This font is comic Sans, the
rest is in open Sans. I had never heard of open Sans until I
downloaded this first talk. I just finished listening to it and
then reading and marking/ highlighting it. The more I study the book
of mormon the more I love it. I mainly study the conference
talks but I am attending a class on Thursday nights, and Jessica made
a goal of reading it with her family last year. So I decided to make
the same goal last year. But even though I asked I never heard
the ending of her goal. She is so busy with those 4 wonderful
cute little munchkins. And are they ever munchkins! You
would not believe how active they are! @Uncle
Steve and Dave were the most wonderful, Playful, sack of potatoes,
water fighting uncles with my first batch of kids that you would not
have believed it. My kids so love those two uncles! Louis born
in ’80 and you in ’92 puts quite a spread on our kids so you got
lots more of my personal attention than they ever did. And they got
lots more of their uncles personal attention than you ever did! @I
went to put all my highlighted scriptures away, one by one and I saw
all those ones from BKP, Do Not Fear from April’04. Why not stick
the two together April ’01 and April ’05? AS you can
probably tell I love these truths and teachings from BKP. Here they
are: @The
Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ—Plain and
Precious Things @Boyd
K. Packer @Acting
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles @Joseph
Smith
said,
“I told the brethren that the Book
ofMormon
was
the most
correct of any book on earth,and
the keystone of our religion, and a man would getnearer
to God by abiding by its precepts, than by anyother book” (Book
of Mormon introduction; see alsoHistory
of the Church,
4:461).
@The
first edition of the Book of Mormon: AnotherTestament of Jesus
Christ
came
off the press inPalmyra, New York, in March of 1830. Joseph
Smith—anuneducated country boy—had just passed his 24thbirthday.
The year before, he had spent a total of about65 days translating the
plates. Almost half of it was afterhe had received the priesthood.
The printing had takenseven months. @When
I first read
the Book of Mormon
from
cover tocover, I read the promise that if I “would ask God,
theEternal Father, in the name of Christ, if [the things I hadread
were] true; and if [I would] ask with a sincere heart,with real
intent, having faith in Christ, he [would]manifest the truth of it
unto [me], by the power of theHoly
Ghost”
(Moro.
10:4).
I tried to follow thoseinstructions, as I understood them. @If
I expected a glorious manifestation to come at onceas an overpowering
experience, it did not happen.Nevertheless, it felt good, and I began
to believe. @The
next verse has an even greater promise: “By thepower of the Holy
Ghost ye may know the truth of allthings”
(Moro.
10:5;
emphasis added). I did not knowhow the Holy Ghost worked, even though
the Book ofMormon explains it a number of times in a number ofways.
@I
studied and learned that “angels speak by the powerof the Holy
Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words ofChrist.” It said, as well,
that one is to “feast upon thewords of Christ; [with the promise
that] the words ofChrist will tell you all things what ye should do”
(2
Ne.32:3).
@And
it says plainly that “if ye cannot understand … it willbe because
ye ask not, neither do ye knock” (2
Ne. 32:4).
@I
also read, “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive theHoly
Ghost, it will show unto you all things what yeshould do” (2
Ne. 32:5).
I had already done that when Iwas confirmed a member of the Church by
the “layingon of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (A
of F 1:4).
@If
I had expected in my little-boy innocence some specialspiritual
experience, it had not happened. Over theyears as I listened to
sermons and lessons and read inthe Book of Mormon, I began to
understand. @Nephi
had been very badly treated by his brothers and reminded them that an
angel had spoken unto them,“but
ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel hiswords” (1
Ne. 17:45).
When
I understood that the HolyGhost could communicate through our
feelings, Iunderstood why the words of Christ, whether from theNew
Testament or the Book of Mormon or the otherscriptures, carried such
a good feeling. In time, I foundthat the scriptures had answers to
things I needed toknow. @I
read, “Now these are the words, and ye may liken themunto you and
unto all
men”
Itook that to mean that the scriptures are likened to me personally,
and that is true of everyone else.
When
a verse I had passed over several times took onpersonal meaning, I
thought whoever wrote that versehad a deep and mature understanding
of my life andhow I felt. @For
example, I read that the prophet Lehi partook of thefruit of the tree
of life and said, “Wherefore, I began tobe desirous that my family
should
partake of it also; forI knew that it was desirable above all other
fruit” (1
Ne.8:12).
I had read that more than once. It did not meanmuch to me. @The
prophet Nephi also said that he had written “thethings of my soul …
for the learning and the profit of mychildren” (2
Ne. 4:15).
I had read that before, and it didnot mean all that much to me,
either. But later when wehad children, I understood that both Lehi
and Nephi feltjust as deeply about their children as we feel about
ourchildren and grandchildren. @I
found
these scriptures to be plain and precious. Iwondered how young Joseph
Smith could have suchinsights. The fact is I do not believe he had
suchpenetrating insights. He did not have to have them. Hejust
translated what was written on the plates. @Such
plain and precious insights are everywhere in theBook of Mormon. They
reflect a depth of wisdom andexperience that is certainly not
characteristic of a 23-year-old. @I
learned that anyone, anywhere, could read in the Bookof Mormon and
receive inspiration. @Some
insights came after reading a second, even a thirdtime and seemed to
be “likened” to what I faced ineveryday life. @I
mention another plain and precious insight that didnot come with the
first reading in the Book of Mormon.When I was 18 years old, I was
inducted into themilitary. While I had no reason to wonder about
itbefore, I became very concerned if it was right for me togo to war.
In time, I found my answer in the Book ofMormon: @“They
[the Nephites] were not fighting for monarchy norpower but they were
fighting for their homes and theirliberties, their wives and their
children, and their all,yea, for their rites of worship and their
church. @“And
they were doing that which they felt was the dutywhich they owed to
their God; for the Lord had saidunto them, and also unto their
fathers, that: Inasmuchas ye are not guilty of the first offense,
neither thesecond, ye shall not suffer
yourselves to be slain by thehands of your enemies. @“And
again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend yourfamilies even unto
bloodshed. Therefore
for this causewere the Nephites contending with the Lamanites,
todefend themselves, and their families, and their lands,their
country, and their rights, and their religion” (Alma43:45–47).
@Knowing
this, I could serve willingly and with honor. @Another
example: We once had a major decision tomake. When our prayers left
us uncertain, I went to seeElder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to
proceed.Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “Theproblem
with you is
you want to see the end from thebeginning.” Then he quoted this
verse from the Book ofMormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for
yereceive no witness until after the trial of your faith”(Ether
12:6).
@He
added, “You must learn to walk a few steps aheadinto the darkness,
and then the light will turn on and gobefore you.” That was a
life-changing experience fromone verse in the Book of Mormon.
@Haven’t
you felt at times like Nephi, who said, “I was ledby the Spirit,
not knowing beforehand the things which Ishould do”? (1
Ne. 4:6).
Haven’t
you at times felt veryweak? @Moroni
felt weak and afraid that they “shall mock at ourwords [because of
our weakness]. @“…
The
Lord spake unto [him], saying: Fools mock, butthey shall mourn; and
my grace is sufficient for themeek, that they shall take no advantage
of yourweakness; @“And
if men come unto me I will show unto them theirweakness. I give unto
men weakness that they may behumble; and my grace is sufficient for
all
men
thathumble themselves before me; for if they humblethemselves before
me, and have faith in me, then will Imake weak things become strong
unto them” (Ether12:25–27;
emphasis added). @Life
moves all too fast. When you feel weak,discouraged, depressed, or
afraid, open the Book ofMormon and read. Do not let too much time
passbefore reading a verse, a thought, or a chapter. @My
experience has been that a testimony does notburst upon us suddenly.
Rather it grows, as Alma said,from a seed of faith. “It
will strengthen your faith: for yewill say I know that this is a good
seed; for behold itsprouteth and beginneth to grow” (Alma
32:30).
If
younourish it, it will grow; and if you do not nourish it, it
willwither (see
Alma
32:37–41).
@Do
not be disappointed if you have read and rereadand yet have not
received a powerful witness. You maybe somewhat like the disciples
spoken of in the Book ofMormon who were filled with the power of God
in greatglory “and they knew it not” (3
Ne. 9:20).
@Do
the best you can. Think of this verse: “See that allthese things
are done in wisdom and order; for it is notrequisite that a man
should run faster than he hasstrength. And again, it is expedient
that he should bediligent, that thereby he might win the prize;
therefore,all things must be done in order” (Mosiah
4:27).
@The
spiritual gifts described in the Book of Mormon arepresent in the
Church today—promptings, impressions,revelations, dreams, visions,
visitations, miracles. Youcan be sure that the Lord can, and at times
does,manifest Himself with power and great glory. Miraclescan occur.
@Mormon
said: “Has the day of miracles ceased? @“Or
have angels ceased to appear unto the children ofmen? Or has he
withheld the power of the Holy Ghostfrom them? Or will he, so long as
time shall last, or theearth shall stand, or
there shall be one man upon theface thereof to be saved? @“Behold
I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith thatmiracles are wrought”
(Moro.
7:35–37).
@Pray
always—alone and with your family. Answers willcome in many ways.
@A
few words or a phrase in a verse, such as “wickednessnever was
happiness” (Alma
41:10),
will tell you of thereality of the evil one and how he works. @“For
after this manner doth the devil work, for hepersuadeth no man to do
good, no, not one; neither dohis angels; neither do they who subject
themselvesunto him” (Moro.
7:17).
@Generations
of the prophets taught the doctrines of theeverlasting gospel to
protect “the peaceable followersof Christ” (Moro.
7:3).
@Mormon
saw our day. He issued this warning: “Exceptthe Lord doth chasten
his people with many afflictions,yea, except he doth visit them with
death and withterror, and with famine and with all manner
ofpestilence, they will not remember him” (Hel.
12:3).
@When
the Lord visited the Nephites, they asked what“[they should] call
this church; for there [were]disputations among the people concerning
this matter. @“…
The
Lord said unto them: … why is it that the peopleshould murmur and
dispute because of this thing? @“Have
they not read the scriptures, which say ye musttake upon you the name
of Christ, which is my name?For by this name shall ye be called at
the last day” (3
Ne.27:3–5).
@The
central purpose of the Book of Mormon is itstestament of Jesus
Christ. Of
more than 6,000 verses inthe Book of Mormon, far more than half refer
directly toHim. @So,
“we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach ofChrist, we
prophesy of Christ, and we write according toour prophecies, that our
children may know to whatsource they may look for a remission of
their sins” (2Ne.
25:26).
@The
Book of Mormon is an endless treasure of wisdomand inspiration, of
counsel and correction, “adapted tothe capacity of the weak and the
weakest [among us]”(D&C
89:3).
At
once, it is rich in nourishment for themost learned, if they will
humble themselves (see
2
Ne.9:28–29).
@From
the Book of Mormon we learn about: @The
plan of salvation or “the great plan of happiness” @The
doctrine of Christ and the Atonement @
Why
death is necessary @Life
after death in the spirit world @
The
workings of the evil one @The
order of the priesthood @Sacramental
prayers @A
sure way to judge between good and evil @How
to retain a remission of your sins @Clear,
prophetic warnings
and
many, many other thingspertaining to the redemption of man and to our
lives.All are parts of the fulness of the gospel @The
Book of Mormon confirms the teachings of the OldTestament. It
confirms the teachings of the NewTestament. It restores “many plain
and precious things”(1
Ne. 13:28)
lost or taken from them (see also 1
Ne.13:20–42;
1
Ne. 14:23).
It is in truth another
testament ofJesus Christ.
@This
year we celebrate the 175th anniversary of theorganization of the
Church and the 200th anniversary ofthe birth of the Prophet Joseph
Smith. In the Church,much will be written and said to honor him. @As
usual, there will be much said and written todiscredit him. There
always were, are now, and ever willbe those who stir into
200-year-old dust, hoping to findsomething Joseph is alleged to have
said or done inorder to demean him. @The
revelations tell us of “those that shall lift up the heelagainst
mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they havesinned when they have
not sinned before me, saith theLord, but have done that which was
meet in mine eyes,and which I commanded them” (D&C
121:16).
They
facevery stern penalties, indeed. @We
do not have to defend the Prophet Joseph Smith.The Book of Mormon:
Another Testament of JesusChrist will defend him for us. Those who
reject JosephSmith as a prophet and revelator are left to find
someother explanation for the Book of Mormon. @And
for the second powerful defense: the Doctrine
andCovenants,
and a third: the Pearl of Great Price.Published in combination, these
scriptures form anunshakable testament that Jesus is the Christ and
awitness that Joseph Smith is a prophet. @And
I join the millions of others who have thattestimony, and bear it to
you in the name of JesusChrist, amen
_
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Postcard to Mom in Idaho panhandle
Myrna Wright Jensen
116 Jensen Lane
Harpster, ID 86552
208.983.1688 land
208.451.4170 cell
Hello Myrna, 3/10/15
116 Jensen Lane
Harpster, ID 86552
208.983.1688 land
208.451.4170 cell
Hello Myrna, 3/10/15
I
write tons. A day without writing would be like a day without
sunshine.So
writing you would not
be a problem.
*I
asked you in my last letter if you remembered Camille’s
illegitimate child Danica?*
I
appreciate your willingness to apologize.
Thank
you for the booklet and the letter.
Vern
#12
font^^Comic Sans style
It
Can’t Happen to Me
James
E. Faust, April 2002 General Conference
"One
of the great myths in life is when men think they are invincible. Too
many think that they are men of steel, strong enough to withstand any
temptation. They delude themselves into thinking, “It cannot happen
to me.” Borrowing a thought from Bertrand Russell, “We are all
like the turkey who wakes up [Thanksgiving] morning expecting lunch
as usual. Things can go wrong at any time.” 1 Brethren, it can
happen to any of us at any time. So much of our course in life is
influenced by forces we only partly perceive." #8 font ^^Times
New Roman
Dear
Are the Sheep That Have Wandered
James
E. Faust, April 2003 General Conference
"When
my wise mother-in-law saw other children misbehaving, she used to
say, “I never say my children would not do that because they might
be out doing it right while I am speaking!”"
#7
font ^^
Loyalty
Gordon
B. Hinckley, April 2003 General Conference
"Very
recently a certain moving picture was acclaimed the best of the year.
I have not seen it, nor do I anticipate doing so. But I am told that
it is laden with sex, that the use of profanity runs throughout."
#3
font ^^
Loyalty
Gordon
B. Hinckley, April 2003 General Conference
"You,
of course, have heard of the man who lived to a ripe old age and was
asked by reporters to what he attributed his longevity. He replied
that when he and his wife were married they determined that if they
argued, one would leave the house and go outside. He said,
“Gentlemen, I attribute my longevity to the fact that I have
breathed so much fresh air during all these many years.”"
#5
font ^^
Parents:
The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children
By
Tad R. Callister, October 2014 General Conference
"I
remember my mother, age 90 or so, cooking in her condominium kitchen
and then exiting with a tray of food. I asked her where she was
going. She replied, “Oh, I am taking some food to the elderly.” I
thought to myself, “Mother, you are the elderly.” I can never
express enough gratitude for my parents, who were my prime gospel
teachers."
#6
font ^^
The
Finished Story
Gayle
M. Clegg, April 2004 General Conference
"Years
ago one of our daughters asked me to come outside and play tetherball
with her.
She
told me to sit down and watch as she hit over and over again a ball
on a rope that wound itself around a pole. After watching several
windings I asked what my part was in the game, and she said, “Oh,
Mom, you say, ‘Good job, good job,’ every time the ball goes
around the pole.”"[I don't understand why this story has been
going through my mind this last week.2/24/15 And then to hear it this
morning was like an answer to, I wonder where that story is?] #8 font
^^
Three
Choices
Joseph
B. Wirthlin, October 2003 General Conference
"Recently,
I have noticed the large number of self-improvement programs that are
available. There must be a tremendous demand for these products,
because one can scarcely turn on the television or radio without
seeing or hearing promotions for products that promise everything
from losing weight to growing a lush crop of thick hair. At times I
wonder if the people who make these products know me personally."
#10
font ^^Loyalty
Gordon
B. Hinckley, April 2003 General Conference
"Very
recently a certain moving picture was acclaimed the best of the year.
I have not seen it, nor do I anticipate doing so. But I am told that
it is laden with sex, that the use of profanity runs throughout."
#4
font ^^
I
experiment all the time and as we get older our eyesight fails. I am
writing this in size 8 font.
Now
I am writing in size 9 font. And for my grand finale here comes
size 10
Why
would anyone ever want to write in size 3 or 4 font? Let alone 1 or 2
which I did not even sample! Answer: It saves space. I have an inmate
friend I write who is in Purgatory Jail for 4 years. They outlawed
letters last year so now I have to send post cards!
Friday, February 13, 2015
Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief James E. Faust, October 2003 General Conference "One cannot successfully attack true principles or doctrine, because they are eternal. The revelations that came through the Prophet Joseph Smith are still correct!"
 | Vern Jensen <phonev6@gmail.com> |
| James E Faust |
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