Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost

Hello Nathan and the shadowman Brandon, I say “shadowman” because this one is intended for Nathan. Saturday, 5/28/16 Some people think the Mormon Church worships Mormon or Joseph Smith. This talk by Elder Young really answers that question even though that is not his point. He put together so many beautiful “mormon” teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ that I felt spiritually touched just listening to him and his testimony. Notice in the last sentence this is his testimony to the world! By the way, out of respect we are always supposed to use the full name of the church the first time we mention it. I did the above to make a point. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ~@~@~When I Read, I Am There @S. Dilworth Young @When I decided to choose a subject for this moment, I discovered I did not have enough words in the English language to properly express my true feelings, but it is the only language I know and so I shall have to use them and hope that the prayer of Brother Burton, which he offered at the beginning, will be applied to me as well as to you. It is my purpose to speak of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the depths of my soul I know that he has established the Church in these last days so that I may partake of the blessings of his kingdom on earth, to the end that I may inherit the eternal joy of dwelling in his presence when I have completed my work here, if I can prove faithful. He did not intend this to be my privilege alone. In his infinite love he reaches out to all of my family, all of my kin, to all of your families and kin, and to all of the people on the earth.

I know that I cannot know him as he is unless he reveals himself to me. That is the great hope—to penetrate the veil and see and know him as he is. Yet I do know some things because he has told holy men, who are prophets, about himself and has commanded that they bear record of what they saw and heard. I know that by reading about him in the scriptures I can hear his voice by the power of the Holy Ghost; that is, to read his word is to hear his voice.

Speaking through the Prophet Joseph Smith to his future modern apostles, he said: “These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; … For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another. … [Notice he said read them.] Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.” (D&C 18:34–36.)

I begin by learning that all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (See John 1:3.) It is plain that this great being, this Word, as John expressed it, was made flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1:14) and was identified as the Only Begotten in the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hello Nathan and the shadow man Brandon,

I learn, too, that all of the children of God were organized as spirits to come to the earth to be tested, to see if they would obey the principles of salvation and exaltation as proposed by this Son. They were told: “We will go down, … and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abr. 3:24–25.) Then, in due time, he himself came to earth, the light and life of men. (See John 1:4.)

Believing this with all my heart, I read of the earthly life of this great being, the Messiah. I learn that when he was born, a host of angels sang anthems of joy to an audience of shepherds. Out of the East, with no explanation as to why they started, wise men came and deposited with Joseph and Mary presents which were of value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I do not doubt that they were inspired to find the Lord or that they were prompted to leave valuable gifts which could be used to sustain his family.

I am thrilled when I read of the scene at Jordan. There came the Son of God, unmarked and unknown; yet, recognizing him by the Spirit, John the Baptist could not help crying out: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29.) What do you imagine could have been John’s feeling when, after the baptism, he heard a voice out of the heavens say in holy confirmation: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”? (Matt. 3:17.)

Then later, as I follow his life, I sense the extraordinary importance of this climb up the mountain with three fishermen who did not yet quite know what it was to be apostles, to be special witnesses. There, as his glory was manifest before them and their eyes were opened to the presence of Moses and Elijah, they heard the same solemn witness as had John, only this time it came from a bright cloud nearby, which overshadowed them. In my soul I hear the solemn words from out the cloud saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:5.)

There are many events in the life of the Lord in which I experience exquisite joy as I read of them, and there are others which bow me down with the tragedy of his suffering and of his sacrifice.

Many of us know what it is to suffer physically for ourselves, and we suffer mentally and emotionally for our friends and loved ones in their sorrows and afflictions. I am not capable of fully understanding the suffering of this great firstborn Son of God for the sins of the world. We call it Gethsemane. He gave us agency and then, knowing all would sin to a greater or lesser degree, took the responsibility on himself of paying the price of the atonement for our sins, provided we would repent and follow him and his teachings. I find peace in doing what he said to do. When he said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you …” (John 14:27), he meant what he said. Someday I hope to be able to understand better. I know the peace I can have if I will keep his law and abide in his commandments.

I read that he was hung on a cross. I look at my own hands and feet and try to imagine the pain of such torture—to hang there in the heat of the day, the weight of his body on those tearing nails, every muscle and nerve drawn tight in agony. No stopping, no escape until he, having said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), gave up the ghost. I realize that this was endured for me and for you; I bow my head; it is hard to hold back the tears. Even now, 1900 years later, it is as poignant as though it occurred yesterday.

I read on and discover that each one of the gospels ends on a triumphant note. He has risen! He is the King of kings. He is the one named “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6.) I think of each of these titles given to him in prophecy and marvel as the meaning of each one touches my own heart.

What did the 11 apostles think as the cloud received him out of their sight? I can see them, in my mind, walking across the Kedron, then the narrow streets to a common meeting place, each lost in his own fears, and in his own hopes according to his understanding. I read with gratitude of the great event of the day of Pentecost, when the promise of the Lord was realized and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost was on them in miraculous abundance.

I am puzzled over the long period of time in which there was no spiritual light, nearly 1700 years of spiritual darkness. And then I read in a book of scripture, newly discovered, with an unusual name—the Book of Mormon—of his coming to a people in this land, a people descended from the Jews and their kin in Israel. I read of his descent from the heavens above them, of the great multitude of Nephites gathered together round about their temple, and of the voice from heaven which pierced them to the center.

My heart sings in confirmation as I hear once more in my soul the words of introduction and acceptance twice heard during his ministry in Palestine and now repeated and enlarged: “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.” (3 Ne. 11:7.) Once more the voice of the Father out of the cloud is placing his approval on his divine Son. I know that the account is true.

I have already read of how this great personage lived as the firstborn of his Father in the spirit, and so I am not surprised, although I am deeply moved, to learn that he, as a premortal spirit, visited the brother of Jared (see Ether 3:6–13), and I can sense his fear when the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord and realized that it was like unto the finger of a man. It surprised this prophet, but it does not surprise me, for I have learned that the Lord was the firstborn Son of God, whose name is Man of Holiness. So when the Lord showed his complete self to that great prophet, I am not surprised, but I am awed. The more I study and read the scriptures, the more I know this is true.

Finally, I read of a great vision in this dispensation, in this modern day. For the first time, so far as I know, the personage who spoke in testimony at the baptism of Christ, again on the mount, and to the Nephites (saying, “This is my beloved Son”) did not speak out of a cloud as on those occasions. This time he stood in majestic holy light together with his Son and declared to Joseph Smith: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear him!” (JS—H 1:17.) With Joseph Smith, as I read, I know that there is a God and he is indeed my Father. He is the great Elohim, the Father of us all. And there with him stood his Son Jesus Christ, identified once more by his Father.

It is no coincidence that the Father used the same introduction. If the young Joseph Smith was to bear witness of the truth, he must know the truth. It was revealed to him in that grove of trees 153 years ago. By the spirit of truth I know that the vision is true.

For 1700 years men had claimed to represent Christ, but none had declared him, none had heard a voice declaring him. In 1700 years no man had imagined or dared to imitate this great statement of truth to justify his own claims. This time is different. There in one moment on a spring morning the eternal truth was once more revealed in such a way and in such power that no one with the Holy Spirit in his heart can doubt that the heavens were opened and that God our Father and his Son appeared together—the Father declaring the Son in almost exactly the same words as he did three times nearly 2,000 years ago.

The boy was too young to perpetrate a fraud. The sacred words are from the lips of the Eternal Father. This is my testimony, and our testimony to the world. Here today we declared his Beloved Son, and here today we worship him and give praise and honor and glory. Today in honor of him we assemble at this conference of his people.

We look forward to his return to reign a thousand years. Let us worship him in spirit and in truth. Let us give loyal support to his presently anointed prophet and mouthpiece and those who assist him. President Harold B. Lee is that prophet. He holds the same keys that were given to Joseph Smith by the heavenly messengers in 1829. His word, inspired of the Holy Ghost, is the modern revelation of our day. This is my witness to you and to the world, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ~@~ How many facts about Jesus Christ did he include. One you have probably never heard of Nathan is when Jehovah/ Jesus Christ showed his finger and then his body to the Brother of Jared before he was even born. It was his spirit body. @ Now if you are like me you would lots rather listen to these beautiful talks than read them. That is what I get to do. I know how to find them and listen to them. Sometimes I am really in tune and the talks seem so rich. That is the way it has been today. So I can't stop with just sharing one. Here comes a second one. In my opinion one of the weirdest beliefs and teachings of the church has to do with the Holy Ghost. Who in there right mind believes in ghosts, let alone a Holy Ghost. Now Casper the friendly ghost was one of my favorite cartoon characters. But in religion, in spirituality, you deal with underlying energies and motivations. WE believe we have our very own identity, spirit inside our physical body. That God the Father has a perfect body inhabited by his spirit. That Jesus Christ was Jehovah before being born the Only Son of God the Father on the earth and that when he broke the bounds/bands of death he resurrected. The Holy Ghost is one of the 3 members of the Godhead. He chose to perform a special mission. His mission is to communicate God's will to our hearts and to witness of him and to give us comfort and peace and guidance. He can't be inside us and touch us inside if he had a body, so he remains a spirit. These 3 guys are the Fantastic Four, or the Threatening Three or the Power Partners of the Plan of Happiness. So it still sounds strange to me Nathan, but invariably saints/ members pray for the presence of the Holy Ghost at every meeting. Imagine you had worldly ears and you listened to someone say: And please bless us with the spirit of the Holy Ghost, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. @ Well, I have a real hard time detecting the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost. I think I blocked off a part of my spirit when I was little so I could make it through my horrendous childhood. So I am not good at feeling it until after the fact. When I have been brave or courageous and made a difficult choice or performed a Christlike behavior I often have the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost come to me. And when I pray I often feel filled with love and gratitude and tears come to my eyes. But I even laugh with HF in my visits with him. So you can expect I cover all kinds of feelings when I pray. By the way. We believe that to start a prayer we do it like Jesus did and say, Our Father who art in Heaven, or Our Heavenly Father. To end a prayer we say like I did above: In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. One of our recent prophet/ presidents of the church said the fashion when he was a boy was to skip the word Christ. In his family they just said, In the name of Jesus, Amen. Explanation: Jesus saves us but he wants all the glory to go to the Father, so he asks us not to pray to JC but rather HF. But to do it in His, Christ's, name. So these old wise men have lifetimes of experience. These apostles have no ulterior motives. They are squeaky clean. Thank heavens there is someone I can trust! See what you think of this next talk. It is in sequence with the one above. ~@~The Continuing Power of the Holy Ghost @Franklin D. Richards @My dear brothers and sisters: This has been a most stimulating and inspiring conference, and I sincerely pray for the guidance of the Spirit in the things that I have to say to you.

Frequently the question is asked, What is the difference between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches?

On one occasion the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked this question. He replied that one of the main differences was in our mode of baptism, including the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and that we believe in the continuing power of the Holy Ghost. (See Documentary History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 42.)

The first and fourth Articles of Faith of the Church outline this belief:

“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

“We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Through modern revelation we are told that “the Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s, the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.” (D&C 130:22.)

This is the simple and beautiful conception of the Godhead as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When Nicodemus, one of the rulers of the Jews, came to Jesus at night and asked him what he should do to be saved, he was told, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5.)

In this dispensation we have been admonished to “go among this people, and say unto them, … Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, … for the remission of sins; And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.” (D&C 49:11, 13–14.)

That this new birth included a spiritual regeneration was indicated when the Savior explained, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:6:7.)

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism by water are prerequisites to receiving the Holy Ghost.

The apostle Paul, in writing the Corinthian saints, stated: “… know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you …” (1 Cor. 6:19), and “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:17).

To keep in tune with the Holy Ghost, we must keep our bodies clean in every respect.

President Brigham Young stated: “The Holy Ghost … opens the vision of the mind, unlocks the treasures of wisdom, and they begin to understand the things of God. …

They comprehend themselves and the great object of their existence.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 241.)

If a person is going to get the most out of this life, he must comprehend the object of his existence.

The gifts of the Holy Ghost, to worthy recipients, are many and extremely helpful in answering the question, What is the purpose of life or the object of our existence?

One of the chief functions of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of God the Father and Jesus Christ, his Son. The apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian saints, told them that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Cor. 12:3.)

To know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is his Son and our Savior and Redeemer is absolutely essential to understand the purpose of life.

In addition to being a witness for the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a comforter. As the Savior was about to be crucified, he promised the disciples another comforter as he told them, “… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26.)

Thus we see that the Holy Ghost is a witness of the Father and the Son, a comforter, a teacher, and the bearer of valuable gifts of the spirit, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, discernment, and direction.

Yes, the blessings of the Holy Ghost are real and very helpful in understanding and appreciating life, although in some respects beyond our comprehension at times.

I recall a testimony given by a young cadet attending the United States Air Force Academy.

He was experiencing great difficulty in passing his courses and was very discouraged. At this point, he met a Mormon cadet, and from him he learned that there were a number of Mormon boys attending the academy and that they met together at five o’clock each weekday morning in a religious study class. The cadet was invited to attend one of these classes.

He did so and was deeply impressed by the wonderful spirit. He continued attending, met the missionaries, was given the discussions, and, through study, prayer, and attending church, received a testimony and was baptized.

He bore witness that upon receiving the Holy Ghost he felt its influence quicken his mind and understanding and refresh his memory, and that thereafter he had no trouble in getting satisfactory grades. His feelings of discouragement left him, and a spirit of peace and comfort came over him. This was a most inspiring and impressive testimony of the great value of the Holy Ghost.

Likewise, I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost many times in my life. In following these whisperings, my family and I have been blessed abundantly.

When our children were young, we were living in Salt Lake City, and I had an opportunity to accept a position with the government in Washington, D.C. This was an important decision for our family to make. After very careful and prayerful consideration, we decided to accept. We felt good about this decision, but it took considerable courage to follow the inspiration.

Years later, when I left the government, I had another important decision to make—whether to accept an attractive opportunity to work for others or go into business for myself. There were many pressures, many considerations, and after much deliberation I decided I would go into business for myself. After fervent prayers, I felt strongly that this was the path to pursue. I prayed for the courage to follow the whisperings of the Spirit.

I am sure many of you could testify that you have been troubled in making important decisions and have asked the Lord for direction and guidance, and that you have received it.

Likewise, manifestations of the Spirit are found in many other areas of life’s activities.

We hear many testimonies where worthy members have been warned of impending dangers.

A young father bore witness to me of a great blessing that had come to him and his family. He was awakened one night by a voice that clearly told him to get up and go downstairs. He heeded the warning, and in going into the kitchen he found one wall engulfed in flames. Hurriedly he awakened his family, called the fire department, and with the help of his family fought the fire, keeping it down until the fire department arrived and put it out.

There was no question in his mind that this warning was a manifestation of the protection the Holy Ghost can give to those who keep their lives in harmony with the Spirit.

Again the Savior has promised that to worthy members the Holy Ghost would be a comforter in times of sickness and death.

Many have borne witness of the comforting spirit that has attended them in times of sorrow, helping them to find peace and understanding.

A few weeks ago it was my privilege to meet two wonderful women, close friends, who had lost their husbands in a tragic airplane accident. Did I find them in despair and deep mourning? No, indeed. I have never witnessed greater courage and strength. They both bore witness to the fact that they had truly felt the comfort of the Spirit, that they knew there was a purpose in the call that had been given to their husbands, and that they had an assurance that all would be well with them and their families as they lived close to the Church and kept the commandments of the Lord.

I have heard the still small voice, or the whisperings of the Spirit, as I have counseled with you, my brothers and sisters; as I have conferred the priesthood upon men; as I have set men and women apart to positions in the Church; as I have given blessings to the sick; as I have borne my testimony to nonmembers as well as members; as I have been delivering a sermon, and at many other times.

Sometime ago a young lady asked me, “How do you know when you are speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost?” My answer was, “I can feel it spiritually and physically.”

I testify to you that the Holy Ghost has borne witness to me that God lives and is the Father of our spirits; that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer and Savior; that Joseph Smith was and is a great prophet, through whom the gospel in its fullness was restored, the church of Jesus Christ was reestablished, and the power to act in the name of God was restored to earth. The Holy Ghost has also borne witness to me many times that President Harold B. Lee is a great modern-day prophet, standing at the head of Christ’s church on this earth. I pray that the Lord and each one of us will sustain him in every way. I am most grateful for the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life.

I bear my witness to you that as one accepts the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and conforms to the principles and ordinances thereof, the Holy Ghost will truly be a guide and comfort to him throughout his life.

Yes, one of the great differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any other church is that the worthy members may enjoy the continuing power and gifts of the Holy Ghost. May we all seek these gifts and be worthy of them, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ~@~@~So Nathan, there was a time when the “best” things I read had the anticipation of sex in them. I think I told you I was sexualized as a child, like it or not. Rose colored glasses are supposed to make the world a rosier place. Well I did not know it but I was given Sex colored glasses as a child. So sad. So the above two talks and all my comments about them would have seemed boring. No sex. But what if it is true. If it were pure real spiritual truth would that make it more interesting? I sure hope so. And that is what they are professing and that is what I am confessing. These are the real truths of the Universe! And we have to be taught them and reminded of them because we are here on earth on a mission. Our mission is to show God we can live by faith. We are proving to him/them that we value good over evil. That we can be selfless instead of selfish. (Not all the time but part of the time!) That we desire light more than dark. That we want to love more than hate. That we trust and confide and are loyal to Him and not the opposite. Power and Riches are not our goals. Peace in our hearts and blessings and spiritual gifts are our goals. Confidence and solidity, our house is built upon the rock. Despair and blown around, our house is not built upon the sand. Faith, hope and charity. (Charity: to see others the way our loving God sees them.) When we do what is right and good we have no need to fear. Though we be stoned like Stephen, one of the seven, our faith is secure in our God. Blessed are they who are mocked and persecuted for my names sake, for so were my apostles and prophets before them. We join a cadre/ club that transcends the ages. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way and few there be that find it. Not many are the true followers of Christ. But isn't it good to know that Christians are the majority of the world! What a powerful yet humble man he was. I read the sermon on the mount and studied it carefully a few weeks ago. Yikes who could do any one of those things well, let alone them all!!!! It helps me to know that those are the lines of the blueprint of perfection. No wonder they are so difficult even to imagine! And in 3^rd Nephi some key words are added that help make so much more sense! Thank heavens the Book of Mormon only had to be translated one time to get to English. All the other languages of the world it will have to have been translated two times. Well, we spent quite a bit of time on this but if this is the life blood of the true Universe then there is nothing more valuable to spend it on. Gby-nc-bps-vj

70's Elder Larry Lawrence, Elder Dance

Monday, 5/16/16, 10:50am, Hello Brandon, We are halfway through May, the best shore fishing month of the year! I went for my first time last week and will probably head out again today or tomorrow. Never seen rainbow trout this big in my life so I just have to take advantage of the opportunity. BradL is my fishing guru. He has been to Ottercreek Reservoir 3 or 4 times already this year. Reading my text messages last week got him all excited about going again Saturday! I have always wanted to find out stuff from him but this time I had written 2 things that he was curious about! He texted me 4 or 5 times on Friday night. I was so proud! Last week I left at 2pm on Tuesday and got home about 11pm on Wednesday. I spent more than 24 hours out in nature. That is therapy time for me. Brad is happy to catch his limit and get home in half a day. I like sleeping over night and seeing all 24-36 hours of the wind the light the storms the temperature the sunburn. I'm not half the fisherman that he is but I make up for it in other ways. A 16-17 inch rainbow is a big trout. They are about 2 lbs. Yes! It gets me all excited just talking about them. I brought home 3 of those last week. Brad showed me a picture of 3 -21 inchers that are 4 and 5 lbs that he brought home last month. I caught one of those last year and I called it my lifetime LUNKER! I brought it home and weighed it on the Harmon's produce department scale. 5 lbs! Awesome. So brad is not satisfied with those 2 pounders and caught and released one of those and a bigger one last Saturday. I asked him why? He said to let them grow larger, and that his freezer is full of trout. So he was enjoying the thrill of catching them. I let one little one 13 go last week and as I cleaned the rest in my sink I wondered why I had done it. Mistake, mistake! An amazing thing to me is to have gone to both Reservoirs last fall and caught the newly planted little 7 and 8 inchers and now to go back and find they have put on a half pound of additional flesh and instead of being white meat from the hatchery pellets they are now pink fleshed from the water shrimp etc. they eat. @ When I am fishing I am standing and bending and climbing around for hours on end. It left my legs sore with charlie horses or cramps Wednesday night. The only way I could sleep was on my recliner which positioned my legs to avoid the cramps. I walked Molly Saturday night and again this morning hoping to maintain a little leg strength. @ I watered the whole yard well last week and cut the lawn so I am caught up with those duties. @ We had stake conference this weekend. I was in the stake choir which was fun and challenging. We had two seventies visiting. Elder Dance and Elder Lawrence from the 5^th quorum of 70's. I sat on the second row Saturday night and got to see and feel of their spirits up close. I have always honored the Apostles and general authorities but never been a groupie. I am surprised to say that I felt the purity of their spirits, the solidity of their testimonies. To have men come and visit and teach our stake like that lends us spiritual strength and relights the vibrancy of our testimonies. They are right there! Pure and clean and loving and caring in real life! @Last week I discovered that Stephen who was stoned was one of the apostles assistants called one of the seven! Sounds strange doesn't it. Sort of like the assistants to the 12 that we had in the 60's and 70's. BRMcConkie was an assistant to the 12 before becoming an apostle. The guys that are chosen older to be apostles don't have to worry about becoming the prophet. They will die before they gain that much seniority. @ In October'72 Lee has just replaced JFS as the president of the church. He is courageous and vibrant as well as humbled and in awe during that conference. He spoke for 30 minutes in Priesthood meeting having so many things he wanted to set straight. I will include that portion of his talk in this post card. @ So Elder Lawrence, the senior 70, conducted a 7 member panel discussion to start the adult Saturday night meeting and his focus was rescuing. Guess what was true about all those on the panel? They had been less active and rescued. I was fascinated that Elder Lawrence would use such an entertaining teaching tool. Panels can get out of hand. And one panel brother did, in my opinion! He wanted the saints to stop asking if the new people in the ward were mormons or not, just call them neighbors, he said about 5 times! In my mind I rebelled at the thought. I don't think he recognizes that if they are mormons then we have all kinds of obligations towards them. Their names are on the Lord's roll/ in his book and primary and everyone else needs to prepare a place for each of the children etc.. It is our obligation to nourish them with the good word of God!! and provide a calling and a friend! @ I did get a kick out of how many tattoos I could see among the 7 panelists! @ So when Elder Lawrence began the meeting my critical-vern was thinking: who does he think he is? How presumptious to come in here and think he can guide a panel discussion. He gave the closing talk as well and he acted out an Ensign Story! Yes, he was pretty creative wasn't he! He told us to listen closely to the story and to make observations to ourselves that we would like to share with the whole group afterwards. He gave us an assignment!! How dare he!! That is what I do to you bps, all the time, isn't it? And he had 2 roving microphones so just like the panel people could be heard, so would the voluntary audience contributors. @ You would not have believed his story Brandon! It was about this motorcycle dude living in a trailer court and an overzealous hometeacher/ missionary/ activation brother! I was shocked as the story got started. Joseph Goodman was the motorcycle dude and Brother Vance was the home teacher. @ I have 3 less active brothers I have been assigned as home teacher or companion to. You would not call VarloD less active. But he seldom comes to church unless he is fulfilling an assignment and In 9 months he has only let me come visit him once, alone, no family as his home teacher. Plus I have subbed for him any number of times in EQ when he hasn't showed up to teach his lesson on the 4^th Sunday. Bruce Randall has not been to church in 5 or 10 years. EricY just can't seem to pay his tithing, qualify for a temple recommend or even attend sacrament meeting. He shows up to do his library duty once or twice a month but spends most Sabbath's hiking with his inactive kids or making a buck working on cars in his driveway. My testimony was thriving and strong to end last year. How I encouraged my 3las (3 less actives) to make goals and read scriptures and attend church and become faithful dependable saints this year! My efforts and stimulation and letters seemed to have no effect. I was reaching out uncomfortably far to try to bring them in. 5 months have gone by. After 3 months I prayed a new idea in my talks with HF. “HF it looks like my efforts were fruitless. I don't know what else to do. I am going to leave it in thy hands. When they are ready to become active I will be here for them.” @ When I drove home last Saturday night I was reeling with excitement. “HF, I did not have any clue of what else I could do. But I was blinded. I was stymied. Look how much more is available for me to do! That talk fed me personally and the meeting was an orchestrated masterpiece for an old school teacher like me!” As it turns out Elder Lawrence is a convert at 20yo, fatherless at 18, poor as his mother was, she still decided to be a stay at home mom and raise her 3 sons (3-18) on her SS check, along with EL's income. He got a medical school scholarship and ended up being an eye surgeon. Maybe it was his bedside manner which made his demeanor so Christlike. After acting out the story he took comments and observations. When discussion takes place, applications begin in our hearts. When I got home I searched and found the story and because I did not want it to dead end with me, I wrote all over it and sent it to my 3las. Then I started over and wrote a letter to the Stake President G. Almquist and sent him a copy as well! President Almquist found me after Stake Conference the next day and expressed his personal appreciation for me. I was flattered. @ I have one active family that I bonus home teach because their new ones never come, The Carters. I sent them a copy of the 3las letter and it came back with a “You are awesome!” comment. So Brandon Here comes the true story that E. Lawrence acted out and then had us comment on. What a great way to make something happen in our lives! I am going to send you the copy I made for my 3las:The last talk at Adults Stake Conference tonight.@to Varlo, Eric, Bruce, bcc: QuinnBonnie @Hello my 3 brothers! We had a 7pm stake conference meeting tonight. I usually don't go on Saturday night but I was lonesome so I put on my white shirt and white tie and went. The 70 in charge had a ton of courage! He started the meeting with a panel of 7 previous less actives and asked them questions. They had to sit on stools at the front of the audience and they had 2 microphones to pass around between them. Have you ever seen that before? Not me! @Later this same 70 read us this story and asked us to listen and then be ready to share what we discovered afterwards. Yep, you guessed it. The roving microphones would be on the loose. So do you think I had anything to share in front of the whole stake? @Frank Haney, my new across the street neighbor did too. He made a feeble joke about sitting in the nose-bleed section of stake conference and then shared his two observations. @AUGUST 1996“I’M NOT ‘BROTHER’ ANYBODY!” By Joseph E. Goodman @My home teacher’s love and persistence changed my life. @I was giving my motorcycle a tune-up one Saturday afternoon on the patio when an old car pulled up in front of our mobile home. The driver, a middle-aged man dressed in a white shirt and tie, got out and started toward me. He had “Latter-day Saint” written all over his face, and I knew immediately that the Church had found me. @I hoped that after noticing the beer can sitting beside me and the cigarette smoldering between my fingers that the visitor would decide he had the wrong house and drive on. No such luck. @“Are you Brother Goodman?” he asked, smiling. @“No, I’m not ‘Brother’ anybody!” I replied curtly. “I’m Joe.” @“Well, I’m glad to meet you, Joe,” he said, extending his hand. @I didn’t bother getting up, but noticing I had grease all over my right hand, I offered it to him. To my surprise, he shook it. @“I’m Brother Orwell Vance, and I’m your home teacher,” he said, still smiling. “I want to invite you to come meet with us tomorrow at church.” He rattled off the meeting schedule, then added, “I would like to come by and pick you up for priesthood meeting in the morning.” @Apparently, my home teacher hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t the church-going type. I decided to end our conversation before I lost my temper. I dropped my cigarette, ground it under my shoe, then walked to the end of our mobile home. Pointing to the chapel spire in the distance, I said, “I can see the chapel from here. If I ever decide to go back to church, I won’t need anyone to show me the way.” @“I’m sure you won’t,” he chuckled. “But it’s so much easier to go when you have someone to show you around and introduce you.” @“Listen,” I said sternly, “I’m not interested, and that’s all there is to it.” @“Okay,” he replied. “But I’ll be over at 7:15 tomorrow morning just in case you change your mind.” Still smiling, he got in his car and drove off. @Change my mind? I was 33 years old and hadn’t been active for many years. I wasn’t about to change my mind. @The next morning at exactly 7:15 I was awakened by a solid knock on the door. I stumbled out of bed and looked out the window. Apparently, Brother Vance wasn’t getting the message. I decided I must have been too nice to him. @“Who is it?” my wife, Carlene, asked. @“It’s that crazy old man from the Church,” I said. “Watch this.” @Wearing only a pair of shorts, I went to the door and threw it open. @“Good morning, Brother Goodman,” he said, smiling broadly. “I see you’re not ready, so I’ll just go on. See you later in the week.” @Who was this guy? Any normal person would have taken the hint by now. But sure enough, next Saturday afternoon here he came again. Wearing that same big smile, he stepped from his car and brought me a paper bag filled with “just a little something from my garden.” @He made small talk for a few minutes, asked if my motorcycle was running better, and inquired

about my family. I wasn’t sure why I even bothered listening to him, but he was comfortable to be around—as long as he didn’t bring up the Church. After about 15 minutes, he said, “Brother Goodman, I’d like to come by in the morning and take you to priesthood meeting. I know you would enjoy it, and there are some great brethren who would like to meet you.” @“No,” I said, angry at myself for letting my guard down. “As I told you before, I know where the Church is if I want to go.” @“Well, I’ll be by about 7:15 in case you change your mind.” @He was wasting his time, of course, but at least he was consistent. Sure enough, next morning at 7:15 I heard him knocking. I put some pants on this time and opened the door. @“Oh, I see you’re not ready,” Brother Vance said. “Sunday School begins at 10:30. Maybe you and your family can join us then.” @These same scenes played out each Saturday afternoon and each Sunday morning for the next seven weeks. Brother Vance would drop off vegetables, talk for a few minutes, and offer to pick me up the next morning. I would refuse, but he would show up anyway just in case I changed my mind. @After nearly two months, I began to enjoy his visits and to feel bad about turning him down. But I was not ready to go to church, and I was going to be stubborn about it. I began leaving home on Saturday so that I wouldn’t be there when he came. That turned out to be a mistake, because he began visiting with Carlene. @After another month of visits had passed, I decided the best way to get rid of Brother Vance was to accompany him to priesthood meeting, tell him it did nothing for me, and ask him not to return. The following Sunday morning when he knocked on the door at 7:15, I was wearing a white shirt and tie. @“Good morning, Brother Goodman,” he said, smiling and not looking at all surprised. “I’m glad you’re ready. Shall we go?” @Hoping no one would see me, I got in his old car and we rode to the chapel. Brother Vance talked to me all the way as if we went to church together every Sunday. He was happy that the chapel was paid for and that ward members had played a big part in its construction. He spoke highly of the bishop, telling me I would love him. I wanted to tell Brother Vance to save his praise, as this would be my first and last visit. I didn’t have the heart, though, because he enjoyed so much telling me about the ward. @When we arrived, men seemed to be waiting for Brother Vance. Most came up to him and shook his hand. As he introduced me to each one, I felt that these brethren loved this man and that the welcome they extended to me was sincere. Brother Vance was right about the quality of the priesthood brethren. I was especially touched by the bishop, who was warm and down-to-earth. @When we separated for quorum activities, I discovered that Brother Vance’s calling was to work with the ward’s prospective elders. I quickly concluded that he had been so persistent with me because of his calling, not because he was my home teacher. Immediately, I felt ashamed of the thought. Here was someone who had given a lot of his time doing what the Lord asks of his sons, and I was trying to discredit him so I could feel better about not doing what the Lord wanted. @Our class instructor invited me and the other two newcomers to the class to talk about ourselves. I thought that I could probably take the whole class time telling these people why I didn’t belong with them, shock them a little in the process, then not be bothered by them anymore. I couldn’t do it, though, not with kind Brother Vance smiling at me as I talked. @I grudgingly admitted to myself that the meeting was not as bad as I had anticipated—or hoped—it would be. The other two men seemed to have many more problems than I had, and I was by far the most comfortable participating in the class discussion. @“Well, Brother Goodman,” Brother Vance said on the way home, “I guess you’ll want to bring your family back for Sunday School, won’t you? I know Sister Vance would love to have you in her Gospel Essentials class.” This was some years before the consolidated Sunday schedule we now have. @I wasn’t excited by the prospect of having to go another hour and a half without a cigarette or becoming a focus of attention for Sister Vance. I decided that I had to keep him away from my family when he dropped me off, or I would be doomed to another Church meeting. @“See you in about an hour,” he called after me when I hopped out. @Not in your wildest dreams, I thought. I sat down on the patio and lit a cigarette, relieved that I had gone to a meeting and could now refuse other invitations. I wasn’t ready to change my life, even if something did feel right about the priesthood meeting. @Carlene came out a few moments later and asked if we were going to Sunday School. The children were already dressed and looked forward to going. She looked disappointed when I told her no. @I realized that I had to put my foot down before Brother and Sister Vance arrived at 10:15 to ask if we were ready. To make sure that didn’t happen, I gathered up my family and left at 10:10—driving them to Sunday School myself. @The brethren I had met that morning were quick to greet us and introduce their families. Brother and Sister Vance escorted us to opening exercises and to Sister Vance’s Sunday School class. We enjoyed her lesson on Church history, and I was surprised how much I remembered and how many questions I could answer. @Brother Goodman, I know you’ll want to bring your family back forsacrament meeting this evening,” Brother Vance said afterwards. “We’ll look forward to seeing you.” @We didn’t make it to sacrament meeting, and I made sure we were not home the following Saturday. Early Sunday morning I got everyone up for a trip to the desert—something we had always enjoyed in Arizona. Carlene knew what I was doing, and she chastised me. “You know you can’t avoid him for long,” she said. @he was right. Before long, Brother Vance was back. But I was ready. I told him that I really didn’t get much out of the meetings and saw no reason to return. @“Well, Brother Goodman,” he said, “I can’t help but think you felt a little better after those meetings. I’ll be by tomorrow morning in case you change your mind.” @We were ready for him the next morning. We attended all three meetings, and Carlene and the children never seemed happier. The following Saturday, Brother Vance was back with more vegetables. As he approached me, I was overcome by his love. I had no doubt that what he had been doing for me and my family resulted from his honest love for his neighbor. At that moment, I knew that my life had been changed. @As we sat and talked that day, he told me that I was going to have new home teachers who were closer to my age. He would bring them by to meet us, and he promised that we would become friends. I didn’t say anything. I had just decided that this man was going to love me back into the Church, but then I felt that he was abandoning me. Brother Vance then said something I needed to hear. @“Brother Goodman, if you don’t

mind, I would still like to come by and have you ride to priesthood meeting with me. I’ve really enjoyed that.” @Brother Vance was right. It didn’t take long before we learned to love our new home teachers. But he still stopped by most Saturdays and continued to pick me up Sunday mornings at 7:15 until he had a new “special” brother who needed him. @Brother and Sister Vance were there to support and love us when Carlene and I were sealed in the Arizona Temple months later. I will never forget his smile and the love that shone from his face as we met in the temple’s celestial room. I could not hold back the tears. @Eighteen months later, in 1971, Brother Vance was called home. I often think of him still and the fruits of his love: the stake mission I served, the full-time missions of five of our children, and the more than 100 people who joined the Church as a result of our labors—all because of one man’s love and faith. I look forward to meeting him again, seeing his loving smile, and thanking him for showing me the way. @Joseph E. Goodman, a member of the Globe Second Ward, serves as a high councilor in the Globe Arizona Stake. @~@


Hey, hey, look at you! You actually skimmed down to the bottom of the page to see if there was anything worthwhile down here. Do I expect you to read the above article? Nope. it is too long. But just remember you did not have to be there the full two hours and reading this would probably only take you 15 minutes!! Are you convinced yet? I hope so. @

Last Sunday HC Mitch Six was sitting right next to me in EQ! After participating about 5 times in the first 8 minutes of class I told him I was going to try to make my goal of being quiet and NOT participating for the next 15 minutes. I failed because Jason Chappell knows he can always call on me to contribute and he did. His fault. So yes, you have probably never known anyone who likes to participate as much as I do. But NO, I did not contribute to the stake discussion. Two different people said portions of what I wanted to say so I was not totally bereft. @

If you have not read the above article which the 70 acted out for us then please do not read my following comments. I am trusting you not to read what comes next until you have read the article for yourself and come up with a few observations of your own. @Number 1- was this article extreme? it sure was. Do you know anyone who would actually do something like this? What would it take for someone to dare to actually do this? Jesus taught with extreme parables and examples. To the rich young man he said, go and sell all that you have and give to the poor and come follow me. That would be the hardest thing in the world for one of you to do. Impossible. And it was impossible for the rich young man as well. So my first observation was that B. Vance had courage coming out his ears! Courage. There is only one person in our stake that I know that would have the courage to do this, our stake president. President Gil Almquist is just strange and unique enough and daring and courageous enough to do this! @Number 2- so when did Brother Vance spend most of his time

with Joseph Goodman? When I was in Guatemala we had a zone conference on preparing the soil. Can the seed grow if the soil is not prepared? Today the missionaries report the number of hours they do s e r v i c e ! We had a devastating earthquake in Guatemala in '76. Our mission president decided we would descend on different indian towns whose adobe houses had crumbled on our Prep day (Monday) and help clean out the broken, dusty dried clay adobe's. We wore white shirts so we could be recognized as the whole zone descended on a city/ town to help clean up. We had dust masks and you should have seen our shirts at the end of the day. Brown clay sticks to where it is wet. Guess where on a shirt a working elder gets the wettest? Did I mind spending my prep day that way? Nope, I thought it was fun. And you should have seen the parties we had at the end of the day as the mission provided water melons or something else to indulge in. But we did not do service as a part of our regular missionary work. We did not even consider helping people do work. As I read my nieces and nephews missionary blogs they do it all the time! So how did Brother Vance prepare the soil? In my opinion he did it on Saturday! Can you imagine sacrificing your Saturday afternoon or evening week after week to show your sincerity to a less active. And then showing up at 7:15 Sunday morning to take him to priesthood whether he said yes or no? And he always said NO! @So those are the two things I really wanted to say. Courage and sacrifice. [ Love overcometh fear. That which we serve and sacrifice for, we love.] @Now how can I disguise those two observations further? I picked the tiniest font to write in. I know what. How about if I type the exact same thing except move over one set of keys. Here goes. One set to the right. @Yjr msom [tpn;r, od hpomh yp nr yjsy zo vsmmpy yr;; ejrm zo s, ,slomh s ,odydyslr/ @zmpe jpe vsm zo dohiodr yjpdr yep pndrtbsyopmd gityjrt? zo [ovlrf yjr yomordy gpmy yp etoyr om/ zo lmpe ejsy/ zjpe snpiy og zo yu[r yjr rcsvy ds,r yjomh rcvr[y ,pbr pbrt pmr dry gp lrud/ zjrtr hprd/ pmrd dry yp yjr tohjy/ @I love you guys. Thanks for putting up with me! @Quinn And Bonnie 8:55 PM (15 hours ago)to me Thank you. You are awesome.   

Election Year

And the vision of all is become unto me as the words of a book that is sealed. . .Monday, 5/2/16,11:48am, Hello Brandon and Nate, I am at the FRLibrary and I have already finished 3 batches of Italian Death Certificates indexing. Yes! I want to start the letter to nate and brandon you can listen in. Nathan, what do you really think of the Bible? Take some time, think about it, look in your heart and tell me how much you believe it. 0%-100% This is a question I have asked myself numerous times in my life. I have asked myself, what is the point of having a bible? Where did it really come from? Some things seem so impossible:

- the perfect garden of eden

-Adam and Eve being the first men

- Satan appearing in the form of a snake

-tree of knowledge and tree of life?

- Enoch missionarying for 300+ years and then having his city taken to heaven.

- Noah, NOAH! And the animals and the flood!

- Moses and the burning bush

-Moses and the 10 plagues

- moses and the red sea, stopping the sun

- Daniel in the lions den

- Daniel, Shadrack, Meeshak, Abednego not burned

- Manna, Quail

- Prophecies of a Messiah

- tower of Babel

+for some reason I am OK with Joseph interpreting pharaoh’s dreams and Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

-Elijah's competition with the priests of Baal, calling fire down from heaven that burned up even the rocks of the altar.

-New Testament with all of Christ's wonderful healing miracles.

+I am OK with his resurrection and atonement.

So what about all these miraculous things? Why were the people so excited to get these writings into their own hands and read them and learn the commandments so they could follow them? @ Couldn't evil, wicked, designing people have created these stories to subjugate and control man? Couldn't they have been modified over the years by some great organization so the teachings would accomplish what those power hungry men wanted? @ Perhaps man needed a purpose for life? Maybe he didn't want to think his life was meaningless and all his thoughts would disappear at death? Some say there is a natural instinct in man to worship. Does man need a higher/ greater/ divine being or power to attribute life too? @ Back down to earth: The way I was raised taught me not to trust anything. Everything will backfire and bite you. Nothing can be depended on and trusted. My parents, my loved ones were child abusers. Who then could I trust? I wonder how much my children even trust me at times but I have tried to follow Christ since a child. @ I admire those who died for the translation of the Bible. The world was dark and selfish before then. The Bible, the teachings of the prophets and Jesus help us value unselfishness and caring for others. Families are supposed to do that automatically. Parents are supposed to love their children and children are supposed to be able to trust and love their parents. The Savior extended that love to all mankind. He said My Father and Your Father, we are all Heavenly Father's spirit children. He was a god called Jehovah in the old testament and was born as God's Only begotten Son in the flesh. So Christ has been our God for a long time. But he doesn't personally want the glory. He wants all the glory to go to the Father. He even asks us to pray to the Father in his name. @ Are there supernatural powers on this earth nathan? If so, could they be labeled God and Satan? Is Satan the God of this world? Mormons believe so. He will not be the ultimate winner in this contest but he controls the $ and the war and the temptations of this earth. @ Do you feel your spirit inside your body? Can you notice your deepest fears and loves? Does your conscience work still? That spiritual side of us is the reality Nathan. These bodies are a temporary gift/ test/ experiment. They are absolutely wonderful! They can experience things never imagined by our spirits. Satan is super jealous of us. He was cast out in the war in heaven and is here with 1/3 of the hosts of heaven who were too afraid to chance this life. They believed they couldn't make it. They believed they would fail. They believed if Satan could force them all to succeed then they would be guaranteed a heavenly place. The worst part was, they rebelled against their loving God and wanted to replace him with Satan. Now it is true that some of God's children will not succeed to the highest degree. But we have already taken the biggest successful step! We chanced it! We said, Please let us try. Please let us try to become like you and have those wonderful bodies that will give us glory and sensations forever! So we were daredevils nathan. But what we were daing was not without logic. The plan was that we prove our love to God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost while we were veiled from them on this earth and that their love would pull us through. Agency/ freedom/ personal choice is the unbreakable eternal law/ premise. We have to want, to will, to desire. If we want, will, desire the happiness of God we have to learn to be like him. When we sin we are turning away from him. When we pray and obey and repent and try we are turned towards him/ them. When we do a kind thing to the least of his children we have done it unto him. We can serve and love his children, our brothers and sisters on this planet and he accepts it! We can do good deeds and build up a treasure in heaven! But our sincerity, our heart, our commitment has to be in it. And because the way gets so darn difficult and lonely and ugly and filthy and mean at times, he offers us his company. We can pray and talk to him as much as we want and dare! He doesn't mind if we say, “crud, I blew it again. I'm sure glad you understand how hard it is for me to try and improve.” @ Wouldn’t it be beatiful Nate, if the Bibel were true! If there really were a purpose to this life on earth. If God really did love us as his journeying children? If there really were a spirit inside of each of us that is his offspring? That He has given us a chance, if we can live up to it, to experience his level of understanding and sensation?  Wouldn’t that be the supreme purpose of the universe? I believe so. ~@~@~Harold B Lee was the President of the Quorum of the 12 apostles when he gave this talk. Nate, our apostles once called, last until they die! So these are the most righteous, wise men on the earth. They have no ulterior motives. No selfish personal interests. They are responsible directly to Christ.  They are called as special witnesses for Christ. I listen to them everyday. I don't trust anyone else. That may seem strange to you but with my childhood this is the only safe place I have found, on this earth. We call apostles, Elders.
Elder Lee gives the big grand picture in this talk. He shows us how everything fits together even in an election year! ~@~@~This year is again a most important year of decision for our day. Some have even said that this is the most critical period in the history of this nation and of the world. @I believe it is an illusion to say that this is the most critical, decisive time. Write it upon the hearts of all of us that every dispensation has been just as decisive, and likewise that every year has been the most decisive year and time for ourselves, for this nation, and for the world. This is our day and time when honorable men must be brought forward to meet the tremendous challenges before us. @This is the beginning of an intense political activity, when men of every persuasion in the political arena will be clamoring for attention and acceptance by the electorate. There will be controversy, debate, conflict, and contention, which seem to be the order of a political campaign. @In its loftiest sense, controversy may mean disputations because of honest differences of opinion. In its most degrading sense it may mean quarreling, strife, and name-calling. An example of that which degrades is the bitter personal abuse that so frequently is heaped upon an opposing candidate. Name-calling is continued throughout the whole season until listeners are left with doubt and mistrust that honor and integrity are to be found in any of those who may eventually be elected. The obvious hazard is that when these elected leaders have been maligned and down-graded, the seeds of disrespect to authority and law and order are sown in the minds of youth, particularly, instead of respectful obedience to counsel and to the laws enacted by those whose integrity and honesty have been thus impugned. @The story, presumably authentic, is told that during the Civil War when the fortunes of the Union armies, under the command of General Grant, were going badly, some concerned ministers called on President Abraham Lincoln at the White House and forcefully urged the dismissal of Grant. @To these men he is alleged to have said: “Gentlemen, General Grant has under his command all that we hold dear in this nation. Instead of criticism, you too should get down on your knees and pray God that he would see this nation through to victory.” @We related this story to a president of the United States some years ago and assured him that no matter what his name or his political party, we too were frequently on our knees, praying God that he and the leaders of this nation and of the world would bring us through the crises of the present. @We were heartened by the president’s reply when he said, “I think that every president of this country during his term of office has been frequently on his knees praying to Almighty God.”@During these years of extreme tension, you may constantly have in mind the admonition of the Lord himself: “Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet,” and likewise he reminds us that “he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.” (D&C 58:22, 21.) @We have recorded the angelic refrain at the time of the Savior’s birth as recorded by Luke: “… on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14.) @In seeming contradiction to that message are the recorded words of the Master: “Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father. … And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matt. 10:34–36.) @How can these seemingly contradictory quotations be reconciled @The earliest revelations of this dispensation speak of two so-called conflicting dominions on the earth today. One is spoken of as the dominion of the devil, “when peace shall be taken from the earth.” (D&C 1:35.) @In the book of Revelation, as well as in other scriptures, we read that before the earth was peopled “there was war in heaven.” (Rev. 12:7.) @One of the ambitious sons of God’s spiritual creations in the premortal world promised salvation for all mankind without effort on their part, provided he would be given almighty power, even to the dethroning of God himself, whose divine right it is to reign over the earth. Intense bitterness ensued between that son, who became Satan, and those who followed after him, and the beloved Son of God and those who followed after him, whose plan of salvation, by contrast, would give to every soul the right of choice, and the glory be to the Father. He even offered himself as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8), that by the redemption of his atoning sacrifice, “all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (A of F 1:3). @Satan and his hosts were cast out because he set about to destroy the agency of man, and he became the author of falsehood to deceive and to blind men and to lead captive all who would not hearken to the words and teachings of God’s eternal plan. @The other dominion in the earth today of which the scriptures speak is the Lord’s dominion, when he “shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” (D&C 1:36.) @Today we are constantly hearing from the unenlightened and misguided, who demand what they call free agency, by which they apparently mean, as evidenced by their conduct, that they have their agency to do as they please or to exercise their own self-will to determine what is law and order, what is right and wrong, or what is honor and virtue. @These are frightening expressions when you reflect upon what I have just quoted from the revealed word of God. A moment’s reflection will help you to see that when one sets himself up to make his own rules and presumes to know no law but his own, he is but echoing the plan of Satan, who sought to ascend to God’s throne, as it were, in being the judge of all that rules mankind and the world. There has ever been, and ever will be, a conflict between the forces of truth and error; between the forces of righteousness and the forces of evil; between the dominion of Satan and the dominion under the banner of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. @The true meaning of free agency is clearly set forth by a father who explained to his son:“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh. … And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men [meaning the atonement of the Savior], or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil. …” (2 Ne. 2:27.) @“… the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” (2 Ne. 2:16.) @What would it be like if we were to live in a vacuum, with everything coming our way without any effort or struggle on our part to overcome these obstacles? @One of my esteemed colleagues told me of his efforts to aid a young college student who was feeling sorry for himself, who was lacking motivation and had no sense of responsibility. My friend made an attractive proposal to this young man. In a conversation that went something like this, he said, “Son, I’m going to take over full responsibility of your affairs from now on and relieve you of your worries. I’ll pay your tuition at college, buy your clothes, furnish you an automobile and a credit card for gasoline. When you get ready to marry, don’t worry about it; I’ll look for a wife for you, and I will supply you with a house that is furnished. I’ll support you and your family thereafter without any effort on your part. What do you think of my offer?” @After a moment of sobered thinking the young man replied, “Well, if you did that, what would there be for me to live for?” @Then my friend replied, “That is what I’m trying to make you see, my boy. That is the purpose of life—there is no joy without struggle and the exercise of one’s own natural abilities.” @Now in the exercise of the God-given right of free agency, or freedom of choice, how may one distinguish between what is truth and what is error? @A noted columnist wrote: “Truth is the logic of the universe. It is the reasoning of destiny; it is the mind of God. And nothing that man can devise can take its place.” (Frank Crane.) @Another man of wisdom added: “There is no progress in fundamental truth. We may grow in knowledge of its meaning and in the modes of its application, but its great principles will forever be the same.” (Hamilton Wright Mabie.) @At the time of Christ’s arraignment before Pilate, the Master declared that his whole mission was to bear witness of the truth. Pilate then asked: “What is truth?” @Whether or not the Savior answered that question on that occasion, we have no record; but in our day the Lord himself has answered, as he might have answered Pilate at that time, and I quote his words: “And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.” (D&C 93:24–25.) @Now, may I for a few moments speak of certainties upon which one may depend in his search for truth. @The first of which I would speak is that which is referred to in the scriptures as the Light of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, or Spirit of God, variously spoken of, which in essence means the influence of Deity that proceeds forth from the presence of God, that which quickens the understanding of man. (See D&C 88:49.) The apostle John spoke of it as “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9.) @A president of the Church makes this further explanation: “There is not a man [or person] born into the world, but has a portion of the Spirit of God, and it is that Spirit of God which gives to his spirit understanding, … each in accordance with his capacity to receive the light … [which] will never cease to strive with man, until man is brought to the possession of the higher intelligence.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 63, 62.) @To those not acquainted with the language of the scriptures, it might be explained that the Light of Christ could be described as one’s conscience, or the voice of the divine within one’s own soul. @As a public official in my young manhood, I was given some wise counsel by a Church leader. He said: “The only thing we will ever ask you to do is to vote for that which in your heart you feel is right. We would rather many times over that you would make a mistake doing that which you felt was right, than to vote for policy sake.” @I pass these wise words of counsel to others in public office for what they are worth and strongly urge that those of you having heavy responsibilities in public office or elsewhere should meditate prayerfully and give the Lord a chance to aid you in solving the problems of life. @“Expedients are for an hour,” someone has said, “but principles are for the ages.” (Henry Ward Beecher.) @Now another certainty of which I would speak:The Constitution of the United States has been mentioned several times by speakers in this conference as the basis of wise decisions in fundamental principles as applied to all matters pertaining to law and order, because it was framed by men whom God raised up for this very purpose. But in addition to that inspired document, we must always keep in mind that the greatest weapons that can be forged against any false philosophy are the positive teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. @We constantly impress upon all who go out as true ambassadors of the kingdom of God to follow the wise counsel of the apostle Paul, one of the ablest defenders of the faith of all time. In his declaration to the Corinthians he has given us his counsel if we would be as powerful as he in our ministry. This was his secret in combating evil:“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. @“For I am determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. @“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:1–2, 5.) @It has been well said that one does not teach honesty by telling a man how to burglarize a safe, nor do we teach chastity by telling a youth all about sexual activities. @So, likewise, it is inspired wisdom that our efforts must be spent in teaching truth by the power of Almighty God, and thus we can forge the most powerful of all weapons against the vicious doctrines of Satan. @The Prophet Joseph Smith was asked how he governed the Church members in his day. His answer in one sentence was, “Teach them correct principles and they will govern themselves.” @If we overemphasize the philosophies of the enemies of righteousness instead of teaching forcefully the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, such overemphasis can only serve to stir up controversy and strife and thus defeat the very purpose of our missionary work in all the nations of the world. @Now a third certainty: @Those who have served as public officials soon learn that there is always the imperative necessity of deciding whether or not demands on a controversial issue are being made by a well-organized loud minority or by a greater majority of those who might be less vocal but whose cause is just and in accordance with righteous principles. Always we would do well to reflect upon the counsel of a wise king of ancient times: “Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore … do your business by the voice of the people.” (Mosiah 29:26.) @Let this counsel of that wise ancient king be our counsel to our Church members and the honorable of the earth everywhere. Be alert and active in your business and political interests. The great danger in any society is apathy and a failure to be alert to the issues of the day, when applied to principles or to the election of public officials. @The fourth certainty to keep in mind in our civic responsibilities is to choose those to govern us as “civil officers and magistrates [who will] enforce the laws … and … administer the law in equity and justice” (D&C 134:3), as we are admonished by inspired men of God. @In a word, we must seek for statesmenlike men who will ask, “Is it right and is it good for the country or the community?” instead of those who may merely ask, “Is it politically expedient?” @Remember always our declaration of political faith: “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” (A of F 1:12.) @Wherever you are, wherever you live, pray for the leaders of your country, for remember that they too hold in their hands all that you hold dear. Again I repeat the Lord’s injunction: “… be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.” (D&C 58:22.) @And now, finally, the supreme of all certainties is God’s eternal plan as given in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here we have given us the never-failing principles that will keep our feet firmly planted on the path of safety. By these eternal principles we can readily detect truth from error. In the earliest revelations of our dispensation we were told that the gospel teachings were given that “inasmuch as they have erred it might be made known; And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed.” (D&C 1:25–26.) @By the light of gospel truths we can be shown that “every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ … ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.” (Moro. 7:16.) @But also we may know that “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” (Moro. 7:17), whether it be labeled religion, philosophy, science, or political dogma. @What a wonderful feeling of security can come in a crisis to one who has learned to pray and has cultivated listening ears so that he can “call, and the Lord shall answer”; when he can cry and the Lord shall say, “Here I am.” (Isa. 58:9.) @The supreme commander of the Allied forces during World War II, General Eisenhower, when faced with some of the most momentous military decisions that were to change the course of the world, made his humble acknowledgment: “This is what I found out about religion: It gives you courage to make the decisions you must make in a crisis and then the confidence to leave the result to a Higher Power. Only by trust in God can a man carrying responsibilities find repose.” @There you have it, all you who are leaders in high places, in business, in government, or in the Church, or for that matter in any walk of life: the constant reminder that God is in his heaven and all can be right with the world, if we seek for him and find him, “though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; … For we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:27–28.) @Now, may I in all humility bear my own witness to the power of these guidelines in my life. I have learned by my own experience that the heavier the responsibilities, the greater is my dependence on the Lord. @In some measure I begin to understand the import of the declaration of Moses, who, after his great spiritual experience, said: “Now … I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” (Moses 1:10.) @But through the lights and shadows of my life, I also have the assurance that aided by God’s holy power, doubts can be resolved into certainties, burdens can be lightened, and a literal rebirth can be realized as the nearness to my Lord and Master becomes more certain—to all of which I bear humble witness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.