Mormon Life - Courage tag

Young Women Lesson 43: Associations with Others

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Discussion Questions
• Think of a person you consider to be charitable and who has good social skills. What is this person like? What does he or she do to understand, help, and interact with others?
• How can texting and other social networking activities interfere or help with developing wholesome relationships with others?

Excerpt from "May You Have Courage" by President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference April 2009:

My dear young sisters, what a glorious sight you are. I realize that beyond this magnificent Conference Center many thousands are assembled in chapels and in other settings throughout much of the world. I pray for heavenly help as I respond to the opportunity to address you.

We have heard timely, inspiring messages from your general Young Women leaders. These are choice women, called and set apart to guide and teach you. They love you, as do I.

You have come to this earth at a glorious time. The opportunities before you are nearly limitless. Almost all of you live in comfortable homes, with loving families, adequate food, and sufficient clothing. In addition, most of you have access to amazing technological advances. You communicate through cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, e-mailing, blogging, Facebook, and other such means. You listen to music on your iPods and MP3 players. This list, of course, represents but a few of the technologies which are available to you.

All of this is a little daunting to someone such as I, who grew up when radios were generally large floor models and when there were no televisions to speak of, let alone computers or cell phones. In fact, when I was your age, telephone lines were mostly shared. In our family, if we wanted to make a telephone call, we would have to pick up the phone and listen first to make certain no other family was using the line, for several families shared one line.

I could go on all night talking about the differences between my generation and yours. Suffice it to say that much has changed between the time I was your age and the present.

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 39: Moral Courage

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:02:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Some time ago I had a delightful conversation with an impressive 16-year-old young woman. I discovered she was the only member of the Church in her high school. I asked her, “What is the most difficult challenge you face being the only member?”

She was thoughtful and gave a very astute answer: “It is believing something is true when everyone else believes it is false, and believing something is wrong when everyone else believes it’s all right.”

I asked her a second question: “Do you know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God?” Her response was, “I think so, but I’m not sure.”

This morning I would like to ask the youth throughout the Church, “Do you know?”

The first time I knew I had a testimony of Joseph Smith was when I was just 11 years old and my parents took me to Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

My favorite activity was to collect all the free stuff. I became very adept at working the system. I would ask, “Is this free?” After a positive response I would reach out my 11-year-old hand and say, “Thank you. Is that free too? Thank you!” On occasion someone might say, “No, I’m sorry; those cost five cents.” Undeterred, I would lower my head and, showing much disappointment, say, “Oh, I always wanted to read that pamphlet, but I don’t have any money. Thank you!” It worked every time. The truth is, I never read it. I just collected it.

However, on this particular trip, I was alone in our 1948 Chevrolet, waiting for my parents, when I became inescapably bored. In desperation I looked down at the seat and spotted my stack of free stuff. I picked up a pamphlet entitled Joseph Smith Tells His Own Story and began to read it.

I was riveted, and my heart was filled with joy. After completing it, I caught my reflection in the rearview mirror, and much to my surprise, I was crying. I didn’t understand then, but I understand now. I had felt a witness of the Spirit. My parents weren’t there. My sister wasn’t there. My Primary teacher wasn’t there. It was just me and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Now, this can happen to you, and something similar probably already has.

When seeking a testimony, those of you born into the Church may be looking for some spectacular spiritual feeling different than anything you have ever felt before. You may have heard converts testify of their conversion and wonder if you’re missing something. One reason it seems so spectacular to them is that it is new.

You have had the same feelings your whole life during family home evenings, youth testimony meetings, seminary classes, scripture reading, and on many other occasions.

Our missionaries are trained to help investigators recognize when they are feeling the Spirit. I remember on numerous occasions stopping in the middle of an intense, spiritual discussion and saying, “Let’s pause for a moment and talk about what you are feeling right now. You’re feeling like we’ve reminded you of things you had forgotten. You’re feeling that we are telling you the truth. You’re feeling peace. You’re feeling the Holy Ghost.”

I remember teaching an extremely intelligent woman who had a hard time accepting anything until she had nailed down every intellectual loose end. However, at long last we heard her say, “I cannot deny this feeling any longer.”

She joined the Church and was very happy for the next few years, but she gradually let her intellectual doubts creep back in and ultimately left the Church.

Fifteen years went by, and she came to visit our family. We took her to Temple Square. As we started up the circular ramp leading to the statue of the Savior, she paused and tearfully said, “Here comes that feeling again. My heart still yearns for what my mind won’t accept!” Once you have felt it, you can never forget it.

Spiritual witnesses come at a young age to those who are exposed to spiritual experiences. As parents, teachers, and leaders, we are good at making certain you understand the rules and commandments. We could improve on helping you gain a testimony of the principles and doctrine. Perhaps we could pause more often and help you learn to recognize the Spirit.

Once you recognize those feelings for what they are, your faith in them will increase. Soon you will find that you have developed a spiritual sixth sense which cannot be misled.

At 11 years of age, I knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I didn’t hear voices, see angels, or anything like that. What I felt was much more certain. My spiritual sense had been touched. I felt elation springing forth from the innermost part of my being, which is protected from all deceit. This spiritual sense vibrates only when activated by the Holy Ghost. How does this spiritual witness feel? It is as difficult to describe as the scent of a rose or the song of a bird or the beauty of a landscape. Nevertheless, you know it when you feel it. The scriptures give us some insights into these feelings:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; and then shall ye know” (D&C 11:13–14).

Sometimes the feeling is like a memory. We first learned the gospel in our heavenly home. We have come to this earth with a veil of forgetfulness. And yet lingering in each of our spirits are those dormant memories. The Holy Ghost can part the veil and bring those things out of their dormancy. Often my reaction to a supposedly newfound truth is, “Oh, I remember that!” “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost … [will] bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).

My young brothers and sisters, I invite you to “experiment upon my words” (Alma 32:27). Will you read and pray about the Joseph Smith story?

The wonderful thing about knowing it is true is that you know simultaneously that God the Father and Jesus Christ live and stand at the head of this Church today. I gained that knowledge when I was 11, and now I stand before you as an ordained especial witness of Jesus Christ and testify it is true. I also testify that the Lord wants you to know it is true, and He “will [reveal] the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

FHE: Courage

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "We are faced every day with situations that require courage and strength. If you turn to [Heavenly Father], He will not fail you! He will bless you with the strength and the courage you will need to complete your journey back to Him." Ann M. Dibb Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read "Be of a Good Courage," by Ann M. Dibb, Ensign, May 2010, 114-16.

Thought: We are faced every day with situations that require courage and strength. If you turn to [Heavenly Father], He will not fail you! He will bless you with the strength and the courage you will need to complete your journey back to Him.

(Ann M. Dibb, "Be of a Good Courage," Ensign, May 2010, 114-16.)

Song: "Nephi's Courage," Children's Songbook, p. 120

Scripture: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:19)

Lesson: Have a family member read D&C 121:4. Tell your family that the Prophet Joseph knew this promise of the Lord was true because he had experienced it several months earlier, while a prisoner in a jail in Richmond, Missouri. Read the story below to your family, told by Parley P. Pratt, that illustrates the power the Lord had given Joseph.

Invite your family to reread D&C 122:4 and find a phrase that best matches this experience. Ask your family if they had been in the room that night, what they might have thought or felt.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 271.)

Story: Parley P. Pratt

In one of those tedious nights [Winter, 1838-39, Richmond, Missouri, jail] we had lain as if in sleep, till the hour of midnight had passed, and our ears and hearts had been pained, while we had listened for hours to the obscene jests, the horrid oaths, the dreadful blasphemies and filthy language of our guards, Colonel Price at their head, as they recounted to each other their deeds of rapine, murder, robbery, etc., which they had committed among the "Mormons" while at Far West and vicinity. They even boasted of defiling by force wives, daughters, and virgins, and of shooting or dashing out the brains of men, women and children.

I had listened till I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified, and so filled with the Spirit of indignant justice, that I could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards, but I had said nothing to Joseph or anyone else, although I lay next to him, and knew he was awake. On a sudden he arose to his feet and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering, as near as I can recollect, the following words: "Silence! Ye fiends of the infernal pit! In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die this instant!"

He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained, and without a weapon, calm, unruffled, and dignified as an angel, he looked down upon his quailing guards, whose knees smote together, and who, shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet, begged his pardon, and remained quiet until an exchange of guards.

I have seen ministers of justice, clothed in ministerial robes, and criminals arraigned before them, while life was suspended upon a breath in the courts of England; I have witnessed a congress in solemn session to give laws to nations; I have tried to conceive of kings, of royal courts, of thrones and crowns; and of emperors assembled to decide the fate of kingdoms; but dignity and majesty have I seen but once, as it stood in chains, at midnight, in a dungeon in an obscure village of Missouri.

(edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr., Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1998].)

Activity: Pass out paper and pencil to each person (or have family members work in pairs). Read the following words and have each person write them on his paper: inside, stand, friends, good, right, courage, wrong, help.

Have each person or group write a brief statement that includes the eight chosen words and describes or defines moral courage. Here is an example: "When friends want us to do something wrong and we have the courage to stand up for the right, we feel good inside and it helps our friends also."

Have each person share what they have written.

(Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun For Family Night: Book Three, New Testament Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1995], p. 183.)

Refreshment Raspberry-Pineapple Sherbet

1/2 gallon pineapple sherbet
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen raspberries, undrained
4 bananas, sliced
Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda (optional)

Let sherbet and raspberries soften slightly. Place sherbet in a plastic container and stir well. Stir in bananas. Gently add raspberries. Cover and freeze. Serve as a sherbet or as a slush by adding ginger ale or soda to desired consistency. Makes about 12 servings.

(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Celebrations, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005], p. 47.)

Click here to download the PDF version of this lesson.

Old Testament Lesson 18: ''Be Strong and of a Good Courage''

Tue, 04 May 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I have always been intrigued by the things which are included in the scriptural history. I believe the book of Joshua gives us a wonderful patter for the kinds of things we ought to record. AUTHOR'S NOTE: This lesson will not follow the outline suggested in the Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Manual. However, the points covered in that lesson will be mentioned here. Please remember that your first line of preparation must be the scriptures, then the lesson manual prepared by the Church. This lesson is only provided to be a resource for your study and preparation.

Introduction When the Lord announced that Israel would cross the Jordan as they had crossed the Red Sea 40 years earlier, he gave special instructions about what was to happen during the crossing:

"Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night" (Josh. 4:2,3).

That lodging place was Gilgal (4:20). What was the purpose of making a heap of 12 stones from the midst of Jordan?

"That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever" (Josh. 4:6,7).

The stones were to be a monument and a memorial, providing an opportunity for Israelites to teach their children what great things God had done for them at the Red Sea and at Jordan (4:7,23).

We all ought to leave such a memorial - a record of some kind that will encourage our children to ask us about the great things the Lord has done for us in our lives. Sometimes those memorials might be something like the pile of stones. But the clearest way to leave such encouragement is to leave a record. We ought to have a history in our journals of what God has done for us, one that our children can review and cherish, one that will bring them to us in their longing to hear the stories and feel the power of our testimonies.

Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 19821, p. 349).

Oliver B. Huntington wrote:

Many times have I wished that my father had kept an account of his life, that I might look over it, and see his by-gone days, deed and fortune; and never did he make the scratch of a pen towards it, until he had seen sixty cold winters; and as yet I know but very little of his life, not enough to make any record of, although I have a very short account written, but which is beyond my reach at present, if not forever. Like men in general I presume to suppose, that I shall have a posterity; and that may; like me; wish to know of their father's life, that they might view it, and perhaps profit thereby, or at least, have the satisfaction of knowing it. This is one object that induces me to write; that my nearest kindred, might know of their kinsman. I write also for a satisfaction to myself, to look over my past life, dates and events, and to comply with a requirement, oft repeated by the prophet Joseph Smith, "That every man should keep a daily journal." (Oliver Huntington Autobiography, BYU-S, p.26)

As we review the stories of Joshua, I will suggest 12 things (one for each stone) that might be worthy of an entry in the inventory of blessings that we ought to leave for our posterity.

ROCK #1: Be strong and courageous. Read Deuteronomy 30:6,7,23. What did the Lord command Joshua to do? Now turn to Joshua 1:6,7,18. Then look at Joshua 10:25. The same instruction is given here. What need have we of courage and strength as we confront the challenges of life? Joshua had nearly impossible things to do. God advised him:

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9).

What a blessing you will be to your children as you tell them of the times when you went forward with nothing but your faith in God to sustain you.

ROCK #2: God will qualify you: How many prophets had the Israelites known personally before Joshua? For 40 years they had followed Moses and marveled at his power. Now he was going and Joshua was to take his place. How would the people respond? Would they follow him? Brigham Young might have had such concerns. You will remember that he was transfigured before the saints, and appeared to them and spoke to them as though he were the prophet Joseph Smith.

A similar thing happened with President Kimball:

The story really begins on the 26th of December, 1973. President Harold B. Lee passed away suddenly on that day. His death was completely unexpected. It is necessary to remember that over a period of twenty-five years, members of the Church had awaited the time when Harold B. Lee would become the president. There had been every reason to think that this would eventually happen, due to his relative youthfulness and because he occupied a position in seniority following Joseph Fielding Smith and David O. McKay, both of whom were of advanced age. In addition, Harold B. Lee had gained more than average prominence. . . . It was expected that when he became president he would preside for twenty years or more.
Suddenly he was gone!—called elsewhere after only one-and-a-half years. It was the first time since the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith when the president had died before it was time for him to die. In deep sorrow and concern the surging questions arose in the minds of the people, much as they did at the time when Joseph Smith was killed in Carthage, Illinois. "What will we do now? How can we carry on without the prophet? Our great leader has gone. Can the Church survive this emergency?" . . . .
We return to the 4th of April, 1974. There were gathered that morning in the Church Office Building, all of the General Authorities as well as the Regional Representatives and other leaders from around the world. We were to be instructed once again, as we had been periodically during the past seven years. On each preceding occasion Harold B. Lee had given us our direction and sounded the trump of leadership. Now he was no longer there, and we all felt his absence deeply. Again came the questions: "How can we proceed without our great leader?" "How can President Kimball fill the empty space?" And again the prayers went forth: "Please bless President Kimball."
The moment came when President Kimball arose to address the assembled leadership. He noted that he also had never expected to occupy this position and that he missed President Lee equally with the rest of us. Then he reviewed much of the instruction which President Lee had given over the past years, and our prayers in behalf of President Kimball continued.
As he proceeded with his address, however, he had not spoken very long when a new awareness seemed suddenly to fall on the congregation. We became alert to an astonishing spiritual presence, and we realized that we were listening to something unusual, powerful, different from any of our previous meetings. It was as if, spiritually speaking, our hair began to stand on end. Our minds were suddenly vibrant and marveling at the transcendent message that was coming to our ears. With a new perceptiveness we realized that President Kimball was opening spiritual windows and beckoning to us to come and gaze with him on the plans of eternity. It was as if he were drawing back the curtains which covered the purpose of the Almighty and inviting us to view with him the destiny of the gospel and the vision of its ministry. . . .
The Spirit of the Lord was upon President Kimball and it proceeded from him to us as a tangible presence, which was at once both moving and shocking. He unrolled to our view a glorious vision (W. Grant Bangerter, "Special Moment in Church History," Ensign, Nov. 1977, pp. 26,27).

What promise did the Lord make to Joshua? (Joshua 3:7)

How did he keep that promise? (Joshua 3:15-16)

How did Israel respond? "On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life" (Josh. 4:14).

When Joshua led the Israelites against Jericho, God once again showed his support for his prophet and his people. Joshua's battle plan was bizarre. But in those seven days of marching around the city, the people had ample time to reflect on just how they felt about this new leader. And when the trumpets sounded and the people shouted and the walls fell down flat, their testimonies of divine leadership must have multiplied a hundred fold.

ROCK #3: Walk to the edge of the light: God had promised to divide the Jordan, but when did he do it? (Read Joshua 3:13, 15-17, when Jordan is divided as the priests barely set foot in it.)

I wonder if there were any who stood beside the river thinking, "I'm not moving till I see the dry land where now I am seeing a river at flood stage." Sometimes we must move forward when the end is invisible and all that we can see is the next step.

Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

"I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you'" ("The Edge of the Light," BYU Today, March 1991, pp. 22,23).

Your journal should contain stories of the times you moved forward in faith, waiting for the waters to part before you.

ROCK #4: Blessings come as needed: What happened after Israel crossed the Jordan and ate the food of the Promised Land? (Joshua 5:12: Manna ceased once they had fruit of the land.)

Take a quick look at Deut 8:4. What other miraculous things did the Lord do for Israel In the wilderness? Can you imagine wearing the same clothing for 40 years? But once other options were available, those miracles ceased. Hyrum M. Smith told a wonderful story from the life of Gerald Quinn about this principle (first paragraph told by Gerald Quinn; the rest told by Hyrum M. Smith):

I was raised in San Bernardino . . . during the depression. I was taught a marvelous lesson in faith when I was about nine years old. We were living in what could best be described as a converted chicken coop. We owned a piece of ground that bordered a very busy highway. On one occasion our father called us together and said, "I have been impressed that we should spend a day fasting and praying to see if the Lord can't direct us in a path that will help us have enough money to build a home."
His father had a job and all that job paid during the depression was enough for food and clothing for the family and that was all. At the end of this day of fasting, Bro. Quinn approached his children again. Remember Gerald Quinn at this point was about nine. And he said, "I have been impressed that if we will go out in front of our house on this busy street, that we'll be able to find enough change dropped from passing motorists to feed our family." And he said, "then I can take the money I get at work, buy the materials for the house and we can build the house ourselves." Sister Quinn was very supportive and she said, "if that's what you think is right, we'll do it."
Gerald and his young sister were assigned the task of going out and searching the highway. The next morning they went out and spent about 45 minutes walking up and down this highway about 600 yards on either side of the house. They came back with $.75 that they had found. . . . It bought food for the day. The next day they went out and did the same thing and brought back about $1.23. This was in nickels, dimes and pennies. Brothers and sisters, this went on for four years. Every day they would come back with anywhere from $.25 to $1.50 in change.
Bro. Quinn did exactly what he committed to the Lord he would do; took his money from work, bought the materials and they built a home. It was not a palatial place, but it was home. Bro. Quinn said, "I'll never forget the day we finished the home. We had a ceremonial burning of the chicken coop out back. Mom fixed a really neat meal and we all had just kind of a special day."
He said, "the next day, because it had become our habit, my sister and I went out to the street to collect our "daily manna". We spent an hour and didn't find one penny. We came back to the house frantic, approached our mother and said, "Mother, there is no money out there today.""
Mom sat them down and taught them a powerful lesson and said, "You didn't expect there to be any money today, did you?" And Jerry, not really understanding this whole process, said, "well, it's been there for four years, why not today?" And then his gracious mother said, "Because we don't need it anymore. And there won't be any money anymore. The Lord provided that while we were building our home. Our home is completed. There won't be any money anymore."
Jerry Quinn had to prove that. For the next three weeks he went out every day and never found another dime.
[From an audio recording by Hyrum M. Smith, "A Testimony of the Principles of Faith"]

ROCK #5: One man matters: What did Achan do that caused such difficulty for Israel?

BUT the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel (Josh. 7:1).

Notice the language of this verse and verse 11. "Israel committed a trespass . . . the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel." Even though Achan was the only one who sinned, the judgements fell on his family and his fellow-Israelites. They were defeated at the city of Ai (7:2-5), and "the hearts of the people melted, and became as water" (7:5).

This matter came up again later, in Josh 22:18,20.

Can you think of modern illustrations of this principle. Why couldn't a transgressor say "I'm only hurting myself"? Even if there are no literal consequences, what kind of pain do you feel when someone you know and love commits sin? How much difference did it make to the Nephites when Amalickiah rebelled and joined the Nephites? (see Alma 46-52)

And this principle works with the principles of righteousness as well. Just how much difference can one man make when that one man is a Moses or a Jeremiah or a Nephi or a Thomas S. Monson?

ROCK #6: We can learn lessons from our enemies: Israel was unstoppable. Cities and kings fell before them like grain before the reaper. The people of Gibeon were terrified. They took old sacks and old clothes and old food and made the short journey to Gilgal. What did they say to Joshua? (9:6-13).

The Lord had commanded Israel, "And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land." What mistake did Joshua and his leaders make?

And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them (Josh. 9:14,15).

This is the first lesson. It is the lesson of Alma: "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good . . ." (Alma 37:37). But there is a second lesson. What did the Israelites do when they learned that they had been induced to make an agreement under false pretenses?

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them (Josh. 9:19,20).

This second lesson - keep your word - is one that must be highlighted by the first one. Seek the counsel of the Lord before you make important promises. But when you make them, keep them!

ROCK #7: I will fight your battles:

I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfill--I will fight your battles (D&C 105:14).

A confederation of five kings undertook to destroy Gibeon because the city had made peace with Israel (see Josh. 10:2-5). The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua for help and he came, leading his army in forced march that lasted all night (10:9). What happened as these armies and their kings fled from the army of Israel?

"And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword" (Josh. 10:11).

These great hailstones make me think of a prophecy in Revelation 16:21: "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent . . ." A talent is probably about 75 pounds according to the Bible Dictionary. We do not know how large the stones were in Joshua ten, but if they were at all like the ones mentioned in Revelation, they were great stones indeed!

And the story reminds me of this promise:

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17).

Have you made a record of those times in your life when, after you have done all that you could do, God has stepped in and made up the difference?

ROCK #8: Nothing is too hard for the Lord:

There is a miracle recorded in Joshua 10 that in scope and implication eclipses nearly every other miracle in the scriptures.

"Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies . . . So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel" (Josh, 10:12-14).

The messenger of Isaac's birth said, when Sarah laughed, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen. 18:13, JST). To Mary, Gabriel said, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:27). We need to have greater faith in this reality.

ROCK #9: Characteristics of a faithful servant: When enough of the conquest of the Promised Land was completed, Joshua sent the tribes to their inheritances. But first he praised them for their faithfulness. Note the things he said they had done and should do:

(Josh 22:2) "Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you"
(22:3) "Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day"
(22:3) "[Ye] have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God."
(22:5) "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law"
(22:5) "love the LORD your God"
(22:5) "walk in all his ways"
(22:5) "keep his commandments"
(22:5) "cleave unto him"
(22:5) "serve him"

ROCK #10: When the three tribes who had received an inheritance on the other side of Jordan returned to their homes, they "built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to" (22:10). The other Israelites assumed that this altar was evidence of apostasy, "the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them" (22:12). The only authorized altar for priesthood service was at the tabernacle. But those who had build the altar explained that they had not built the altar in rebellion nor to offer burnt offerings thereon. Their purpose was to provide a reminder for their children and the children of the Israelites across the river, "But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD" (22:27) In fact, the altar was much like the pile of stones mentioned in Joshua 4.

Even the pattern was different from the temple altar. "Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made . . . it is a witness between us and you" (22:28). Notice what name they gave the altar in Joshua 22:34. The word in this context actually means witness. Are your home life and your work ethic and your interpersonal relationships witnesses of your love for the Lord?

ROCK #11: Remember: As Joshua dismisses Israel from the battlefields, he also charges them to remember how the Lord has blessed them:

(24:3) Remember what I did for Abraham
(24:5) Remember that I sent you Moses and Aaron
(24:5) Remember that I freed you from Egypt
(24:7) Remember that I save you and destroyed your enemies in the Red Sea
(24:8) I gave you victory over the Amorites
(24:11) Remember how you crossed Jordan
(24:11) Remember how I delivered the people of this land to your hand
(24:12) I sent the hornet before you (nature fought for you)
(24:13) I gave you a land and cities and crops for which you did not have to labor

Poor memories are a major problem in the standard works, where the word Remember appears 12,899 times! One of the blessings of a journal is that it helps us and our children to remember what the Lord has done for us.

ROCK #12: Choose you this day: Joshua invited Israel to "Incline [their] heart unto the Lord God of Israel" (24:23). It was time to make a choice.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods (Josh. 24:14-16)

Conclusion This matter of writing a journal (making a memorial) has received a great deal of emphasis. I have always been intrigued by the things which are included in the scriptural history. I believe the book of Joshua gives us a wonderful patter for the kinds of things we ought to record.

"We hope you will begin as of this date. If you have not already commenced this important duty in your lives, get a good notebook, a good book that will last through time and into eternity for the angels to look upon. Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. We hope you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives" (Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals," Ensign, Dec. 1980, 61)

FHE: Courage

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness." Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read "May You Have Courage," by Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2009, 123-27.

Thought: My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness.

(Thomas S. Monson, "May You Have Courage," Ensign, May 2009, 123-27)

Song: "Dare to Do Right," Children's Songbook, p. 158

Scripture: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Lesson: Play a quick game of "Who am I?" Give the following information and invite your family to guess who it is.

When I was hungry, Satan tempted me to turn a stone into bread.

Satan took me to a high pinnacle of the temple and tempted me to throw myself off and have the angels catch me.

Satan tempted me to worship him by offering me all the kingdoms and power of the world.

Who am I? (Jesus Christ.) Display a picture of Christ. Explain that Satan tried to tempt him many different ways, but Jesus always resisted his temptations, and did the right things. Bear your testimony of Christ's great power. Help your family understand that they also can have courage to do what is right.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992], p. 70.)

Story: by Nathan Eldon Tanner

Two years after this Church was organized, two missionaries of the Church were out in a rural area where there was a man by the name of John Tanner. That man heard that some missionaries from a new church were going to have a meeting in the schoolhouse. Though he was a cripple, and had been for months, and the doctors couldn't find a cure for his ailment - he was in a wheelchair - he insisted that his boys take him to hear those missionaries speak so that he could put them right - keep them in their place and see that no false doctrine was taught.

He sat right down in front of the speaker, and he heard the one missionary tell about the restoration of the gospel and the apostasy; and the other told about the Book of Mormon, that the priesthood was restored, and so on. John sat there and listened to them, and he never checked them on anything, he didn't heckle them, he didn't try to put them right.

When the meeting was over he said to his son, "I want to meet those missionaries." His son went up and got the missionaries and brought them down and introduced them to him. John said, "Would you men like to come and stay with me tonight in my home?" There he discussed the gospel with them for hours, on into the early hours of the morning. He finally said, "If I weren't a cripple, I think I would like to apply for baptism." See the change in that man that took place in less than twenty-four hours when the gospel was preached to him!

One of the missionaries said, "Do you think the Lord could heal you?"

He thought about it and said, "I think he could if he wanted to." Then they told him that the Lord has said, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him. . . ." (James 5:14.) They said, "We said, "We are elders and we hold the priesthood of God, which is the power of God delegated to man to act in his name. Would you like us to administer to you?"

He said, "Yes."

They administered to him, and that very day he left his wheel chair and got up and walked threequarters of a mile to be baptized, and never went back to his wheel chair. He had real courage, and I am so thrilled to think that that great-great-grandfather of mine had the courage to join the Church and to realize that the thing that meant most in his life was the gospel plan of life and salvation. Because he lived up to the teachings of the gospel, and his son, and his son, and his son (who was my father) did the same thing, I am here today. The most important thing in the lives of any one of those men was the gospel of Jesus Christ and living its teachings.

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 1, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1970].)

Activity:

Make three wordstrips: JESUS CHRIST, SATAN, YOU. Cut out nine rectangles of construction paper to represent bricks. Label each one with a temptation that members of your family may have to deal with.

Place the wordstrips on the wall with YOU in the center, and JESUS CHRIST, and SATAN on opposite sides (with space between).

Give the paper bricks to each member of the family and give them a couple of minutes to think of a way to role play the best way to resist those temptations.

After each person successfully shows how to resist their temptation take the paper brick and place it between the wordstrips YOU and SATAN. Continue to put bricks on the wall to fashion a wall. Explain that as they have the courage to resist temptation they become stronger and begin to build a wall between Satan and themselves. Contrast this by pointing out that if they follow Satan's temptations they become weaker, and Satan uses the bricks to build a wall between them and Jesus Christ.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992], p. 71.)

Refreshment Thumbprints

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
jam of your choice

Beat cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar in large mixing bowl at medium speed. Add flour and baking soda and mix well. Add chopped nuts and vanilla and chill for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Indent centers and fill each with 1 teaspoon of your favorite jam. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until edges begin to brown. cool on wire rack. Use a variety of jams - the cookies will look beautiful on a serving plate.

(Hollee Eckman and Heather Higgins, All That Jam, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2003] p. 73.)

Click here to download the PDF version of this lesson.

Young Women Lesson 42: Courage to Try

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Thomas S. Monson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. My dear young sisters, what a glorious sight you are. I realize that beyond this magnificent Conference Center many thousands are assembled in chapels and in other settings throughout much of the world. I pray for heavenly help as I respond to the opportunity to address you.

We have heard timely, inspiring messages from your general Young Women leaders. These are choice women, called and set apart to guide and teach you. They love you, as do I.

I could go on all night talking about the differences between my generation and yours. Suffice it to say that much has changed between the time I was your age and the present.

Although this is a remarkable period when opportunities abound, you also face challenges which are unique to this time. For instance, the very technological tools I have mentioned provide opportunities for the adversary to tempt you and to ensnare you in his web of deceit, thereby hoping to take possession of your destiny.

As I contemplate all that you face in the world today, one word comes to my mind. It describes an attribute needed by all of us but one which you - at this time of your life and in this world - will need particularly. That attribute is courage.

Tonight I'd like to talk with you about the courage you will need in three aspects of your lives:

First, the courage to refrain from judging others;
Second, the courage to be chaste and virtuous; and
Third, the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness.

May I speak first about the courage to refrain from judging others. Oh, you may ask, "Does this really take courage?" And I would reply that I believe there are many times when refraining from judgment - or gossip or criticism, which are certainly akin to judgment - takes an act of courage.

Unfortunately, there are those who feel it necessary to criticize and to belittle others. You have, no doubt, been with such people, as you will be in the future. My dear young friends, we are not left to wonder what our behavior should be in such situations. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior declared, "Judge not."1 At a later time He admonished, "Cease to find fault one with another."2 It will take real courage when you are surrounded by your peers and feeling the pressure to participate in such criticisms and judgments to refrain from joining in.

I would venture to say that there are young women around you who, because of your unkind comments and criticism, are often left out. It seems to be the pattern, particularly at this time in your lives, to avoid or to be unkind to those who might be judged different, those who don't fit the mold of what we or others think they should be.

The Savior said:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another. . . .

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."3

Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this truth: "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

A friend told me of an experience she had many years ago when she was a teenager. In her ward was a young woman named Sandra who had suffered an injury at birth, resulting in her being somewhat mentally handicapped. Sandra longed to be included with the other girls, but she looked handicapped. She acted handicapped. Her clothing was always ill fitting. She sometimes made inappropriate comments. Although Sandra attended their Mutual activities, it was always the responsibility of the teacher to keep her company and to try to make her feel welcome and valued, since the girls did not.

Then something happened: a new girl of the same age moved into the ward. Nancy was a cute, redheaded, self-confident, popular girl who fit in easily. All the girls wanted to be her friend, but Nancy didn't limit her friendships. In fact, she went out of her way to befriend Sandra and to make certain she always felt included in everything. Nancy seemed to genuinely like Sandra.

Of course the other girls took note and began wondering why they hadn't ever befriended Sandra. It now seemed not only acceptable but desirable. Eventually they began to realize what Nancy, by her example, was teaching them: that Sandra was a valuable daughter of our Heavenly Father, that she had a contribution to make, and that she deserved to be treated with love and kindness and positive attention.

By the time Nancy and her family moved from the neighborhood a year or so later, Sandra was a permanent part of the group of young women. My friend said that from then on she and the other girls made certain no one was ever left out, regardless of what might make her different. A valuable, eternal lesson had been learned.

True love can alter human lives and change human nature.

My precious young sisters, I plead with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certain everyone is included and feels loved and valued.

I turn next to the courage you will need to be chaste and virtuous. You live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround you. Many are the voices telling you that you are far too provincial or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior.

Isaiah declared, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness."4

Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times.

In the world's view today there is little thought that young men and young women will remain morally clean and pure before marriage. Does this make immoral behavior acceptable? Absolutely not!

The commandments of our Heavenly Father are not negotiable!

Powerful is this quote from news commentator Ted Koppel, host of ABC's Nightline program for many years. Said he:

"We have actually convinced ourselves that slogans will save us. 'Shoot up if you must; but use a clean needle.' 'Enjoy sex whenever with whomever you wish; but [protect yourself].'

"No. The answer is no. Not no because it isn't cool or smart or because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward - but no, because it's wrong. . . .

"What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, not were."5

My sweet young sisters, maintain an eternal perspective. Be alert to anything that would rob you of the blessings of eternity.

Help in maintaining the proper perspective in these permissive times can come to you from many sources. One valuable resource is your patriarchal blessing. Read it frequently. Study it carefully. Be guided by its cautions. Live to merit its promises. If you have not yet received your patriarchal blessing, plan for the time when you will receive it, and then cherish it.

If any has stumbled in her journey, there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift. The path may be difficult, but the promise is real: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."6 "And I will remember [them] no more."7

Some years ago another First Presidency made this statement, and your First Presidency today echoes the appeal. I quote: "To the youth . . . , we plead with you to live clean [lives], for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically, - and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness."8

May you have the courage to be chaste and virtuous.

My final plea tonight is that you have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your life. The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe.

Recall with me Lehi's vision of the tree of life. He saw that many who had held to the iron rod and had made their way through the mists of darkness, arriving at last at the tree of life and partaking of the fruit of the tree, did then "cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed."9 Lehi wondered as to the cause of their embarrassment. As he looked about, he "beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building. . . .

"And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who . . . were partaking of the fruit."10

The great and spacious building in Lehi's vision represents those in the world who mock God's word and who ridicule those who embrace it and who love the Savior and live the commandments. What happens to those who are ashamed when the mocking occurs? Lehi tells us, "And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost."11

My beloved young sisters, with the courage of your convictions, may you declare with the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation."12

Lest you feel inadequate for the tasks which lie ahead, I remind you of another of the Apostle Paul's stirring statements from which we might draw courage: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."13

In closing may I share with you the account of a brave young woman whose experience has stood through the ages as an example of the courage to stand for truth and righteousness.

Most of you are familiar with the Old Testament account of Esther. It is a very interesting and inspiring record of a beautiful young Jewish girl whose parents had died, leaving her to be raised by an older cousin, Mordecai, and his wife.

Mordecai worked for the king of Persia, and when the king was looking for a queen, Mordecai took Esther to the palace and presented her as a candidate, advising her not to reveal that she was Jewish. The king was pleased with Esther above all the others and made Esther his queen.

Haman, the chief prince in the king's court, became increasingly angry with Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow down and pay homage to him. In retribution, Haman convinced the king - in a rather devious manner - that there were "certain people" in all 127 provinces of the kingdom whose laws were different from others' and that they would not obey the king's laws and should be destroyed.14 Without naming these people to the king, Haman was, of course, referring to the Jews, including Mordecai.

With the king's permission to handle the matter, Haman sent letters to the governors of all of the provinces, instructing them "to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, . . . [on] the thirteenth day of the twelfth month."15

Through a servant, Mordecai sent word to Esther concerning the decree against the Jews, requesting that she go in to the king to plead for her people. Esther was at first reluctant, reminding Mordecai that it was against the law for anyone to go unbidden into the inner court of the king. Punishment by death would be the result - unless the king were to hold out his golden scepter, allowing the person to live.

Mordecai's response to Esther's hesitation was to the point. He replied to her thus:

"Think not . . . that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, . . . thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed."16

And then he added this searching question: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"17

In response, Esther asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews he could and to ask them to fast three days for her and said that she and her handmaids would do the same. She declared, "I [will] go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."18 Esther had gathered her courage and would stand firm and immovable for that which was right.

Physically, emotionally, and spiritually prepared, Esther stood in the inner court of the king's house. When the king saw her, he held out his golden scepter, telling her that he would grant whatever request she had. She invited the king to a feast she had arranged, and during the feast she revealed that she was a Jew. She also exposed Haman's underhanded plot to exterminate all of the Jews in the kingdom. Esther's plea to save herself and her people was granted.19

Esther, through fasting, faith, and courage, had saved a nation.

You will probably not be called upon to put your life on the line, as did Esther, for that which you believe. You will, however, most likely find yourself in situations where great courage will be required as you stand firm for truth and righteousness.

Again, my dear young sisters, although there have always been challenges in the world, many of those which you face are unique to this time. But you are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth "for such a time as this."20 With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way.

My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. As you do so, you will be "an example of the believers,"21 and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy. May this be so, my beloved young sisters, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen.

Notes

1. Matthew 7:1.

2. D&C 88:124.

3. John 13:34-35.

4. Isaiah 5:20.

5. Ted Koppel, Duke University commencement address, 1987.

6. Isaiah 1:18.

7. Jeremiah 31:34.

8. First Presidency, in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 89.

9. 1 Nephi 8:25.

10. 1 Nephi 8:26-27.

11. 1 Nephi 8:28.

12. Romans 1:16.

13. 2 Timothy 1:7.

14. Esther 3:8.

15. Esther 3:13.

16. Esther 4:13-14.

17. Esther 4:14.

18. Esther 4:16.

19. See Esther 5-8.

20. Esther 4:14.

21. 1 Timothy 4:12.