How to overcome bullying.

Bullying is now something I better understand.  Until last year, I didn't really give much serious thought to bullying, unless I heard some tragic news report of a teen suicide linked to school yard or cyber bullying. Which, come to think of it, is all too frequent these days.

Then I was bullied myself.

My experience may sound like a very simple example of bullying ... but my guess is that those stories we usually hear about - the ones with dramatic circumstances with horrific outcomes - are the only examples we hear about because they are news worthy. Which means we may dismiss the milder forms of bullying in our everyday lives.

But I now understand what bullying means, and how it can be the smallest of circumstances that build up overtime to create feelings of sadness, hurt, paranoia, and ostracism.

And I don't think I'm particularly weak, which just means that this can happen to anyone.


I accidentally came across an email at work that was not intended for me ... but it was about me.
It was from one woman I worked with to another. I was really quite shocked. I worked closely with both these women, helping them out quite regularly with their own workloads, and I really liked working with both of them. And so when I read what they had said about me, it hurt.

And it made me curious. Why would they say such things? How long had this been going on? I had a quick look around and noticed other messages I had access to (unbeknown to them). I had to stop looking after a while, because it just got too much for me to comprehend and cope with. It had been going on for some time. Anytime I was not helping them out with work, they decided I wasn't working at all or pulling my weight. Anytime I was off sick or went to a doctor's appointment, they had something to say about it. Things of that nature.

I started to become quite paranoid. I remember checking how often I had been away from work over many months - turns out I could count the days on one hand - but they continued to make comments about me. About my work. About my hours (which was odd, since I was in the office much longer then them).

I honestly thought I could deal with it all myself ... and by deal with it, I mean ignore it.
I started giving these women the benefit of the doubt - almost justifying their actions - in the hope that I would feel better. Obviously they were mistaken. Perhaps they were just joking, they didn't really mean what they said.
I also started watching what I said and did around the office. I would start my day even earlier and finish up late, taking smaller lunch breaks - as if I was proving to the world that I was not what they said. 
In my mind, this would solve the problem. But when the hurtful remarks and untruths kept coming, I was just so hurt. I had respected these women, and really enjoyed working with them in the workplace.

My husband was furious when I finally told him. I honestly didn't see this as bullying .. but he helped me to realise that I had started to change my behaviour because of it. I had started working longer hours with very short breaks, all so these women couldn't have any possible reason to comment.
I remember one particular day at work I was so flat out busy with a day of back-to-back meetings, I had to quickly scoff down a sandwich at my desk as I wouldn't have much time to leave the office for lunch. I ended up chocking, and coughing a bit. They thought I was coughing out loud to prepare everyone for my eventual sick day the next day. That really made me upset.

These occurrences started to occupy my thoughts all day, and most nights. I just couldn't get over the fact that the women I worked so close with, who I enjoyed being around and valued their opinion, had been gossiping about me for so long.
I became more paranoid. I would notice when they were talking together, if they were whispering, straining my ears to hear what they were talking about. I would think everything was about me, even though I'm sure it wasn't.

Then one week, I came down with a cold of some sort - I had a deep mannish voice, I was a little feverish, and my nose was running like crazy. Feeling that way, I sometimes had to blow my nose and cough. Turns out I'm human.
Well, these women thought it was all a show to take a sick day the following day. They laughed about it.
I was so determined to not get sick, to prove them wrong .. but I did, and I made myself stay at work, sweating through my clothes, eyes all watering. It was a very long week. And my body took such a long time to get over what was probably a simple cold. I developed a bad cough. After having been at work all week with a cold, I started coughing and just couldn't stop. And when I saw these women messaging each other, again predicting a sick day, I decided I had to say something.

I decided it had to stop. And I told myself to be a grown up.
I actually reminded myself that I am a adult. Sure I wanted to preserve my working relationship with these women - I had to work with them for several more months - and I really didn't want to make things worse.

But. Enough was enough. I am a person too. And I was not in the wrong, even in the slightest.
And .. it turned out I had whooping cough.

How I felt after something had been done:
At first, I felt very afraid that it could all backfire. I didn't want to make the situation worse. I knew management would talk with them together and separately, as management took bullying very seriously, and I didn't want these women to talk about me more.
I was also very afraid that they would just find other opportunities to talk about me instead, and that this would make working at the office awkward. I had to work with them each day, after all.

But after a few hours of being highly suspicious, I felt relief. It was a burden lifted.
Even though I was living in a city where I still felt like the new kid, with almost no friends, I felt better.

Struggling with bullying yourself? 

Perhaps you are guilty of criticising others. I know I'm guilty of criticising myself.

I once blogged about this here, and I really do this we can be too hard on ourselves and others. 
We can never truly know what someone else is going through, or what they are struggling with themselves, and even if we did know ... it is never our place to criticise, judge, or cause trouble.

Whatever the case may be, my bottom line is this: 

Negativity is dangerous. 

Positive thinking is empowering. 

And you really truly are too valuable to be defined by bullying.

How to keep a journal.

I remember my first journal.

My family took a trip to Europe, coinciding with my Dad's business trip, when I was 6. In fact, I had my sixth birthday on the plane to Germany .. that birthday lasted a lot longer than 24 hours. And I recorded it all in my journal.
I love reading over it, and seeing where I so obviously used my finger to make spaces between words.

Ever since then, I have kept a journal. Sometimes I write every day. Other times, not.

This is one way I feel happy. I really enjoy reflecting and writing whatever personal things are going on in my life.

I write out important things I did that day.
I write about how I felt and what I did well or wished I could re-do.
I write little things I hope to never forget, things my future readers may know.
I write mostly about whatever is tugging at my heart strings, to get it all out, to vent.

This is actually the primary reason why Wilford Woodruff was my favourite latter-day prophet when growing up. I used to watch The Mountain of the Lord most Sundays - a church movie about the building of the amazingly beautifully crafted temple in Salt Lake City Utah. The entire movie is told from the experience of Wilford Woodruff. We are introduced to the key characters and events of early church history through his eyes ... and all this because he actually kept a journal every day of his life.

He kept a journal every day of his life since 1834, the year he joined the Church. When he joined, he vowed he would never lay his head on his pillow until he had made a record of the days work. A daily record.
We have, after all, been admonished to be a record-keeping people.

I recently purchased several new journals. I'll be using them in order of colour, and hope they will last me a good long while.
I really wanted to make a better commitment to something that I already know makes me happy.

What is something you do that makes you happy?

30 before 30 list.

So I'm finally getting around to sharing my 30 by 30 list with you.
I took my sweet time, right up to the day of my birthday, to finalise this list .. I guess it means more to me than I first thought.

30 Before 30

1. Ride a hot-air balloon.
2. Run a race or fun run.
3. Do Bikram Yoga for a fortnight or 30 day challenge.
4. Put up all frames and paintings in our house.
5. Find my go-to kareoke song.
6. Play a decent pipe organ in Adelaide.
7. Fit into my clothes properly - be my target weight.
8. Walk four different hikes.
9. Study Jesus the Christ.
10. Swim with dolphins.
11. Learn how to cook .. properly.
12. Take an art class.
13. Go on a cultural (musical?) weekend away.
14. Compose a piece of music.
15. Compile our family photo albums electronically to publish.
16. Take an amazing luxurious bath.
17. Landscape our gardens.
18. Be completely clutter-free.
19. Write to Jones Shimai (a few times).
20. Audition for the opera chorus (or just a better choir).
21. Go on a ‘watch the sunrise’ date.
22. Have a ‘riding a bike’ date.
23. Have a ‘painting on a canvas or two’ date.
24. Send a message in a bottle.
25. Climb a tree.
26. Plan and host an awesome classy party.
27. withheld.
28. withheld.
29. withheld.
30. withheld.

The plan is to achieve all 30 tasks between 25 March 2013 and 24 March 2014.
And yes .. there are a few that are withheld.  Because I can do that.  Adds a bit of mystery to the last year of my twenties.

I hope they call YOU on a mission.

It's the beginning of 2013, a brand new year.  A fresh start.  A time to quit your depressing job and head towards happiness.

But while everyone is talking of setting resolutions and thinking of goals worthy to pursue, today I want to talk about something else ... something more important for some of you.

One of the best decisions I ever made, which brought me a HUGE amount of lasting happiness, was to serve a full-time mission for my church.

A mission?  Like a spy should-you-choose-to-accept mission?  No, not quite as glamorous, and for a much worthier cause.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) encourage our 19 year-olds to go out proselyting and serving others anywhere in the world for 18-24 months, if they are able and worthy to do so.  For the young men, it's more expected of them, as it is a duty (and privledge) under the priesthood which they can hold.
To be a missionary, you have to adhere to a strict code of conduct and schedule, although 90% of missionaries will not be monitored daily - it's obvious that in the mission field, you only get what you put in, and the Lord can really only bless you when you are 100% obedient.

Both Matthew and I served missions - very different kinds - when we were 20 and 24 respectively.  Not only did we experience different cultures and language barriers, but the Lord tailored our missions to suit our skills and talents, and to give us hard challenges to wield us into better people by serving others.

Matthew went to the heart of South Korea - the Seoul West South Korea mission.  He had to quickly adjust to a different culture, not to mention learning how to speak and read Korean.  I didn't know Matthew back then, but he was clearly very influenced by his two years in Seoul.  He has such a love for the Korean people and culture.  We regularly cook and eat Korean food, and I am slowly picking up some words and phrases.

I was assigned to the Temple Square Salt Lake City mission, which included a four month stint in Louisville Kentucky.  Most people think of Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah USA, as the iconic homeland of all Mormons.  Or the sound studio of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the famous backdrop of organ pipes.  Temple Square is definitely the mecca of all Mormons, as our prophet and other leaders live/regularly meet there, but most Mormons actually live outside USA.

My mission routine was highly structured and very busy, with a combination of proselyting formally on historical tours and informally in random conversation or on the phone, 9 am to 9 pm 6.5 days a week (half a day per week was our own time to shop, wash, play).
The key difference between this mission and all others is that us missionaries were constantly watched - yes, a few crazies - but mostly from media, church leaders, and millions of international tourists.  We were the face of the church, not just teachers, and so we had to look professional and respectable, learn as many facts and figures about the buildings, church people, church history, and all the random odd questions that random odd people think of.
I quickly embraced this unique assignment, and learnt how to be bold but not overbearing or confrontational.

"If only you could see the vision as I have.  I wish I had your bodies to do this work.  I would run from house to house telling everyone of the gospel, and after I lost the strength to run, I would being to walk.  And after I collapsed from walking, I would being to crawl.  And after my knees were so bloody that I could not use them, I would use my arms to drag myself.  And once every muscle in my body was gone, I would being to yell!  Oh, if only you could see the vision as I have."  [1]

Serving a mission was the single best decision I have ever made and the most worthwhile thing I have ever done with my life.

So how do you know if you are ready to serve a mission?  You might have doubts about your readiness to serve.

Elder Russell M. Nelson said prospective missionaries should not begin their service before they are ready spiritually and temporally.  Just because the minimum age requirement was recently lowered does not mean that is when you must go.

The best answer is this:  rely on the advice of righteous parents and spiritual advisers.  Ultimately, your bishop and stake president will help you determine your readiness .. but you gotta talk to them about it.

In the meantime, this is how I think you can best prepare to serve a mission:

HOW TO PREPARE SPIRITUALLY

Think what might be the best things for you to be doing right now .. we all know the things we struggle with.  What items would be on your list?

Here are a few keys:

1. Personal scripture study.

    This will help you develop faith in, an understanding and testimony of, and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ - all fundamental in becoming an effective teacher of the gospel.  Out of all the standard works, I would concentrate on the Book of Mormon.  It is literally the most correct of any book on earth - the keystone of our religion.  You will get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts.  The Book of Mormon changes lives!  So read it, ponder it, find answers to all your question in it, get some great experiences to share with potential investigators.  You know missionaries ask people to test the truth of this book - but it's no good asking people to do so, if you haven't.

2. Personal prayer.

    What about saying your prayers vocally?  Even if you whisper to yourself, it means you are making an effort.  And you probably won't fall asleep or drift off into random thoughts.  Find a habit that works for you - it might be best to say your morning prayers immediately when you roll out of bed.  Make the decision right now to make this work, and keep in touch with your Heavenly Father.

    “I do not worry about the youth of the Church that will pray twice a day.” [2]

    “Satan trembles, when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” [3]

    “Personal, sincere involvement in the scriptures produces faith, hope, and solutions to our daily challenges.  Frequently reading, pondering, and applying the lessons of the scriptures, combined with prayer, become an irreplaceable part of gaining and sustaining a strong, vibrant testimony.” [4]

    “Living the Lord’s standards requires that we cultivate the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That gift helps us understand doctrine and apply it personally.  Because truth that is given by revelation can be understood only by revelation, our studies need to be prayerful.” [5]

3. Attend Institute and church meetings.

    Faithful attendance at church meetings brings blessings you can receive no other way.  Be worthy to prepare/bless/pass/take the sacrament.  Come to that meeting with clean hands and a pure heart.  Listen carefully to the messages.  Also, you really really really should attend Mission Prep classes at Institute.  You'll develop a deeper understanding of and proficiency in teachings the doctrines from Preach My Gospel.

    “None of us ever need to hesitate to speak for this church, for its doctrine, for its people, for its divine organisation and divinely given responsibility.  It is true.  It is the work of God.  The only things that can ever embarrass this work are acts of disobedience to its doctrines and standards by those of its membership.  That places upon each of us a tremendous responsibility.  This work will be judged by what the world sees of our behaviour.  God gives us the will to walk with faith, the discipline to do what is right at all times and circumstances, and the resolution to make of ourselves a declaration of this cause before all who see us.”[6]

4. Strengthen your testimony.

    This is the coolest diagram of what sets our faith apart from the rest - note the place of the Book of Mormon.  Know what sets us apart, and be really excited about it!
    Additionally, you really must avoid anything that offends the Spirit.  “The Spirit of the Lord usually communicates with us in ways that are quiet, delicate, and subtle … The standard is clear.  If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing.  If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us.  Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us.  Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.” [7]

    “Some of you may not have a testimony, and so I have said to other groups like you, if you don’t have a testimony today, why don’t you cling to mine for a little while?  Hold on to our testimonies, the testimonies of your bishops, your stake presidents, until you can develop it.  If you can say nothing more today than I believe because my president, or my bishop, believes, I trust him, do this until you can get a testimony for yourselves; but I warn you that won’t stay with you unless you continue to cultivate it and live the teachings.” [8]

5. Read your patriarchal blessing.

    This is a revelation from God for YOU and only you.  It is the inspired and prophetic statement of your life's mission, together with blessings, cautions, and admonitions.  It's your prophetic map to life - so regard it as personal scripture to you, and read it regularly to know God's will for you.

6. Take opportunities for service seriously.

    Home/Visiting Teaching can be hard, but it can also be quite fun.  Both the young men and young women programs were designed very specifically for you, and you should be able to help teach and serve others.

    “To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves.  No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man.  Service to others is akin to duty – the fulfilment of which brings true joy.”[9]

7. Wearing modest clothing and preparing for attending the temple.
    Preparing for a mission means preparing to enter the house of the Lord.  Find out what you have to do to have a current temple recommend, even if you're not planning on going yet, and live according to those standards.  You'll find you already know them .. but the key standard most are not prepared for is wearing modest clothing.  Temple attendance means either making or renewing highly sacred covenants, and we remember those highly sacred covenants by wearing garments.  So get used to sleeves and decent lengthed dresses now!  You gain power through keeping your covenants.

    “Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant.  It is not always convenient to live gospel standards and stand up for truth and testify of the Restoration.  … But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience.  The power comes as we keep our covenants.” [10]

    It’s simple.  “Keep your covenants and you will be safe.  Break them and you will not.  ...
“... We are not free to break our covenants and escape the consequences.” [11]

It's really important to recognise that, yes, we all know these basics (aka your typical sunday school answers), but that we can all struggle with them.  That is why we always hear about them!

You don't need to be perfect or spiritually brilliant - but do not settle for mediocrity.

(from The Friend magazine)

I think the true essentials are:

1. The desire to serve.

2. Exact obedience.

3. The humility to be taught.

"My experience is that once you stop putting question marks behind the prophet's statements and put exclamation points instead, and do it, the blessings just pour." [12]

You know the ones you personally struggle with ... break it down.  Why might you be struggling with it?  What can you to make it easier?

HOW TO PREPARE PHYSICALLY
John Bytheway once told a story of when his room mate Mike received a phone call around 5:30 in the morning from Lisa.  She called and said her room mate Jill was really sick, and she wanted Mike and John to give Jill a blessing before she took Jill to the hospital.

So Mike knocked on John's door, told him about the call, and then they both ran over to the girls' apartment.  They had to hurry - there was no time to say 'Well, I need to repent first'.

Jill was in a really bad way.  Mike anointed her, and then it was John's turn to perform the blessing.  He put out his hands, and suddenly remembered the scripture in Psalms 24 - Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands and a pure heart.  

He looked at his hands, and asked the question "Are my hands clean?"  Because this was the time to be an elder in the priesthood.  What movie did I push into the machine last night?  Did they stain my fingers?  Have I done anything on a date that I'd be ashamed of?  Are my hands clean?

What about my mouth - can I have a prayer or blessing come out of the same mouth I used during the week at work?

Serving the Lord in whatever capacity is important, wonderful stuff.  So, another vital ingredient in preparing for a mission is to always live a clean life.

Yes you can repent - and the miracle of forgiveness is very real, and true repentance is accepted of the Lord.  But "[a] man who resists temptation and lives without sin is far better off than the man who has fallen, no matter how repentant the latter may be.  ... How much better it is never to have committed sin." [13]

Having said that, this is one of my favourites quotes:

"I testify that when a Bishop or Stake President has confirmed that your repentance is sufficient, know that your obedience has allowed the Atonement of Jesus Christ to satisfy the demands of justice for the laws you have broken.  Therefore you are now free.  Please believe it.  To continually suffer the distressing effects of sin after adequate repentance, which not intended, is to deny the efficacy of the Saviour's atonement in your behalf." [14]

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

There are two aspects to your social life - friends and (pre-mission) dating.

Remember, "[a] true friend makes it easier to live the gospel". [15]

"The kind of girl who want to date and marry will not only want you to go on a mission, she will expect you to.  She'll know that a mission can make you a much better person, and she won't be so selfish as to keep you from going." [16]

Basically, your Heavenly Father wants you to date those who are faithful members of the Church, who encourage you to serve a full-time mission, and to magnify your priesthood. [11]  My advice is to not take the chance of dating non-members, or members who are untrained and faithless.  You may think it's just some fun, or perhaps you have no intentions of making any kind of commitment with that person, but can't afford to take chance.  Plus, those kind of relationships say more about you than it does about the other person.

Think I'm being tough?  It's printed in The Strength of Youth, in black and white:  "Because dating is a preparation for marriage, date only those who have high standards and respect your standards, and in whose company you can maintain the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ."  It's basically saying it's better to stay home and not date, than to date people whose standards are not up to yours.

Some of you may struggle with deciding between two good paths to take.  I actually met Matthew just before I left for my mission.  It was really sucky timing, I thought.  I had no doubt I was meant to serve a mission, my application papers were in, and then I met him and quickly grew to know I was going to marry him.  What the .. ??  It was hard, but I simply could not deny the feeling I had, that I was meant to go.  So, I decided I had to trust in that feeling, and go with it.  We made no promises (I don't really agree with making someone promise to wait around) and I read Proverbs 3:5-6 a LOT.

After your mission, you will be more mature and better prepared to make some of the most important decisions of your life and to pursue your education, career, and courtship.

“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.  Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” [17]

I think it wonderful that Heavenly Father has trusted and relied upon youth to do His sacred and important work throughout the history of the world.  The new policy on the age for full-time missionary service is another evidence of His love and trust in you.

“The Lord wants every young man to serve a full-time mission.  Not only should a mission be regarded as a priesthood duty, but every young man should look forward to this experience with great joy and anticipation.  What a privilege – what a sacred privilege – to serve the Lord full time for two years with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.
“You can do nothing more important.  School can wait.  Scholarships can be deferred.  Occupational goals can be postponed.  Yes, even temple marriage should wait until after a young man has served an honourable full-time mission for the Lord.  And I would admonish you to date only faithful young women who also believe this and give you that encouragement.” [18]

It is very humbling – to be loved and trusted so much by God.  You can be, and are, worthy and prepared to serve the Lord.  You can really change the world.

“The difference between mediocrity and excellence can be ever so small … the little extra effort we make becomes such a tremendous difference.  I speak of the need for a little more effort a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.  This is the great day of decision for each of us.  For many it is the time of beginning something that will go on for as long as you live.  I plead with you: don’t be a scrub!  Rise to high moral ground of spiritual, mental, and physically excellence.  You can do it.  You may not be a genius.  You may be lacking in some skills. But so many of us can do better than we are now doing.  We are members of this great church whose influence is now felt over the world.  We are people with a present and with a future.  Don’t muff your opportunities.  Be excellent.” [19]

[1] Spencer W. Kimball
[2] Harold B. Lee
[3] Thomas S. Monson, quoting William Cowper, "Come unto Him in Prayer and Faith", Ensign, Mar. 2009
[4] Donald L. Staheli, in Conference Report, Oct. 2004, 40; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 39

[5] Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17
[6] Gordon B. Hinckley
[7] David A. Bednar, Ensign, May 2006, 29-30
[8] Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 136

[9] Thomas S. Monson
[10] M. Russell Ballard, in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 113; or Ensign, May 1999, 86

[11] Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 107-8; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 84
[12] Russell M. Nelson, in Lane Johnson, "Russell M. Nelson: A Study of Obedience", Ensign, Aug. 1982, 24
[13] Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1969
[14] Dallin H. Oaks

[15] Richard G. Scott
[16] Robert D. Hales
[17] Ezra Taft Benson, "To the Youth of the Noble Birthright", Ensign, May 1986
[18] ibid
[19] Gordon B. Hinckley, bold added

Is it possible that God speaks to us today?

General Conference is almost here!!  This is the time of the year when we Mormons gather around and listen to the words of the prophet.  It's a brillant opportunity to receive motivation, inspiration, and instruction from Church leaders.

A prophet, as a righteous and inspired leader, is the mouthpiece of the Lord; a representative of God.  They will always be a special witness of Jesus Christ.  They literally pass on God's words to us, His people, to teach, inspire, refine, and warn us.
So their words will help us come closer to Christ and know God's will.

God has always spoken to prophets.  Always.  And today is no different.
Ever since Adam was roaming around here and here.  Think about it.  Heavenly Father loves us; He's not going to leave us to wander through this mortal life without direction and guidance.  That defeats the purpose of being alive.
It truly is such a simple and wonderful concept - we are God's children, we are in constant need of direction and advice, and so regardless of the era we live in, God will always speak to us via prophets (see Amos 3:7 in the Old Testament).
(this is, of course, in addition to personal answers to prayers and personal inspiration)

The teachings of our Heavenly Father are not the ordinary, predictable, run-of-the-mill kind you can pick up in paperback at the local bookstore.  They are the wisdom of an all-powerful, all-knowing celestial Being who loves His children.  Encompassed in His words is the secret of the ages—the key to happiness in this life and in the world to come.  [1]

To anyone who may wonder if this is possible ... I invite you to come and see.

Read the word of God as found in the scriptures.  Listen to general conference with an ear willing to hear the voice of God given through His latter-day prophets.  ...  For if you seek “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [God] will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4).  [2]

Remember .. we believe he is God's spokesperson for everyone, not just Mormons.
Which means you can all tune in to listen or read copies of the address.  Perhaps the answers to your questions will be found somewhere over this weekend.

Visit lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today to learn more about prophets and apostles speaking today.


"General conference is intended to be a revelatory experience as participants learn from living prophets and apostles through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.  Proper preparation will help ensure that you get the most out of your conference experience." [3]

How can I possibly prepare for this event?
Here are three basic concepts to help us to better receive, remember, and apply the words spoken by the Lord’s servants: [4]

1. Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at general conference.
So think of questions you need to have answered. Weall have some challenges to face, and we all need direction and guidance to face them.

2. Don’t discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.
God isn't going to introduce a new commandmentor teaching now.  His laws are eternal, and have always been around.  Which means His prophets have always taught by repetition.  It's how we learn.

So you and I will probably continue to hear messages on similar issues from time to time ... because the Lord is teaching and impressing upon minds and hearts certain foundational principles of great eternal importance that must be understood and acted upon before we can move on to other things.

Sometimes we just ain't listening, so He'll try again ...

3. The words spoken at general conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.Ever heard of a Liahona?  How about a compass?

The Holy Ghost, like a compass, will guide us ... but we need to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us.

For this is no ordinary blessing.

In preparation for General Conference this October, Stephanie at Diapers and Divinity is doing a little series about the 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet.

If you need an alternative, or are on the road, you can download this app here and watch conference live.

[1] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Why Do We Need Prophets?", Liahona, March 2012

[2] ibid

[3] source

[4] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "General Conference - No Ordinary Blessing", Liahona, Sept. 2001

Do not let your self worth be defined by bullies.

My appearance and my weight.  They have both been on my mind for most of my adult life.  Hey, I'm only human, and I'm a woman too.  Most women, even if it doesn't seem like it, are most likely judging themselves or thinking critical and negative comments about their physical appearance.

I've personally battled this, and I know most of you do too.  It may not be the weight you see on the dreaded scales, but perhaps the shape of your nose, or the annoying flicks in your hair that can never be controlled, or the blotches on your skin.  We all have insecurities.

Well, to you (and myself) I say ... you are beautiful.
You are a son or daughter of God.  Literally.  You are a precious spirit child of our Heavenly Father, and as such, you are valued, respected, and you have much potential.
You are also somebody's friend.  In fact, you are a friend to a lot of people, an example to even more people, and you are valued in your community, your family, and probably your workplace or school.  You just don't know it.
Some days it feels like that ain't so.  But it has to be ... we are each born with a unique mixture of talents and abilities that no one has.  There is a great need for you and me.  Yes, my friend, we have a purpose.

In fact, you should watch this short film right now.  You deserve to be validated!

(source)

The reason I share these thoughts with you today, is because of the media.  A great tool, as we all know, but also a terrible avenue for wrong and hurtful activity.

A few weeks back, when our brilliant and hard working Olympians were finishing their training and embarking on that great event that is the Olympic Games, someone said our very own swimming champion looked fat.  They saw a picture of her in her swimmers, leaning over the pool, and they said she looked fat.  It's pretty sad that when I type in her name in a Google search, the word fat automatically comes up.

Then a few weeks later, with no baby stories or nude photos to show, tabloid magazines decided to attack Kate Middleton by calling her skinny.  TOO skinny.  Photos taken are sharp angles, piztelated close up shots of her body printed up in bright colours to accentuate their point.

Was Liesel Jones too fat?  Is Princess Kate too skinny?
Well why is it any of our business?!  Why is this deemed great entertainment to sell?

And why on earth are we focusing our attention and extra energy on negativity?  I am continually reminding myself of the power of positive thinking.  We really do underestimate this power.  Even now I am learning to re-tap this valuable source of happiness and health, with a few issues of my own that I may blog about in the future.

Both here, here and here are great suggestions for us all.


Today, an American local news anchor had something of a personal nature to share with her viewers.
I think she says it best.  To her, I say well done.

Ms Livingston turned what could have been a hurtful loads of comments into a powerful opportunity against bullying.

I'm really glad that when Ms Livingston’s husband posted the emailed letter on his Facebook Page, that they received an outpouring of support.  Kindess and empathy gave Ms Livingston a way out off possible-negativity.
And Ms Livingston was clearly empowered in this moment.  She decided to single the writer out as a bully.

“The truth is I am overweight,” Livingston said.
“You can call me fat and yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart.  To the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that?  Your cruel words are pointing out something I don’t see?  You don’t know me.  You are not a friend of mine.  You are not a part of my family, and you admitted that you don’t watch this show so you know nothing about me besides what you see on the outside - and I am much more than a number on a scale.”

“We are better than that bully.  We are better than this email.  We are better than the bullies that would try to take us down.”

"Do not let your self worth be defined by bullies."

What to do before you're thirty.

I've been thinking about making a list of things to do before I'm 30.
You know, a sort of bucket list before I hit my middle ages.

(various sources)

Strike that.  Saying 'middle ages' makes me think the dark ages would be the next era ...

AHEM.  In exactly twenty days, I will be 28 and a half.  Surely giving myself 18 months to complete a super awesome amazing list of 30 things to do would be enough time.  What do you think?

So what should I put on this list?  Any suggestions? 
Be adventurous for me.

(source)

How Abraham was taught the Law of Sacrifice.

Hello.
A little time ago, we reviewed the beginnings of Abraham's life, his family tree and the covenants he made early on in his life.  Ok, a not so little time ago.
We also looked at the great man who ordained Abraham to the priesthood, and studied the blessings of the priesthood.
Yeah yeah, I've been slack at posting.  It has been a good while, but we did do it, I swear.
More recently, and my personal favourite, we studied the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Abraham tried to intercede on the wicked peoples' behalf.  Such great lessons to be learnt there.

This brings us up to chapter 18 of Genesis, when Abraham finally received his promised son, Isaac.
Yeah,  we're still in Genesis.  Shh.

Do you even remember all the promises that were made to Abraham?  How about the four categories of blessings?
Quickly look back here, because it's important to remember not only what we're entitled to (um, yay!) and how these blessings have/will come to pass, but to also remember that Abraham had been promised a great posterity .. and he was still waiting.  In fact, the majority of these promises were to come through this great posterity.

Wait, what posterity?

Good point.
Most know that Abraham finally got his posterity.  This is how is happened:
In Genesis 16:1-6, we read that his wife Sarai gave her handmaid to Abraham for this very cause.  This was according to the custom of the time, so it was an expected and logical act.  This is how Ishmael came about.  And then, a little later, Isaac was born to Sarai.  Abraham also had several sons by Keturah.

(Note: It was around this time that Abram and Sarai have their names changed to Abraham and Sarah.)

So.  Ishmael was born.

And what became of Ishmael?
Well, the Lord promised blessings to Ishmael.  He may not have been the covenant son of Abraham, but he certainly wasn't forgotten.  You can read about the blessings promised to Ishmael in Genesis 16:7-16 and 17:20.

After the birth of Ishmael, the Lord reaffirmed His promise with Abraham - that Abraham would be a father of many nations and kings.  The Lord then blessed Abraham with the prophecy of a son:

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
(Genesis 17:15-21)

Even some mysterious messengers visited Abraham and reiterated the prophesy about the birth of a son, in Genesis 18:1-19.

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
(verses 12-14)

And then .. drum roll .. in Genesis 21:1-8, Isaac was finally born.

Later in this same chapter, Isaac was given the birth right as the covenant son of Abraham and Ishmael was given the great blessings he was promised.  We understand that the birthright was given to Isaac because he was the first son of the first wife (i.e. he was born under the covenant of marriage between Abraham and Sarah), even though Ishmael was about fourteen years older than Isaac.  The Lord made it clear that in accordance with the original promise Abraham’s son by Sarah would bear the covenant responsibility.


We now jump over to Genesis chapter 22.  The big guns.
Basically, as we all know, Abraham was commanded by the Lord to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
(Genesis 22:1-2)

(I can't seem to find the institute video to post here ... but it is well worth your viewing time.  In the meantime, knock yourself out with this fun one. Talk about time travel.)
UPDATE:  I found it!!  This video is definately worth your viewing time.

What a severe test for Abraham.  Especially when you remember that Abraham himself was saved from a similar fate when he was very young, all instigated in wickedness by his own father.  After such an experience, you can imagine that Abraham must have abhorred the practice of human sacrifice.
So why on earth with the Lord require such a trial of Abraham's faith?

Let us look to the law of sacrifice.
What is the law of sacrifice?

“The law of sacrifice is that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for the truth’s sake – our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our house, lands, and families: all things, even our very lives if need be.” [1]

It is a celestial law (just like the law of consecration); “a prerequisite to a godly life”. [2]

The prophet Joseph Smith said:  “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation.” [3]
He also said:  “It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those … who have offered their all in sacrifice … unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice.” [4]

I love that.  And the law of sacrifice applies to gospel living today.
Have a good look at the following scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 88:22:

For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.

“We are not always called upon to live the whole law of consecration and give all of our time, talents, and means to the building up of the Lord’s earthy kingdom.  Few of us are called upon to sacrifice much of what we possess, and at the moment there is only an occasional martyr in the case of revealed religion.  But what the scriptural account means is that to gain celestial salvation we must be able to live these laws to the full if we are called upon to do so.  How, for instance, can we establish our ability to live the full law of consecration if we do not in fact pay an honest tithing?  Or who can we prove our willingness to sacrifice all things, if need be, if we do not make the small sacrifices of time and toil, or of money and means, that we are now asked to make?” [5]

So what are some of the ways that we can live the law of sacrifice?

President Ezra Taft Benson actually listed four ways the principle of sacrifice may be practiced today.  Handy.


1. To sacrifice, deny yourself all ungodliness.

“To deny oneself of all ungodliness is to come to Christ by ordinances and covenants to repent of any sins which prevent the Spirit of the Lord from taking precedence in our lives.  To deny oneself of all ungodliness is to “offer sacrifice unto the Lord they God…, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (D&C 59:8)”. [6]

Moroni described the way: read Moroni 10:32.

Q: How is this applicable to you?  How can you deny yourself all ungodliness?
Perhaps it means “to forgo personal bad habits … habits which cause us, the children of God, to be less than our destiny.”


2. To sacrifice, be willing to serve a mission.

Not just a 2 year mission…

President Kimball said: “How selfish and thoughtless would it be for a young man to grow to maturity, spend his time preparing for his life’s work and his occupation and be unwilling to serve his Creator in this, the most important service in the world.” [7]

“While you reap the benefits of prosperity unprecedented in the history of mankind, do you ever think that one of the reasons the Lord sent you to earth under such favourable circumstances is that you could use your talents, education, and money to bless others with the gospel?” [8]

This kind of sacrifice is an investment.


3. To sacrifice, solemnise your marriage in the house of the Lord.

“No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To most of us, a temple is easily accessible, perhaps so conveniently that the blessing is taken too casually.” [9]

Q: So what can you do?

“Don’t trifle away your happiness by an involvement with someone who cannot take you worthily to the temple.  Make a decision now that this is the place where you will marry.  To leave that decision until a romantic involvement develops is to take a risk, the importance of which you can’t calculate now.  I would urge you further to pray about this matter.” [10]

And this may be a sacrifice for some … remember “by this act of faith, we show our love to God and our regard for a posterity yet unborn.”


4. To sacrifice, serve with all your time and means to build the kingdom of God on earth.

In Matthew it says:

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.(Matthew 16:24-25)

“If you would find yourself, learn to deny yourself for the blessing of others.  Forget yourself and find someone who needs your service, and you will discover the secret to the happy, fulfilled life.” [11]

President Harold B. Lee said: “I [am] persuaded of one great truth: Whenever the Lord has a great blessing for one of his children, he puts that son or daughter in the way to make a great sacrifice”. [12]

The overriding principle = sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!

President Harold B. Lee said: “I bear witness that not until a person has been willing to sacrifice all he possessed in the world, not even withholding his own life if it were necessary for the upbuilding of the kingdom, can he claim kinship to Him who gave his life that men might be.” [13]


So, the question is ... what are some of the specific sacrifices we are asked to make today?

I testify that sacrifice is a prerequisite to faith.


[1] Bruce R. McConkie “Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1975
[2] Ezra Taft Benson, “This Is a Day of Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1979
[3] Joseph Smith, Lectures of Faith, 6:7
[4] Joseph Smith, Lectures of Faith, 6:8, italics added
[5] Bruce R. McConkie “Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1975
[6] Benson, This Is a Day of Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1979
[7] Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 30 Sept. 1977, as cited by Benson, “This Is a Day of Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1979
[8] Benson, This Is a Day of Sacrifice”, Ensign, May 1979
[9] Benson, ibid
[10] Benson, ibid
[11] Benson, ibid
[12] In Conference Report, Apr. 1947, p.50, as cited by Benson, ibid
[13] “A Sure Trumpet Sound: Quotations from President Lee”, Ensign, Feb. 1974, p.79

Remember Lot's Wife.

A little while ago, I blogged about Abraham.  Did you use it for scripture study?

We looked at the beginnings of his life, his character, and what was promised to him.  He really was a good guy.  He was blessed to be the Father of Many Nations (what a great title).  He was also given a few other titles in the scriptures, and these titles indicate what kind of guy Abraham really was. 

They also indicate what is required of us to receive the blessings of Abraham.

"Friend of God"  -  Look at James 2:23.  What is required of us to become friends of God?

"Father of the faithful"  -  Look at Galatians 3:8-9.  How is faithfulness to God and to our covenants related to the Lord's promises to us?

One of the "jewels" of God  -  Look at Doctrine & Covenants 101:3-4.  What must someone demonstrate to God to become one of his 'jewels'?

Something to think about.


So what's next?  Well, in Genesis 18:20 to 19:38 we read of Sodom and Gomorrah.
I'm fairly certain we speak of two places as a phrase these days, without understanding the events behind the names.

Sodom and Gomorrah were just two of a few places about to be destroyed by the Lord for severe wickedness.  There was a whole section of country so terribly wicked, that they were practically past saving.  That's saying something.

Faithful Abraham, knowing what would happen, besought the Lord to refrain from destroying Sodom.  He really really tried.  He practically begged:

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.
And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. 
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
(Genesis 18:20-33)

Look specifically at verse 24. 

“Abraham knew that the cities of the plains – Sodom and Gomorrah and other places – were wicked cities, housing wicked, godless people … He was aware that destruction of those cities was imminent; but in his compassion for his fellowman, he begged and pleased with the Lord, “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city”, will you spare the others of the city?” [1]

Now look at verses 24-32. 

“That pleading being granted, came Abraham again and prayed that the cities would be saved if 45 were found, or 40 or 30 or 20 or down to ten, but apparently there could not be found even ten, in those vicious cities, who were righteous.  The evil continued.  The sin was too well entrenched.  They had laughed and joked about a destruction.  The transgressions for which Sodom had apparently been renowned continued on.  In fact, the people wanted to take advantage of the pure angel men they had seen come into the city.  The vicious men pressed and would have broken down the doors to get to them.  Everything was done that could be done by Abraham to save the city, but it had become so depraved and wanton that to save it was impossible.” [2]

And so the cities were destroyed, and it was done through the power of the priesthood.

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
(Genesis 19:24-25)

Okay, so we've read about the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other wicked cities in that area.  But what was their crime?  What was such a big deal that they had to be destroyed with fire and brimstone?
What was the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Genesis is pretty clear that the people of these two cities had become extremely immoral, engaging in homosexuality and other abuses.
But the prophet Ezekiel offers us greater insight:
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me:  therefore I took them away as I saw good.
(Ezekiel 16:49–50)

Pure religion.  Heard about it?
James said that pure religion was to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep [oneself] unspotted from the world”. (James 1:27)

This is what I didn't fully understand.  The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had not only partaken of the filthiness of sexual immorality, but they had rejected their fellow men in need. [3]

Alrighty then .. what does that convey to us today?  What do you get out of this?


This is what I got out of it:

Do you remember how in the New Testament, it records that time the Saviour cautioned His disciples of the coming destruction of Jerusalem?  He warned them to flee the city without delay, to not bother about going home and getting any possessions.  He then said, almost out of the blue,  "Remember Lot's wife."  (Luke 17:32)
Then the Saviour continued speaking to His disciples, admonishing them that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life will find it.

Interesting ...  because we all know what happened to Lot's salty wife.

Bruce R. McConkie paraphrased the Saviour's New Testament scripture like this:
“Look not back to Sodom and the wealth and luxury you are leaving.  Stay not in the burning house, in the hope of salvaging your treasures, lest the flame destroy you; but flee, flee to the mountains. Seek temporal things and lose eternal life; sacrifice the things of this life and gain eternal life.” [4]

McConkie makes the implication that Lot’s wife, all the way back in Genesis, started back to save some of her possessions, and was caught in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

But we must look deeper.  There is sooo much more to it than that ...

(turns out there are pillars of salt in Sodom)

We read of this in Genesis 19. 

The Lord, “having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed.  “Escape for thy life,” the Lord said, “look not behind thee…; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed” (Genesis 19:17).  With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately did leave town but just in the nick of time.  At daybreak the morning following their escape it says, “The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities” (Genesis 19:24-25).
“Surely with the Lord’s counsel “look not behind thee” ringing clearly in her ears, Lot’s wife, the record says, “looked back,” and she was turned to a pillar of salt.”

“Apparently what was wrong with Lot’s wife is that she wasn’t just looking back, but that in her heart she wanted to go back.  It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her.  As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon.” [6]

Looking back wasn't the problem - not the main problem at least.  Both Laman and Lemuel did just that when their prophet-father Lehi obeyed the Lord when they were commanded to leave Jerusalem.  All these parties were guilty of looking back with resentment toward what God had asked them to give up or leave behind.
The problem was that Lot's wife looked back longingly.  "In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future.” [7]

"To yearn to go back to a world that cannot be lived in now; to be perennially dissatisfied with present circumstances and have only dismal views of the future; to miss the here-and-now-and tomorrow because we are so trapped in the here-and-then-and-yesterday – these are some of the sins” of Lot’s wife. [8]

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian people, and in it he summarised his highly privileged life before he joined the church.  He had a birthright, a well-to-do education, he had standing in the Jewish community.  Then, in his letter, Paul said that all that was nothing - it was dung - when compared to his conversation to Christianity.  Yup, dung.  Poop.
Paul was really saying 'I've stopped reminiscing about the good old days.  I'm looking forward, "that I may apprehend that for which Christ apprehended me."

“There is something in us, at least in too many of us, that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life – either mistakes we ourselves have made or the mistakes of others.  That is not good.  It is not Christian.  It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ.  To be tied to earlier mistakes – our own or other people’s – is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cases and desist.” [9]

Then note this in Philippians 3:13-14 : “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”


[1] Spencer W. Kimball, “Why Do We Continue to Tolerate Sin?”, Ensign, May 1975
[2] ibid
[3] Old Testament Student Manual, 6-7 
[4] Old Testament Student Manual, 6-8
[5] - [9] Jeffrey R. Holland, Remember Lot’s Wife, BYU Devotional, January 13, 2009  (underline added)   BRILLIANT TALK!

Who was Melchizedek?

Do you know who ordained Abraham to the priesthood?

For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. 
And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro;
And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;
And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;
And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;
And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;
And Gad under the hand of Esaias;
And Esaias received it under the hand of God.
Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him—
Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah;
(Doctrine & Covenants 84:6-14)

Firstly,  I like this scripture because it's like reading a family pedigree chart.  Or a line of authority card, which shows you that the line of priesthood power is unbroken.

Secondly, we learn that the prophet Abraham was ordained to the priesthood by the great High Priest Melchizedek, whom he served under.


This may be slightly off topic, but .. meh.  It's in the book of Genesis.
And it's been on my mind lately ..

This scripture also confirms something .. and this is key.  The priesthood - God's power - is ETERNAL.  By that I mean, it has no beginning or end.  It is everlasting.  And it is powerful!


When Adam was lovingly kicked out of the Garden of Eden, God didn't abandon him.  On the contrary.  Our loving Heavenly Father taught his son Adam the principles of the gospel, including the plan of salvation.  And the priesthood was conferred on him.
In fact, "he holds the keys of all the dispensations, which appointment he received under Jesus Christ".

“Adam received the holy priesthood and was commanded by the Lord to teach his children the principles of the gospel.  Moreover, Adam was baptised for the remission of his sins, for the same principles by which men are saved now were the principles by which men were saved in the beginning.”

“As time went on men departed from the truth, and the priesthood was withdrawn.  All flesh became corrupt, and the Lord said: “The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence” (see Moses 8:13-30).   So the flood was sent and the earth was cleansed from its wickedness.  The Lord then appointed Noah and his sons to stand at the head of the human family.  Noah, too, received the holy priesthood and taught his children the gospel.”

“However, after a few hundred years had passed men became corrupt and refused to follow the teachings of their fathers.   Again there was an apostasy.  During this time there was on man in the city of Ur, among the few that remained faithful to the lord, who sought after righteousness.  ..The Lord answered Abraham’s prayer, and he received the priesthood …”  [1]

How about this one:
Do you know why we now call this priesthood after Melchizedek?

Look to Doctrine & Covenants 107:1-4 to find out:

There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.


The prophet Joseph Smith taught:
“Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the grand council of heaven before this world was."

Abraham was present in this council, and was privileged to see the hosts of pre-existent spirits in a vision here.

So were you.  Many noble and great ones.  (read that in Abraham 3:22-23)
Just like Abraham, "thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born."


Hold that thought for a moment, and look to Alma 13:3.

“All those who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood in this life were, as Alma teaches, “called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God”, because they were among the noble and great in that premortal sphere.”  [2]



Are you aware of the blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood?  But are you really?

“There are no blessings reserved for apostles that are not freely available to all the elders of the kingdom; blessings come because of obedience and personal righteousness, not because of administrative positions.”  [3]

Here is a mighty table of the ten big potential blessings:
This is completely the work of Bruce R. McConkie [3].  I just summarised it and table-ised it.

Go ahead and study this up.  I don't blog that often, so you've got time.
And always consider:  how did Abraham and Melchizedek act to obtain the priesthood AND these blessings?
How then must I act?



[1] Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, p.327-28
[2] Bruce R. McConkie, “God Foreordains His Prophets and His People”, Ensign, May 1974
[3] Bruce R. McConkie, “The Ten Blessings of the Priesthood”, Ensign, Nov.1977