This is Section 2 of ‘Talk from January 10, 2010’.
“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”
- Mosiah 2:41 (Found in ‘The Book of Mormon’. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. If you have any questions… message me and I’ll help you out.)
We’re blessed for keeping the commandments of God. How awesome is that? We know what the commandments are and we’ll be blessed for keeping them. I love this idea!
President Ezra Taft Benson once said,
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper places or drop out of our lives.” Isn’t that awesome? All we have to do is put our Heavenly Father first and then things will fall in place or drop out. We don’t have to worry about things that much!
Another song that I really like (plus I like the singer too :D ) is ‘Me and God’ by Josh Turner. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all had that kind of relationship with our Heavenly Father?
There ain't nothing that can't be done
By me and God
Ain't nobody come in between
me and God
One day we'll live together
Where the angels trod
Me and God
Early in the morning
talking it over
Me and God
Late at night
talking it over
Me and God
You could say
we’re like two peas in a pod
Me and God
He's my Father
He's my friend
The beginning
And the end
He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God
I am weak and
He is strong
Me and God
He forgives me
when I'm wrong
Me and God
He's the one I lean on
When life gets hard
Me and God
He's my Father
He's my friend
The beginning
And the end
He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God
He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God
We're a team
Me and God
This next story is from the Ensign August of 2008. The story’s entitled ‘Loaves and Testimonies’. It was written by Vida H. Liddell.
“One fast Sunday during Relief Society, a sister in our ward stood to bear her testimony. After stating that she had learned how much the Lord loves and cares about her, she shared the following experience. She had been ill with pneumonia, and one morning she was having a particularly difficult time. Her appetite had diminished considerably, and the only thing she thought she could eat was some homemade bread. She was getting discouraged and had been praying for help to endure her trials. That very morning her visiting teacher came to the door with a loaf of homemade bread. The sister bore testimony of the love she had felt from Heavenly Father. He had heard her prayers and provided her with exactly what she needed. As I listened, I realized that I was that visiting teacher. I thought back on that morning, trying to remember why I had decided to take bread over at that time. I hadn’t heard a voice or felt a burning in the bosom. I just woke up that day and felt like making bread. As I was preparing the loaves, I thought of a sister in our ward who was ill. I had felt helpless throughout her illness because I didn’t know what I could do to relieve her suffering. The thought came to my mind that I should take her a loaf of bread. I tried to talk myself out of it because the loaves turned out somewhat misshapen. But when I tasted one, it seemed fine. “At least she will know that I was thinking about her,” I thought. I wrapped the warm, odd-looking loaf, and took it to her house. As I presented it to her, she smiled and thanked me but refused my offer of further assistance. I went home feeling good but still concerned that I hadn’t helped much. Months later, when I heard her testimony, I understood that the Holy Ghost had prompted me in answer to her prayers. This experience taught me a great lesson about the importance of responding to the promptings of the Spirit. If an idea comes to us to do something good, we should do it. The Savior said, “Whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me” (Ether 4:12). Anytime we have a thought to do good, we can assume that it comes from the Spirit. We never know how important such promptings can be. I had no idea that a loaf of homemade bread would be an answer to a prayer that would strengthen a testimony. And when the sister was prompted to share her experience in Relief Society, she had no idea of the valuable lesson I learned about recognizing the Spirit.”
This woman was able to help a sister in her ward in a big way and she didn’t even know it! Obviously the Lord knows what others need. Usually the Lord provides for us through another person.
This next song is from ‘The Ultimate EFY Collection’. Yes, I really love that CD. Thanks for bringing it to me, Santa! :D The song’s entitled ‘Whatever it Takes’.
I have made this plea on my knees
A hundred times before
Now a window’s opened to my soul
Shining light I’ve waited for
I’ve prayed my whole life to feel this way
To know for myself that it’s true
With this step of faith
I feel the saving grace
He offers me and you
CHORUS: (Whatever it takes) I’ll turn my face to the light that He’s given
(Whatever it takes) I’ll put my feet on His path
(Whatever it takes) I’ll give up everything I’ll ever have
Now that my heart’s had a taste
(Whatever it takes) I’ll do whatever it takes*
These quiet whisperings to my soul
Are the treasures I hold close
Returning to His loving arms
Is the thing that matters most
When I am weak and the journey’s long
I’ll always come back to this place
Where my faith is strong
And every doubt is gone
And I can feel this way
Chorus
I’ll turn my face to the light that He’s given
I’ll put my feet on His path
(Whatever it takes) I’ll give up everything I’ll ever have
Now that my heart’s had a taste (Of what awaits)
I’ll do whatever it takes
I’ll give up everything I’ll ever have
Just to feel His embrace (To see His face)
I’ll do whatever it takes
This next story is from The Friend, another church magazine (message me with questions…). This story is based on a true story and was written by J. Harvey Hapi. It’s entitled ‘The Candy Ball’.
“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost (D&C 8:2). “Rachel woke up hungry. She hopped out of bed and ran to the pantry cupboard. She opened the door and scanned the top shelf. There it was—the candy jar! Inside the jar, gleaming like shiny marbles, were her favorite candies. They were irresistible red-orange balls with yummy chocolate centers. “Rachel looked around quickly to see if Mummy or Daddy was watching. She could hear their voices, but they were nowhere in sight. Quietly, she pushed a stool to the pantry and stepped up onto it. Then she reached up and unscrewed the candy-jar lid. She grabbed a handful of candy, screwed the lid back on, and raced down the hallway toward her bedroom. But when her parents’ voices came closer, she ducked into the bathroom and shut the door. “As Rachel looked hungrily at her candy, she wondered, “Could I throw one in the air and catch it in my mouth?” And without a second thought she tossed a candy high in the air. It floated above her head, then fell down straight into her wide-open mouth and stuck in her throat. She couldn’t breathe! “She tried to scream but couldn’t make a sound. “Daddy, help me!” she cried in her heart. “Heavenly Father, please help me!” she prayed. Tears ran down her cheeks as she struggled for a breath that wouldn’t come. She felt sick and dizzy. Suddenly, her father burst into the room. He picked up Rachel from behind and squeezed his arms tightly around her. Plop! Out shot the candy into the washbasin. Rachel sucked in deep gulps of air. Daddy set her down and held her close. “It’s all right, Rachel,” he said softly. “You’ll be fine now.” ““Thank you, Daddy,” she said. “I’m sorry I took the candies without asking. I love you.” Mummy came into the bathroom. “What happened?” she asked. ““I heard a voice,” Daddy said. “It said, ‘Your daughter is in trouble! Go to her!’ I found Rachel in the bathroom, but I didn’t know what was wrong. Then the voice said, ‘Pick her up!’ I did, and a piece of candy flew out of her mouth.” “Mummy gave Rachel a big hug. “Rachel did a lot of thinking that day. She thought about candy and about being honest. “She thought about how good every breath of air tasted. She thought about how much she loved Heavenly Father and Mummy and Daddy. But most of all, she thought about the Holy Ghost. Daddy had stopped her from choking because he had listened. She wanted to be like Daddy and always listen to the Holy Ghost.”
The Holy Ghost can help us when we’re looking for answers, when we’re in trouble. He’ll help whenever we need Him, even if we don’t think we do.
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