Little did we know that Ronda would be speaking in sacrament meeting today when we had our discussion at ENFHE Monday night. I did not hear any evidence of our discussion in her talk. I was well nourished in sacrament meeting today.
Thank you for daring to stand by me in choir.
I have been pondering something you said at Empty Nesters: “I sure hope we are not expected to report every little thing we do in ministering.”
I understand where you are coming from. You even hinted at this scripture:
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall rewardthee openly.
I have seen a different perspective. We don't have to worry about people standing on the corner and praying to be seen of men, no one dares to be seen praying! I believe because no reporting has been required for 5 years in Elders Quorum very little home teaching has even been done.
And consider this. When we report to our priesthood leader/ RS leader we are not doing it before men, we are doing it before an authorized servant. Just one single person is being reported to. We are not calling out our score like we did in math class so the teacher can write it down and the whole class hears!
Now the simple right answer and reassurance to your issue is: we are to determine needs and report those needs.
When I told of my struggles to try and meet the needs of the Nathan & Audrie Bird family did it seem I was bragging and desired to be seen of men? I hope not. I so appreciated your email reply reassuring me: “I find your openness refreshing. And your scriptural insight is worth sharing. No apologies necessary. It was a lively discussion.” I admit I get intense at times. And I probably share more than I should. I also have that fight with personal pride at times and a desire to be seen of men. Thank heavens I don't have to stand on street corners with my head bowed and reciting prayers for hours on end!
I believe we can be inspired by the efforts of those around us. I was inspired by those that Maria Bradley told reached out to them in their basement flood. I was inspired by Ronda's efforts to help Patty and her kids. I was inspired by Tawna's efforts to bless Armenia. Should they have kept those efforts secret?
I started this letter by saying I had been pondering your comment. To tell the truth I have been pondering this concept for decades. I want to do what is right. So what is right?
Thank you for bringing up that question and allowing me to consider it again with my current understanding.
Please feel invited to expound as well.
Thoughtful,
Vern
Tuesday, 4/24 Hello Brandon, We had 20 of the Quorum say one thing about themselves Sunday. As you know this was just our second week as a single quorum. HP & E combined forever more! President Cameron Tolman inserted questions whenever he wanted even though Chris Robb was leading the discussion. Sam Hales had heart surgery last month and they went in though both his femoral veins, groin, one with a camera and one with the tools and put in a pig valve in his heart. He also has a pacemaker which they sped up compensate, he said. Dave Hughes admitted he has had lifetime heart problems and has one pig valve and one bovine valve. He also begged us to stop buying from Amazon.com. They have the contract for the deliveries and some of the poor postal workers have to stay and deliver on Sunday’s just for Amazon! I was shocked last year when my package arrived on Sunday! @ I was so excited for the special treatment the new Elder’s Q presidency is giving their new callings! Having us all leave and then reenter just so they could greet us and shake our hand was weird but significant. Having us introduce ourselves is commemorative. I am pleased and hopeful. This might make you smile: I texted CameronT Sunday evening and told him I had written all the names of those who had introduced themselves in my journal and that if he wanted me to write a list on the board next week so we can catch everyone else I can. :) @ In general priesthood meeting the first presidency speak to the brethren one by one in order. That is how the priesthood meeting concludes. On Sunday morning session they did the same this time! HBE is no longer 1st counselor! He is 2nd counselor. I wonder how that changes his responsibilities? @ When I have had nightmares or been unable to sleep in the middle of the night or early morning hours I have played those three talks and recited them in my mind. Here is the one from HBE. I am going to comment through it. APRIL 2018 | His Spirit to Be with You
I pray with all my heart that you will hear the voice of the Spirit, which is sent to you so generously.
My brothers and sisters, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you on the Lord’s Sabbath, in the general conference of His Church, at this Easter season. I thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Beloved Son, who came voluntarily to earth to be our Redeemer. I am grateful to know that He atoned for our sins and rose in the Resurrection. Every day I am blessed to know that, because of His Atonement, I may someday be resurrected to live forever in a loving family.
I know those things by the only way any of us can know them. The Holy Ghost has spoken to my mind and heart that they are true—not just once but often. I have needed that continuing comfort. We all experience tragedy during which we need the reassurance of the Spirit. I felt it one day as I stood with my father in a hospital. We watched my mother take a few shallow breaths—and then no more. As we looked on her face, she was smiling as the pain left. After a few silent moments, my father spoke first. He said, “A little girl has gone home.” [“not just once but often. I have needed that continuing comfort.” Have you ever wondered how many times you can pray and ask if the Book of Mormon is true and get an answer? As many times as we want! This was a new concept to me in bomc last month. We are not expected to feel the answer once and then live the rest of our life without further reassurance. Relief-v]
He said it softly. He seemed to be at peace. He was reporting something he knew was true. He quietly began to gather Mother’s personal things. He went out into the hospital hallway to thank each of the nurses and doctors who had ministered to her for days.
My father had the companionship of the Holy Ghost at that moment to feel, to know, and to do what he did that day. He had received the promise, as many have: “That they may have his Spirit to be with them” (D&C 20:79).[v- I told Gayelinn’72 last week that the gifts of the Aaronic priesthood were more important to me than the Melchizedek priesthood: 1 faith, 2 repentance, 3 forgiveness, 4 baptism. The bishop is the president of the Aaronic priesthood he helps people repent and offers forgiveness when it is time to start taking the sacrament again. I told G that if I can be forgiven that is enough for me.]
My hope today is to increase your desire and your ability to receive the Holy Ghost. Remember, He is the third member of the Godhead. The Father and the Son are resurrected beings. The Holy Ghost is a person of spirit. (See D&C 130:22.) It is your choice whether to receive Him and welcome Him into your heart and mind. [“It is your choice whether”. . . Agency, it is always agency. No force. Instead desire!-v]
The conditions on which we can receive that supernal blessing are made clear in the words that are spoken every week but perhaps do not always sink into our hearts and minds. To have the Spirit sent to us, we must “always remember” the Savior and “keep his commandments” (D&C 20:77). [v- two things.]
This time of year helps us remember the Savior’s sacrifice and His rising from the tomb a resurrected being. Many of us hold images of those scenes in our memories. I once stood with my wife outside a tomb in Jerusalem. Many believe that it was the tomb from which the crucified Savior emerged as a resurrected and living God.
The respectful guide that day motioned with his hand and said to us, “Come, see an empty tomb.”
We stooped to enter. We saw a stone bench against a wall. But into my mind came another picture, as real as what we saw that day. It was of Mary, who was left by the Apostles at the tomb. That is what the Spirit let me see and even hear in my mind, as clearly as if I had been there:
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
“And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
“And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:11–17).[“ But into my mind came another picture, as real as what we saw that day.” v- What do you think he had to do for that real vision/picture come into his mind? Do you think he has those verses memorized? Do you think he has recited them over and over again in his life?]
I have prayed to be allowed to feel something of what Mary felt at the tomb and what two other disciples felt on the road to Emmaus as they walked with the resurrected Savior, thinking Him a visitor to Jerusalem:
“But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:29–32).
Some of those words were repeated in a sacrament meeting I attended more than 70 years ago. In those days sacrament meetings were held in the evening. It was dark outside. The congregation sang these familiar words. I had heard them many times. But my lasting memory is of a feeling on one particular night. It draws me closer to the Savior. Perhaps if I recite the words, it will come to all of us again:
Abide with me; ’tis eventide.
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on.
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide.
Abide with me; ’tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.1 [“I have prayed to be allowed to feel something of what Mary felt at the tomb and what two other disciples felt. . .” Aha! Not only has he pondered those words and stories and imagined them, he has asked!-v]
More precious than a memory of events is the memory of the Holy Ghost touching our hearts and His continuing affirmation of truth. More precious than seeing with our eyes or remembering words spoken and read is recalling the feelings that accompanied the quiet voice of the Spirit. Rarely I have felt it exactly as the travelers on the road to Emmaus did—as a soft but unmistakable burning in the heart. More often it is a feeling of light and quiet assurance. [Uncommon, Rarely. . . but more often -v]
We have the priceless promise of the Holy Ghost as a companion, and we also have true directions on how to claim that gift. These words are said by the Lord’s authorized servant with his hands on our head: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” At that moment you and I have the assurance He will be sent. But our obligation is to choose to open our hearts to receive the ministration of the Spirit over a lifetime. [For me it really has been a livetime. I’m still seldom sure!-v]
The experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith offer a guide. He began and continued his ministry with the decision that his own wisdom was not sufficient to know what course he should pursue. He chose to be humble before God.
Next, Joseph chose to ask of God. He prayed in faith that God would answer. The answer came when he was a young boy. Those messages came when he needed to know how God would have His Church established. The Holy Ghost comforted and guided him throughout his life.
He obeyed inspiration when it was difficult. For instance, he received direction to send the Twelve to England when he needed them most. He sent them. [Susan Easton Black described this in one of her lectures. It is so strange Brandon. Why would he do this?-v]
He accepted correction and comfort from the Spirit when he was imprisoned and the Saints were terribly oppressed. [ imagine if we did not have the D&C 120’s-v] And he obeyed when he went down the road to Carthage even as he knew he faced mortal danger.
The Prophet Joseph set an example for us of how to receive continual spiritual direction and comfort through the Holy Ghost.
The first choice he made was to be humble before God.
The second was to pray with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The third was to obey exactly. Obedience may mean to move quickly. It may mean to prepare. Or it may mean to wait in patience for further inspiration. [v-I like this]
And the fourth is to pray to know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord. Joseph prayed for the Saints in distress when he was in prison. It has been my opportunity to observe the prophets of God as they pray, ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it. [v-this part is so sweet Brandon. This is service, caring about others, not just ourselves! You know that I reach out regularly. I saw Janese and Russ Figgins and their tan poodle, Bean, at the golf course last night. She thanked me for the email I sent March 29 when she was in Primary Children’s hospital with her 16 year old daughter with a nerve virus that had made her lose her motor coordination.]]
I have seen how often their prayers are about the people they love and serve. Their concern for others seems to open their hearts to receive inspiration. That can be true for you.
Inspiration will help us minister to others for the Lord. You have seen that in your experience, as I have. My bishop once said to me—at a time when my wife was under great strain in her own life—“Every time I hear of someone in the ward who needs help, when I get there to help, I find that your wife was there ahead of me. How does she do that?” [v- he admits that she was under great strain! I am no longer under great strain. I hardly have a care in the world. But that was not true 30 years ago!]
She is like all who are great ministers in the Lord’s kingdom. It seems there are two things they do. Great ministers have qualified for the Holy Ghost as a nearly constant companion. And they have qualified for the gift of charity, which is the pure love of Christ. Those gifts have grown in them as they have used them in serving out of love for the Lord. [two gifts-v]
The way in which prayer, inspiration, and love of the Lord work together in our service is described for me perfectly in these words:
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:14–21). [Where was the service in those verses Brandon? Hard to find isn’t it!-v]
I bear my personal witness that the Father is at this moment aware of you, your feelings, and the spiritual and temporal needs of everyone around you. I bear testimony that the Father and the Son are sending the Holy Ghost to all who have that gift, ask for that blessing, and seek to be worthy of it. Neither the Father, nor the Son, nor the Holy Ghost force Themselves into our lives. We are free to choose. The Lord has said to all:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith” (Revelation 3:20–22).
I pray with all my heart that you will hear the voice of the Spirit, which is sent to you so generously. And I pray that you will open your heart always to receive Him. If you ask with real intent and with faith in Jesus Christ for inspiration, you will receive it in the Lord’s way and in His time. God did that for the young Joseph Smith. He does it today for our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. He has placed you in the way of other children of God to serve them for Him. I know that not only by what I have seen with my eyes but more powerfully by what the Spirit has whispered to my heart.
I have felt the love of the Father and of His Beloved Son for all the children of God in the world and for His children in the spirit world. I have felt the comfort and the direction of the Holy Ghost. I pray that you may have the joy of having the Spirit with you as your companion constantly. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
“Inspiration will help us minister to others for the Lord.”-v Wow! Can you see all the angles in that sentence?
“I bear my personal witness that the Father is at this moment aware of you, your feelings, and the spiritual and temporal needs of everyone around you.” I am so glad he is aware of my feelings. I believe he can use my mind and hands as his to meet the needs of others.
gesture of derision it encapsulates is that of putting one’s thumb to one’s nose and extending the fingers. Waggling them is optional but greatly improves the effectiveness of the insult. The gesture is widespread but names for it vary: cocking a snook is mainly the British name Or cocking them a snook! What will they say when the Saviour returns? How will they blow that off? Or will all the wicked really have passed the way of all the earth? Poor Satan. His side really doesn’t have a chance does it. @ I was sick two days last week and listened to an MP3 of Mirror Dancer by Bujold, 600 pages. As I finished it this morning, 4/12 so I could return it to the library I realized Mark’s 4 personality splits had an impact on me. I told Scott’77 all about them and then Gayelinn’72. Brandon, do you remember this part? >“Mark finds Miles, but is captured by Miles' old nemesis, Baron Ryoval, and tortured for five days, His personality fragments into four sub-personalities: Gorge the glutton, Grunt the sex pervert, Howl the masochist, and Killer the assassin. Together, the first three protect Mark's fragile persona, while Killer bides his time.” Friday, 4/13/18 Last night was bomc. A new tall guy with an entrancing voice dares to contribute, John. He mentioned that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus and that is why she was the first woman to see him after the resurrection. I was offended. How dare he? I have thought the same but he treated it as common knowledge. He apologized to janice divine and thanked her for the lesson afterwards. All my rancor dissipated. I love people who dare to sincerely apologize. @ I worked at the Family Search Center until class last night. Long day. I decided to see if there were any other fun Spanish projects to work on. There are about 70 Spanish projects to choose from. This one from Costa Rica was the best. It comes in batches of 5 images with 4 entries per image. Notice that it tells how many need to be reviewed. The project from Argentina that I have worked on for a couple of months is so close it no longer lists reviewing needed.
Dear brothers and sisters, we constantly seek direction from the Lord on how we can help our members keep the commandments of God, especially those two great commandments to love God and our neighbors.1