Loving family

Today was a mission farewell for a young man in our ward. He spent the entire time crying as he spoke about his family members and how much they influenced him with their good examples. It was a great site to see as he clearly recognized how much help he'd received from his good family. There can't be too many 19 year olds in the world that are so grateful for their family. That speaks to the boy having humility and love, which will help him learn so much faster in life.

What a great experience it is to go on a mission. What a great blessing it is to have a family and that my greatest desire is for my kid to be selfless enough with his time to want to go on a mission and leave his own objectives behind. Only in this church would this be a desire of most members. I am very grateful for what this church naturally pushes us to become.

It is the true church of Jesus Christ. I appreciate the many great examples I find in it, no matter where we live.

Have a great week.

Why God called a Prophet and established the church - But that every man might aspeak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world

One of the great verses of scripture written in our times is in Doctrine and Covenants 1. This is the section explaining the reason the Lord called a prophet in our time and why he restored his Church to the Earth. One of the reasons listed is in D.C. 1:20 - That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.

Every worthy man on this planet can receive the Priesthood, the right to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They must do it by being a faithful member of Christ's church, but this is the opportunity for all. Then, these men can use this priesthood to call down the blessings of heaven upon people on this earth, including giving blessings, receiving inspiration, having help in helping others, and performing ordinances, such as baptism, infant blessings, and giving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

My dad just listened to L. Tom Perry in a priesthood meeting with Bishops, Stake Presidents, and other local leaders. In it, Elder Perry said we don't instruct those receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood well enough about what they're receiving. It is such a great blessing. Elder Perry spoke about the opportunity he had to bless his son, then baptize him, then ordain him to be a deacon, teacher, priest, and elder, etc. That was such a blessing for Elder Perry. It's also been such a blessing for me. I felt an incredible bond with my son (and daughter) as I blessed him. I felt an immense amount of love for him. No other church teaches that fathers can bless their children by performing spiritual ordinances. It is in our church that this eternal truth exists.

I am so grateful that God wants every man to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It happens in his church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints every day. An Apostle mentioned how special gift is to him. That same gift is so special to me. Truly, God's greatest gifts are available to all.

Every plant not planted by my Father shall be rooted Up- Matthew 15

Jesus was very quick to reprimand the Pharisees, those who knew the scriptures and law so well but often misinterpreted and misapplied it. When they asked Jesus why his disciples didn't follow the tradition to wash hands before eating, Jesus replied, "why don't you follow the commandments of God because of your tradition?" This certainly didn't please them, but he pointedly explained how their traditions kept them from God rather than bringing them to God.

Jesus was very willing to correct those who wrongly judged, particularly those passing what they thought was "righteous judgement". That definitely created some enemies, but that was acceptable rather than letting clear truths continue to be trampled/ignored.

May we always be willing to express the truth when needed. Here's the verses explaining the encounter with the Pharisees:

3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your ^atradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, ^aHonour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, ^blet him die the death.

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It isa ^agift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their ^amouth, and^bhonoureth me with their lips; but their ^cheart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do ^aworship me, teaching for ^bdoctrines the^ccommandments of men.

10 ¶And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

11 Not that which goeth into the mouth ^adefileth a man; but that which cometh out of the ^bmouth, this defileth a man.

12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

13 But he answered and said, Every ^aplant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Showing Love at All Times - Matthew 14

Jesus greatly cared for his cousin, John the Baptist. When John was killed by Herod, it affected Jesus and he went away into the mountains. However, despite his pain, Jesus still helped the people (Matthew 14):

13 ¶When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with ^acompassion toward them, and he healed their ^bsick.

I find this to be a remarkable example of his love, despite his pain. Another example is certainly his healing of the servant's ear that Peter cut off just after Jesus' suffering in Gethsemane, and Jesus' concern for the Roman soldiers nailing him to the cross. What Jesus was going through did not affect how he acted towards others. He was always compassionate. In fact, it seems that when Jesus was suffering, it only made him more aware of the pain others felt when they were suffering. He appears to be even more compassionate when He is in pain or sorrowing.

Great lessons from the church handbook - #2

On parenting and creating a strong family - section 1.3.2

Wise parents teach their children to apply the healing, reconciling, and strengthening power of the Atonement within their family. Just as sin, mortal weaknesses, emotional hurt, and anger are conditions that separate God’s children from Him, these same conditions can separate family members from each other. Each family member has a responsibility to strive for family unity. Children who learn to strive for unity at home will find it easier to do so outside the home.

On blessings of Family being extended to all the faithful - section 1.3.3

Faithful members whose circumstances do not allow them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and parenthood in this life will receive all promised blessings in the eternities, provided they keep the covenants they have made with God.

On church existing to support families - section 1.4

Church organizations and programs exist to bless individuals and families and are not ends in themselves. Priesthood and auxiliary leaders and teachers seek to assist parents, not to supersede or replace them.

Definition of Holy Places - section 1.4.1

Followers of Christ are invited to “gather,” “stand in holy places,” and “be not moved” (D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22; see also 2 Chronicles 35:5; Matthew 24:15). These holy places include temples, homes, and chapels. The presence of the Spirit and the behavior of those within these physical structures are what make them “holy places.”

Family Home Evening; place to learn the gospel - Section 1.4.2

Family Home Evening

Latter-day prophets have counseled parents to hold a weekly family home evening to teach their children the gospel, bear testimony of its truthfulness, and strengthen family unity. Stake and ward leaders are to keep Monday evenings free from all Church meetings and activities so family home evenings may be held.

Family home evening may include family prayer, gospel instruction, testimony sharing, hymns and Primary songs, and wholesome recreational activities. (For information on using music in the home, see 14.8.) As part of family home evening, or separately, parents may also call a periodic family council to set goals, resolve problems, coordinate schedules, and give support and strength to family members.

Family home evening is sacred, private family time under the direction of the parents. Priesthood leaders should not give directions as to what families should do during this time.

Caring for those who aren't in active member families - they're every other member's responsibility - Section 1.4.3

Strengthening Individuals

Church leaders should give special attention to individuals who do not presently enjoy the support of a family of strong Church members. These members may include children and youth whose parents are not members of the Church, other individuals in part-member families, and single adults of all ages. They are covenant members of God’s eternal family, deeply loved by Him. These individuals should be given opportunities for service in the Church. The Church can provide wholesome sociality and fellowship that these members can find nowhere else.

Every member of the Church is as precious as every other. God’s eternal plan provides for all of His faithful children to receive every blessing of eternal life, exalted in families forever.

Explaining why more people didn't recognize Jesus as the Savior - Matthew 13

Matthew 13 is a chapter with many of the parables of the Savior. In Matthew 12, Matthew explains that the Jewish leaders didn't accept Jesus largely because they were looking for the wrong things. In Matthew 13, he continues to explain that many people didn't recognize Him because they didn't have the right perspective and attitudes. In fact, Jesus taught through many parables that only some would find and accept the Gospel and that it would be a long process for some. However, those that did accept would give up much to be a part of it and would bring forth good fruit.

The parable of the 4 types of soil, the pearl of great price, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, the leavened bread, the field with the treasure all help show why it's not obvious to the people of the earth what the kingdom of God is unless they have the right attitudes and are looking for it. Further, in teaching with parables, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy as written in the Psalms 78:2

I will open my mouth in a parable:

This was not the first time the Jews would not hear the great teachers. Jeremiah also taught of this in Jeremiah 5: Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

Interestingly, it was a short time after Jeremiah spoke that Jerusalem was destroyed the first time and this happened again after Jesus' death as well.

The people didn't recognize the Savior because of their own blindness but not because it wouldn't be obvious if they chose to follow him and exercise faith. In our time, the same issue exists.

Just as Matthew wrote his book to help others come to Christ, please find the time to follow the Prophet of our day as they will also point to Christ. Some will not recognize Christ as the Savior or his Prophet as His servant, but that isn't evidence that they aren't chosen of God.

He Healed them All

Matthew constantly tells how many people Jesus healed. I can think of two reasons for this although there's definitely others as well:

1) He's helping us understand the role of the Savior to heal all people of all things both in his life on earth and after it.

2) He's showing that all who come unto Him will be healed, while at the same time those who do not come unto Him do not receive those blessings.

Look at all these verses mentioning healing multitudes of people, all from only Matthew:

• Matthew 4:23

  23 ¶And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  Matthew 4:24

  24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

  Matthew 8:16

  16 ¶When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, andhealed all that were sick:

  • Matthew 9:35

    35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healingevery sickness and every disease among the people.

    Matthew 12:15

    15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

    
    

    Matthew 13:15

    15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

    Matthew 14:14

    14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

    Matthew 15:30

    30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:

    Matthew 19:2

    2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

    Matthew 21:14

    14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

    Note Matthew 13 - those who do not come to him are unable to see and understand and be healed. May we always come to Him, every day.