while we are abiding in our mortal realm.

However, all of what we do during mortality is in preparation for the day when we will stand before Him as He mentors us toward our Eternal existence.

(Doctrine and Covenants 66: 11,12; 137: 1-3; Pearl of Great Price-Joseph Smith History 1:17)

Process:


Jesus the Christ as our mediator will always be the means by which we are able to approach the Father’s presence.

(Doctrine and Covenants 132:12; New Testament-John 14: 6)

Caution:


Since during the time we spend in this physical shell we are most constantly impacted by the teachings of other mortals; since our most continual extra mortal communication comes when pondering and are able to interact with our personal pre mortal spirit; since the Holy Spirit is our most frequent and available mentor from the Godhead; and since the mentoring we receive from Jesus the Christ mainly comes through his servants and the veracity thereof is witnessed to us by the Holy Spirit, we could if we are not careful have a tendency to forget the Omniscience of His Eternal Existence.

We must always remember that all mentoring in whatever form it exists is a gift from our Heavenly Father to His children.

(To be continued)

Saturday, October 8, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is interesting to note – how much more you like a person – when you have positive thoughts about them!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Friday, October 7, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There will always be – a lot of stuff – between the extremes of any continuum!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Just because we accept and love someone – it may not be enough – to help us overcome – all the feelings which come from knowing – they have made choices contrary to our personal values!!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When we add rationalization – into our decision making – the consequences of our agency choices – may be magnified!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is grave danger – in using agency – to rationalize our behavior!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Monday, October 3, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It would be an enormous mistake – to think that our Heavenly Father – will ever cease His work – with any of His children – before He has brought to pass their eternal life!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!

Sunday, October 2, 2016

HELPING ME BECOME MY ETERNAL SELF 4

Terrestrial Mentors:

PERSONAL PRE MORTAL SPIRIT

Just a quick reminder that the mentor we are referring to here is that spirit which resides within our physical body and which existed in our pre mortal life as the offspring of Heavenly Parents.

(Old Testament-Psalms 51: 6; New Testament-Corinthians 6: 20; Matthew 26: 41; Doctrine and Covenants 131: 7; Book of Mormon-Ether 4: 15)

Preparation:


There are many who are born into mortality that have an automatic and continual connection between their pre mortal spirit mentor and their physical mind. We see this demonstrated not only in prodigies of music and the arts and sciences, but also see it manifest in many who from birth seem to enjoy special spiritual insights.

However, for most of us this connection happens as we gain a basic understanding of the Plan of Salvation and place our feet on the path where we are striving to live a good life.

(Doctrine and Covenants 84:85)

Process:


There is a connection between some of the practices of the religious life which aids in helping our physical mind connect with our personal pre mortal spirit mentor.

Fasting is an activity where we tell the physical body it will be denied of some of its needs until it submits to the desires of the mentoring of our personal pre mortal spirit.

Prayer is a process where we attempt to turn off the noises of the world, so that we can allow the mind to be subjected to the mentoring of our personal pre mortal spirit.

Scripture study is where the physical eye and ear can become accustomed to the language familiar to our personal pre mortal spirit.
Remember, when the Savior dwelt on this earth in His mortal body, His personal pre mortal mentor or His own pre mortal spirit was Jehovah the Creator.

(Doctrine and Covenants 43: 34; 89: 19; 88: 124; Book of Mormon-2 Nephi 15, 16)

Caution:

Constant and continual filling of the mind with deceptive and incorrect concepts which have been arrived at by man relying too much on his own intelligence, can hamper the connection between our physical mind and our personal pre mortal mentor.

(Doctrine and Covenants 112:23; Book of Mormon-2 Nephi 9: 39; Alma 31: 5)

Celestial Mentors:

Two weeks ago on the second installment of this extended Thought I wrote this quote from Joseph Smith, which is found in the Documentary History of the Church Volume 1 Page 339 and was given on the 13th of April 1833.

And again we never inquire at the hand of God for special revelation only in case of there being no previous revelation to suit the case…
It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence; and we feel fearful to approach Him on subjects that are of little or no consequence, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially about things the knowledge of which men ought to obtain in all sincerity, before God, for themselves, in humility by the prayer of faith…

This quote is especially appropriate to recall as we branch into the relationships we have with mentors whose activity becomes increasingly originated by the mentors (which consist of the Godhead – the Holy Spirit – Jesus the Christ – and our Eternal Father) and the learner becomes less of a factor in when or where or if direction will be given. This loss of control of being able to be the cause of mentoring seems to increase as we move up in the hierarchy of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is most accessible, Jesus the Christ less accessible and the Eternal Father rarely accessible to the majority of us during our mortal lives.

HOLY SPIRIT

(New Testament-John 14:6; Book of Mormon-2 Nephi 32:3-5)

Preparation:


Although all of Heavenly Father’s children are privileged on occasion to enjoy the mentorship of the Holy Spirit, through the process of gaining faith in Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior, sincere repentance, baptism by one having the proper authority and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit we can become beneficiaries of the constant mentoring of Holy Spirit.

The constancy of the mentoring by the Holy Spirit will be increased as we continue to progress in righteousness and practice Christ like attributes. I don't know if it is true or not, but I have wondered, if the reason our being mentored by members of the Godhead is somewhat monitored by our progression towards becoming righteous, is because we need to be moving closer to becoming Eternal Beings in order for the mentoring to be understandable and comfortable.

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:27, 28; 4:5; Book of Mormon-Moroni 8:25, 26; Alma 34:17, 28, 29, 38)

Process:


Although I haven't paid the price to do the research myself, I have heard it said that the teaching of seeking, knocking and searching is the most frequently used verse in the scriptures. Therefore, especially when we are speaking of the mentoring which we should be seeking from the Holy Spirit, it seems that we should be constantly seeking His mentoring.

I suspect that most of us, much like we did in our school days, have our minds so occupied by the daily distractions of life, that many times we fail to receive the offered mentoring. Therefore, we need to make sure we not only understand the process of mentoring by the Holy Ghost, but also make time available when we can be alert and receptive to His instructions.

Since the Holy Spirit speaks to us in a still small voice, it seems like it would be a good idea to understand how that happens.

I have used this simple chart to illustrate this process:

Holy Spirit  Personal spirit   Physical mortal mind

This chart is based on the understanding that spirit speaketh to spirit. It doesn't take much of a leap to realize that my former experience with learning to listen to and be in tune with my own personal pre mortal spirit mentor is an important elementary training to receiving mentorings from the Holy Spirit.

Learning from the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as revelation, but would better fall into the category of inspiration.

(Doctrine and Covenants 6:5-7; 6:36; 9:7; 1:34; 8:2,3; 35:19; 121:43; Book of Mormon-Moroni 10:3-5)

Caution:


Hugh Nibley once quoted his father as having said, ‘if an angel came into the room I would jump right out of the window.’ There have been those for whom the first experience of receiving inspiration from the Holy Spirit has been so overwhelming that they were left with no desire to have further mentoring. We need to be valiant enough and have sufficient faith that our Father will not give us that which we are unable to bear. It would be part of our eternal sorrow if we cut off this divine mentoring because we couldn't stand the heat of the refiner’s fire.

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord explains to the Prophet Joseph Smith, that Satan can counterfeit the mentoring of the Holy Spirit. I think this is another reason we need to have had experience with our personal pre mortal spirit so that we are familiar with and easily recognize the sureness of these whisperings.

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:2, 3, 9, 31, 32; Pearl of Great Price-Moses 1:18)

(To be continued)

Saturday, October 1, 2016

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When counting our blessings – being grateful for a loving, patient Heavenly Father – should always be at the top of the list!!

LOVE - PEACE - JOY - HUGS!!