Archive for September 2009
This is such a powerful, moving and extremely important talk to listen to…. again, and again, and again….
Here is some fragments from the talk that ought draw your significant attention, and should be seriously looked over!
Download “Fledgling Finches and Family Life” By Boyd K. Packer 34:30 Total Talk Time
The Adversary’s Influence
There came into my mind the warnings spoken by the prophets. We willnot always be safe from the adversary’s influence, even within our ownhomes. We need to protect our nestlings.
In order to do that, we must first acknowledge that Satan, the devil,lives; what his purposes are; what his intentions would be; and whatour defenses should be.
He was lying in wait in the Sacred Grove when the boy Josephentered. No doubt Satan was hoping to forestall the Restoration. He wasan “actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as[the boy Joseph] had never before felt in any being” (JS-H 1:16).
A Dangerous World
We know that we are spirit children of heavenly parents here onearth to receive our mortal bodies and to be tested. We live in a verydangerous world that threatens those things which are spiritual. Thefamily, the most fundamental organization of the Church, is underattack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. Hisobjective is to cause injury to the family. If he can weaken anddestroy the family, he will have succeeded.
The scriptures tell us, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are notable to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroyboth soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
We also know that the prophets have said that Satan cannot take onesparrow, or one finch, out of our nest unless we permit it. (3)
Perilous Times Have Come
Paul warned Timothy and warns us. (Notice how perfectly this warning describes what is going on around us now.)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,blasphemers, disobedient to parents [let me repeat that — “disobedientto parents,”], unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection [let me repeat that—“without naturalaffection”], trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [2 Timothy 3:1–7]
These verses serve as a warning, showing us the patterns to avoid. We must be ever watchful and diligent.
But Paul also gave us the key to our protection. Speaking in thesame chapter, he identified healing power in this small phrase: “From achild thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make theewise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy3:15).
In 2 Nephi we are warned:
Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! [2 Nephi 28:24–27]
Moroni spoke of the wickedness of the secret combinations and thewicked men to come among us. He warned us that they would be with us inour day and said:
When ye shall see these things come among you that ye [should] awake to a sense of your awful situation. . . .
Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write thesethings that evil may be done away, and that the time may come thatSatan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, butthat they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may comeunto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved. [Ether 8:24, 26]
A Pattern in All Things
Do we need any more evidence to understand that we are at war withthe adversary? The revelations teach us how to win this spiritual war:
And again, I will give unto you a pattern in allthings, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land,and he goeth forth deceiving the nations —
Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. [D&C 52:14–15]
God Is Our Father
From the accounts of the Council in Heaven we learn that God is ourFather, and we are His children.5 We would do well to always rememberHim as our Father. We are instructed to address Him as “our Fatherwhich art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).
Our Father delegates to His priesthood leaders a commanding authority to preach, to teach, to minister, and to bless.
Those with a Body Have Power over Those Without
Joseph Smith taught that “wicked spirits have their bounds.” Now listen carefully:
Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and lawsby which they are governed or controlled. . . . It is very evident thatthey possess a power that none but those who have the Priesthood cancontrol. (6)
Joseph Smith also taught a principle crucial in importance thateveryone, particularly those holding the priesthood, should fullyunderstand. He said:
We came to this earth that we might have a bodyand present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The greatprinciple of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has nobody, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtainthe tabernacle of man. . . .
All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not [let mesay that again—“all beings who have bodies have power over those whohave not”]. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. (7)
Satan cannot seduce us by his enticements unlesswe in our hearts consent and yield. Our organization is such that wecan resist the devil; if we were not organized so, we would not be freeagents. (8)
Moral Agency
The agency defined in the scriptures is a “moral agency,” which means that we can choose between good and evil.
That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining tofuturity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him,that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day ofjudgment. [D&C 101:78]
We feel free to choose our actions and our responses to life’sevents and challenges, but we are not free to choose the consequencesof those actions.
Tolerance Can Become a Vice
I must say something about tolerance. Tolerance is a virtue, but,like all virtues, when exaggerated it transforms itself into a vice.The permissiveness afforded by the weakening of the laws of the land totolerate acts of immorality does not reduce the serious spiritualconsequences that result from the violation of God’s law of chastity.
Let me say that again: We who have bodies have the power andauthority over those who do not. And we are free to choose what we willand to pick and choose our acts, but we are not free to choose theconsequences. They come as they will come.
Alma taught that “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the leastdegree of allowance” (Alma 45:16). In order to understand, we mustseparate the sin from the sinner.
While “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree ofallowance,” He is not condemning everyone because of sin. For example,when they brought Him a woman taken in adultery, obviously guilty, Hedismissed the case with five words, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).That is the spirit and the letter of His ministry.
All Have the Light of Christ
We are born with the Light of Christ, a guiding influence which permits each person to recognize right from wrong.
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he mayknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; forevery thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe inChrist, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye mayknow with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil,and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye mayknow with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this mannerdoth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one;neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.[Moroni 7:16–17]
Teach yourself and teach your families about the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. [1 Corinthians 3:16–17]
We, brethren, as holders of the Holy Priesthood Posses The Power to thwart the work of the adversary, if we but stand righteous to use it, and consistently keep the commandments. That is why our Temple Covenants, and certainly all other Covenants we make with our Heavenly Father are so important to keep. We have the greatest Assurance from The Lord, when he said to Joseph Smith [Also given to Church in the “General Council” in Jacksson County, Missouri, April 26, 1832]:
“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D & C Section 82:10)
Let us be righteous holders of the Priesthood, and we will ever be ready to Serve Our Lord!
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
October 3rd :Saturday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 3rd :Saturday Priesthood Telecast 7:00pm
October 4th :Sunday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 7th :Leadership Training @ Stake Center
Let us Pray and hope things go well for the survivors. May the Lord bless them all!
In the wake of tropical storm Ketsana, 23 Church members in thePhilippines are reported to be among the 140 confirmed fatalities,according to a Church statement issued Sept. 29. Not all Church membershave yet been accounted for following the heaviest rainfall in four decadesand the ensuing floods from the storm which struck Manila and surroundingareas Saturday, Sept. 26. More than 16 inches of rain fell in 12 hoursSaturday.
The total number of members affected is still being assessed, with allbut three stake and district presidents having been contacted by the timethe report was issued. Fifteen meetinghouses sustained water damage andothers are yet to be assessed, according to the Churchreport.
Associated Press
Floodvictims extend their arms to receive relief goods from a military truckafter water subsides Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 in suburban Cainta, east ofManila, Philippines. Weary victims of a tropical storm that unleashedworst flooding in more than a decades begun cleaning up their damagedhomes as rescue workers plucked more dead bodies from muddy floodwaters.
All missionaries are safe and accounted for and are joining with localmembers and others in clean-up efforts. Clothing and bedding donated bymembers in non-affected areas are being shipped to the disaster area. TheChurch has also purchased locally food, water, clothing, hygiene items andother relief supplies for distribution to members and others.
Of the 24 metro Manila stakes and two other stakes affected, 14 havebeen able to respond to their own needs.
Associated Press
Inthis photo released by the Philippine Air Force, some parts of Caintatownship, east of Manila, Philippines, remain flooded three days aftertropical storm Ketsana brought the worst flooding in metropolitanManila in more than 40 years Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.
Associated Press
Two women start to clean up the mess brought by flooding Tuesday, in suburban Quezon City north of Manila, Philippines.
At one point, 80 percent of Manila was submerged by the flooding, thereport stated, adding that more than 115,000 are living in makeshiftshelters.
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
October 3rd :Saturday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 3rd :Saturday Priesthood Telecast 7:00pm
October 4th :Sunday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 7th :Leadership Training @ Stake Center
(Photo Courtesy Deseret News;)
Published: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Speaking of the great legacy early Latter-daySaint women have passed to women today, President Henry B. Eyring askedRelief Society members worldwide to remember that charity never faileth.
“I testify that charity is the pure love of Christ,” said President Eyring,first counselor in the First Presidency. “As we serve others with Him wefeel His joy.”
Thousands of women gathered in the Conference Center in downtown Salt LakeCity for the Church’s General Relief Society meeting Sept. 26. The meetingwas translated and broadcast, via the Church’s satellite system, tomeetinghouses across the globe. In addition to President Eyring, thegeneral Relief Society presidency — Sister Julie B. Beck, Sister Silvia H.Allred and Sister Barbara Thompson — also addressed the worldwidecongregation.
During the meeting, President Eyring spoke on the enduring legacy of ReliefSociety, an organization that was founded in 1842.
“I will speak to you tonight of the great legacy those who went before youin the Relief Society have passed to you,” said President Eyring. “The partof the foundation they laid for you which seems to me most important andpersistent is that charity is at the heart of the society and was to comeinto the heart, to be part of the very nature, of every member.”
He said charity meant to early Latter-day Saint women far more than afeeling of benevolence. “Charity is born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christand is an effect of His Atonement working in the hearts of the members.There are many benevolent groups of women who do great good. There are manywho have overpowering feelings of sympathy for the unfortunate, the sickand the needy. But this organization is unique and has been from itsstart.”
The foundation of the organization – “charity never faileth” — is at thecenter of the work, he said. “It served them at the beginning; it servedthem in the great period that followed; it serves them now in a new time;and it will serve the Relief Society in all the periods ahead.”
President Eyring said the Relief Society is composed of women whosefeelings of charity spring from hearts “changed by qualifying for and bykeeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true church.”
“Their feelings of charity come from Him through His atonement. Their actsof charity are guided by His example and come out of gratitude for Hisinfinite gift of mercy and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompanyHis servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have doneand are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even whentheir own unmet needs are great.”
President Eyring said the history of Relief Society is filled with accountsof such remarkable selfless service.
Early Latter-day saint women “came from a great diversity of circumstances.All faced the universal trials and heartaches of life. Their determinationborn of faith to serve the Lord and others seemed to take them not aroundthe storms of mortal life but into them.
“Some were young and some old. They were from many lands and peoples as youare today. But they were of one heart, one mind, and with one intention.They were determined to help the Lord build His Zion.”
President Eyring said the love of God dwelt in the hearts of early membersof the Relief Society.
Then, he said, because of hard circumstances, for nearly four decades,Relief Society ceased to function as a Churchwide organization. After thatperiod, Brigham Young called Eliza R. Snow to assist bishops in organizingRelief Societies.
“The record of Relief Society shows that when the leaders approached thesisters across the Church to begin again formal Relief Society work theyfound that charity in their hearts was undiminished. They had continued toreach out in mercy to those in need. For those who stayed faithful to theircovenants, the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ, had endured. Itwas still theirs.”
In the years that followed, the Relief Society grew in numbers and in powerto serve those in need, said President Eyring. The women created a smallhospital and supported women in going to the east to get medical trainingto staff it. They began the worldwide Church social services programs. Theycreated a grain storage system. They organized the Primary and Young Womenorganizations. And the Relief Society was at the heart of the beginning ofthe Church’s power to give humanitarian aid across the world.
President Eyring said it is clear from the record that the Lord was in thework with the women of the first period of Relief Society. “He prospered itand they felt joy and light.”
President Eyring said it must have been hard for Relief Society sisterswhen the Lord led them to another season. The hospital system, for example,was handed to others as the women had faith that the Lord saw a greaterneed for their service elsewhere.
“A precious part of your Relief Society heritage is that same faith in thehearts of the leaders and the members of the Relief Society. The Lord hadknown where their great talents would be needed in the next season andwhere they would find an even greater joy than in the wonderful enterprisesthey had begun and built.”
For a new season, the Lord provided a way to provide succor and comfortacross the Church. This would come as two sisters would accept theirassignment to visit another as a call from the Lord, he said.
“The members of the Relief Society have always been trusted by localpriesthood shepherds. Every bishop and every branch president has a ReliefSociety president to depend upon. She has visiting teachers who know thetrials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know thehearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishopin his call to nurture individuals and families.
“A wonderful part of the heritage of Relief Society is evident in the waythe priesthood has always shown respect and received it from the ReliefSociety in turn. I have seen it as you have.”
President Eyring then asked the worldwide congregation to pass “thismarvelous and sacred legacy of Relief Society” on to those who will followthem.
“It will take small and simple things. Just remember that it is passed fromheart to heart. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is part of the mightychange of heart which the Lord promises to His faithful disciples.”
Ultimately, he said, Relief Society members pass their heritage along asthey help others receive the gift of charity in their hearts. “They willthen be able to pass it to others.”
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As far as my personal opinion, I know that the Relief Society and all that are in it, are inspired of righteous Priesthood Leaders and are given revelation not only as Mothers, but also as leaders. I have seen many wonderful examples of how this program is truly inspired of God. Sister Black was inspirational to me. She always did what she could, and seemed to exceed the need requested. I have also seen that calling of the Relief Society Branch Presidency change and inspire others. Sister Sharp is wonderfully dedicated, and I see the Spirit with her in all she does, and know her counselors are very inspired. Even women whom are simply regular members of the Relief Society, show that charity doesnt stop at callings, but outside of everything we do in church, charity should be clearly visible – I say that a miraculous example of this, whom now is my inspiration (As a dedicated Teacher) Sister Masters shows us all, how much our spiritual investment of time and study, will definativly increase our Spiritual Stock; May the Lord continue to guide us all!
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
October 3rd :Saturday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 3rd :Saturday Priesthood Telecast 7:00pm
October 4th :Sunday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 7th :Leadership Training @ Stake Center
Church Responds to
Flooding in the Philippines
PHILIPPINES 28 September 2009 Tropical storm Ketsana struck the Philippines on Saturday, 26 September 2009, triggering the heaviest rainfall in forty years and causing significant flooding.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing food, water, clothing, hygiene items and other relief supplies which are being purchased locally and distributed to those in the affected region. Local Church members and missionaries are assisting with clean-up efforts. Church members in nonaffected areas of the Philippines are mobilizing to donate clothing and bedding as Church leaders continue to monitor the situation.
Of the 140 confirmed fatalities, 24 Church members have been reported dead with others still missing. The total number of members affected by the flooding is still being assessed, however all Church missionaries are safe and accounted for.
Fifteen Church meetinghouses have suffered water damage, with others still yet to be assessed.
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
October 3rd :Saturday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 3rd :Saturday Priesthood Telecast 7:00pm
October 4th :Sunday General Conference; 11:00 & 3:00
October 7th :Leadership Training @ Stake Center
President Martinez & His Two Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
Shot (one) Of His Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
Shot (two) Of His Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
Shot (three) Of His Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
Shot (four) of family including Christian & Cesar Samaniego
Shot (five) alternate
Shot (six) alternate
President Martinez & His Two Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
President Martinez & His Two Grandsons: Christian & Cesar Samaniego
May I extend my warmest regards to President Martinez. Im sure his joy is full, im sure he has had the great pleasure of knowing that his example can be seen, even generations down the road. I feel greatly favored in my own personal life through his love and guidance as our Elders Quorum President. I feel that with him, with Brother Calderon, Brother Olmsted, Brother Derrick, Brother Guinn, Brother Stewart, Brother Baab, Brother Sharpe, Brother Kelly, Brother Montoya, Brother Gagne, Brother West, Brother Brunkhorst, Brother Mayberry and the other great brethren who have joined us in the Elders Quorum and have rejoiced in the building up of Zion in our hearts, at church, and even at home!
The change came in my life from a great group of wonderfully motivated Elders; I’ll never forget their names, ever. Elder Tripp, Elder Philpot, Elder Rusk, Elder Colton, Elder Gibb!
Also, before our current Branch Presidency was the running administration, all of the men inside were greatly influential to me as well; President Williams & President Porter have had a substantial influence in my life (As well as Sister Porter); Both President Sharp and Longoria also have been a profound influence for good, and I must thank them also. All of these before mentioned individuals as well as the High Priest whom Ordained me to the Melchizedek Priesthood, my grandfather LLoyd M. Beardsley, whom I have had the joy of ordaining me to every office I have held in the Priesthood. He has been frequently praying to the Lord, along with my Grandma Beardsley, petitioning the Lord to intervene on my behalf- The Lord has. Im greatful for every Brother and Sister in this Gospel I have; Again President, congrats!
Well brethren, It has been a spiritually uplifting week for me. It truly has. In the interest of preservation of the way I have the lesson set up, I wont write about the past week I have had, until after tomorrow. I have had help from the Savior it seems, even more than I can ever recall previously. I will tie this into the lesson, and then of course will post all that information after tomorrow…
But, like the title to this blog, the main lds.org webpage shows now this addition about a site dedicated to, and about the topic of hope. It must be something a lot of people struggle with, even more than many give actual attention to. That site again, is, “Finding Hope” (Click)
Until tomorrow brethren, I pray the Spirit of The Lord attend you all.
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Lubbock Stake + Plainview Branch Announcements:
September 27th, 2009: Fast Sunday
September 28th, 2009: Family Home Evening
September 30th, 2009: 7:00pm Priest/Laurel Activity (4th Ward – Stake Center)
Val D. Greenwood, author of the award winning book “How Often Would I Have Gathered You” paid a visit to our blog here, and has made way for all of us to be better acquainted with the Old Testament. Take the time to look over his blog, Val D. Greenwood’s Blog (Click Here) , after careful study of his wisdom, don’t hesitate to visit his companion site Oldtestamentor (Click Here) and follow along as he takes the role of mentor to our knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament. What a great asset this is!
Should you find loads of information that you like, (as you shall,) visit New View Old Testament- the page of which you can purchase the award winning book , “How Often Would I Have Gathered You”
I look forward to sharing more input with you brethren.
A few quick Announcements and clarifications (Reminders) : Sunday, September 27th, is Fast Sunday because the next week, as we all know, is General Conference! I can’t wait for the fountain of knowledge and inspiration that will come from it!
Here are some recent photos: From The Oquirrh Mountain Temple
And Some Photos Of General Authorities:
Hope all of this has been of use to you brethren, more to come soon!
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Lubbock Stake + Plainview Branch Announcements:
September 26th, 2009: 7:00pm General Relief Society Telecast (At Stake Center)
September 27th, 2009: Fast Sunday
September 28th, 2009: Family Home Evening
September 30th, 2009: 7:00pm Priest/Laurel Activity (4th Ward – Stake Center)
Brethren, I know I post a lot of information here, but I promise you I put here, information that inspires me; This includes but, is not limited to, talks, church videos, inspiring videos and bulletins. I love The Lord, and hope that all I post here is witness to that fact!
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Lubbock Stake + Plainview Branch Announcements:
September 24th, 2009: 7:00pm Stake Presidency
September 24th, 2009: 8:00pm Elders-HP Interviews
September 26th, 2009: 7:00pm General Relief Society Telecast (At Stake Center)
September 27th, 2009: Fast Sunday
September 28th, 2009: Family Home Evening
September 30th, 2009: 7:00pm Priest/Laurel Activity (4th Ward – Stake Center)
The Following Talk By Elder Spencer J. Condie of The Seventy, was given during the Saturday Morning Session of the 177th Semiannual General Conference of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints;
(Or, Follow Below – After the written copy of this talk is the embedded video of the talk that you can watch without leaving the blog page)
“Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises”
Elder Spencer J. Condie
Of the Seventy The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will not vary from these promises.
I bring you the love and greeting of the faithful Saints in the South Pacific.
The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord JesusChrist. This includes faith in His divine birth and heavenly heritageand faith that, under His Father’s direction, He created the earth andall things that dwell therein (see John 1:10; Mosiah 3:8).At the very heart of our faith in Christ is the assurance that throughHis atoning sacrifice, though our sins may be as scarlet, they canbecome as white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18).
Faith in Christ includes the knowledge that following HisCrucifixion, He arose from the tomb, and His Resurrection made itpossible for all mankind to live again (see 1 Corinthians 15:21–23).Faith in Christ is the assurance that He and His Heavenly Fatherappeared to a young man, Joseph Smith, paving the way for theRestoration of all things in the dispensation of the fulness of times.Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which bears His holy name.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is evident when we believe Histeachings and claim His “exceeding great and precious promises” andbecome “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).Innumerable promises are proclaimed by His prophets, and the Lordassures us, “My word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled,whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is thesame” (D&C 1:38).
In these latter days, the Lord revealed that “when we obtain anyblessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it ispredicated” (D&C 130:21).The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will notvary from these promises, for, said He, “I, the Lord, am bound when yedo what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10).
Exceeding Great and Precious Promises
The Lord’s countless exceeding great and precious promises includeforgiveness of our sins when we “confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43; see also D&C 1:32). Opening the windows of heaven is a promise claimed by those who pay a faithful tithe (see Malachi 3:10), and finding “great treasures of knowledge” accrues to those who observe the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89:19).
Becoming unspotted from the world is a promise to those who keep the Sabbath holy (see D&C 59:9; Exodus 31:13). Divine guidance and inspiration are promised to those who “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3) and who “liken all scriptures” unto themselves (1 Nephi 19:23).
The Lord also promised that “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father inmy name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold itshall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:20).We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion whenwe “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly” (see D&C 121:45–46).We can claim the spiritually liberating promise of fasting, which will“loose the bands of wickedness,” undo our “heavy burdens,” and “breakevery yoke” (Isaiah 58:6).
Those who are sealed in holy temples and who faithfully keep theircovenants will receive God’s glory, which “shall be a fulness and acontinuation of the seeds forever and ever” (D&C 132:19).
Sometimes, in our earthly impatience, we may lose sight of theLord’s precious promises and disconnect our obedience from thefulfillment of these promises. The Lord has declared:
“Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
“I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.
“Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord,for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto
such, for their rewardlurketh beneath, and not from above” (D&C 58:31–33).
Seeing the Promises Afar Off
Important components of faith are patience, long-suffering, andenduring to the end. The Apostle Paul recounts the faith of Abel,Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sara, concluding that “these all died infaith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that theywere strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (see Hebrews 11:4–13). These faithful Saints knew that this earth life was a journey, not their final destination.
When Abram was 75 years old, the Lord promised him, “I will make ofthee a great nation”—this at a time when he and Sarai as yet had nochildren (Genesis 12:2). He was 86 when Sarai’s handmaiden Hagar “bare Ishmael to Abram” (Genesis 16:16).
And the Lord changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name toSarah, and when he was nearly a hundred and she was 90 they werepromised that Sarah would bear a son to be named Isaac (see Genesis 17:17, 19). Amidst their disbelief the Lord asked: “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). And “Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age” (Genesis 21:2), and the Lord promised: “I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore” (Genesis 22:17).
Young Isaac grew into manhood, and when he was 40 years old hemarried Rebekah. “And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, becauseshe was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wifeconceived” and bore twin sons, Esau and Jacob, when their father was 60years old. (See Genesis 25:20–26.)
As Jacob matured and became of appropriate age, his parents senthim to the household of Laban, where he would meet Laban’s twodaughters, Leah and Rachel. Jacob told Laban, “I will serve thee sevenyears for Rachel thy younger daughter. . . . And Jacob served sevenyears for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the lovehe had to her” (Genesis 29:18, 20).
You will recall how Laban beguiled young Jacob into first marryingLeah and then Rachel. “And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, heopened her womb: but Rachel was barren” (Genesis 29:31). And Leah bore Reuben, then Simeon, then Levi, and Judah. Meanwhile, Rachel remained childless (see Genesis 29:32–35).
With ever-increasing envy and mounting desperation, one day Rachelexplosively demanded of Jacob, “Give me children or else I die” (Genesis 30:1). Leah subsequently bore two more sons and a daughter.
The Lord Is Not Slack Concerning His Promise
The Apostle Peter testified that “the Lord is not slack concerninghis promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering” towardus (2 Peter 3:9).In this age of one-hour dry cleaning and one-minute fast-foodfranchises, it may at times seem to us as though a loving HeavenlyFather has misplaced our precious promises or He has put them on holdor filed them under the wrong name. Such were the feelings of Rachel.
But with the passage of time, we encounter four of the most beautiful words in holy writ: “And God remembered Rachel” (Genesis 30:22).And she was blessed with the birth of Joseph and later the birth ofBenjamin. There are millions on earth today who are descendants ofJoseph who have embraced the Abrahamic promise that through theirefforts “shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with theblessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even oflife eternal” (Abraham 2:11).
When heaven’s promises sometimes seem afar off, I pray that each ofus will embrace these exceeding great and precious promises and neverlet go. And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you. I sotestify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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Lubbock Stake + Plainview Branch Announcements:
September 24th, 2009: 7:00pm Stake Presidency
September 24th, 2009: 8:00pm Elders-HP Interviews
September 26th, 2009: 7:00pm General Relief Society Telecast (At Stake Center)
September 27th, 2009: Fast Sunday
September 28th, 2009: Family Home Evening
September 30th, 2009: 7:00pm Priest/Laurel Activity (4th Ward – Stake Center)
The Vine In The Vineyard Of The Lord 
