Temple Blessings

I realize I have not post for a couple of weeks but I have been working non-stop. I will be back to my Book of Mormon postings within a couple of days. In the meantime, I was asked to give a talk in my sacrament meeting last Sunday. Following is the talk I gave:

 

I know that many of you could stand here today and do a better job speaking about this topic. I don’t recall however, a time when the words of a talk came to me more clearly that this one and I testify that this talk is the talk the Lord wants me to share with you today.

I owe a profound debt of gratitude to the Lord for His love and marvelous gospel. He has been extremely good to me throughout my life and has given me many opportunities to learn and grow. Some of these opportunities have been very difficult… even to the point that I didn’t know how to move on… I’m truly grateful for these times and the way they have blessed my life. I bear testimony to you as solemnly as I know how that He lives! He lives and loves us.

The Lord has given us an invaluable gift to lead us back to His presence. That gift is personal revelation. Personal revelation comes by way of the whispering of the Holy Ghost, visions, dreams, angels, manifestations, and pure intelligence flowing into our minds. In the process of obtaining the blessings of heaven, the first step is learning to hear this revelation and then obey. There is no other process. There is no other path.

We live in a dispensation of the gospel that is glorious. Our primary objective is to build a society that is worthy to dwell in the presence of our returning Lord. We are preparing for a time when there will no longer be a veil between us and the Lord. It will already be parted. When we actually understand what we are being asked to do, we will be driven to work on it with great effort and zeal. If we have not yet caught the vision- then we have not yet understood the enormity of the reward. Our Savior wants to bless us with all that He has. He has given us a tremendous tool to help us along the path, and that is the temple endowment.

When I was in my mid-thirties, I was asked to be an ordinance worker in the Washington DC temple. I worked one shift per week for about two years. A shift consists of about 8 hours in the temple. It is here that I first learned that the temple ceremony contains eternal truths about our eternal potential, masked in allegory. During those hours in the temple… when I wasn’t rushed… I began to inquire of the Lord what the meaning was of parts of the ceremony. I wanted to understand and I learned He is willing to share.

In April conference 4 years ago Elder Scott gave a talk discussing his personal temple attendance. He said he attended the temple every week, and hadn’t missed for 14 years. This entered my heart very powerfully and has become one of the greatest blessings of my life. I was already waking early every day to exercise. It became obvious that missing one day of running or biking each week wasn’t going to make a lot of difference, so I began attending the temple on Wednesday mornings. This decision, along with a long standing commitment to have meaningful scripture study every day, and meaningful personal prayer at least twice a day… and never missing… was one of the greatest decisions of my life.

I would like to share with you one way temple attendance has blessed my life. I know that the temple endowment has many meanings. I have learned several of them myself. I of course will not discuss things here I have covenanted not to, but the one that seems to bless my life more than any of the others is the realization that the characters in the dialog are us. We must indeed consider ourselves Adam and Eve. The Plan of Salvation is explained to us in the endowment; where we came from, why we are here, and where we go after this life. It is a story of our eternal progression. We know very little of our pre-earth life. Some of the things we do know are that we lived with God, and it was some kind of probationary period because coming here was a type of reward. We lived with our Heavenly Father in a paradisiacal state. We made covenants and promises there. We chose to come to this fallen earth to learn by our own experience to choose good from evil. A Savior was required to allow us to return from the fallen world. The Lord sends messengers to us to help us find our way back; some we know, and some we do not. The Plan of Salvation is grand and glorious. It is powerful and encompassing. It is far more majestic than the kindergarten version we learn in our manuals. I testify that the Plan of Salvation is taught in the temple and the Lord will teach each of us the glorious version personally if we seek after it. I testify that we will one day feel the nail prints in his hands—and the spear wound in His side and know that He is our very Eternal God and Savior. He will welcome us into His presence.

The temple endowment teaches us the way back to Him. I testify that when we learn the way to seek Him, we will discover that the way to Him is natural and easy. We are indeed strangers here. The Savior wants us to become like Him and will teach us how to do so if we allow Him to change our hearts. 

For the majority of my life I believed that when it came to spiritual matters—that it was much like a pebble dropped into water and creating ripples. I believed that the church leadership was at the center and able to receive all knowledge, truth, and understanding—and we were on the outer ripples—receiving lesser and lesser portions. I have since come to know it is opposite. We are able to receive everything required for us personally and for our families, just as they are, directly from the source, and that they are called “general authorities” for a reason… they receive the general information for us. As Elder Bednar stated in the opening sentences of a recent book, “We are personally responsible to learn and live the truths of the Savior’s restored gospel. We should not expect the church as an organization to teach or tell us the things we need to know.” I testify that out Heavenly Father loves each of us enough to teach us directly.

I encourage all to heed the promptings of the Lord to recognize personal revelation and to act on it. I encourage all to make time for temple attendance… not only to devote the day on Stake Temple Day, but to devote more of our time to regular attendance. I encourage all to attend with an eager heart to learn the glorious truths taught there: To go hungering and thirsting after righteousness. I testify that as we do, the blessings of heaven will flow into our lives.

I testify that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our eternal Savior, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God Wants a Powerful People

I realize how long it has been since my last post and I apologize. I don’t really have an explanation other than my heart just hasn’t been it for some reason. I hope to be able to get back to at least weekly posts.
This blog started out merely as sort of an online book review. I was reading many books and then highlighting the things that I had learned from each. Perhaps it evolved into something different than that and that is what made it difficult for me to maintain. Perhaps going back to the original format will bring me back to more frequent posts.

A couple of weeks ago I was lying in bed and was running through my head the books that I have read so far this year. I came to the conclusion that it has been 11 so far. I guess that makes me a true book geek. The books I have read so far this year include:
“Jesus the Christ” and “The Articles of Faith” by James E. Talmage, “Ten Parables” by Denver Snuffer, “Divine Signatures” by Gerald Lund, “The Continuous Atonement” by Brad Wilcox, “House of Learning” by Richard and Kathleen Walker, “God Want a Powerful People” by Sherri Dew,” The People Code” by Dr. Taylor Hartman, “The Narcotics Anonymous Handbook” (I will explain later), “The Anatomy of Peace” by The Arbinger Institute, and “To the Rescue, The Biography of Thomas S. Monson” by Heidi Swinton. Of course none of these include my regular scripture study where I am working on both the Old and New Testaments right now.
My reason in pointing this out I guess is to show that I have plenty of material to choose from. My only excuse for not writing is perhaps laziness. I have hope that I can do much better.

I have found the Old Testament to be simply wonderful. Late last year I felt a need to read the book of Isaiah. After really enjoying it I decided simply to keep going so I read Jeremiah, Lamentations, etc. until I was through Malachi. In about January of this year I was ready to begin in Genesis and simply keep going. I am currently in Ruth.

I have only read the Old Testament one time previously and that was shortly after returning from my mission in Belgium. I quite honestly don’t remember anything from that reading. This time has been very different. I have read with red pencil in hand and have thoroughly enjoyed the things I have read. The stories are amazing, and the amount of revelation that is pertinent to my life currently has been enlightening. I regret having taken so long between readings.

One of the books on my list above that I thoroughly enjoyed was the one by Sherri Dew “God Want a Powerful People.” I bought this book pretty much by dumb luck. I was in Seagull book purchasing “The “Continuous Atonement.” At the checkout counter the cashier informed me of a special they were having that let me buy Sister Dew’s book for $6.00 with the purchase of any other book. I thought to myself “maybe Ann will like this book.” I brought it home.

The book seems to be a little gem filled with many wonderful stories and insights. I already knew that Sister Dew was a wonderful woman but I guess I underestimated her power. Although there are many parts of this book I could write about, I will write about one section that stands out in my mind. It comes from a chapter called “How God Shares His Power.”

This chapter starts out by talking about the adversary and his power. It quickly reminds us that agency is critical to the Fathers plan and that we need to be able to choose for ourselves. She then goes on to explain how Heavenly Father trusts us to come forth in this time of great sin on the earth; but he hasn’t left us without help. He has given us portions of His Power. She then makes a list of where this power is found.

1. There is Power in the Word of God. Sister Dew goes on to talk about how the scriptures, words of living prophets, and personal revelation give us power. President Boyd K. Packer taught that “true doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will change behavior faster than the study of behavior will improve behavior.” President Henry B. Eyring said “Words of doctrine have great power. They can open the minds of people to see things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love for truth.”
I have experienced these truths in my own life. I have learned over the past few years, as I have tried to study the gospel more diligently, that studying the gospel has improved my behavior. However, more importantly, my eyes have been opened to many wonderful parts of the gospel that come only by personal revelation.

2. There is power in the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have learned from my own experience that tremendous power comes with the gift of the Holy Ghost. I believe that the Holy Ghost speaks in a unique way to each of us and that learning how the Holy Ghost speaks to us is one of the most important things we can learn in our lives. I have learned that when promptings come, and we respond to them, we are blessed with more. As we receive a prompting, and don’t respond, they soon become less frequent.

3. There is power in the priesthood. Sister Dew explains “There is power in ordinances. Those who are endowed with power in the House of the Lord need never face the adversary alone. Couples worthy to be sealed at the altar in the holy house are gifted with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates every righteous man and woman against the power of darkness.”

4. There is power in the House of the Lord. This statement is the solitary reason I am writing this post today. As I read this book… and read this statement… the spirit bore witness to me that this is true. Two years ago this April conference, Elder Richard G. Scott gave a talk where he mentioned that he has attended the temple every week for 14 years. Since it is my habit to listen to conference over and over again as I drive in my car, I have learned that it often takes until the 4th or 5th listening that I finally understand what the message for me is. As I was listening to this talk for the 5th or so time, suddenly I became aware that attending the temple weekly is what I needed to do. Since that time I have done just that. I can testify that there is power in the temple.

5. There is power in purity. “It is possible that there is no key to accessing the power of God that is more important, more crucial than purity” writes Sister Dew. Again this is something I have a personal testimony of. From Elder Bednar’s conference address, Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, I learned that it is very possible to have clean hands and not a pure heart. As I have pondered and applied this to my own life I have come to know of its truthfulness. I have learned for myself what is meant by the scripture “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;” D&C 121:45.

6. There is power in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Most of my life my experience taught me that the Atonement was for me and for the forgiveness of my sins. It wasn’t until a person tragedy, and the subsequent reading of “The Peacegiver” that I learned that the Atonement is for others as well and that I can forgive others because of the Atonement. The Atonement is the greatest power indeed.

There are many more great lessons to be taught by this wonderful little book of Sister Dew’s. I encourage all to read it and ponder its great teachings.

1 Nephi 3

1 Nephi 3

I had a wonderful morning in the Salt Lake Temple this morning. A wonderful spirit was present and it was the perfect way to start a new day. I encourage all to attend as much as possible.

Because I was in the temple this morning, I am late in getting today’s thoughts posted. I welcome your comments.

Vs.1
Nephi returns from speaking with the Lord! Was this simply a prayer or was it a vision? Perhaps he simply heard His voice. Is this experience separate from the previous experience?

Vs 2
Lehi has another dream. He is commanded to have his sons return to Jerusalem. Why wasn’t Lehi commanded to go himself? Was his life in danger because of his previous preaching or was this some kind of lesson for his sons?

Vs. 3
I have heard several times in my life that Lehi and Laban were cousins. Is this something revealed by Joseph Smith or are we simply assuming this because Laban has the record of Lehi’s forefathers?

Vs. 5
This verse implies that Lehi has already spoken to Laman and Lemuel prior to speaking to Nephi. Lehi tells Nephi that they have already complained that it is too hard.

Vs. 7
This is one of the most beloved and quoted scriptures in the entire Book of Mormon. What a manifestation of Nephi’s faith! I have a cross reference of this scripture with Moroni 7:33 which reads; “33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. I hope to be able to develop this type of faith!

Vs. 8
I have experienced this type of joy that comes from my children exercising faith!

Vs. 10
I wonder what the population of Jerusalem was at this time? The current “old city” is about 1 square mile, however, the Bible maps found in our scriptures show the city at the time of Christ much smaller. This was even 600 years prior to Christ’s coming. Was it smaller or larger?

On a side note, some of the walls of the city that would have existed during this time have been excavated in Jerusalem. They are really remarkable to see.

Vs. 11
Why did they cast lots? Why didn’t they all go?

Vs. 14-16
They all became exceedingly sorrowful when their first attempt failed. Laman and Lemuel wanted to give up but Nephi was committed to keeping the commandments… and he considered getting the plates one of them.

Interestingly they go to plan B of their own. They didn’t seem to turn to the Lord to ask Him how to get the plates.

Vs. 19-20
Nephi seemed to really understand the importance of getting the plates. He outlines the consequences of not getting them. Did he receive this by revelation or was it told to him by his father as they were planning the trip?

Vs. 21
Nephi uses his testimony to try to persuade his brothers to keep the commandments.

Vs. 29
As Laman and Lemuel are beating their younger brothers, perhaps for having such “stupid” ideas as giving up all their gold and silver, an angel appears. Why did this not simply floor Laman and Lemuel?

Vs. 31
When the angel leaves, Laman and Lemuel go right back to murmuring. This is difficult for me to comprehend.

I wonder how many days this entire experience took? For most of my life I imagined it all happening in one night but I am now beginning to think that it was over a period of several days. It doesn’t say how long they were in the “cavity of a rock”.

Here am I, send me

It is tradition in the Young Men’s program in our ward to have a “combined quorum” meeting once a month. This is where the Deacons, Teachers, and Priests all meet together for a priesthood lesson. We hold it on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Traditionally the instructor is a member of the Bishopric or a member of the YM’s Presidency. For yesterday’s lesson I asked a member of our Stake Presidency to teach; President Craig Wilson, the 2nd Counselor.

President Wilson taught a lesson that was thoughtful and inspiring. This morning I haven’t been able to get it off my mind so I would like to write about it. I hope that you will be inspired as was I.

The actual lesson title was “Respect for Womanhood”. Interestingly if you Google this topic, only LDS references are available: Is this not taught anywhere else? President Wilson came to the topic a bit differently so I hope I can do it justice. He related the following story.

“A couple of weeks ago, while driving to an appointment, I was listening to NPR. It just happened to be the day of the memorial service for the men and women of the armed forces who lost their lives at Fort Hood earlier in the month. A general from the Special Forces spoke where he with great emotion, told of a saying they have in the Special Forces… A saying that comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

This verse has obvious application to the Special Forces. When a job or a mission is hard, or dangerous, or scary… who will go? The men and women of the armed forces stand and say ‘Here am I, send me’; meaning I am ready… and willing! We also know that these are the words of the pre-mortal Savior when asked by the Father “who will go and be the Savior of the world”. But what do these words have to do with holders of the Priesthood… young and old?

It is obvious that we live in the last days of this earth. Sin, greed, calamity, and destruction are very pervasive throughout the world. Who will carry the sword of truth and virtue in the world today? It must be the Priesthood of God. In order to do so we must be as the Special Forces; trained, prepared, brave, and willing. But how do we do this?

It is my experience that the greatest place to receive the strength we need to be the defenders of all that is “virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy” is in the Temple. For young and old, the Temple is the place to receive the special training the Lord offers to those who really want to follow him.

The reason the Temple is the training ground spoken of is for several reasons: First of all, we all know that only those worthy of a recommend are allowed into the Temple. Just as the Special Forces has a ‘weeding out’ process, so does the Temple. As people go to the Temple worthily, they are in essence going to the Lord’s ‘advanced training’. Only those in tune with the Spirit will receive the special instructions they need to advance.

Second, Temple attendance requires continued faithful service and obedience. Please know that as I share the following I do so to prove the point; not to draw attention to myself.

Those of you who know me well know that the only thing I listen to in my car is Conference and “Mo Tab”. I do this because I believe that I am a little denser than most people and it takes things longer to get into my thick skull that it does yours. My experience is that it takes till about the 5th time that I hear a conference talk to realize what is being said.

About 6 months ago, as I was listening to Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk... for about the 5th time, that I heard him say that he attended the temple every week… and had done so for 14 years… and never missed! As I thought about my own life, I realized this is something I needed to do. As a result, I have been to the Temple every week since that time. If I need to miss for any reason, I make it up by going twice the following week. This effort has changed my life!

The first benefit I get from attending the temple weekly is that it is a constant reminder to ‘choose the right’. When I am tempted to make a bad choice during the week, which is pretty much constantly, I think to myself “I am going to the temple in a couple of days… or I have just come out of the temple”, and the temptation wanes.

The second benefit is receiving special instruction form the Lord. This is a topic far too sacred do discuss in this setting, but I have learned by experience that revelation happens on the Temple like nowhere else. The Lord does indeed have mysteries he is willing to share with those who are willing to listen and to learn. As we attend the Temple, and diligently strive to keep the commandments, and to repent of all of our sins, we become prepared to say ‘Here am I, send me’.