Mormon Life - Priesthood tag

Young Women Lesson 4: Seeking Companionship of the Holy Ghost

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:04:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "These four words—'Receive the Holy Ghost'—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon." -David A. Bednar

Discussion Questions

• How do we feel impressions from the Holy Ghost? Do all people feel promptings and impressions in the same way?

• How can we qualify for the companionship, guidance, and protection of the Holy Ghost each day?

Excerpt from "Receive the Holy Ghost" Elder David A. Bednar, October 2010 General Conference:

My message focuses on the importance of striving in our daily lives to actually receive the Holy Ghost. I pray for and invite the Spirit of the Lord to instruct and edify each of us.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

In December of 1839, while in Washington, D.C., to seek redress for the wrongs done to the Missouri Saints, Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee wrote to Hyrum Smith: “In our interview with the President [of the United States], he interrogated us wherein we differed in our religion from the other religions of the day. Brother Joseph said we differed in mode of baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. We considered that all other considerations were contained in the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 97).

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead; He is a personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth. In the scriptures the Holy Ghost is referred to as the Comforter (see John 14:16–27; Moroni 8:26), a teacher (see John 14:26; D&C 50:14), and a revelator (see 2 Nephi 32:5). Revelations from the Father and the Son are conveyed through the Holy Ghost. He is the messenger for and the witness of the Father and the Son.

The Holy Ghost is manifested to men and women on the earth both as the power and as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power can come upon a person before baptism; it is the convincing witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, sincere investigators can acquire a conviction of the truthfulness of the Savior’s gospel, of the Book of Mormon, of the reality of the Restoration, and of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed only after proper and authorized baptism and by the laying on of hands by those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 4: Gathering Fast Offerings

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The Lord’s admonition that we are stewards for those in need contains some of the strongest language in all of scripture. . . .We are accountable as stewards over earthly blessings, which the Lord has provided." -Quentin L. Cook

Discussion Questions

• What can you do to properly represent Heavenly Father and the Savior as you gather fast offerings? (see 2 Corinthians 9:7).

• Why is it important to have a good attitude about gathering fast offerings?

Excerpt from "Stewardship - A Sacred Trust" Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2009 General Conference:

We live in perilous times when many believe we are not accountable to God and that we do not have personal responsibility or stewardship for ourselves or others. Many in the world are focused on self-gratification, put themselves first, and love pleasure more than they love righteousness. They do not believe they are their brother’s keeper. In the Church, however, we believe that these stewardships are a sacred trust.

Recently a group of highly respected Jewish leaders and rabbis visited Church facilities in the Salt Lake Valley, including Welfare Square, the Humanitarian Center, the Family History Library, and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple open house. At the conclusion of their visit, one of the most eminent rabbis in America expressed his feelings about what he had seen and felt. 1

He cited concepts from Jewish thinkers rooted in the Talmud 2 and pointed out that there are two very different reasons people engage in acts of kindness and generosity. Some people visit the sick, assist the poor, and serve their fellowmen because they believe it is the right thing to do and others will reciprocate and do the same for them when they are in need. He explained that while this is good, builds caring communities, and should be considered a noble reason, a higher motive is when we serve our fellowmen because that is what we believe God wants us to do.

He stated that as a result of his visit, he believed the Latter-day Saints undertake welfare and humanitarian efforts and the work of salvation in our temples in order to do what we believe God wants us to do.

To read the full talk, click here.

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 3: Our Testimony of Jesus Christ

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "We love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah, our Savior and our Redeemer. His is the only name by which we can be saved." -Dallin H. Oaks Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson's topic.

Excerpt from "'The Light and the Life of the World'" Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 1987 General Conference:

My dear brothers and sisters, I rejoice with you in the privilege of coming together on this beautiful Sabbath day to worship our Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ and to be instructed by their servants.

The Book of Mormon tells of the resurrected Lord visiting some of the people of the Americas. Clothed in a white robe, he descended out of heaven. Standing in the midst of a multitude, he stretched forth his hand and said:

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

“And behold, I am the light and the life of the world” (3 Ne. 11:10–11).

He has repeated this declaration in many modern revelations (see D&C 12:9, D&C 39:2, D&C 45:7). In harmony with his words, we solemnly affirm that Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father, is the light and life of the world.

Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world because all things were made by him. Under the direction and according to the plan of God the Father, Jesus Christ is the Creator, the source of the light and life of all things. Through modern revelation we have the testimony of John, who bore record that Jesus Christ is “the light and the Redeemer of the world, the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.

“The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him” (D&C 93:9–10).

To read the full talk, click here.

Power of God

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:35:00 -0700

source: youtube.com

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 2: Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:04:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Given the purpose of our existence, if we do not love God and neighbor, whatever else we do will be of little eternal consequence." -Robert F. Orton

Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson's topic.

Excerpt from "'The First and Great Commandment'" by Elder Robert F. Orton, October 2001 General Conference:

The attention of people around the world has been drawn, during the past four weeks, to the willful, intentional, and destructive acts of terrorism and hatred.

Hatred is the antithesis of love. Lucifer is its chief proponent and perpetrator and has been since his approach to the plan of salvation was rejected by the Father. It was he who influenced Judas to deliver Jesus to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver. It is he, the enemy of all righteousness and the father of contention, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

On the other hand, it was that same Jesus whom Judas delivered to the chief priests who said, “Love your enemies, … and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you” (3 Ne. 12:44; see also Matt. 5:44). And it was He who pleaded for the soldiers who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

I thought for many years that love was an attribute. But it is more. It is a commandment. In His dialogue with the lawyer, a Pharisee, Jesus said:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37–40; see also Gal. 5:14).

President Hinckley has said that “love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is the very essence of the gospel.”

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 3: Administering the Sacrament

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "You have seen . . . great priesthood servants. . . . It begins with their learning to know whose service they are in and for what purpose." - Henry B. Eyring

Discussion Questions

• How are ward members blessed when you administer the sacrament with reverence?

• How should the sacred trust of performing priesthood ordinances affect your actions during the rest of the week?

Excerpt from "Act in All Diligence" President Henry B. Eyring, April 2010 General Conference:

Brethren, I am grateful to be with you tonight. And I am humbled by what I know of your faithful priesthood service. I speak to you tonight of diligence in the Lord’s service. Recent experiences led me to that choice.

One was my careful study of the remarkable new booklet for the Aaronic Priesthood, about which Brother David L. Beck spoke. It is entitled Fulfilling My Duty to God. As I read and pondered what it expects young men to do and to become, I realized that it was describing what President Brigham Young promised to the priesthood holder who is diligent over a lifetime: “An individual who holds a share in the Priesthood, and continues faithful to his calling, who delights himself continually in doing the things God requires at his hands, and continues through life in the performance of every duty will secure to himself not only the privilege of receiving, but the knowledge [of] how to receive the things of God, that he may know the mind of God continually.” 1

Just a few weeks ago, I saw a new deacon start on that path of diligence. His father showed me a diagram his son had created that showed every row in their chapel, a number for each deacon who would be assigned to pass the sacrament, and their route through the chapel to serve the sacrament to the members. The father and I smiled to think that a boy, without being asked to do it, would make a plan to be sure he would succeed in his priesthood service.

I recognized in his diligence the pattern from the new Duty to God booklet. It is to learn what the Lord expects of you, make a plan to do it, act on your plan with diligence, and then share with others how your experience changed you and blessed others.

The deacon made that diagram to be sure that he would be able to do what the Lord had called him to do. At the start of his priesthood service, the Lord was teaching him to delight in continually “doing the things God requires at his hands.” 2

To read the full talk, click here.

Relief Society Lesson #1, “Living What We Believe”

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:34:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

President Smith’s Creed

The beginning of the lesson describes George Albert Smith writing his own personal creed, which took the form of eleven resolutions to live his religion. You might begin or end this lesson by giving class members paper and pens and some time to privately sketch a personal creed or personal resolutions they want to live by. However, meaningful reflection takes time, so you may simply want to encourage class members to this at home as part of their private study and meditation. If you do give class members time to compose their own creeds or resolutions, you might also ask if anyone wants to share some of theirs—although of course you should be careful to respect privacy.

Young Men Lesson 2: The Calling of a Deacon

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:04:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The Lord wants every Aaronic Priesthood holder to invite all to come unto Christ—beginning with his own family." -Larry M. Gibson

Discussion Questions

• How does your attitude about an assignment from the bishop or quorum president affect how you fulfill it? (see D&C 107:99).

• (For teachers and priests.) What can you do to help the deacons in your ward or branch understand the importance of the Aaronic Priesthood and the significance of their callings as deacons?

Excerpt from "Sacred Keys of the Aaronic Priesthood" Brother Larry M. Gibson, April 2011 General Conference:

One of my sons, at age 12, decided to raise rabbits. We built cages and acquired one large male and two female rabbits from a neighbor. I had no idea what we were getting into. In a very short time, our shed was bursting with bunnies. Now that my son is grown, I must confess my amazement at how they were controlled—a neighbor’s dog occasionally got into the shed and thinned out the herd.

But my heart was touched as I saw my son and his brothers watch over and protect those rabbits. And now, as husbands and fathers, they are worthy priesthood holders who love, strengthen, and watch over their own families.

My feelings are tender as I observe you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood watching over, supporting, and strengthening those around you, including your families, members of your quorum, and many others. How I love you.

Recently I watched as a 13-year-old young man was set apart as deacons quorum president. Afterward the bishop shook his hand and addressed him as “president,” explaining to the quorum members that he “addressed him as president to emphasize the sacredness of his calling. The deacons quorum president is one of only four people in the ward who hold keys of presidency. With those keys, he, with his counselors, will lead the quorum under the inspiration of the Lord.” This bishop understood the power of a presidency led by a president who holds and exercises sacred priesthood keys. (See D&C 124:142–43.)

Later I asked this young man if he was ready to preside over this great quorum. His response was: “I’m nervous. I don’t know what a deacons quorum president does. Can you tell me?”

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 1: The Priesthood

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:02:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families." -Boyd K. Packer

Note: This is the first Young Men's lesson for 2012. We are posting this additional material early so teachers and students can prepare as they wish.

Discussion Questions

• How would you explain to a friend what the priesthood is?

• How can fulfilling your duties as a priesthood holder strengthen your testimony? How can it strengthen your family?

Excerpt from "The Power of the Priesthood," President Boyd K. Packer, April 2010 General Conference:

I speak to the fathers of the families and to families everywhere in the Church.

Years ago we began correlation under the direction of President Harold B. Lee. At that time President Thomas S. Monson said: “Today, we are encamped against the greatest array of sin, vice, and evil ever assembled before our eyes. … The battle plan whereby we fight to save the souls of men is not our own. It [came through] the inspiration and revelation of the Lord.” 1

During those years of correlation, the whole operating face of the Church was changed. The entire curriculum was restructured. The objectives and relationships of the organizations one to another were redefined. The key word during those years of correlation and restructuring was priesthood.

President Monson also spoke of Gideon, a hero in the Old Testament. Gideon was chosen to lead the armies of Israel, thousands strong. But of them all, he chose only 300 men.

Gideon had an interesting way of selecting his recruits. When the men drank water at a stream, most “bowed down … to drink.” Those he passed over. A few scooped up water in their hands and drank, remaining completely alert. They were the ones chosen. 2

We live in a day of “wars [and] rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.” 3 As prophesied, “the whole earth [is] in commotion” 4 and “Satan is abroad in the land.” 5 He seeks to destroy all that is good and righteous. 6 He is Lucifer, who was cast out of the presence of God. 7 Against all of that, we have very positive feelings about what lies ahead.

To read the full talk, click here.

The power to bless is special in all our lives

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:48:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Thanksgiving's a day for counting blessings.

But this year, to freshen the tradition, I'm trying something new. I'm counting my blessings, but this year I'm counting the priesthood blessings I've been given over the years.

I've tried to remember all the times that hands have been laid on me in prayer.

So far, I've counted between 50 and 60 blessings.

Young Men Lesson 46: Effective Home Teaching

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:04:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "A feeling of responsibility for others is at the heart of faithful priesthood service." -Henry B. Eyring Discussion Questions
    • What are your responsibilities as a home teacher?
    • As an Aaronic Priesthood holder, how can you strengthen the families you home teach?
    • How have you been strengthened by home teaching?

Excerpt from "Man Down!," by President Henry B. Eyring, April 2009 General Conference:

I am grateful for the honor and the blessing of speaking to the priesthood of God. My purpose tonight is to help you to be brave and bold in your priesthood service.

You will need bravery and you will need boldness because you are enlisted in the Lord’s army in the last dispensation. This is not a time of peace. That has been so since Satan arrayed his forces against our Heavenly Father’s plan in the premortal existence. We don’t know the details of the combat then. But we know one result. Satan and his followers were cast down into the earth. And since the creation of Adam and Eve, the conflict has continued. We have seen it intensify. And the scriptures suggest that the war will become more violent and the spiritual casualties on the Lord’s side will mount.

Almost all of us have seen a battlefield portrayed in a film or read the description in a story. Over the din of explosions and the shouts of soldiers, there comes a cry, “Man down!”

When that cry sounds, faithful fellow soldiers will move toward the sound. Another soldier or a medic will ignore danger and move to the injured comrade. And the man down will know that help will come. Whatever the risk, someone will run low or crawl to get there in time to protect and give aid. That is true in every band of men joined in a difficult and dangerous mission which they are determined to fulfill at any sacrifice. The histories of such groups are full of stories of those loyal men who were determined that no man would be left behind.

To read the rest of this talk, click here.

RS/MP Lesson 46: “The Final Judgment” (Gospel Principles Manual)

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:17:00 -0700

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

As always, I try to hit each section briefly and offer some food for thought through the scriptures quoted. I also give questions for each section. My hope is that these questions make you come up with questions of your own. My questions, and commentary, are mostly rhetorical to help guide your own thoughts on the subject.

Judgments of God

Our lives are not made up of one single judgment. Rather, our lives are made up of a series of judgments. We are judged in almost everything that we do. This is especially true in the church when it comes to worthiness (baptism, temple, priesthood, etc.). It is also true in other walks of life (work, sports, etc.) However, it is not if we are judged, but how we are judged that is important. The following two scriptures will say how we are judged.

Podcast: Mormon Messages about Priesthood, Fatherhood, Patriarchy, and More

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:28:00 -0700

source: mormonmatters.org

In August, Mormon Matters hosted an important and fascinating discussion about messages Mormon women hear about their divine roles as mothers. What messages do Mormon men hear? Are they equally challenged to consider fatherhood their most important role, or do priesthood duties and responsibilities take first priority? Have messages about men’s roles evolved over the past several decades? In what ways does Mormonism support the institutions of power and attitudes about gender difference and roles of patriarchal societies? Why isn’t there as robust a discussion within Mormonism geared toward teasing apart cultural constructs from gospel truths as we see in many other Christian traditions that are opening clergy roles for women? Are Mormon men still urged to be “patriarchs” in their homes, and to “preside” over their families? Is there any way to be a patriarch and still have a marriage based on true equality? Can patriarchy ever be “benevolent”?

RS/MP Lesson 44: “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ” (Gospel Principles Manual)

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:43:00 -0600

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

First off, I would like to echo everything in Joe’s notes for lesson 43 on the signs of the Second Coming. I would recommend reading those before these.

The manual lists five things that Jesus will do when he returns. I will list each of those five things followed by some ideas of my own on the given scripture references.

The priesthood blesses lives around the world

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:39:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

The best thing about going to church in the first half of 2006 was the way I got there. I would wake up while my roommates were still sleeping, walk a little way down the street to retrieve my bike and then I would ride across town.

I would bump across the cobblestones in the basically deserted early Sunday-morning streets. I had to work desperately to avoid getting my skirt caught in the spokes while I wondered at the beauty of the local synagogue and old cemetery I passed by every week.

One year later, leaders call new Duty to God program 'ideal resource'

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:45:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

It's been a little over a year since Aaronic Priesthood quorums throughout the Church began utilizing the revised Duty to God program. For legions of deacons, teachers and priests across the globe, the program and its now familiar "learn, act and share" pattern have become a part of their daily lives as they serve, prayerfully study, learn and grow.

In his worldwide duties as the Young Men general president, Brother David L. Beck has met with thousands of young men and their advisers, bishops and fathers. Such meetings have afforded him sacred moments to testify of the opportunities afforded by the Duty to God program. Already it has proven a priceless tool for earnest Aaronic Priesthood holders preparing for missions, future families and lives dedicated to learning and fulfilling their duty to the Lord.

Racism and the Church: Do we demand change?

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:46:00 -0600

source: huffingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: The African-American author is no longer an active LDS member, but still defends the Church.

A friend mentioned recently that he met his first black Mormon and that he didn't know they existed. Of course they do. I was one. He was shocked and asked, "How could you be a member of a racist church?" I explained the Church's teaching, then turned to my own question about race and religion: why don't we challenge racism in all faiths?

I clarified the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' position on blacks and the priesthood.

Gospel Principles Chapter 44: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:03:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Your mission will be a sacred opportunity to bring others to Christ and help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.

Excerpt from "Preparing the World for the Second Coming" by Neil L. Andersen:

Have you ever thought about why you were sent to earth at this specific time? You were not born during the time of Adam and Eve or while pharaohs ruled Egypt or during the Ming dynasty. You have come to earth at this time, 20 centuries after the first coming of Christ. The priesthood of God has been restored to the earth, and the Lord has set His hand to prepare the world for His glorious return. These are days of great opportunity and important responsibilities. These are your days.

With your baptism, you declared your faith in Jesus Christ. With your ordination to the priesthood, your talents and spiritual capacities have been increased. One of your important responsibilities is to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior.

The Lord has appointed a prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to direct the work of His priesthood. To you, President Monson has said: “The Lord needs missionaries.”

*To read the full talk, click here.

Gospel Principles Lesson 43: Signs of the Second Coming

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The faithful are taught to study the signs of [the Second Coming] and prepare for it." -Dallin H. Oaks Supplement from "Preparation for the Second Coming," by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 2004 General Conference:

In modern revelation we have the promise that if we are prepared we need not fear (see D&C 38:30). I was introduced to that principle 60 years ago this summer when I became a Boy Scout and learned the Scout motto: “Be prepared.” Today I have felt prompted to speak of the importance of preparation for a future event of supreme importance to each of us—the Second Coming of the Lord.

The scriptures are rich in references to the Second Coming, an event eagerly awaited by the righteous and dreaded or denied by the wicked. The faithful of all ages have pondered the sequence and meaning of the many events prophesied to precede and follow this hinge point of history.

Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during a millennium of righteousness and peace. (2) At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. (3) No one knows the time of His coming, but (4) the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and to be prepared for it. I wish to speak about the fourth of these great realities: the signs of the Second Coming and what we should do to prepare for it.

To read the full talk, click here.

RS/MP Lesson 41: “The Postmortal Spirit World” (Gospel Principles Manual)

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:02:00 -0600

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

Let me begin with two notes about how this lesson has changed in the preparation of the present edition. They’re important, I think, because they relate to a confession that I simply have to make before I venture to say anything about the spirit world.

This lesson was lesson 45 in the old manual, but now it is lesson 41. Let me explain this by providing the old arrangement in general, and then put it side by side with the current arrangement. The old manual was divided not only into chapters, but into units. The manual ended with three units: “Family Salvation,” “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ,” and “Life after Death.” The first of these units was made up of what are still chapters 36-40 (eternal families, family responsibilities, eternal marriage, the law of chastity, and temple work/family history). The second, though, was different: it consisted of “Signs of the Second Coming” (then chapter 41, now chapter 43), “The Gathering of Israel” (then chapter 42, now chapter 42), “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ” (then chapter 43, now chapter 44), and “The Millennium” (then chapter 44, now chapter 45). It is clear that the logic of this unit in the previous manual was as follows: the larger event of the second coming can be made sense of by first looking at the signs of the event, then at one of those signs in particular (the gathering), then at the event itself, and finally at what follows. Now, with the idea of the units gone, these have been juggled, obviously with the idea that the gathering happens before the signs of the immediate signs of the second coming. Finally, the third unit, since it was focused on the afterlife, consisted of what are now chapter 41 (spirit world) and chapters 46-47 (final judgment and exaltation).