Trusting the Lord

“That which is wrong under one circumstance may be and often is, right under another. … This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophets Joseph Smith, p. 256).

Read the Historical Background in the student manual for Section 132. Then write a sentence or two to explain why Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–33 are more relevant for us today than the remaining verses in the section.

The verses one through thirty are more relevant for us today because they refer to celestial marriage which we strive for and the remaining verses refer to plural marriage which we don’t practice today.

Activity 2.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:7–14 and the student manual commentary for “Doctrine and Covenants 132:7. What Does It Mean to Be ‘Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise’?” (pp. 328–29). Write a paragraph that explains what the Holy Spirit of Promise has to do with marriage and every ordinance in the Church. In your paragraph, also explain what a married couple would need to do to have their marriage “sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.”

The Holy Spirit knows all things. The spirit can only be with us if we are faithful and worthy to have with us. The Holy spirit of promise provides us with the truth meaning that through the Holy Ghost we are able to know what Heavenly Father would want us to do. The Holy Spirit is our companionship and a sealer. “Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is justified by the Spirit, one which is approved by the Lord, one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost. . . .” In a marriage a couple always needs to strive to  have the spirit with them always. With the spirit individuals will know what the lord will want them to do and help their marriage become stronger.

Activity 3.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:15–18. Then write answers for the following:
What is the situation described in Doctrine and Covenants 132:15–17 that would lead to a marriage lasting only for mortality?

If a man and a woman marry each other in this earth without the proper authority (Restored Priesthood; Temple Marriage) then when they die they won’t be married to each other after that. They will become angels in Heaven.

Doctrine and Covenants 132:18 describes a marriage between a man and a woman that, although performed in the temple, “is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world.” Referring to what you learn from this verse, explain the conditions that can keep a temple marriage from being valid for eternity.A marriage needs to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise for it to be valid through Eternity. If no then it wont be.

How does your response to Activity 2 of this assignment help you understand the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 132:18?

For our marriage to last through all eternities we need to make sure that it is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Through that spirit our marriage will be approved by the Lord and we will able to fulfill our purpose and eventually become Gods.

Activity 4. Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–25 and the student manual commentary for “Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–22. How Does an Individual Obtain a Fullness of God’s Glory?” (pp. 329–30). Then write a paragraph that explains in your own words the eternal possibilities that await those who righteously enter into and live according to the “new and everlasting covenant” of eternal marriage.

If we are faithful and enter into the “new and everlasting covenant” of eternal marriage then we will be gods. We will have all power and we shall “be from everlasting to everlasting”. We could have everything that the father has as He has promised, but only if we are faithful to our covenants. We need to have been FULLY REPENTED of all of our sins so we can be Exalted like He has.

Activity 5. 
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:26–27 and the corresponding entry in the student manual commentary, “Does Marriage in the Temple Assure One of Exaltation, No Matter How One Lives?” (pp. 330–31). Then respond in writing to the following:

Explain how an individual who is keeping his or her temple covenants would feel a greater desire to repent, rather than thinking that the sealing covenant excuses him or her from repentance.
As we attend the Temple frequently and remember the covenants that we have made with the Lord then we will remember to repent so we can be able to partake of the promises that He has given us if we are faithful. Repentance doesn’t come easy. We need to be remind it. By going through the Temple over and over again then we will remember to repent always.

How can these verses provide encouragement to us when we make mistakes, even after having entered into sacred covenants?

Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He wants us to repent so we can learn humility. I love what the 26th verse says, “ and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into exaltation”. to me that is encouraging that although I might commit a sin, if it not murder of innocent blood I can still be forgiven of my sins because Christ already atoned for my sins.

Teach them the Truth

 

 

Task:In this revelation, the Lord called upon Joseph Smith to “make a solemn proclamation of my gospel…to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad” (verses 1-2). At the same time the Prophet was also commanded to build a place of lodging for strangers about which Joseph Smith said, “It is important that the Nauvoo House should be finished, that we may have a suitable place wherein to entertain the great ones of the earth, and teach them the truth” (History of the Church 5:137).
Many times missionaries find that those who are in humble circumstances are most receptive to the gospel, but this call to teach the gospel is specifically to people of prestige and influence. Why do you think the Lord would give this commandment?What other proclamations to the world have been issued? Why do you think it was necessary to issue them?
What do these two directives (the proclamation and the Nauvoo House) suggest to you about the Lord’s desires concerning the gospel?What are the implications for Church members concerning their responsibility towards those who are not LDS?
Can/should this commandment have any personal application for you concerning your interaction with nonmembers? If so, what?

The Lord wants us to preach his Gospel to everyone. I think that it is more difficult for us to preach to those of higher status. Sometimes we are too scared that they will reject what we have to say, but to the Lord our backgrounds don’t matter. He wants us all to have a fair chance to learn about His truth. I also think that they Lord wants those individuals to know the truth so they can use their means to build up Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

The Student Manual says, “Other proclamations concerning the Church, its message and its mission, have been issued from time to time, but this early declaration best exemplifies the Lord’s instruction in the revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants.The Family: A Proclamation to the World is another proclamation that has been givin to us. I believe that Heavenly Father gives us proclamation so we may know how to act during these times. He gives them at a specific time to prepare us and to learn what we need to do and be happy.

I believe that the Lord desires all to receive His word. Heavenly Father Loves all His children and He wants them all to receive the truth. The Story about the Prophet John Taylor reminds me of how important it is to preach the Gospel to all. This is his story:
In 1836 Elder Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was called to serve a mission to Canada. On his way to Toronto, Canada, “a stranger gave him a letter of introduction to John Taylor, a Methodist lay preacher in Toronto. Taylor was affiliated with a group who believed existing churches did not correspond with New Testament Christianity. For two years this group had met several times a week for the ‘purpose of seeking truth, independent of any sectarian organization.’ In Toronto, Elder Pratt was courteously received by the Taylors, but they were not at first enthusiastic about his message.
“Discouraged at being unable to secure a place to preach, Parley decided to leave Toronto. Before going he stopped at the Taylors to get some of his luggage and to say goodbye. While he was there, Leonora Taylor told her friend Mrs. Isabella Walton about Parley’s problem and said she was sorry he was leaving. ‘He may be a man of God,’ she said. Mrs. Walton replied that she had been inspired by the Spirit to visit the Taylors that morning because she was willing to let Elder Pratt stay at her home and preach. He did so and was eventually invited to attend a meeting of John Taylor’s group, in which John read the New Testament account of Philip’s preaching in Samaria. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘where is our Philip? Where is our receiving the Word with joy, and being baptized when we believed? Where is our Peter and John? Our apostles? Where is our Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands? …’ When Parley was invited to speak, he declared that he had answers to John Taylor’s questions.

For three weeks John Taylor attended Elder Pratt’s meetings, making detailed notes of his sermons and carefully comparing them with the scriptures. Gradually he became convinced that the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. He and his wife, Leonora, were baptized on 9 May 1836
John Taylor was ordained an elder and served faithfully as a missionary. Later he became the third President of the Church.

As members of the Church we have the duty to preach the gospel. We don’t have to serve missions but we can preach in our communities or to our member friends. Sometimes we don’t know that members might be struggling with their testimonies, but we should always share with them what we know to be true. This commandment teaches me not to be afraid. I need to become more in tune with the spirit so I can share the Gospel with those that need to hear what I need to say. We are all pioneers in some way. We have sacrifice many things for this Gospel because we know it is true. We need to share what we know.
Below I have put a video that I think relates to this lesson. 

 

Record keeping!

 The saints during the early days had to go through many trials throughout their lives. They lost children, spouses, land, homes, etc. They sacrificed what they had to help Heavenly Father establish the Gospel on the earth. The saints went through much persecution. The lord commanded them to record that information.  In the D & C manual it said that, “This gathering of information was not to be confined to the deeds committed in Missouri, but should reach out to embrace the wickedness, falsehoods and deeds of those who fought the truth throughout all time.” By keeping those records Heavenly Father has proof of all the wrong doings that individuals have committed to the church and the saints.I think that by keeping the records the saints were able to grow spiritually. Also by them having those records the future generation is able to learn about what they have to go through and sacrifice, so we could have the gospel in our lives. In chapter 123 verse 11 says, “ And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation...”

    The church collects all the records pertaining to its members. They have birth dates, death dates, patriarchal blessings, callings, baptism, marriage, sealing, confirmations dates, etc. They also keep church history, personal history from members, world history, and many other things. I think that it is important for all of us to keep records. We need to be able to learn from where we come from. Heavenly Father Knows everything. But I believe that it is more beneficial for us. We tend to forget many things that happen during our lives. By having our personal records we are able to go back and read what we have written.

    I keep a personal journal and a family blog. In the journal I’m able to write more personal thoughts. But lately I haven’t done very good. I haven’t writing on it in a long time. I used to write everything from boys that I liked, to their nicknames to the birth from my nieces and nephews. As I go back and read it sometimes I laugh at what I’ve said. In some of my post I’m so honest that it embarrassing, but it the truth. I’ve keep that journal since I was eight. As I read those pages, I’m able to see how I’ve grown.  When I read it I think of what my grandchildren are going to think of me. It might be a weird thought, but I want to make sure that I share my experiences, thoughts and beliefs with them through something that I’ve written.In my family blog I’m able to share with family and friends that things that we do. I’m able to share the growth of my daughter. It is so fun to put pictures there and record our experiences. My family loves when I post. They call me every time and tell me how much they miss us and how happy they are for us. I love keeping personal records. Lately I’ve also being keeping records of the growth of my daughter. My parents never recorded my growth. I wished they had, but now I’m doing it for my daughter so she can see when she gets older how different she is. I can't wait to do that with my other children when they come!!!

If you want to view my family blog you can go to:

http://franciscaandjason.blogspot.com/

Our Worthiness to Serve the Lord

Task:Why do we need to continually work on being worthy to fulfill church callings and to help build Zion?  What happens to even the very elect if we withhold our time, talents, and resources?

We need to continually work on being worthy to fulfill church callings because we are always making mistakes. We are not perfect. To help build Zion we need to be and become pure with a contrite spirit. Zion needs people that are clean and pure in heart. As members of the Church, we are example to others. We always need to make sure that we are making the right choices and that we are repenting for those choices that haven’t been good for our lives. Although it is hard to be worthy all the time, the atonement is always there for us. Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but expects us to follow his council and commandment. If we are not worthy members then we aren’t going to be able to build up Zion. It is hard for people to convert to the church when they see individuals ( members of the church) not doing the things that they preach. It is very hard for people to convert to the Gospel when we aren’t worthy. We need to make sure that we are in tune always with the spirit. And that we do the little things that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. As we do this, when bigger things are commanded of us it will be easier for us to follow.

Being worthy when we are fulfilling calling is so important. We are showing our Heavenly Father how much we love Him by being worthy. Worthiness is hard to achieve, but not impossible. One of my friends said this quote the other day and I loved it. “Man is nothing compared to God, yet we mean everything to God.”

As we withhold our time, talents, and resources we become selfish and unwilling to give to others. By being that way we become sour individuals. We have no light. Heavenly Father gave us those gift do we can share them with others. As we cultivate the talents that Heavenly Father gives us, He will be willing to gives us more. If we withhold our time, talents and resources our Heavenly Father is not going to be willing to gives us more. We are not fulfilling our purpose when we do this. I like this quote by President Monson. It says, “ Every woman has been endowed by God with distinctive characteristics, gifts, and talents in order that she may fulfill a specific mission in the eternal plan”. This quote also rates to all of God’s children. We are given talents to fulfill the eternal plan. If we don’t do it than we are not helping Heavenly Father.

Temple

My husband and I on our wedding day

Task: "I invite the Latter-day Saints to look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of your membership. Let us be a temple-attending people." (Howard W. Hunter, Nov. '94, p. 7)
What meaning does the dedicatory prayer invite a Latter-day saint to associate with the structure and worship experiences of a temple?

I love how in section 109 verse 13 of the Doctrine and Covenants says, “And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.” When I read this verse, I pondered what the power that they are talking about was. Many answers came to mind. The first,  was the Spirit. I know that as I enter the doors of the temple, I always find myself calm and worry less. When I enter His house I don’t think about what’s going on out side those doors. I feel very peaceful and calm. I love that feeling and I always get it when I go to the temple. I know that in the Celestial room I feel that power stronger. There I’m able to ponder and know what they Lord wants of me and of my family. My husband and I are able to share that experience together and it is amazing feeling that power as you enter the temple.

I think that as members of the church we need to understand that as we pass through that threshold we come to the Lord’s house. The place that it is closest to Him. He is there and we can feel his spirit. We can feel his love and concern. As we cross that threshold, for me at least, I feel cleaner and more pure doing the Lord’s work. I’m so happy that I can share those experiences with my husband.

I really like how in the dedicatory prayer it talks about “that no unclean things shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it”. It is so important that we keep ourselves clean to enter the house of the lord. I think that with that we also need to work on our physical appearance. When we enter into the house of the Lord we need to be clean physically and mentally. We need to make sure that we wouldn’t be stretching our appearance or the clothes we were to the temple. It is also the same with our thought. We need to be pure in heart and always have the best of feeling.