The challenge issued by President Nelson on November 20th was one that many people, members and non-members, took the opportunity to share what they are grateful for at this time of confusion and contention especially in the United States after an election that remains contested because of allegations of election fraud. There has also been a lot of anxiety because of the pandemic that is bringing lingering restrictions across the country for gatherings. I struggled to post a video each day to express my gratitude , but I managed to get 7 days worth of entries for a video gratitude journal playlist that is now available on my youtube channel. You are free to check it out if you are curious. I may even add to it as I feel inspired.
In the process of reflecting on my gratitude each day, in addition to my study of the book of Mormon for the come follow me curriculum this year, I realized President Nelson is always inviting us to come to know the Savior. He has invited us to learn how to received revelation, how to pray, how to hear the voice of the Lord, how to repent, he invited us to learn as much as we could about the restoration and he was recently inspired to invite us to flood social media with messages of who and what we are grateful at this time. In my opinion, he did this to help us come to know the Savior...
I saw opportunities to strengthen that relationship with Christ as I reflected on those experiences and relationships that I am grateful to have on this earth. Just like the parable of the ten virgins, where they all were give ample opportunity to trim their lamps and save up their oil for the time that they would be leaving to join the wedding feast with the bridegroom, we have been give in the short time that President Nelson has been the prophet, many opportunities to strengthen our relationship with Christ. Did we take advantage of those opportunities? Did we come to know the Savior? That was part of my message on my 7th day of Gratitude:
After seeing the influence of covenants on Captain Moroni in my own personal study of the war chapters I have been drawn to study and better understand the covenants I have made as a member of the church. We have access to the powers of heaven through our covenants starting with the baptismal covenant. Do we as members take these for granted and just go through the motions? Hopefully after recent years of conference talks from President Nelson and the 1st Presidency as well as those of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we feel a greater sense to live up to our covenants we have made at each progressing phase of our membership and journey of discipleship in the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.
The Power of Covenants-
A covenant is a binding and solemn agreement between God and
man. God promises to bless us, and we promise to obey Him. God sets the terms
of Gospel covenants, which we either accept or reject. Keeping covenants
brings blessings in this life and exaltation in the life to come. Covenants
place us under a strong obligation to honor our commitments to God. To keep our
covenants we must give up activities or interests that prevent us from honoring
those covenants. For example, we give up shopping and recreational pursuits on
Sunday so we can keep the Sabbath day holy. Our covenants remind us to repent
every day of our lives. By keeping the commandments and serving others we
receive and retain a remission of our sins.
Covenants
are usually made by means of sacred ordinances, such as baptism.
(*Writing in red describes the
power given with this covenant of baptism)
Baptism
Covenant -An ordinance is a sacred
ceremony or rite that shows that we have entered into a covenant with God.God has always required his children to make
covenants.
Covenant Conditions: Through the ordinance of Baptism
we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember
Him, and keep His commandments.
Promised Blessing(s): God promises the constant
companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of sins, and being born again.
Through the ordinances of Baptism and Confirmation we learn
about and experience God’s Power(D&C84:20)
Jesus taught that we must be baptized by immersion for the
remission, or forgiveness, of our sins. He also taught that baptism is a
rebirth.When we are baptized, we begin
the process of being born again and become the spiritual sons and daughters of
Christ.
Mosiah 5:7-8 – 7 And now because
of the covenant ye have made ye
shall
be called the children of Christ,
his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that
your hearts are changed through
faith on his name; therefore,
ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
8 And under this head ye
are made free, and there is no other
head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would
that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that
have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end
of your lives.
Romans 8:14-17
14 For as
many as are led by
the Spiritof God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye
have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,
Abba, Father.
16 The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together.
Baptism is an essential ordinance of salvation. No person
can enter the kingdom of God without being baptized. Christ set the example for
us by being baptized.
Baptism by immersion is symbolic of the death, burial, and
resurrection of the Savior.It also
represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life
as a disciple of Christ.
Before baptism we show our willingness to enter a covenant
to keep all the commandments for the rest of our lives. After baptism we show our faith by keeping our covenant. We
also regularly renew the covenant we make when baptized by partaking of the
sacrament. Partaking of the sacrament weekly is a commandment. It helps us remain worthy to have the Spirit with us
always.It is a weekly reminder of our covenant.
What
is a daily reminder of our covenant?
See
everything highlighted in yellow below.
Baptismal Covenant:
Mosiah 5:8-10
8 And under this headye are made free, and there is no other head whereby
ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby
salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of
Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God thatye should be obedient unto the
end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass
that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, forhe shall know the name
by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
10 And now it shall come to pass,
that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by
some other name; therefore, he
findeth himself on the left hand of God.
Mosiah 18:8-10
8 And it came to pass that
he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they
called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into
the fold of God, and to be
called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye
may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye
may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if
this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a
witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep
his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
(He already does give us his spirit as a part of the mortal experience, which is the light of Christ.)
Service
to others(in and outside your own family), ministering(Comforting),
defending the faith or bearing testimony in every place you are, even if
it means risking your life will qualify you for redemption from your sins and
also give you a place in the first resurrection. These are examples,
including being obedient, serving God, and keeping his commandments, of
how to remember your [baptismal] covenant daily.
Here is the latest information regarding the Salt Lake temple's renovation. Almost a year since it officially closed for work on the foundation to withstand a large earthquake, on December 29th, 2019, much has been done on the grounds at Temple Square. Early last year, I traveled to Memphis to tour the newly renovated temple in Bartlett.
The original temple was built as a smaller scale. This was how the church was able to build multiple temples across the globe or the US during President Hinckley's time as the president of the church. As I toured with my family the halls and the rooms, I recognized the floor plan being the same as the Nashville temple. It was mostly an architectural face-life, but it was an incredible site for sure. My 3 children were otherwise restless that day having been couped up in the car for the 4 hour trip, and were hard to keep reverent throughout the building. I was praying the entire time that they would be peaceful and lose the compulsion to bounce of the walls while in the temple. I also said a prayer for patience for my kids in the moment and that we'd as a family enjoy this experience. When we arrived at the Celestial room the group leader taking us through, invited all to take a seat and a moment to ponder the special spirit within the room and the building. My kids who at the start were loud and jumpy were now quiet and still. It was an absolute miracle and a sign that even the littlest can recognize the majesty and incredible nature of God. My wife and I couldn't stop talking about it on the way home and as we related this experience to family. Now the reason for the renovation was due to mold forming in the air gap of the shell of the building. The climate in Tennessee is much more humid and because of different weather and practices in commercial construction from the eastern portion of the country to the west, it created the perfect environment for mold to form. This was said to be the cause for a few other temple renovations in the southeast.
I love the Nashville Tennessee Temple. I have truly missed attending there with the closure due to the pandemic restrictions. I was hopeful that it would be renovated as well since we enjoy the same climate as does Memphis, but nothing has been stated regarding any modification needed on the structure or vapor barriers within the construction. That temple is where my wife and I were sealed. I received my endowments there prior to my mission, and I have enjoyed doing my ancestors' work there over the last several years. Perhaps I am like Alma in that I sin in my wish(Alma 29:3)... in wanting a similar look for the Nashville Temple as that which we saw in the Memphis temple. I am anxious for the day the restrictions are lifted and Nashville temple enters phases 3 and 4 and begin again to operate fully.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke in last conference on the foundation renovation being completed for the Salt Lake temple in April 2020 General Conference. There were some great concepts key to an effective self-evaluation he likened to this construction work being undertaken right now.
"An introspective look may reveal that we too and our families could benefit from our doing some needed maintenance and renovation work, even a seismic upgrade! We might start such a process by asking:
“What does my foundation look like?”
“What comprises the thick-walled, stable, strong cornerstones that are part of my personal foundation, upon which my testimony rests?”
“What are the foundational elements of my spiritual and emotional character that will allow me and my family to remain steadfast and immovable, even to withstand the earthshaking and tumultuous seismic events that will surely take place in our lives?”
These events, similar to an earthquake, are often difficult to predict and come in various levels of intensity—wrestling with questions or doubt, facing affliction or adversity, working through personal offenses with Church leaders, members, doctrine, or policy. The best defense against these lies in our spiritual foundation."
What are you doing to prepare for General Conference this time? Maybe a better question that will help us to prepare for general conference, What are you doing to prepare yourself and your family for the second coming of the Savior?
I look forward to what will be spoken, taught, and testified this coming weekend.
I hope this can help everyone and those who can't seem to find use in the war chapters of the book of Mormon. Growing up in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hearing from members and also having wondered myself, I use to have a hard time going through these war chapters. I may have gone through phases. First, Not really understanding the conflict. Second, thinking of these chapters in terms of an action packed war movie similar to Braveheart, etc. Third, I recognized Captain Moroni as a heroic military leader for the Nephites. Forth, having gone through my own struggles and after serving a 2 year mission seeing personal application of these chapters in my own life. Fifth, looking for strategy Captain Moroni and his Nephite armies utilized and specific detail in the plans used to combat the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters and applying those same plans and effective strategies in my daily life. Over the last few years I have come to appreciate these chapters, but as of the last month and a half it occurred to me that there is more to these accounts of war than aspiring to live up to Alma 48:17. My emphasis this go-around was realizing Captain Moroni's passion for "Covenants." There are many layers of meaning to the scriptures, and there's no telling what you or I will pick up on next time. It got me thinking, "Do I really understand the covenants I have made." On the surface the answer is, "Yes!" However, the scriptures point to accessing power through covenants. I don't want to be like the Lamanites who had the baptism by fire of the Holy Ghost and knew it not. Captain Moroni was very aware. He was a strong and a mighty man, but he wasn't perfect. If he can recognize the power and influence in his life of covenants, then you and I have that same opportunity.
The definition of the word "Proclamation" is: a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance.
Today everyone around the country remembers the tragic events that unfolded on the morning of September 11th, 2001. I happened to be in my first period class with a teacher who was a member of the church. Her husband was a pilot at the time and had been flying. She was extremely worried and concerned as the principle addressed everyone over the intercom unexpectedly, instructing each classroom to turn on their tv's. As I watched smoke rising from a tower on the morning news in New York City, I had no idea the seriousness. All I knew was that it had been announced that a plane had crashed into one of the towers. We spent the entire class time watching the news coverage. Algebra took a back seat to this trauma we were witnessing in real time. When the bell rang at the end of class, my teacher had asked me and a few others in the class who were members to stay with her while she prayed. I was quite young and not really understanding what had happened. We had all seen the 2nd tower fall to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris that created a thick dark haze that floated in the air. People continued to speculate and rumors spread quickly.....
19 years later and questions have been answered. Wars have been fought. Lives have been lost. Families have been rocked and shaken since that day. But we were all united as we came together as a Nation Under God. Today the country is divided and contention abounds.
Yesterday President Trump released for today a Proclamation to the Nation to declare today as Patriot Day.....
In 2001, our Nation, united under God, made an unbreakable promise never to forget the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who were senselessly killed on September 11. On this sacred day — Patriot Day — we solemnly honor that commitment. As the bells toll, we call by name those who perished in the terrorist attacks in New York, New York; Arlington, Virginia; and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In cities and towns across our great country, we stand in solidarity to remember the victims and mourn their stolen hopes and dreams.
On a day that began as ordinary as any other, terrorists carrying out a sadistic plan murdered thousands of our fellow compatriots. With shock and disbelief, we watched our first responders, encumbered by heavy equipment and hindered by debris and smoke, rush with conviction and courage into the void to rescue those in despair. With pride and sorrow, we felt the tremendous bravery of those aboard Flight 93, who summoned the courage to charge the terrorists in a counterattack that saved countless American lives. As the day closed, America steadied its resolve to hold accountable those who had attacked us and to ensure it would never happen again.
The courage, heroism, and resilience Americans displayed on 9/11, and in its aftermath, are perpetual testaments to the spirit of our country. While our Nation was anguished by this attack, the grit displayed that day — the very essence of America — was a reminder that our citizens have never failed to rise to the occasion. Heroes sprang into action in the face of great peril to help save their fellow Americans. Many laid down their lives. As we reflect on the events of that September morning, let us recommit to embrace the stalwart bravery displayed and reaffirm our dedication to defending liberty from all who wish to deny it.
To fulfill our collective promise never to forget, we impart the memory of that fateful day to our children and grandchildren. The smoke that rose from the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania field carried away the souls of innocent Americans. As we recall the images of our American Flag raised from the ashes of Ground Zero and the Pentagon, we are reminded that good triumphs over evil. We recommit ourselves to fortifying our cherished American values so that future generations will know in their souls that the United States is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
This Patriot Day, we commemorate the lives of those who perished on September 11, 2001, we pray for the families who carry on their legacies, and we honor the unmatched bravery of our Nation’s first responders. We also commend those who, in the days and years following the attack, answered the call to serve our country and continue to risk their lives in defense of the matchless blessings of freedom. By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2020, as Patriot Day. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the innocent people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and its Territories and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of the innocent people we lost that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor those victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
We also received a proclamation this year in April from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declaring the reality of the Restoration and inviting all to participate in its continuation in these later days.................................................................................
We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.
Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.
In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.
We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.
We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.
We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.
Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events.
We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).
With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
So we have received these 2 proclamations of very important matters in the year 2020. The Book of Mormon mentions the word "Proclamation" 17 times and this form of declaration was utilized by both prophets and political leaders just as it has been used today. When the Family Proclamation was introduced in 1995 it wasn't anything new or profound.
Only 25 years later we see the depth of such simple declaration on the family, with same-sex marriage become legal a few years back. The definition of marriage and family roles being erased and distorted from what God intended has caused many of us to appreciate the foresight given to our prophets and leaders. That makes me wonder how long before the Restoration becomes even more controversial than it already is to the world.
We have been encouraged to study these documents individually and with our families, to establish a foundation for our testimonies as we seek understanding and a testimony through personal revelation. The book of Mormon shows us how proclamations were given to unite a people. If these documents can unite a people, it is my hope that they can lead us to the Savior as we continue to prepare for His return in the not too distant future.
Our family recently had a stay-cation experience at the Opryland hotel in Nashville. It was a great stay over night after spending the day at the adjacent water park, SoundWaves. The kids had fun and I was reminded I'm not as young as I once was. My muscles ached in ways I thought not yet possible. When we retired to our room for the night, my oldest son found a copy of the Book of Mormon in the night stand next to a bed in the room. He was quite excited seeing familiar literature in an unfamiliar location such as this resort hotel. I told him this was typical of Marriott hotels but was not aware this particular resort was under the ownership of their franchise.
Come to find out, Marriott purchased Gaylord Opryland Resort and their other hotel locations throughout the country back in 2012.
They have been supplying this marvelous work and a wonder in the rooms by the Grand Ole' Opry for almost 7 years now.
I was grateful to have it within reach, since we were out of our home and I was off my morning routine. I like to get up extra early to study the scriptures and a general conference talk, before the kids awaken and I have to get out to work for the day. That is my time to connect with Heavenly Father through prayer and pondering what I'm reading. It gives me peace of mind, and clarity through life's challenges. I can learn how to apply gospel principles from examples I find in the scriptures, and I can learn more about the Savior as I dive in deep digging for those mysteries of God that can help keep me and my family safe from the influence of the world.
So, why does the Marriott hotel require books of Mormon in most of their hotel rooms across the world?
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned missionary, I am excited to see this book in a hotel room I had not expected would carry it. It takes me back to when I was in high school and would drop pass along cards in my fellow students' lockers with contact information for the ward missionaries and information to get access to free copies of the book of Mormon. I was anxious to plant seeds that had opportunities to grow into sincere investigations into the restored gospel. I also had no hesitation in inviting friends to my ward's sacrament meeting on Sundays and stake and ward youth activities during the week, as a teenager.
Is the Marriott Corporation using this as a tool for missionary work? Maybe, but I have not heard of or seen any converts who joined as a result of a small blue book they found in a dresser drawer of their hotel room. That does not mean I hasn't and/or won't happen.
In a statement given to the Associated Press, they were quoted as saying -
There are many guests who are not digitally connected who appreciate having one or both of these books available. It's a tradition appreciated by many, objected to by few. -
This gives guests options if they are in search of answers to life's questions, seeking peace, or are curious about the book.
The book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, has 3 major purposes for the reader:
1 - to show what great things the Lord has done for His children.
2 - to give to know of the Lord's covenants with his people.
3 - to convince the reader that Jesus is the Christ.
If you happen to visit any one of the Marriott hotels around the country or the world in your next trip away from home, check your drawer and see if you have the book. Crack it open, read from it's pages, and see if you don't feel the voice of the Savior speaking to your heart and your mind truths that shine a light on your purpose in life, or on the direction God wills you to go , moving forward.
