Monday, August 31, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Only when we are repeating actions which lead to character growth – will we be blessed with greater character!!
Sunday, August 30, 2020
LIVES WHICH HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY LIVING PROPHETS
As we transition from the Book of Helaman to the Book of Third Nephi in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ we are greeted with two interesting accounts. First, Nephi who is both the writer of the last chapters of the Book of Helaman and most of the Book of Third Nephi gives a wonderful genealogical synopsis of his line going back to the first chief judge over the lands of the Nephites: Nephi the son of Helaman who was the son of Helaman who was the son of Alma who was the son of Alma. Second, he writes of the extreme differences between those who have rejected Samuel’s prophecies and those who continued to believe in the coming of the Son of God.
Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives. (Helaman 16: 15-21)
This great manifestation of wickedness happened in spite of the many signs and wonders which took place which were a fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecies. The majority of the people rejected the teachings of their living prophet Nephi and with their hearts hardened they appointed a day on which if the ultimate sign of there being a night and a day with no night was not fulfilled all those who remained faithful to the voice of the living prophet would be put to death.
On the eve of that appointed day of desolation Nephi bowed himself down upon the earth and cried mightily to his God.
And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. (3 Nephi 1: 12-14)
Although we are currently living in a day when religious freedom is once again being threatened by those who have made of themselves living gods, gratefully we have not as yet come to the point where believers will be cast into fiery pits, burned at the stake or beheaded. We are definitely in a time when revelation is being denied or at best that there is only individual inspiration, which negates the need for prophets.
My life has been so abundantly blessed because of the words of living prophets that I would be amiss if I did not bear witness of their guidance in my life and pray with all my heart that I will continue to be diligent in hearkening unto their words.
David O. McKay:
The prophet of my youth who I had more personal experience with than any other prophet of the latter days, since we lived in Garden Grove, California and belonged to the Santa Ana, California Stake. During that period of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints one of their properties was a small house in Laguna Beach, California, where he vacationed and which was also at that time part of the Santa Ana Stake.
It could have been because of his flowing white hair, but mostly because of his example of how a man of God treated his eternal brothers and sisters. Anyway, I never had a doubt that he was the Lord’s anointed.
One stake conference when He was in attendance I also happened to be the youth speaker assigned to speak in a session of conference. Besides being very nervous I also received the understanding that there is a difference in the power of the words of living prophets and a young teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Joseph Fielding Smith:
Although he was the Prophet of the whole church for a very short time, his impact was profound because of his prophetic writings and the changes he made while serving as the longest anointed living prophet.
He made major changes in the publications of the church. The change which was the most dramatic was how it paved the way for setting the priesthood offices of the church in order. He defrock all of the stake seventies which, although we did not realize it at the time, was the beginning of establishing the Seventy as the arm of the Apostles and Prophets to govern The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout the world no matter how much the membership multiplied and spread.
Although I was one of those defrocked stake seventies, I am grateful to have had my days lengthened to see the prophetic manifestation of his words.
Spencer W. Kimball:
His pronouncement that the day would come when there would be hundreds of thousands serving missionaries still causes bumps on the backs of my arms and fills my heart with joy every time I
am blessed to recall his powerful message.
When Kathleen and I were blessed to be called by President Gordon B. Hinckley to preside as leaders of the Bogota, Colombia Mission, we had little idea what a powerful part of our earthly journey would take place while serving with the wonderful missionaries among those spiritual members of the church and the marvelous Colombian people.
When we returned from that exceptional three year experience all reference to our life’s experiences were either BC (before Colombia) and AC (after Colombia).
One of the blessings of my retirement years has been, through the miracle of cyber transmissions to return to be in regular contact with so many of those who were part of our pre mission, mission and post mission life.
We will forever be grateful that we were blessed by the Lord to be a small part of the fulfillment of President Kimball’s prophetic utterance.
Russell M. Nelson:
Will be remembered for many things no matter how long his period of being the Prophet to the whole church may be, but his putting the church in order in so many ways because of his continuing the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through revelations of the Lord’s will.
Although there have been many more anointed prophets, seers and revelators, such as Boyd K. Packer, Neil A. Maxwell, Bruce R, McConkie, Richard G. Scott and Jeffrey R. Holland who have been tremendous molders of my faith, my understanding and conversion to the worship of a God of Mercy, Grace and Love, I will have to allow the testimony of these few to stand as a witness to my gratefulness to have lived when the world was blessed to have living prophets to guide and direct those who were of a contrite spirit and a humbled heart.
My prayer is that each of us will be wise like those who faithfully believed in the words of Samuel and Nephi and thereby had the privilege of being personally ministered to by the resurrected Savior.
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💞
Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives. (Helaman 16: 15-21)
This great manifestation of wickedness happened in spite of the many signs and wonders which took place which were a fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecies. The majority of the people rejected the teachings of their living prophet Nephi and with their hearts hardened they appointed a day on which if the ultimate sign of there being a night and a day with no night was not fulfilled all those who remained faithful to the voice of the living prophet would be put to death.
On the eve of that appointed day of desolation Nephi bowed himself down upon the earth and cried mightily to his God.
And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. (3 Nephi 1: 12-14)
Although we are currently living in a day when religious freedom is once again being threatened by those who have made of themselves living gods, gratefully we have not as yet come to the point where believers will be cast into fiery pits, burned at the stake or beheaded. We are definitely in a time when revelation is being denied or at best that there is only individual inspiration, which negates the need for prophets.
My life has been so abundantly blessed because of the words of living prophets that I would be amiss if I did not bear witness of their guidance in my life and pray with all my heart that I will continue to be diligent in hearkening unto their words.
David O. McKay:
The prophet of my youth who I had more personal experience with than any other prophet of the latter days, since we lived in Garden Grove, California and belonged to the Santa Ana, California Stake. During that period of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints one of their properties was a small house in Laguna Beach, California, where he vacationed and which was also at that time part of the Santa Ana Stake.
It could have been because of his flowing white hair, but mostly because of his example of how a man of God treated his eternal brothers and sisters. Anyway, I never had a doubt that he was the Lord’s anointed.
One stake conference when He was in attendance I also happened to be the youth speaker assigned to speak in a session of conference. Besides being very nervous I also received the understanding that there is a difference in the power of the words of living prophets and a young teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Joseph Fielding Smith:
Although he was the Prophet of the whole church for a very short time, his impact was profound because of his prophetic writings and the changes he made while serving as the longest anointed living prophet.
He made major changes in the publications of the church. The change which was the most dramatic was how it paved the way for setting the priesthood offices of the church in order. He defrock all of the stake seventies which, although we did not realize it at the time, was the beginning of establishing the Seventy as the arm of the Apostles and Prophets to govern The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout the world no matter how much the membership multiplied and spread.
Although I was one of those defrocked stake seventies, I am grateful to have had my days lengthened to see the prophetic manifestation of his words.
Spencer W. Kimball:
His pronouncement that the day would come when there would be hundreds of thousands serving missionaries still causes bumps on the backs of my arms and fills my heart with joy every time I
am blessed to recall his powerful message.
When Kathleen and I were blessed to be called by President Gordon B. Hinckley to preside as leaders of the Bogota, Colombia Mission, we had little idea what a powerful part of our earthly journey would take place while serving with the wonderful missionaries among those spiritual members of the church and the marvelous Colombian people.
When we returned from that exceptional three year experience all reference to our life’s experiences were either BC (before Colombia) and AC (after Colombia).
One of the blessings of my retirement years has been, through the miracle of cyber transmissions to return to be in regular contact with so many of those who were part of our pre mission, mission and post mission life.
We will forever be grateful that we were blessed by the Lord to be a small part of the fulfillment of President Kimball’s prophetic utterance.
Russell M. Nelson:
Will be remembered for many things no matter how long his period of being the Prophet to the whole church may be, but his putting the church in order in so many ways because of his continuing the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through revelations of the Lord’s will.
Although there have been many more anointed prophets, seers and revelators, such as Boyd K. Packer, Neil A. Maxwell, Bruce R, McConkie, Richard G. Scott and Jeffrey R. Holland who have been tremendous molders of my faith, my understanding and conversion to the worship of a God of Mercy, Grace and Love, I will have to allow the testimony of these few to stand as a witness to my gratefulness to have lived when the world was blessed to have living prophets to guide and direct those who were of a contrite spirit and a humbled heart.
My prayer is that each of us will be wise like those who faithfully believed in the words of Samuel and Nephi and thereby had the privilege of being personally ministered to by the resurrected Savior.
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, August 29, 2020
Friday, August 28, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Hitting a hornet’s nest with a stick – will never cause the inhabitants to react in a peaceful – and – calm way!!
Thursday, August 27, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
If we have a propensity to repeat doing something in the wrong way – we will continue to suffer from the experience!!
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Just because we repeat doing the same thing many times – it will not necessarily mean it will cause a change in our character!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Having one’s teachings verified by living prophets – as well as the whisperings of the Holy Spirit – overwhelms one with comfort!!
Monday, August 24, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Whenever two people are together – there will always be at least two opinions – on most subjects!!
Sunday, August 23, 2020
THE TEACHINGS OF SAMUEL THE LAMANITE PROPHET 3
After calling the descendants of Lehi to repentance and having told them of the consequences which awaited their continuance in the pathways of the natural man, Samuel reveals to them the central event of Good News of Jesus the Christ and the signs which would testify to those in the Americas of there happening.
And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
And behold, there shall be a new star arise, such as one as never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
And behold, this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. (Helaman 14: 2-6)
Although the scriptures contain an abundance of the signs and events which will precede the second coming of the Son of God to reign as the King of Kings upon the earth, there will be many in the last days just like those who heard the specifics contained in Samuel’s sermon who will find reasons to continue to ignore and rationalize away the prophesized events.
The restoration of all things in the fullness of times will be questioned and denied as just the imaginings of a frenzied mind.
The constant news of nations warring with nations will be looked at as just the inhabitants of the world continuing to be as dysfunctional as they have always been.
The building of houses which have no space between them, causing an atmosphere where contention reigns making it impossible to find inner peace, will be looked at as a natural result of overpopulation having nothing to do with ancient prophecies.
The opening of nations so that the restored gospel can be taught to all nations tongues and people will be looked upon as a natural consequence of a sects growth.
Temples being built around the world will likewise be ignored and counted as a natural event which follows the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The list could go on until this Thought is completely about the signs of the Second Coming being ignored, but the following reminder of Samuel’s warning to those who ignore the signs and the call to repentance should be sufficient to cause us to ponder upon the foretold coming events.
And now, my beloved brethren, behold, I declare unto you that except ye shall repent your houses shall be left unto you desolate.
Yea, except ye repent, your women shall have great cause to mourn in the day that they shall give suck; for ye shall attempt to flee and there shall be no place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish.
Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them. (Helaman 15: 1-3)
It is heart warming that Samuel included his marvelous testimony of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ as part of his powerful call to repentance. But then again is it not faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ which brings us to repent and become obedient to the principles of the Good News.
That ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea, a sign of his death.
For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.
Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death. (Helaman 14: 12-19)
May the Lord bless us with wisdom and strength that we may be found among those who desired, sought and found faith in Jesus the Christ, which faith sustained them and brought them to a righteous repentance as the signs of His Second Coming unfold.
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 behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
And behold, there shall be a new star arise, such as one as never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
And behold, this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. (Helaman 14: 2-6)
Although the scriptures contain an abundance of the signs and events which will precede the second coming of the Son of God to reign as the King of Kings upon the earth, there will be many in the last days just like those who heard the specifics contained in Samuel’s sermon who will find reasons to continue to ignore and rationalize away the prophesized events.
The restoration of all things in the fullness of times will be questioned and denied as just the imaginings of a frenzied mind.
The constant news of nations warring with nations will be looked at as just the inhabitants of the world continuing to be as dysfunctional as they have always been.
The building of houses which have no space between them, causing an atmosphere where contention reigns making it impossible to find inner peace, will be looked at as a natural result of overpopulation having nothing to do with ancient prophecies.
The opening of nations so that the restored gospel can be taught to all nations tongues and people will be looked upon as a natural consequence of a sects growth.
Temples being built around the world will likewise be ignored and counted as a natural event which follows the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The list could go on until this Thought is completely about the signs of the Second Coming being ignored, but the following reminder of Samuel’s warning to those who ignore the signs and the call to repentance should be sufficient to cause us to ponder upon the foretold coming events.
And now, my beloved brethren, behold, I declare unto you that except ye shall repent your houses shall be left unto you desolate.
Yea, except ye repent, your women shall have great cause to mourn in the day that they shall give suck; for ye shall attempt to flee and there shall be no place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish.
Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them. (Helaman 15: 1-3)
It is heart warming that Samuel included his marvelous testimony of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ as part of his powerful call to repentance. But then again is it not faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ which brings us to repent and become obedient to the principles of the Good News.
That ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea, a sign of his death.
For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.
Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death. (Helaman 14: 12-19)
May the Lord bless us with wisdom and strength that we may be found among those who desired, sought and found faith in Jesus the Christ, which faith sustained them and brought them to a righteous repentance as the signs of His Second Coming unfold.
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, August 22, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
A question I still ponder – is the inequitable distributions of trials – which are born by Heavenly Father’s children during mortality!!
Friday, August 21, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED
It would be wonderful if there were a remote button on some people – which would turn them off – when they become annoying!!
Thursday, August 20, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There are those who tend to forget – that other people also have stewardships which occupy their lives!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
I suspect any mortal who is convinced they have arrived at the point where they have final – and – absolute answers about the meaning of our eternal journey – will awaken from death’s slumber – wondering if they had been studying the wrong texts!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Most missionaries – who are called to serve – to a field where it requires the learning of a new language – after struggling through the Mission Training Center – arrive at their assigned countries – wondering if they had been studying the wrong language!!
Monday, August 17, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
One of the most awkward events I ever witnessed – was when a ‘close talker’ – and – a ‘please don’t invade my space’ person – were trying to have a conversation at a party!!
Sunday, August 16, 2020
THE TEACHINGS OF SAMUEL THE LAMANITE PROPHET 2
After writing last week’s Thought and reviewing it I realized it was written after the manner I had of preparing lessons for the adult classes I taught during the five years after I retired from the Church Education System. The only difference was that I was the only one adding points of discussion to the words of the scriptures rather than being aided by the students in the class. There is little wonder this memory came to me since those were years of great teaching enjoyment where I was often gifted with spiritual insights and understandings.
Now that I have had my little trip down a fond memory lane I will resume my searching and commenting on the teachings of the great Lamanite Prophet Samuel.
And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.
Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.
But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.
Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.
O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
Yea, behold, the anger of the Lord is already kindled against you; behold, he hath cursed the land because of your iniquity.
And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them.
And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts. And then shall ye lament, and say:
O that I had repented, and had not killed the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out. Yea, in that day ye shall say: O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us.
Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle.
Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land.
O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them.
Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days.
But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.
O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words! And I pray that the anger of the Lord be turned away from you, and that ye would repent and be saved. (Helaman 13: 25-39)
I have included this lengthy passage from Samuel’s teachings because it is probably one of the most complete outlines of the tendencies of the natural man found in scripture. I am sure if we were in a classroom setting the students in attendance would be able to point out all of the natural man attributes which stand as a barrier to our progress, but since I don’t have that privilege during this technological period of my teaching life I will try to identify them.
The natural man has a tendency to judge themselves wiser and more intelligent than their ancestors, therefore they would not fall into the same traps as their forefathers.
The natural man has a tendency to find it hard to be reprimanded even though the counsel given may be an accurate description of their failings, while being very willing to hear any words whether true or false about how wonderful they are.
The natural man has a tendency to honor as mentors and make anyone a hero who will praise and accept their carnal tendencies.
The natural man has a tendency to follow blind guides and choose to walk in the darkness of the world rather than the light of Christ.
The natural man has a tendency to remain in his wickedness as long as he continues to prosper.
The natural man has a tendency to temporarily turn to a divine source when their riches and security are threatened.
The natural man who is humbled unto change may well find he had delayed too long in turning to repentance.
The prophets of God will never cease to pray and will continue to admonish natural men to repent and be saved.
During the four score years of my life the pattern of temporary repentance of the one or the many has been a pattern I have often seen repeated. May we be wise lest the Lord is driven to cause us to be humble is my sincere prayer.
(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💞
Now that I have had my little trip down a fond memory lane I will resume my searching and commenting on the teachings of the great Lamanite Prophet Samuel.
And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.
Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.
But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.
Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.
O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
Yea, behold, the anger of the Lord is already kindled against you; behold, he hath cursed the land because of your iniquity.
And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them.
And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts. And then shall ye lament, and say:
O that I had repented, and had not killed the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out. Yea, in that day ye shall say: O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us.
Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle.
Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land.
O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them.
Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days.
But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.
O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words! And I pray that the anger of the Lord be turned away from you, and that ye would repent and be saved. (Helaman 13: 25-39)
I have included this lengthy passage from Samuel’s teachings because it is probably one of the most complete outlines of the tendencies of the natural man found in scripture. I am sure if we were in a classroom setting the students in attendance would be able to point out all of the natural man attributes which stand as a barrier to our progress, but since I don’t have that privilege during this technological period of my teaching life I will try to identify them.
The natural man has a tendency to judge themselves wiser and more intelligent than their ancestors, therefore they would not fall into the same traps as their forefathers.
The natural man has a tendency to find it hard to be reprimanded even though the counsel given may be an accurate description of their failings, while being very willing to hear any words whether true or false about how wonderful they are.
The natural man has a tendency to honor as mentors and make anyone a hero who will praise and accept their carnal tendencies.
The natural man has a tendency to follow blind guides and choose to walk in the darkness of the world rather than the light of Christ.
The natural man has a tendency to remain in his wickedness as long as he continues to prosper.
The natural man has a tendency to temporarily turn to a divine source when their riches and security are threatened.
The natural man who is humbled unto change may well find he had delayed too long in turning to repentance.
The prophets of God will never cease to pray and will continue to admonish natural men to repent and be saved.
During the four score years of my life the pattern of temporary repentance of the one or the many has been a pattern I have often seen repeated. May we be wise lest the Lord is driven to cause us to be humble is my sincere prayer.
(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, August 15, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It would be nice if the front row center seats at church – were prized as much as the front row center seats in theaters!!
Friday, August 14, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Since I have now written more than 6,000 Life's Lessons Learned – and – the well doesn’t seem to have run dry – the sixth book I am preparing will also be published!!
Thursday, August 13, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When writing the guessoirs of my life – I struggled to know when to stop – that struggle now seems minuscule – compared to the struggle of knowing when to stop writing these – Life's Lessons Learned ditties!!
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There are projects which have very small beginnings – where it is impossible to count the eventual cost!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There are days when our souls become so spiritually filled – that the load makes us feel weak!!
Monday, August 10, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Our Father in Heaven who has been doing His work – or bringing to pass the immortality of His children – for a very long time – should not have His methods questioned!!
Sunday, August 9, 2020
THE TEACHINGS OF SAMUEL THE LAMANITE PROPHET 1
In chapters 13 thru 15 of the Book of Helaman in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ we read about a Lamanite prophet called Samuel who comes among the Nephites and, among other teachings, prophesies of their eventual destruction. Although the ways to avoid utter destruction is the overriding theme of his teachings I find many of his thoughts worthy of serious pondering for we who live during the third decade of the 21st century.
And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me. (Helaman 13:7)
Although we may be trained in public speaking and have spent years learning how to and practice teaching there is no greater way to ensure our words will have a powerful effect on an audience than to have had them authored by an Angel.
I suspect few of us will have angelic ghost writers compose our speeches for us during our mortal lives, but gratefully the whisperings of the Holy Spirit are available to all who will seek that aid.
Besides a speaker or teacher being inspired to utter revelatory words, all of us likewise need to seek the help of heavenly inspiration to understand and know how to apply words which come to us from those who have received them.
We should never let ourselves become victims to the negative consequences of failing to heed revelatory instructions from one who has received them, in whatever manner the Lord may have seen proper to bestow them.
Yea, wo unto this great city of Zarahemla; for behold, it is because of those who are righteous that it is saved; yea, wo unto this great city, for I perceive, saith the Lord, that there are many, yea, even the more part of this great city, that will harden their hearts against me, saith the Lord.
But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it.
But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her. (Helaman 13:12–14)
The clouds which come to block details in my memory don’t allow me to recall the exact time nor which prophet of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Time pronounced it, but I remember the impact it had on my younger mind when he gave the same pronouncement as Samuel that there are times when destruction does not happen because of the righteous who abide among a people.
Two thoughts come to me: First, is that this is one more way we can be of service to our sisters and brothers who abide with us simultaneously on the earth. Second, that it seems this protection has its limits.
The one limit that Samuel mentions is that when the wicked begin to slay the righteous is that saving umbrella will be removed. I suspect that even if slaying does not take place the degree of wickedness can reach a point where destruction is the only solution for the Lord.
Yea, and wo be unto all the cities which are in the land round about, which are possessed by the Nephites, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in them.
And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, because of the people’s sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land.
And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord.
Behold ye, the people of this great city, and hearken unto my words; yea, hearken unto the words which the Lord saith; for behold, he saith that ye are cursed because of your riches, and also are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you.
Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities. (Helaman 13:16-22)
Before adding any of my own thoughts to those of Samuel, I feel impressed to add the teachings of Jacob the son of Lehi who was born in the wilderness and succeeded Nephi the son of Lehi as prophet of the Nephites. A quick scriptural search will make known to us that this concern about the dangers which accompany the accumulation of riches was shared by the prophets whose words are found in the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants as well as The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to ado good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it? (Jacob 2:16-20)
Those who have made even a casual following of my Thoughts will surely remember how often I have spoken about the extra burden those who are born into poverty carry during their mortal probation, but from the writings of the prophets we also learn that those who are blessed with an excess of the riches of the world, likewise, can be ladened with exceptional tests which may curtail their righteous progression. I suspect there are those on both ends of the continuum who would innocently gladly switch positions. It makes one wonder if in the paragraphs of Heavenly Father’s Plan which apply to us individually if our all knowing Father pre ordained where on the riches spectrum we should tarry during mortality to provide us with the greatest test of our faith.
The prophets through the ages have connected what is in our hearts about riches as the most important test we must pass. Even to those who have very little of the bounties of the world the Lord has admonished them about where their hearts must be.
And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.
And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.
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. (Mosiah 4:24-26)
So what is it that these teachings of the scriptures tell us must be in our hearts concerning riches or the lack of riches?
The scriptures teach us that we must always remember the earth and all that there is therein are the Lord’s, not ours. It would be wonderful if some of the teachings of the ancient cultures which inhabited the lands of the Americas, the African continent and the Islands of the sea concerning the fallacy of being the owner of properties and stuff hadn’t been destroyed by those who came, conquered and subsequently replaced these higher value systems.
The words of the prophets also tell us that whatever the amount of His world’s wealth we have had placed under our stewardship during our lives, we must always remember these riches were not given to us to be able to live in luxury, but were give so that we would learn to be righteous servants who are conscious of the hungry, naked and sick and what we can do to lighten their burdens.
Before ending today’s thought it would be well to remember the counsel of Mosiah found in (Mosiah 4:27).
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.
The early converts in the Dispensation of Jesus the Christ who isolated themselves and brought all they had to their Christian communities, without having provided means for the continuation of sustenance, soon found themselves being overwhelmed with the conditions of universal poverty.
The early converts in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times when given the principles of the United Order failed miserably, because as the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. taught they were like children who tried to use tools without first having learned.
I am grateful for the way the Lord has instructed and provided the opportunity for those who have been given, through the means of tithes and offerings a way to provide for those in need.
(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💞
And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me. (Helaman 13:7)
Although we may be trained in public speaking and have spent years learning how to and practice teaching there is no greater way to ensure our words will have a powerful effect on an audience than to have had them authored by an Angel.
I suspect few of us will have angelic ghost writers compose our speeches for us during our mortal lives, but gratefully the whisperings of the Holy Spirit are available to all who will seek that aid.
Besides a speaker or teacher being inspired to utter revelatory words, all of us likewise need to seek the help of heavenly inspiration to understand and know how to apply words which come to us from those who have received them.
We should never let ourselves become victims to the negative consequences of failing to heed revelatory instructions from one who has received them, in whatever manner the Lord may have seen proper to bestow them.
Yea, wo unto this great city of Zarahemla; for behold, it is because of those who are righteous that it is saved; yea, wo unto this great city, for I perceive, saith the Lord, that there are many, yea, even the more part of this great city, that will harden their hearts against me, saith the Lord.
But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it.
But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her. (Helaman 13:12–14)
The clouds which come to block details in my memory don’t allow me to recall the exact time nor which prophet of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Time pronounced it, but I remember the impact it had on my younger mind when he gave the same pronouncement as Samuel that there are times when destruction does not happen because of the righteous who abide among a people.
Two thoughts come to me: First, is that this is one more way we can be of service to our sisters and brothers who abide with us simultaneously on the earth. Second, that it seems this protection has its limits.
The one limit that Samuel mentions is that when the wicked begin to slay the righteous is that saving umbrella will be removed. I suspect that even if slaying does not take place the degree of wickedness can reach a point where destruction is the only solution for the Lord.
Yea, and wo be unto all the cities which are in the land round about, which are possessed by the Nephites, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in them.
And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, because of the people’s sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land.
And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord.
Behold ye, the people of this great city, and hearken unto my words; yea, hearken unto the words which the Lord saith; for behold, he saith that ye are cursed because of your riches, and also are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you.
Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities. (Helaman 13:16-22)
Before adding any of my own thoughts to those of Samuel, I feel impressed to add the teachings of Jacob the son of Lehi who was born in the wilderness and succeeded Nephi the son of Lehi as prophet of the Nephites. A quick scriptural search will make known to us that this concern about the dangers which accompany the accumulation of riches was shared by the prophets whose words are found in the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants as well as The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to ado good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it? (Jacob 2:16-20)
Those who have made even a casual following of my Thoughts will surely remember how often I have spoken about the extra burden those who are born into poverty carry during their mortal probation, but from the writings of the prophets we also learn that those who are blessed with an excess of the riches of the world, likewise, can be ladened with exceptional tests which may curtail their righteous progression. I suspect there are those on both ends of the continuum who would innocently gladly switch positions. It makes one wonder if in the paragraphs of Heavenly Father’s Plan which apply to us individually if our all knowing Father pre ordained where on the riches spectrum we should tarry during mortality to provide us with the greatest test of our faith.
The prophets through the ages have connected what is in our hearts about riches as the most important test we must pass. Even to those who have very little of the bounties of the world the Lord has admonished them about where their hearts must be.
And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.
And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.
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. (Mosiah 4:24-26)
So what is it that these teachings of the scriptures tell us must be in our hearts concerning riches or the lack of riches?
The scriptures teach us that we must always remember the earth and all that there is therein are the Lord’s, not ours. It would be wonderful if some of the teachings of the ancient cultures which inhabited the lands of the Americas, the African continent and the Islands of the sea concerning the fallacy of being the owner of properties and stuff hadn’t been destroyed by those who came, conquered and subsequently replaced these higher value systems.
The words of the prophets also tell us that whatever the amount of His world’s wealth we have had placed under our stewardship during our lives, we must always remember these riches were not given to us to be able to live in luxury, but were give so that we would learn to be righteous servants who are conscious of the hungry, naked and sick and what we can do to lighten their burdens.
Before ending today’s thought it would be well to remember the counsel of Mosiah found in (Mosiah 4:27).
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.
The early converts in the Dispensation of Jesus the Christ who isolated themselves and brought all they had to their Christian communities, without having provided means for the continuation of sustenance, soon found themselves being overwhelmed with the conditions of universal poverty.
The early converts in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times when given the principles of the United Order failed miserably, because as the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. taught they were like children who tried to use tools without first having learned.
I am grateful for the way the Lord has instructed and provided the opportunity for those who have been given, through the means of tithes and offerings a way to provide for those in need.
(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, August 8, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There is no doubt – we will all undergo our own sifting process – and – have our own reactions to it – to determine whether we will be counted as wheat – or – chaff!!
Friday, August 7, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It does not really matter if I am the only one – who hears the whisperings of the Holy Spirit – and – receives this added upon gift – it will always be counted as a great personal leap in my progression along the Lord’s path!!
Thursday, August 6, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When we have paid the price to receive the confirmation from the Holy Spirit – concerning the truthfulness of the foundational principles of the restored Gospel – we will have learned the process required to receive a true witness of all things!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Before we dedicate ourselves to paying the price to achieve a goal – it will always be wise to make sure the goal is worth – the required dedication of time – talent – and – resources!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Since Jesus the Christ is the light in all things – we should never be so egotistical – as to think that we might have our own independent light!!
Monday, August 3, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
I must avoid being confused about whether – I am a conduit for the Light of Christ – and – thinking I have light independent of Him!!
Sunday, August 2, 2020
OVERCOMING OUR MORTAL NATURES
The Thought I am about to write requires a few statements of my understanding of the earthly portion of our quest to gain Eternal Lives and live with our Eternal Parents everlastingly.
None of our Heavenly Parent’s children are born into equal circumstances nor do they exist is the same environments nor do they share equal mortal spans.
Because of the uniqueness of our earthly journeys, our pathway towards fulfilling the mortal portion of our Heavenly Father’s Plan will likewise be unique.
Because of the uniqueness of our earthly journeys we will have unequal opportunities during mortality to progress towards the completion of Heavenly Father’s work and glory upon us.
Because of the individual-ness of our mortal journey, the just judgements of God will also be done using an individual scale for each of His children.
All of our Heavenly Parent’s children will be rewarded with the greatest amount of glory the Justice, Mercy, Grace and Love of God can make possible.
However, I believe besides making of us complete beings by joining our spirit body with our physical body, there is one part of the earthly portion of Heavenly Father’s Plan which most of his children can at least begin. The first step in our journey to return with honor to dwell with our Heavenly Parents is to over come what the scriptures describe as the natural man who is plagued with being carnal, sensual and devilish.
One of the most complete lists of what a natural man is, is given by Nephi the Son of Helaman the Son of Helaman the Son of Alma in chapter 12 of the Book of Helaman in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
Although I prefer to think about the positive steps of our mortal journey I feel this list of Nephi’s is useful in helping us understand the characteristics and attributes which are contrary to those of our Heavenly Parents, whose natures we will all eventually understand is our desired goal. As the Savior said in His Sermon on the Mount, we must become perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect.
Helaman 12
1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.
4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold,they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.
7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are bless than the dust of the earth.
Nephi goes on to emphasize the nothingness of man by testifying how the elements of the earth are obedient while we stumble along following our mortal natural-ness.
Although this list does not cover the ‘do not’ commandments such as stealing, adultery, murder and lying, I believe it is of ultimate importance because it explains the negative components of our natures which hinder our being obedient to the wisdom and guidance of our Heavenly Father.
Therefore, it seems we should be concentrating on changing our natures, rather than concentrating on certain acts and behaviors.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie when teaching about our mortal probationary journey would draw a straight upward slanted line on the board and then, just as Nephi the Son of Lehi had long ago proclaimed, explained we must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. He would always emphasize that pace was not the essential element to our progression, but going forward and upward were the keys essential to becoming like our Heavenly Parents.
Many times our pace is halting because we fail to replace the natural man parts of our makeup with those of becoming good and honorable men. As Moroni is finishing the abridgement of the Nephite history he provides an understanding which should fill our hearts with the hope and understanding of the nature we must develop if we are to advance forward and upward in our quest to become like our Heavenly Parents.
Moroni 7
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
I pray the Lord will bless us all, that wherever we might find ourselves on our eternal journey, we might have the Light of Christ to guide us away from our mortal natural-ness and towards having a nature desirous of being counselled by the Minister of Ministers.
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💞
None of our Heavenly Parent’s children are born into equal circumstances nor do they exist is the same environments nor do they share equal mortal spans.
Because of the uniqueness of our earthly journeys, our pathway towards fulfilling the mortal portion of our Heavenly Father’s Plan will likewise be unique.
Because of the uniqueness of our earthly journeys we will have unequal opportunities during mortality to progress towards the completion of Heavenly Father’s work and glory upon us.
Because of the individual-ness of our mortal journey, the just judgements of God will also be done using an individual scale for each of His children.
All of our Heavenly Parent’s children will be rewarded with the greatest amount of glory the Justice, Mercy, Grace and Love of God can make possible.
However, I believe besides making of us complete beings by joining our spirit body with our physical body, there is one part of the earthly portion of Heavenly Father’s Plan which most of his children can at least begin. The first step in our journey to return with honor to dwell with our Heavenly Parents is to over come what the scriptures describe as the natural man who is plagued with being carnal, sensual and devilish.
One of the most complete lists of what a natural man is, is given by Nephi the Son of Helaman the Son of Helaman the Son of Alma in chapter 12 of the Book of Helaman in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
Although I prefer to think about the positive steps of our mortal journey I feel this list of Nephi’s is useful in helping us understand the characteristics and attributes which are contrary to those of our Heavenly Parents, whose natures we will all eventually understand is our desired goal. As the Savior said in His Sermon on the Mount, we must become perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect.
Helaman 12
1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.
4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold,they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.
7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are bless than the dust of the earth.
Nephi goes on to emphasize the nothingness of man by testifying how the elements of the earth are obedient while we stumble along following our mortal natural-ness.
Although this list does not cover the ‘do not’ commandments such as stealing, adultery, murder and lying, I believe it is of ultimate importance because it explains the negative components of our natures which hinder our being obedient to the wisdom and guidance of our Heavenly Father.
Therefore, it seems we should be concentrating on changing our natures, rather than concentrating on certain acts and behaviors.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie when teaching about our mortal probationary journey would draw a straight upward slanted line on the board and then, just as Nephi the Son of Lehi had long ago proclaimed, explained we must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. He would always emphasize that pace was not the essential element to our progression, but going forward and upward were the keys essential to becoming like our Heavenly Parents.
Many times our pace is halting because we fail to replace the natural man parts of our makeup with those of becoming good and honorable men. As Moroni is finishing the abridgement of the Nephite history he provides an understanding which should fill our hearts with the hope and understanding of the nature we must develop if we are to advance forward and upward in our quest to become like our Heavenly Parents.
Moroni 7
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
I pray the Lord will bless us all, that wherever we might find ourselves on our eternal journey, we might have the Light of Christ to guide us away from our mortal natural-ness and towards having a nature desirous of being counselled by the Minister of Ministers.
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, August 1, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
When feeding wild birds be aware – that many other creatures will assume – the food you have put out is also for them!!
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