Sunday, February 16, 2025

 

Brooke and Will,

Knowing that everything was created spiritually before it was created physically and knowing that there were intelligences which ( intelligences )  we were; we can ponder how we need to remember that were are spiritual or spirit beings before we were human beings. 

Since this earth is temporary and our spirits are eternal, our spirits are what can feel and hear the things of God which are eternal. 

If we don't take time to focus on our spirit inside us, then the temporary parts of our lives distract us. 

The Holy Ghost we are given after baptism, communicates to the Spirit within us. 

Without time free of music and entertainment in videos on tik tok or YouTube, our spirits won't remember how to receive the gentle quiet way The Holy Ghost speaks to our spirits. 

Abraham 3:

22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; 23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good.


Genesis 2:7

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.


Moses 3:

5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth


Thursday, June 15, 2017

Glory to God

I love the example which we receive from Joseph whom was sold into Egypt about giving God the glory. 

When Joseph was in jail on false accusations and he told his prison mates that he could interpret dreams, he fronted this information by first letting them know that it was a gift from God. 

When Jospeh was brought to Pharaoh, he told him the same thing. 

Genesis 41
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

We live in a world and society where people are afraid to mention God at all, as if it might bring offense to someone and even further we sometimes tip toe around our faith if we think that it might shut people down to us. 

I know for myself I am often guilty of not thanking God enough for the blessings that He does give me and I dwell too much on what I am lacking; yet He has given me so many gifts and allowed me to be in important positions to be an influence for good. 

I hope that I can give my Father the glory as everything good no matter what it is, comes from Him. 


Moroni 7 

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.

I know that as we give credit to Our Father in Heaven for the blessings and gifts that He gives us, we may not see the effect of our actions in this life, but we will be able to look at Him when we meet Him and feel happy that we blessed and gave Him all glory. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



Monday, June 5, 2017

All Things Work Together For Our Good

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Genesis 35 - The Temple

Brooke and Will,

I wanted to share some really neat things about Genesis 35.

This chapter builds on my testimony of the true pattern that our Heavenly Father works after.
Since the beginning of time Heavenly Father taught his children to build temples in order that we could have a place here on the earth, that was sacred, and holy; a place where He could teach us and make two-way covenants with us.

It is interesting that this chapter begins with Jacob having a vision of a ladder that reaches to Heaven, almost as if it is a premonition of the following direction given to Jacob of the Lord.

The Lord tells Jacob to go to Beth-el, which means " House of God ", and make an offering to Him.
( Genesis 35:1 -2 ).

Jacob tells his family that they have to be prepared to go to this place where he would make an offering to God, or in other words to the place Jacob would go to the temple.

To me, I see the true instruction that Joseph Smith was given in building temples by the Lord as well, and the fact that we must be prepared to enter into them by being worthy.

Jacob then tells his family to put away the " strange gods " they have among them. Meaning to go to this Holy place, you can not worship other Gods. ( Genesis 35:4 )

This reminds me of the way that we lay aside the things of the world as we prepare to enter the temple and as we strive to be worthy and hold a temple recommend. Truly the truth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shines through even stronger than common, in his chapter.

Then we see Jacob build this temple in Genesis 35:14, wherein this place Jacob also received a new name from the Lord which is " Israel ", and then gave a promise that " Israel " would be fruitful, and that nations and kings would be his.

Those nations and kings are now referred to as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and even today, as part of those tribes, we have access to these same promises and blessings as we enter the temple and make and keep covenants with the Lord.


I feel it such a privilege to be past of this House of Israel. As a member of His church we are all part of " Israel " either by lineage or adoption into it.

I know that this pattern set forth by the Lord of building temples and all of the symbolism, and ordinances that happen there, are truly from our Father in Heaven. I know that the actions that we partake in there have actual Priesthood Power that is added to our lives each time that we attend the temple to help our brothers and sisters, and ourselves have communion with God in ordinances and covenants.

I can not wait to go to the temple with you my Brooke and William.

Love, Your Mother



Monday, May 1, 2017

Blessed For Your Sake

Brooke and Will,

I have failed to keep my book for your up of my scripture insights while I was in Statistics. You will see that my last post was in December, and I started my Statistics class in January through April.
It is the beginning of May, and although I did continue reading the Old Testament a bit, I did not get too far.

I will begin where I left off with my thoughts on how these scripture accounts can relate to us and the things that I feel to share with you in this book.

One statement made an impression on me as I read in the Old Testament, Genesis, chapter thirty.

Issac, Abraham's son, begat Jacob, whom was renamed " Israel" by the Lord, and Jacob married Leah, Rachel, Bilah, and Ziplah.

The Father of Leah and Rachel was Laban, and he was not fair to Jacob. Jacob served him faithfully despite the many times he was wronged by Laban.

As Jacob was working to do his best despite the circumstances, we learn in Genesis 30:27, that Laban's household was blessed by Jacob's presence there as Laban tells Jacob:

" I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake."

From this I am reminded that no matter what senerio or circumstance that we come into in our lives, we have the opportunity to bless other's lives, as the Lord will bless us as we seek to be the best servants to Him that we can be.

As I pondered upon this principle, I realized that even though Laban was recognizing that he was blessed with material blessings because of Jacob's presence in his household; likely, Laban was unaware of the even greater blessing that Jacob' had given him through raising his grandchildren, and serving  his daughters with Godly power, as one of Abraham's descendants and as a righteous man.

As we are aware that Lord blesses those around us if we are trying to be a righteous servants to God,We will recognize the great opportunity that we have to be witnesses of the happiness and blessings that come from being engaged in the work of the Lord.

Laban recognized that Jacob was loved and favored by the Lord.

 I hope that I can do a better job at doing those things that the Lord would look pleasantly upon, in order that other's testimonies would grow as Laban saw God's hand in Jacob's life.

It is a great thing to know that we can be a blessing to all those that we love. That makes me happy, and I believe that I am blessed because of you, Brooke and Will, as you are in my household, and you are my children.

I know that Heavenly Father gives me the motivation that I need in order to bless and protect you, that He loves. That is a great blessing to me. You both are such a strength to me.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Personal Revelation

Brooke and Will, 

I think that one of the most important and most beautiful message of the Restored Gospel is the principle of continuing personal revelation from our Heavenly Father. 

The restoration of Christ's church on the earth began with Joseph Smith being prompted by your favorite scripture ever Brooke : " If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God.." ( James 1:2 ).

From this we learn that we can ask God anything, and not only can we ask God anything, we should ask Him many things, for the scriptures say, " Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good..." ( Alma 37:37 ).

As I continued to read in Genesis, I read about Abraham's son Isaac not being about to have children through his wife Rebekah. Isaac prayed for her and she was able to conceive (vs.21).

 Rebekah thought the children were struggling within her. We learn a great deal in this scripture account. We see that we can ask the Lord ANYTHING, as Rebekah did go to the Lord in prayer about this concern. The scripture says, " She went to inquire of the Lord." (vs.22).

The Lord answered her as He said, " Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people should be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." ( vs.23 ).

In your own life you will have many questions. I can promise you that I know without doubt that our Father in Heaven would rather you go to Him about any question that you have, than anyone else on the earth. I have had great and miraculous instructions and answers given to me by Our Father in Heaven as I have gone to Him seeking for counsel, and answers in prayer.

It is also important to remember that although we are taught to counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, that does not mean that each and every time that we go to the Lord in prayer about something, that He will automatically tell us what we should do. 

Sometimes answers are unfolded line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little( 2 Nephi 28:1 ), and we begin to see a portion of His answer to our questions, until we are prepared to receive a fullness.

Sometimes we are given the opportunity to show more faith, for believing that we will receive guidance and answers is a test of our faith that must be shown to receive miracles. ( Jarom 1:3-4 )

 Sometimes we are told that it is our choice ( D&C 99: 7-8 ), or that it mattereth not, as He does want us to learn to choose for ourselves. He has said, 
" It is not meet that I should command in all things." ( D&C 58:26 ).

It is an important reminder that even though the Brother of Jared was chastised for THREE HOURS by the Lord, for not coming to Him in prayer; when The Brother of Jared did go to Him and asked Him for instructions, The Lord did give him some instructions,

 but, ended with the answer, " What will ye that I should prepare for you?...." ( Ether 2:25 ) 

and we see that ultimately the Lord wants us to individually choose things for ourselves after we are prepared to make good choices; He will give us what we may, because if we ask, " We shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. " ( D&C 4:1 )

" Many men seem to have no ear for spiritual messages nor comprehension of them when they come in common dress....Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication." - Spencer W. Kimball 

" There are spiritual influences that are just as deep and meaningful as anything that is tangible to the natural senses; yet they cannot be described or explained. They come through the still small voice of the spirit. They are penetrating but cannot be described any more than the feelings of love, sympathy, friendship, can be defined and fathomed." - Joseph Fielding Smith ( Man, His Origin and Destiny ) 

" A sudden stroke of ideas which come into our mind as pure intelligence, this is revelation " - Joseph Smith 

" I will tell you....in your heart." ( D&C 8:2 ) 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Jehovah-Jireh : GOD WILL PROVIDE