Online Seminary

General Conference

2010-04-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted last! Time has gone by so fast...

Wasn't this last General Conference so great? I loved it! Well, what I saw of it. I plan to get my own personal copy of the Ensign so that I can read all of the talks and mark them up like my scriptures. Because really, aren't these talks equal to scripture? Isn't modern day revelation just as important as The Book of Mormon?
I know that the answer to both questions is yes. I will testify of that in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

SET: Proverbs 27:17

2009-04-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been ages since I have posted. Got a Facebook. It's addicting. Plus homework, dance, cello, mutual activities. Busy, busy, busy...

Anyway, I was lookin through last year's yearbook the other day. And I read a thing that a girl in my ward wrote. She's really amazing and way nice by the way. I love her to death. So she wrote about sitting by me on the bus, then she told me I was a "people sharpener" and said "see Proverbs 27:17." So that's what I did. I flipped open to that scripture, since my scriptures where sitting right there by me. And it saith:

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

That just really hit me and I've been thinking about it for a few days. In fact, I even put it in my status on Facebook yesterday.

What I got out of it was that I can help make other people better. It's really funny that this girl told me I was a people sharpener. Compared to her, I feel like I barely sharpen at all. I'm like one of the ones they have at school. You have to crank it and work at it for awhile before you get the sharp tip. She's like an amazing electric one. You just stick the pencil in and it's done way fast.

So people sharpening is something I could use work on. But I really do know that I can help people be their better selves. And I know that anyone can if they want to. But I also know that it can go the other way if you're not careful with the example you set.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Matthew 25:40

2009-02-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

This is a poem we read in english the other day...

Abou Ben Adhem
by James Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?” The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made all of sweet accord
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men.”

The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!

That poem is a good example of one of our srcipture masteries. Mat. 25:40: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I saw unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Abou Ben Adhem loved his fellow men, so he loved God.

I know that if we serve and love others, it is like we were doing it to God. So be kind to your fellow men. They are also God's children. I say this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Second Coming

2009-01-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

First, I am going to advise you to read either Matthew 24 or Joseph Smith-Matthew (found in the Pearl of Great Price).

Second, I am going to say that I am so excited for His coming and that I really hope It happens during my time on earth. I used to fear it. But now that I know Him and have strengthened my relationship with the Father, and am a better person, I can't wait.

Third, I would advise you to look for talks given by the general authorities regarding this topic.

The past few days in seminary, we have been discusing the second coming of Christ. I have learned so much that I'm surprised my mind hasn't exploded. What's more amazing is it didn't confuse me. Bro. Moon may have confused others, but I'm so glad that I wasn't.

I really wish I could post everything I have learned. But it would take up a lot of time and space. So I'm going to encourage you to seek for yourself. Learn of Him.

I know that the Father and the Son love you. I know they love me. I know that they love even those who sin. How could they not? We're all sinners (I'm sorry, if you haven't already, it's time to face the fact). Yet they still love us. I know this is true. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Tribute

2008-12-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

Sadly, one of our beloved apostles died last night.
Joseph B. Wirthlin lived a great life and lived to be 91 years of age. I'm sure will be greatly missed by many.

In the October conference this year, he gave a talk tittled "Come What May, and Love it." His talk carried an important message and is one of my favorites. (Another one of my favorites being "The Ministry of Angels" given by Jeffery R. Holland.)

In memory of Elder Wirthlin, I propose we go back and read his most recent address.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I know that Elder Wirthlin was a prophet, seer, and revalator. I have a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and did restore the true church. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Energy Drinks

2008-11-24T19:15:00.000-08:00

I feel bad for not posting. I regrettably have been way too busy with homework and such to even think about getting on the computer for anything other than homework.
So now I'm making myself post even though I'm not done with homework.
And the quote that went with a lesson I learned in seminary...I can't find it. I'm sorry. But it basically said that the most important commandment is the one that is the hardest for you to keep.

An increasing problem has been energy drinks.
The Word of Wisdom has nothing against them specifically.
But they contain caffeine. A lot of caffeine. An average can of cola has about 22-55 milligrams of caffeine. An energy drink can have from 80-500 milligrams of caffeine, in a single can.
So what about it?
Caffeine is, basically, a drug. It's kind of like alcohol (though obviously a lot milder).
Your body can become addicted to it. So by drinking these "energy" drinks often, one can become addicted. And it is very hard to break the addiction.
But energy drinks aren't just being used as an energy drink. Teens are having contests, seeing who can drink the most and/or the fastest.
Chugging an energy drink can be very dangerous. There's a certain speed that your body can take it. Pushing it definitely isn't the best thing to be doing...

So anyway...beware.
Just because something isn't specifically specified in the word of wisdom, doesn't make it okay. The word of wisdom doesn't give an list of all the drugs and stuff that's out there. Just use your head. If it's dangerous to your health, don't do it.

I know that by following the word of wisdom, and keeping our bodies healthy, we can lead a happier, more successful life. And I know that if we have a healthy body, we can have a healthy spirit.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Quick Apology/Short Thought

2008-11-16T20:08:00.001-08:00

Hello my few readers...
I would like to quickly apologize for not posting for so long.
There is a lesson/principle I would like to post, but it has been difficult to try to do without the quote that Bro. Moon handed out in seminary.
So no, I am not falling away from the church and abandoning this blog.
I just can't remember what the quote was and who said it.
So I am going to check when I go to seminary tomorrow.
And then I promise I will post. Which means that now that I said that, I have to. Or I will feel like I have let you down.

But here is a short thought so that you don't have to be completely deprived of spirituality until tomorrow.

"The most effective medicine for the sickness of self-pity is to lose ourselves in the service of others." - Gordon B. Hinckley

I've been thinking about that a lot lately and been trying to be so much nicer to people and make people's days better.
Like maybe leaving a little note for someone. Or giving a sad friend a hug. Or dropping a piece of gum or a coin for someone to find. Picking something up that someone dropped. Giving a random person a compliment.
Just small things you know? You never know when that will be an answer to a prayer.
Just be there for your friends and family, they need you.
And I have noticed that when I am kinder to others, I feel better.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Pearls

2008-11-04T18:47:00.001-08:00

A principle is a teaching or a truth or a lesson that can be applied in our lives.

A principle is also like a pearl.

There is a parable about pearls in Matthew 13:45-46.

45 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one apearl of great price, went and sold ball that he had, and bought it.

From this we learn that once we find an principle that is important to us, we buy it and make it ours. It reminded me of another scripture, Matthew 6:21.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I'm not sure why, but I think I made the connection because to own a principle you have to live it and seek after it. And once you own it it will be in your heart, and will be your greatest treasure.

Joseph Smith found a principle in James 1:5

5 aIf any of you lack bwisdom, let him ask of God, that cgiveth to all men liberally, and dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Because he bought this principle, and mad it his, we have the church on earth today. If he hadn't thought to buy this pearl, we would not know the full truth. He impacted many generations through this. Likewise, I think that we, ordinary people, can have an impact on others around us and not yet on earth.

But even if our change from owning a pearl doesn't impact as many as Joseph Smith did, it can still be of great worth.

I challenge you to find your principle, your pearl. Make it yours. Live that principle. I know that by following the teachings in the scriptures, we can hav eternal life and live with our Heavenly Father and Savior forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Parable of the Sower

2008-10-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

When Christ started using parables, his diciples were confused because they were hard to understand.

After telling the parable of the sower, they ask him why he has started using parables. Christ responds in Matthew 13:11-16.

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the amysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 aFor whosoever hath, to him shall be bgiven, and he shall have more cabundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall ahear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people’s aheart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their beyes they have cclosed; 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 dheal them.

16 But blessed are your aeyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

He uses parables to teach because only those who are looking for truths will find them in what he says. Those looking to quote him and say it's wrong, or who just aren't looking for the truth, will just hear a story and its surface meaning.

So the parable of the sower that he tells the crowd is this: (Matthew 13:3-8)

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon astony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among athorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and abrought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

So as the sower is tossing his seeds, some fall onto a path, of which the dirt is very packed and hard so the seeds cannot go into the dirt. Then birds come and eat them so they do not grow.
And some fall in stony places. There is some dirt, so they grow quickly. But there is not enough for the plants to have deep roots, so when the sun comes up, they dry up and die.
The seeds that fall by thorny plants grow, but the other plants keep sunlight and water getting to them. So they are choked and die.
But the seeds than fall onto good ground grow big and healthy. They produce lots of fruit.

If you're not really looking for any gospel truths, all you would learn from that parable would be to plant your seeds in good ground.

But if you are looking for truth, there are several lessons you could learn, a few ways you can interpret the story.
But when the disciples ask what the parable means, this is what Christ answers (in Matthew 13:18-23):

18 ¶ aHear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and aunderstandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and bcatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into astony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when atribulation or bpersecution ariseth because of the word, by and by che is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this aworld, and the bdeceitfulness of criches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that aheareth the word, and bunderstandeth it; which also beareth cfruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

So the Sower is Christ, and the seeds are his word. The different grounds could be seen as our hearts.
The wayside would be those who are hard-hearted, and do not wish to know of the gospel, or do not understand it. The birds would be Satan. He comes and takes away anything that might have been sowed in their hearts.
The stony places would be the hearts of those who get excited about the gospel, and grow in it quickly. But the sun is tribulation and persectution. When they are faced with those, they die in the church.
The thorny ground would be those of the world. The thorny plants would be worldly things. The seed is planted, and their testimony grows. But then, because of their cares of the world, it dies.
The good ground would be of those truly seeking a testimony. When they here the word, they let it grow. They let their testimonies grow strong and they are rightous. They are able to bring forth good works. And Christ says that some bring forth "an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." So even within the rightous, some will be more so than others and bring forth more good works than others.

The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew13:23 is this:
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth and endureth; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

So those of the good ground also endure in the church. They stick with it, and are able to endure worldy temptations.

I know that if we seek the truth, we will find it. And if we seek the understanding so that we do understand it, and live by the ways of the gospel, we can bring forth fruit. "Some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Resist Temptation

2008-10-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm subscribed to the Daily Gems from LDS.org (they send a short quote every day, check lds.org for more info). Today the quote reminded me of a lesson on repentance we had recently in seminary.

"When we have received a forgiveness of sins, a broken heart serves as a divine shield against temptation. Nephi prayed, 'May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!' (2 Nephi 4:32). King Benjamin taught his people that if they would walk in the depths of humility, they might ever rejoice, 'be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of . . . sins' (Mosiah 4:12). When we yield our hearts to the Lord, the attractions of the world simply lose their luster."
Bruce D. Porter, "A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 32

I really liked that because a step of repentance that we forget a lot is to come unto the Savior.

I know that once we are truly converted (or have a change in heart, or come unto Christ), our wants will start to become aligned with the Lord's and temptation will not be so tempting. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

SET: Alma 36:17-20

2008-10-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

SET stands for Share, Explain, Testify. So when I say SET, that's what I mean. When I set I will share a scripture, explain it, and testify of a principle within. Setting and pulling principles are skills that can come very useful when sharing the gospel. The best way to develop the skill is just through practice.

So I'm going to set Alma 36:17-20.

In Alma 36, Alma the younger is old talking to his son Helaman before he dies. (later chapters for his other sons.) In this section he is telling Helaman about his conversion.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus aracked with torment, while I was bharrowed up by the cmemory of my many sins, behold, I dremembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, ahave mercy on me, who am bin the cgall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting dchains of edeath.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my apains bno more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what ajoy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

Alma turned to Christ and his pains were taken from him. He had a true conversion and he was filled with great joy.

I know that if we experience a true conversion like Alma did, we will be happy too. If we turn to Christ he will carry our burdens. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2008-10-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

What kind of things do you worry about? Maybe the economy? Maybe your job? Maybe school? Maybe how you look?

In Mark 4:36-41 we read about the story where Christ calms the sea.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so afearful? how is it that ye have no bfaith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

In this story the disciples worry about dying. But the Master is there with them so do they need to? The chorus of "Master the Tempest is Raging" reads:

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.

So, the disciples were in the boat with the Master. But, "No waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of the earth and skies." They didn't need to worry.

There was another man on a boat. Noah built an ark and gathered his family and animals onto it. The earth was flooded, but all on the ark were safe.

So compare the ark and the boat to the church. We need not worry if we are on the boat with the Master. We will be safe.

This conference Elder Holland said:
"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He 'would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.'10 And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to 'search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.'11 The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."

So to get on the boat, we must "search diligently, pray always an be believing." Once we are on the boat, "all things shall work together for our good."
We shouldn't fear and worry about these the latter days, Christ doesn't want us to. There is one valid worry that we can have, are we on the boat?
I know that if we get on the boat things will work out. Don't worry! I have seen this in my own life, and I testify that if you will get on the boat you will be alright. Things will work for your good. I saw this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Prayer

2008-10-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to post here for a few days and I apologize. And I started this last night, but regretably wasn't able to finish, It got too late.

The other day in seminary we had a lesson on prayer.
How do you pray? Do you thank for what you have, and follow it with a list of things you want? A lot of times we pray like that, and don't even realize it.
To help us learn how to improve our prayers, we explored Matthew 6:5-15 and wrote down a principle for each verse using our scripture study skills.

I will take these one verse at a time and tell you my interpretation. Although you are free and encouraged to try and find something that applies to you.

5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the ahypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

I think that this means that we should pray because we need to. Not just because we know we're supposed to. We should pray with sincerity.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy acloset, and when thou hast bshut thy door, cpray to thy Father which is in dsecret; and thy Father which eseeth in secret shall freward thee openly.

To me this means that we should keep our prays private between us and Heavenly Father.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain arepetitions, as the bheathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

The principle in this verse is to not say the same things in every single prayer with no sincerity. We should change our prayers and make it from our hearts. Here's some common things we say, I'm sure you can finish them.

"We thank thee for this..."

"Please bless this food that it will..."

"Bless those that could not be with us today that they may..."

"Please help us to take this lesson..."

There are more, but I really don't have space...

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father aknoweth what things ye have bneed of, before ye ask him.

Heavenly Father knows what you need. He wants you to be humble and ask Him for it. Through prayer, we will be able to realize what we need, and be able to pray for that. Instead of what we want. Our will will become aligned with His will.

9 aAfter this manner therefore bpray ye: Our cFather which art in heaven, dHallowed be thy ename.

I had trouble with this one. But through thought I think it's telling us to be respectful and reverent when we pray.

10 Thy akingdom come. Thy bwill be done cin earth, as it is in heaven.

This verse goes along with number 8. Remember when Christ prayed and asked for His Father's will to be done instead of His? We need to do that too. Our Father knows what we need. We need to be humble enough to ask for what He wants done.

11 Give us this day our daily abread.

There are several ways of interpretting this verse. I think that the bread is the Spirit. So when we pray, it's like our daily boost of the Spirit. And If we pray daily we will be able to feel the Spirit more strongly throughout the day.

12 And forgive us our adebts, as we bforgive our debtors.

We can ask for forgiveness when we pray, as well as help to forgive others.

13 aAnd blead us not into ctemptation, dbut deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the eglory, for ever. Amen.

This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 10:13. We can pray to avoid temptation and to be delivered out of evil if we do meet temptation. He will protect us from such things, and I know he does.

14 For if ye aforgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye aforgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

These two go together. If we forgive others, God will forgive us. But if we don't forgive others, He will not forgive us.

I testify to you of the real power of prayer In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture Study

2008-09-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

Today's seminary lesson was amazing. I absolutely loved it. So I am going to try and repeate it. It probably won't be as effective as it was in the classroom...we'll see what happens.

First thing...(and you don't have to answer in a comment or anything)
Have you noticed a difference in your life when you read and study the scriptures?

Now I'm going to share with you a way to make scripture study more effective.
Bro. Moon had shared some of a talk by Boyd K. Packer, but I can't find it so I'm just going to have to sumarize what he said.

It does not matter how much you read. The time you spend reaing is more important.
When you study, read the verse(s). Then ponder, pray, and reread them until you understand. When you have a personal revelation write down your impressions of the verse.

Now, read Matthew 5:13.

13 ¶ Ye are the asalt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Easy verse to skip over right?Let's try to understand it.
What is salt for? We use it to flavor things. There are things that don't taste very good without it.

Now, how can this apply to us? How can we be like salt? I think it means that our good examples and teachings can help make others happy.

But, there is the other part. If salt looses it's flavor, it's useless.
Likewise, if we do not spread the gospel and serve and be a good example, we cannot make others happy. Our lives will be wasted because we didn't help others.

So, this verse actually goes right along with the next verses, Matthew 5:14-16, which mean pretty much the same thing.

14 Ye are the alight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a acandle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good bworks, and cglorify your Father which is in heaven.

I would challenge you now to help us salt the earth.
I testify to you that others will be enlightened by your example and the teachings of the church. I also testify that if you will use this method of scripture study, you will notice a change in your life. You will feel so much closer to the spirit. I know this and I have noticed it in my own life.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Gospel

2008-09-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

In church today we had a combined meeting with the young men. A return missionary from my ward gave a lesson about the gospel and Christ.

He started out by sharing Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy ayouth, while the bevil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long ahome, and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the adust return to the earth as it was: and the bspirit shall return unto God who cgave it.

What does that mean? Well, we can try to make it hard. Which is what we do a lot.
But all it means is what the first verse says. Learn it in your youth. The rest is describing things about being old, metaphors and stuff that is hard to understand because they are ancient.

Then he went on and talked a little bit about his mission. He served in Louisiana (I'm not 100% sure, but I'm almost positive that's were he went), where most people are already Christian. So he thought that he didn't have to teach them about Christ, because they already believe.

So his approach was to try telling them about Joseph Smith. Which didn't work most of the time. So he prayed and studied. He soon discovered that he was approaching them the wrong way.
He noticed that Christ was mentioned in every lesson in Preach the Gospel. He then changed his approach from "Let me tell you about a prophet" to "Let me share with you an important truth." His success shot up.

He then changed the direction more towards testimonies, and started with Numbers 21:6-9.

6 And the Lord sent afiery bserpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 ¶ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have asinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses bprayed for the people.

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, aMake thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall blive.

9 And Moses made a aserpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

We then turned to the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:20

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that abrought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should bheal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the cserpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the drock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are etrue, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other fname given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

Then in 1 Nephi 17:41.

41 And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they ahardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying bserpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be chealed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the dsimpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

Then he called his brother up, and had him stand on a chair. He told us that if we would look at him every morning, we wouldn't be tired. He asked us if we believed him. He then asked us if it were one of the young men leaders that said it would we believe it. He then asked if the bishop were so say it, and finally Thomas S. Monson, if we would believe it. I would believe it if the prophet told us it were true.

And he made a point that many would not believe because it was too easy.
So, then he described the simplicity of testimonies. How they don't have to be a long speech. How the most effective testimonies are the ones that are short and sweet.

He shared one last scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-25

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the atestimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he blives!

He made a point here that the testimony could have ended here, just a testimony "that he lives."

23 For we asaw him, even on the bright hand of cGod; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only dBegotten of the Father—

24 That by ahim, and through him, and of him, the bworlds are and were created, and the cinhabitants thereof are begotten dsons and daughters unto God.

25 And this we saw also, and bear record, that an aangel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who brebelled against the Only Begotten cSon whom the Father dloved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,

The basic point of the whole lesson was that the gospel is simple. It is plain. Just as it is easy to look at something and be healed, it should by easy to understand the gospel. It is everything we have been taught in our youth. It is all based on Christ. Once the understanding clicks there, I know it does everywhere else. I have seen this happen in my life recently since I have started seminary, and started studying His life. Everything is starting to make so much more sense.

And so he ended the lesson with his testimony. I bear the same testimony to you. I know Christ lived and died for us. I know he is my Saviour.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

About This Blog

2008-09-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

This blog is for me to share with you.

I will share gospel truths of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.

This is not created by the church, it is created by me, a member of the church.

All coments are welcome. But swearing will not be tolerated. Nor will coments complaining or objecting to the church. If you have something to add, feel free to. But let's keep it spiritual.

I will share experiences, things I have found interesting in seminary, and scriptures that seem to stand out as I'm reading.

I will try to post as often as possible.

But, overall the main goal is to use the internet to spread the gospel, instead of for negative things.

I also have another blog that is just for fun random stuff and my life if you want to check that one out...

That's all for now. If I think of anything else I will let you know!