Friday, July 31, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Before deciding to become a feeder of wild birds – it would be wise – to talk to someone who has had the experience!!
Thursday, July 30, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
I am so glad that the prophet Isaiah saw that a great highway was going to be needed – to accommodate all those who would be walking on the Lord’s path – during the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Even though we may fall short of hearing the Master’s voice – we would be wise to seek the counsel of those who can hear His voice!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Even though we might have chosen the Savior as our mentor – His counsel will do us little good – unless we are willing to adhere to His teachings!!
Monday, July 27, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
If we wish to maximize our time on earth – we need to employ the Lord as our mentor!!
Sunday, July 26, 2020
POWER TO SEAL ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN 2
Before expressing my personal insights, feelings and experiences while serving as a sealer in the Newport Beach California Temple, I want to begin this Thought with some excerpts from Russell M. Nelson, the present holder of all the keys of the Priesthood available on the earth today including the power to seal on earth and in heaven.
Russell M. Nelson – Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – General Conference, April 2009
Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings
Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. … We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort.
Under President Gordon B. Hinckley’s inspired direction, temples are now more accessible than ever. Inscribed on each temple are the words “Holiness to the Lord.”1 That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness… We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort.
The Temple
President Hinckley said that “these unique and wonderful buildings, and the ordinances administered therein, represent the ultimate in our worship. These ordinances become the most profound expressions of our theology.”
The Endowment
In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift. In receiving this gift, we should understand its significance and the importance of keeping sacred covenants. Each temple ordinance “is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising.”
The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. President Brigham Young said, “Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, … and gain your eternal exaltation.”
Sealing Authority
In preparing to receive the endowment and other ordinances of the temple, we should understand the sealing authority of the priesthood. Jesus referred to this authority long ago when He taught His Apostles, “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” That same authority has been restored in these latter days. Just as priesthood is eternal—without beginning or end—so is the effect of priesthood ordinances that bind families together forever.
Temple ordinances, covenants, endowments, and sealings enable individuals to be reconciled with the Lord and families to be sealed beyond the veil of death. Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man. Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven—the kind of life that God lives.
Spiritual Preparation for the Temple
Because the ordinances and covenants of the temple are sacred, we are under solemn obligation not to speak outside the temple of that which occurs in the temple. There are, however, some principles we can discuss.
Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.
With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective.
Eternal Perspective
President Hinckley has explained that lofty perspective: “There is a goal beyond the Resurrection,” he said. “That is exaltation in our Father’s kingdom. … It will begin with acceptance of him as our Eternal Father and of his son as our living Redeemer. It will involve participation in various ordinances, each one important and necessary. The first of these is baptism by immersion in water, without which, according to the Savior, a man cannot enter into the kingdom of God. There must follow the birth of the Spirit, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then in succession through the years will come, for men, ordination to the priesthood, followed by the blessings of the temple for both men and women who are worthy to enter therein. These temple blessings include our washings and anointings that we may be clean before the Lord. They include the … endowment of obligations and blessings that motivate us to behavior compatible with the principles of the gospel. They include the sealing ordinances by which that which is bound on earth is bound in heaven, providing for the continuity of the family.”
Ordinances of the temple relate to personal progress and to the redemption of departed ancestors as well. “For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, … they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.” Service in their behalf provides repeated opportunities for temple worship. And that service deserves commitment to a planned schedule. By doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, we emulate the pattern of the Savior, who wrought the Atonement to bless the lives of other people.
I am confident that pondering these remarks by President Nelson would amply supply us all with sufficient thoughts to enrich our Sabbath day. Never the less, I would like to add some of my personal thoughts garnered from remembering my days as an active sealer in the House of the Lord.
The writers of scripture have used countless ways to express the Plan of our Heavenly Father which outlines the process by which His Work and Glory are brought to pass. As I served in the temple there were three whose meaning was an endowment to my mind; The Plan of Happiness, The Plan of Redemption and Salvation and The Plan of Exaltation.
Each of these plans have in common the principle of oneness.
The Plan of Happiness relates to the state which can be enjoyed by any one who is striving to live the principles of the gospel while in mortality. As it is recorded in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ concerning those who lived lives of righteousness, ‘There never were a happier people’.
The Plan of Redemption and Salvation not only requires living the principles required in the Plan of Happiness, but also makes it clear that the First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel; Faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, Baptism by immersion by one having authority and receiving the Holy Spirit by the ordinance of laying on of hands by one having authority are essential to receive the blessing of redemption and salvation.
The Plan of Exaltation requires living the principles in the Plan of Happiness, and The Plan of Redemption and Salvation, and teaches us that the sealing ordinances done in the Houses of the Lord are essential (wherein, wives are sealed to husbands, husbands are sealed to wives, children are sealed to parents and parents are sealed children) extending from Adam and Eve until the work is finished for all the children of our Heavenly Parents who have or will abide on this beautiful world.
As we ponder and study these plans it becomes apparent that in all of these plans no one stands alone. No one will ever achieve total Happiness alone. No one will ever achieve total happiness without surrounding themselves with people who are striving to be good and honorable. In fact, the more we can expand our circle of those who are living the tenets of the Plan of Happiness the greater degree of Happiness we will enjoy.
When the Savior, while in mortality, called and taught special witnesses He never intended His disciples to be limited to a very select group, but gave instructions for those special witnesses to go forth and teach and gather all the world unto Him and His gospel. The Plan of Redemption and Salvation increases in blessings for all as the number of adherents increases. The very essence of this plan is based on ministering through inclusiveness.
The Plan of Exaltation is the most inclusive of all. As was stated in last week’s Thought it includes all the children in all generations and dispensations. When properly understood our definition of family becomes magnificently magnified.
Just one last thought about the oneness required to bring to pass happiness, redemption, salvation and exaltation of all of Heavenly Father’s children who are willing to answer His call to come unto Him.
In the garden Eve was brought unto Adam to become his help meet or as the phrase is expressed in Hebrew עזר כנגדו (ezer kenegedo). The ‘wisdom of men’ have over the centuries distorted the meaning of this word so badly that women have been considered almost like personal servants to their husbands to do his every bidding, which even today continues to bring animosity between men and women who were intended to become one. In fact this sad misunderstanding could not be further from the truth. There are many words which have been used to portray the true meaning of help meet, but the one I personally prefer is ‘the other half of ones self’. Each female was to bring her talents, attributes and strengths and they were to be added to the talents, attributes and strengths of the male making of the two a stronger one. The combining of the uniqueness of each is what made them complete.
We can easily see that when the principle of oneness (help meet) is applied to the Plan of Happiness, the unique talents, attributes and strengths of each individual living the principles of the gospel cause a synergistic increase of happiness to the whole.
Likewise, we can understand that as the Plan of Redemption and Salvation includes multitudes rather than the few, the promises inherent in this plan multiply and become universally shared blessings.
It is wonderful to contemplate the totality of oneness which will be enjoyed when the entire worthy offspring of our Heavenly Parents are sealed as one Eternal Family.
I will forever count it as a blessing and great privilege to have participated in the sealing of countless brothers and sisters who are our Heavenly Parents children on both sides of the veil.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Russell M. Nelson – Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – General Conference, April 2009
Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings
Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. … We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort.
Under President Gordon B. Hinckley’s inspired direction, temples are now more accessible than ever. Inscribed on each temple are the words “Holiness to the Lord.”1 That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness… We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort.
The Temple
President Hinckley said that “these unique and wonderful buildings, and the ordinances administered therein, represent the ultimate in our worship. These ordinances become the most profound expressions of our theology.”
The Endowment
In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift. In receiving this gift, we should understand its significance and the importance of keeping sacred covenants. Each temple ordinance “is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising.”
The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. President Brigham Young said, “Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, … and gain your eternal exaltation.”
Sealing Authority
In preparing to receive the endowment and other ordinances of the temple, we should understand the sealing authority of the priesthood. Jesus referred to this authority long ago when He taught His Apostles, “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” That same authority has been restored in these latter days. Just as priesthood is eternal—without beginning or end—so is the effect of priesthood ordinances that bind families together forever.
Temple ordinances, covenants, endowments, and sealings enable individuals to be reconciled with the Lord and families to be sealed beyond the veil of death. Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man. Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven—the kind of life that God lives.
Spiritual Preparation for the Temple
Because the ordinances and covenants of the temple are sacred, we are under solemn obligation not to speak outside the temple of that which occurs in the temple. There are, however, some principles we can discuss.
Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.
With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective.
Eternal Perspective
President Hinckley has explained that lofty perspective: “There is a goal beyond the Resurrection,” he said. “That is exaltation in our Father’s kingdom. … It will begin with acceptance of him as our Eternal Father and of his son as our living Redeemer. It will involve participation in various ordinances, each one important and necessary. The first of these is baptism by immersion in water, without which, according to the Savior, a man cannot enter into the kingdom of God. There must follow the birth of the Spirit, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then in succession through the years will come, for men, ordination to the priesthood, followed by the blessings of the temple for both men and women who are worthy to enter therein. These temple blessings include our washings and anointings that we may be clean before the Lord. They include the … endowment of obligations and blessings that motivate us to behavior compatible with the principles of the gospel. They include the sealing ordinances by which that which is bound on earth is bound in heaven, providing for the continuity of the family.”
Ordinances of the temple relate to personal progress and to the redemption of departed ancestors as well. “For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, … they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.” Service in their behalf provides repeated opportunities for temple worship. And that service deserves commitment to a planned schedule. By doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, we emulate the pattern of the Savior, who wrought the Atonement to bless the lives of other people.
I am confident that pondering these remarks by President Nelson would amply supply us all with sufficient thoughts to enrich our Sabbath day. Never the less, I would like to add some of my personal thoughts garnered from remembering my days as an active sealer in the House of the Lord.
The writers of scripture have used countless ways to express the Plan of our Heavenly Father which outlines the process by which His Work and Glory are brought to pass. As I served in the temple there were three whose meaning was an endowment to my mind; The Plan of Happiness, The Plan of Redemption and Salvation and The Plan of Exaltation.
Each of these plans have in common the principle of oneness.
The Plan of Happiness relates to the state which can be enjoyed by any one who is striving to live the principles of the gospel while in mortality. As it is recorded in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ concerning those who lived lives of righteousness, ‘There never were a happier people’.
The Plan of Redemption and Salvation not only requires living the principles required in the Plan of Happiness, but also makes it clear that the First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel; Faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, Baptism by immersion by one having authority and receiving the Holy Spirit by the ordinance of laying on of hands by one having authority are essential to receive the blessing of redemption and salvation.
The Plan of Exaltation requires living the principles in the Plan of Happiness, and The Plan of Redemption and Salvation, and teaches us that the sealing ordinances done in the Houses of the Lord are essential (wherein, wives are sealed to husbands, husbands are sealed to wives, children are sealed to parents and parents are sealed children) extending from Adam and Eve until the work is finished for all the children of our Heavenly Parents who have or will abide on this beautiful world.
As we ponder and study these plans it becomes apparent that in all of these plans no one stands alone. No one will ever achieve total Happiness alone. No one will ever achieve total happiness without surrounding themselves with people who are striving to be good and honorable. In fact, the more we can expand our circle of those who are living the tenets of the Plan of Happiness the greater degree of Happiness we will enjoy.
When the Savior, while in mortality, called and taught special witnesses He never intended His disciples to be limited to a very select group, but gave instructions for those special witnesses to go forth and teach and gather all the world unto Him and His gospel. The Plan of Redemption and Salvation increases in blessings for all as the number of adherents increases. The very essence of this plan is based on ministering through inclusiveness.
The Plan of Exaltation is the most inclusive of all. As was stated in last week’s Thought it includes all the children in all generations and dispensations. When properly understood our definition of family becomes magnificently magnified.
Just one last thought about the oneness required to bring to pass happiness, redemption, salvation and exaltation of all of Heavenly Father’s children who are willing to answer His call to come unto Him.
In the garden Eve was brought unto Adam to become his help meet or as the phrase is expressed in Hebrew עזר כנגדו (ezer kenegedo). The ‘wisdom of men’ have over the centuries distorted the meaning of this word so badly that women have been considered almost like personal servants to their husbands to do his every bidding, which even today continues to bring animosity between men and women who were intended to become one. In fact this sad misunderstanding could not be further from the truth. There are many words which have been used to portray the true meaning of help meet, but the one I personally prefer is ‘the other half of ones self’. Each female was to bring her talents, attributes and strengths and they were to be added to the talents, attributes and strengths of the male making of the two a stronger one. The combining of the uniqueness of each is what made them complete.
We can easily see that when the principle of oneness (help meet) is applied to the Plan of Happiness, the unique talents, attributes and strengths of each individual living the principles of the gospel cause a synergistic increase of happiness to the whole.
Likewise, we can understand that as the Plan of Redemption and Salvation includes multitudes rather than the few, the promises inherent in this plan multiply and become universally shared blessings.
It is wonderful to contemplate the totality of oneness which will be enjoyed when the entire worthy offspring of our Heavenly Parents are sealed as one Eternal Family.
I will forever count it as a blessing and great privilege to have participated in the sealing of countless brothers and sisters who are our Heavenly Parents children on both sides of the veil.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, July 25, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There will come a time when wearing our one’s life in the service of the Lord – doesn’t take much effort – and – it seems like it has already reached its maximum!!
Friday, July 24, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There is no human voice which can move us to choose the right – as convincingly as the Holy Spirit!!
Thursday, July 23, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When we ask the Lord to aid us with His powers – and – then strive with all our might – the possibility of Satan coming away triumphant is almost impossible!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When we strive to fight the forces of evil alone – and – expect to come away triumphant – we may have placed ourselves on a path of an impossible quest!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It is sad that so few including those who have received the blessing of understanding – seldom seek – and – therefore seldom experience all the promised blessings of the gift of the Holy Spirit!!
Monday, July 20, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Those who have experienced life’s greatest tragedies – have undoubtedly – also received the comforting of the Holy Spirit more abundantly!!
Sunday, July 19, 2020
POWER TO SEAL ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN 1
In chapters 8 through 10 of the book of Helaman in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Nephi the son of Helaman writes about two events which could not be further apart on the extreme ends of a continuum.
At one extreme he writes the about corrupt leaders of the Nephite nation and at the other extreme he writes about Nephi the son of Helaman receiving the sealing power of the Priesthood.
Hardly a day goes by that we are not witnesses to or something is written about some leader abusing their office somewhere in the world. We don’t need to say a good deal about that particular signpost written as a warning to those who would receive Nephi’s words in the latter days.
As far as the sealing power which was given to him, God says unto Nephi: Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people. (Helaman 10:7)
To help us further understand the gift of sealing power which is given to benefit both those who receive their ordinances while living as well as those who receive these ordinances by proxy having not had the opportunity while living on earth, which was given to Nephi the son of Helaman I add the following excerpts from the Doctrine and Covenants section 128:8-18.
Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven… whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.
…in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah…
And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16:18, 19: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven…
Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead…
And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.
And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
These words from section 128 speak of the ordinance of baptism and hint at ordinances which are sealed by priesthood power which provide a link between husbands to wives, parents to children, generations to generations and dispensations to dispensations. In the following verse from Doctrine and Covenants 132:7 we find these sealings apply not only to all people, but all ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation.
And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.
Today the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, like Joseph Smith Jr., is the only person on the earth to hold the keys to seal on earth as well as in heaven, but he also has the power to authorize others to administer the sealing ordinances. I was blessed to actively participate as one of those who the living Prophet of God authorized to perform these sealing ordinances. In the coming week I hope to share some of the understandings and impressions I had as I was privileged to participate in the binding ordinances of the gospel.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
At one extreme he writes the about corrupt leaders of the Nephite nation and at the other extreme he writes about Nephi the son of Helaman receiving the sealing power of the Priesthood.
Hardly a day goes by that we are not witnesses to or something is written about some leader abusing their office somewhere in the world. We don’t need to say a good deal about that particular signpost written as a warning to those who would receive Nephi’s words in the latter days.
As far as the sealing power which was given to him, God says unto Nephi: Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people. (Helaman 10:7)
To help us further understand the gift of sealing power which is given to benefit both those who receive their ordinances while living as well as those who receive these ordinances by proxy having not had the opportunity while living on earth, which was given to Nephi the son of Helaman I add the following excerpts from the Doctrine and Covenants section 128:8-18.
Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven… whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.
…in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah…
And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16:18, 19: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven…
Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead…
And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.
And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
These words from section 128 speak of the ordinance of baptism and hint at ordinances which are sealed by priesthood power which provide a link between husbands to wives, parents to children, generations to generations and dispensations to dispensations. In the following verse from Doctrine and Covenants 132:7 we find these sealings apply not only to all people, but all ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation.
And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.
Today the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, like Joseph Smith Jr., is the only person on the earth to hold the keys to seal on earth as well as in heaven, but he also has the power to authorize others to administer the sealing ordinances. I was blessed to actively participate as one of those who the living Prophet of God authorized to perform these sealing ordinances. In the coming week I hope to share some of the understandings and impressions I had as I was privileged to participate in the binding ordinances of the gospel.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, July 18, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The whisperings of the Holy Spirit rarely come with long explanations of the reasoning behind their message – but – our subsequent obedience brings the light of understanding!!
Friday, July 17, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The difference between great – and – average authors – es that average authors usually fall short in their ability to write in such a way – that the reader hears the tone – and – level of the voices of their characters!!
Thursday, July 16, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When reading an author’s words it is important that the reader hears the words – with the proper intonation – and – emphasis which the author meant for them to be heard!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The tone – and – manner we use to say words – may be more powerful – and – effective than the words we are using!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When we look at others – and – envision what they can become – rather than what they currently are – it is a dramatic step – in becoming a loving and meaningful mentor!!
Monday, July 13, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The path which a person takes to change from the religion of their fathers – only seems easy to those who never had to walk that path!!
Sunday, July 12, 2020
EASINESS AND WILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE
As I was searching chapters five and six of the book of Helaman in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ I was forcibly struck with the words Nephi and Lehi (who were given these names by their father Helaman in remembrance of their forefathers Lehi and Nephi) used when recording the results of their preaching 25 years before the birth of the Savior and 58 years before His crucifixion.
And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words. (Helaman 6: 36)
The great irony of these words is that they were referring to the Lamanites, who for centuries, with the exception of the Anti Nephi Lehies, had rejected the word of God; while the Nephites who had over and over again been greatly blessed, had become wise in their own eyes and rejected the teachings of the Living Prophets.
This seems to be one of the historical certainties repeated during almost every dispensation of the gospel.
The dispensation of Adam turns wicked and comes to an end because of tempestuous destruction which ushers in the dispensation of Noah.
The dispensation of Noah comes to a corrupted human sacrificial end and ushers in the dispensation of Abraham.
The dispensation of Abraham ends in divided familial chaos and slavery and ushers in the dispensation of Moses.
The dispensation of Lehi ends in inhuman cannibalism and blood thirstiness and then the remnants must await the restoration of the gospel in the Latter Days to usher in the dispensation of the Fulness of Times .
The dispensation of Moses ends with its political and religious leaders becoming lights unto themselves ushering in the dispensation of Jesus the Christ.
The dispensation of Jesus the Christ ends in apostacy, everyman believing according to their own thoughts and nations waring against nations.
The dispensation of the Fullness of Times…
The apostle John’s book which he wrote while he was on the isle of Patmos, which bears the name of Revelation in the Holy Scriptures prophesies that the dispensation of the Fulness of Times will end with a third of the earths inhabitants being destroyed because of having chosen the path of evil rather than righteousness ushering in the Millennial dispensation of Jesus the Christ.
Besides these many historical witnesses, we who are living in the dispensation of the Fulness of Times have The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ as a testimony outlining the probable events leading up to the Second coming of Jesus the Christ.
In these same chapters five and six of Helaman, Nephi and Lehi record the characteristics of those on the path of evil and those on the path of righteousness.
BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM:
Characteristics of those who choose to tread the evil path.
Stiffnecked, choosing not to be governed by law nor justice.
Work to corrupt laws for personal benefit.
Do works to be seen of men that they might boast of their own strength.
Believe all they possess has come to them as a result of their own strength and intelligence.
Seek to destroy the servants the Lord has sent to declare good tidings to them.
Set their hearts upon riches of the world.
Seek to be lifted and honored by others.
Do secret works of darkness; murder, adultery and all manner of wickedness.
Turn their hearts to the author of all sin.
Secret combinations abide and abound among them.
Have the Spirit of the Lord withdrawn from them and are left to struggle in the shadows of their own miniscule light.
Characteristics of those who strive to tread the path of righteousness.
Humbly attempt to follow just laws.
Seek to have laws which are equally administered among rich and poor.
Attempt to live ministering lives, striving to be of service to their neighbors.
Seek the reassurance of the Holy Spirit to verify the words of the Lord’s servants.
Recognize their nothingness, never ceasing to recognize the greatness of God.
Give all glory and acknowledgement to God.
Work in the brightness of noon day that all may see the light of God which they hold up.
Turn their hearts to the word of God.
Seek to have the Holy Spirit with them at all times.
Strive to walk on a path lighted by the glory of the Son of God.
May we be wise, after the many dispensational testimonies we have been given, to think those thoughts, say those words and do those works which will stand as a witness that we have indeed chosen to tread the path of righteousness.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words. (Helaman 6: 36)
The great irony of these words is that they were referring to the Lamanites, who for centuries, with the exception of the Anti Nephi Lehies, had rejected the word of God; while the Nephites who had over and over again been greatly blessed, had become wise in their own eyes and rejected the teachings of the Living Prophets.
This seems to be one of the historical certainties repeated during almost every dispensation of the gospel.
The dispensation of Adam turns wicked and comes to an end because of tempestuous destruction which ushers in the dispensation of Noah.
The dispensation of Noah comes to a corrupted human sacrificial end and ushers in the dispensation of Abraham.
The dispensation of Abraham ends in divided familial chaos and slavery and ushers in the dispensation of Moses.
The dispensation of Lehi ends in inhuman cannibalism and blood thirstiness and then the remnants must await the restoration of the gospel in the Latter Days to usher in the dispensation of the Fulness of Times .
The dispensation of Moses ends with its political and religious leaders becoming lights unto themselves ushering in the dispensation of Jesus the Christ.
The dispensation of Jesus the Christ ends in apostacy, everyman believing according to their own thoughts and nations waring against nations.
The dispensation of the Fullness of Times…
The apostle John’s book which he wrote while he was on the isle of Patmos, which bears the name of Revelation in the Holy Scriptures prophesies that the dispensation of the Fulness of Times will end with a third of the earths inhabitants being destroyed because of having chosen the path of evil rather than righteousness ushering in the Millennial dispensation of Jesus the Christ.
Besides these many historical witnesses, we who are living in the dispensation of the Fulness of Times have The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ as a testimony outlining the probable events leading up to the Second coming of Jesus the Christ.
In these same chapters five and six of Helaman, Nephi and Lehi record the characteristics of those on the path of evil and those on the path of righteousness.
BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM:
Characteristics of those who choose to tread the evil path.
Stiffnecked, choosing not to be governed by law nor justice.
Work to corrupt laws for personal benefit.
Do works to be seen of men that they might boast of their own strength.
Believe all they possess has come to them as a result of their own strength and intelligence.
Seek to destroy the servants the Lord has sent to declare good tidings to them.
Set their hearts upon riches of the world.
Seek to be lifted and honored by others.
Do secret works of darkness; murder, adultery and all manner of wickedness.
Turn their hearts to the author of all sin.
Secret combinations abide and abound among them.
Have the Spirit of the Lord withdrawn from them and are left to struggle in the shadows of their own miniscule light.
Characteristics of those who strive to tread the path of righteousness.
Humbly attempt to follow just laws.
Seek to have laws which are equally administered among rich and poor.
Attempt to live ministering lives, striving to be of service to their neighbors.
Seek the reassurance of the Holy Spirit to verify the words of the Lord’s servants.
Recognize their nothingness, never ceasing to recognize the greatness of God.
Give all glory and acknowledgement to God.
Work in the brightness of noon day that all may see the light of God which they hold up.
Turn their hearts to the word of God.
Seek to have the Holy Spirit with them at all times.
Strive to walk on a path lighted by the glory of the Son of God.
May we be wise, after the many dispensational testimonies we have been given, to think those thoughts, say those words and do those works which will stand as a witness that we have indeed chosen to tread the path of righteousness.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, July 11, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Hating – and – demeaning others because they do not see the world – from the same slanted view as one’s personal elite group – may be the highest form of hypocrisy – and – bigotry!!
Friday, July 10, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The designs – and – philosophies of men – will always multiply the faults of others – while justifying personal short comings!!
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Working – and – wearing out one’s life in the Lord’s service – is a privilege – and – blessing!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Everyone who holds the Priesthood of God should be humbled – when they realize by this same power – the dead have been risen – the blind have been given sight – and – the heavens are held in their harmonious orbits!!
Monday, July 6, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Those who have grown by serving others – hopefully – understand the great gift they have been given!!
Sunday, July 5, 2020
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ – Helaman 5: 5-13
For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake: Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents (Lehi – Nephi) who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.
And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written.
We have often been given the admonition not only to read the scriptures, but to search them. We have also been given examples of various ways to accomplish this task such as; choosing a subject in the topical guide and then read, study and learn what the scriptures teach about that subject, another way might be while reading the scriptures chronologically take time to read all the references at the bottom of each page and I have even heard of those who do the flip the pages of the scriptures, blindly point to a verse and then do an exhaustive study of the principle in that verse.
One of my favorite ways of searching the scriptures includes the following steps:
While doing the first reading of a new set of scriptures I key word each verse as I read. Although my key wording would be marking the verses in red rather than bolding them as I have the verses from chapter 5 of Helaman above.
During subsequent readings, such as I have been doing as I have been writing Thoughts for a Sabbath Day based on the Book of Mormon, my searching often involves pondering upon what I have come to understand about the passages I have key worded.
I hope in the following paragraphs to demonstrate examples of my searching/pondering process. You will immediately realize that this process needs no structure nor proper sequencing, just allowing the thoughts to flow and fill one’s consciousness.
Keep the commandments – declare unto the people these words
Although the gospel good news is based on eternal truth, the sincerity of my declarations of these truths will only be of efficacy to those who might hear my words to the degree I am faithfully living them.
Have we not been taught an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Should my lack of perfection keep me from being a witness, it seems even the least of us can contribute to the current degree of our current understanding and faithfulness.
Etc. …
Given names of first parents – remember them – their works – they were good
My own surname, a portion of the names sons and grandsons have been known in my ancestral line for at least eight generations.
In an age when parents seem to place names upon their children based on cleverness and uniqueness we may have lost the benefit of bearing the name of those whose lives and sacrifices made our existence and comforts possible.
When people lose the ancestral anchors which hold them in place during the storms of life the possibility of drifting away from established safe paths may become greater.
Etc. …
Do these things that ye may boast – lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven – that precious gift of eternal life
How often do we forget the purpose for all we do is to please God not our brothers and sisters?
When ever we seek and receive the acclamations of our brothers and sisters we have our reward and should not expect any when the life span passes.
Setting one’s sight on some level of earthly honor rather than eternal life is short sighted and will usually result in one falling far short of the most precious treasures.
Etc. …
Words which king Benjamin spake – words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom
A person seldom rises to a level higher than they whom they choose as their mentors.
Once one has a testimony that there are those who have been commissioned to speak words which have come to them from everlasting sources, it behooves them to be especially attentive to those words.
One is on a dangerous path which could cause them to end up in a pit, when they convince themselves they have the ultimate answers to the purposes of life.
Etc. …
Not come to redeem them in their sins – redeem them from their sins - because of repentance -sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance – power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
Upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you – foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
It is wonderful that the first principles of the gospel remain consistent in all dispensations. Later in this chapter the ordinance of baptism is also spoken of.
I often wonder about how many religious traditions are really necessary. Boyd K. Packer once made the statement that the only thing we need besides the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are the words of the Lord found in the scriptures and the living prophets.
This passage gives added meaning to the words of the primary song which stated, the wise man built his house upon a rock.
Etc. …
I don’t believe this method of searching the scriptures will result in one becoming a scriptural scholar, but I have found it a useful tool to help remind and reassure me of those ideas and teachings I value and desire to be part of my life.
I pray the Lord will lead each of us to the methods of searching the scriptures which will cause them to be treasures in our hearts, pearls of great price and the words which will lead us unto eternal life.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake: Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents (Lehi – Nephi) who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.
And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written.
We have often been given the admonition not only to read the scriptures, but to search them. We have also been given examples of various ways to accomplish this task such as; choosing a subject in the topical guide and then read, study and learn what the scriptures teach about that subject, another way might be while reading the scriptures chronologically take time to read all the references at the bottom of each page and I have even heard of those who do the flip the pages of the scriptures, blindly point to a verse and then do an exhaustive study of the principle in that verse.
One of my favorite ways of searching the scriptures includes the following steps:
While doing the first reading of a new set of scriptures I key word each verse as I read. Although my key wording would be marking the verses in red rather than bolding them as I have the verses from chapter 5 of Helaman above.
During subsequent readings, such as I have been doing as I have been writing Thoughts for a Sabbath Day based on the Book of Mormon, my searching often involves pondering upon what I have come to understand about the passages I have key worded.
I hope in the following paragraphs to demonstrate examples of my searching/pondering process. You will immediately realize that this process needs no structure nor proper sequencing, just allowing the thoughts to flow and fill one’s consciousness.
Keep the commandments – declare unto the people these words
Although the gospel good news is based on eternal truth, the sincerity of my declarations of these truths will only be of efficacy to those who might hear my words to the degree I am faithfully living them.
Have we not been taught an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Should my lack of perfection keep me from being a witness, it seems even the least of us can contribute to the current degree of our current understanding and faithfulness.
Etc. …
Given names of first parents – remember them – their works – they were good
My own surname, a portion of the names sons and grandsons have been known in my ancestral line for at least eight generations.
In an age when parents seem to place names upon their children based on cleverness and uniqueness we may have lost the benefit of bearing the name of those whose lives and sacrifices made our existence and comforts possible.
When people lose the ancestral anchors which hold them in place during the storms of life the possibility of drifting away from established safe paths may become greater.
Etc. …
Do these things that ye may boast – lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven – that precious gift of eternal life
How often do we forget the purpose for all we do is to please God not our brothers and sisters?
When ever we seek and receive the acclamations of our brothers and sisters we have our reward and should not expect any when the life span passes.
Setting one’s sight on some level of earthly honor rather than eternal life is short sighted and will usually result in one falling far short of the most precious treasures.
Etc. …
Words which king Benjamin spake – words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom
A person seldom rises to a level higher than they whom they choose as their mentors.
Once one has a testimony that there are those who have been commissioned to speak words which have come to them from everlasting sources, it behooves them to be especially attentive to those words.
One is on a dangerous path which could cause them to end up in a pit, when they convince themselves they have the ultimate answers to the purposes of life.
Etc. …
Not come to redeem them in their sins – redeem them from their sins - because of repentance -sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance – power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
Upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you – foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
It is wonderful that the first principles of the gospel remain consistent in all dispensations. Later in this chapter the ordinance of baptism is also spoken of.
I often wonder about how many religious traditions are really necessary. Boyd K. Packer once made the statement that the only thing we need besides the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are the words of the Lord found in the scriptures and the living prophets.
This passage gives added meaning to the words of the primary song which stated, the wise man built his house upon a rock.
Etc. …
I don’t believe this method of searching the scriptures will result in one becoming a scriptural scholar, but I have found it a useful tool to help remind and reassure me of those ideas and teachings I value and desire to be part of my life.
I pray the Lord will lead each of us to the methods of searching the scriptures which will cause them to be treasures in our hearts, pearls of great price and the words which will lead us unto eternal life.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, July 4, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When we understand the importance of the work we have been called to do – we will be motivated to serve more diligently!!
Friday, July 3, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We should show our gratitude for having been called to serve – by being diligent in our stewardships!!
Thursday, July 2, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Thankfully – the Lord will not judge us nor our neighbors – using the same set of measurements – which we use to judge one another!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Most of us will be amazed when we see those – who enter into Heavenly Father’s Kingdom ahead of us!!
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