A higher road

There is so much good in the worst of us

and so much bad in the best of us,

that is becomes none of us to judge and talk about the rest of us.

Various forms of this quote has been attributed to a bunch of different people including Edward Hoch, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Abraham Lincoln.

Notes on Lectures On Faith

Some points from the Lectures on Faith

First Lecture- What faith is, the assurance of things hoped for, and how it is the motivating power of all creation and thus it is the first principle of the gospel

Second Lecture- The object on which faith rests is God. Knowledge and evidence, in the way of personal visitation by Him, was made manifest into the world through chosen vessels such as Joseph Smith; the first chosen vessel was Adam. It shows from Adam to Abraham how many hundreds of years each father and son lived. For example, it shows how Lamech, who was Noah’s father, was 56 years old when Adam died. Eight of the men mentioned in the Old Testament who were living at the time of Noah were also alive when Adam was. Why is this important? They heard Adam’s testimony first-hand. Adam walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden. When he was cast out of the Garden he still had knowledge of God which he shared with his children and their children. They were responsible for believing the testimony of Adam, who spoke with God face to face. In our dispensation, we are responsible for believing the testimony of Joseph Smith, who spoke with God face to face. Every dispensation has its’ own chosen witness. This is the way evidence is presented from God into the world while still allowing everyone to develop faith. If God appeared to everyone, they could not have faith, they would have knowledge.

Third Lecture- Three things are necessary that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith.
First, the idea that He actually exists. It is difficult to place confidence in someone who does not even exist.
Secondly, a correct idea of His character, perfections and attributes. Trust is a firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness or genuineness of someone. It would be difficult to have faith and trust in someone who does not posses these attributes:
He is God over all before and after the creation. With this knowledge, we can have faith knowing that no one above Him can usurp his power or keep Him from keeping promises to us.
He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and He was so from everlasting to everlasting. With the knowledge, we can have faith that He will be merciful with us.
He changes not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. With this knowledge, we can have faith that He won’t change His mind on which commandments he wants us to keep.
He is a God of truth and cannot lie. We could not trust God if he lied.
He is no respecter of persons. In every nation, he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him.
God is love.

Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to His will. This knowledge helps us to endure the trials to our faith and the ups and downs in life which might dampen our courage, cause doubts and weaken our faith.

Fourth Lecture- More revelation from God to man through the written word about His attributes that enable us to have sufficient faith.
God has all knowledge.
God works through faith
God works by justice
God works by mercy
God has the power to judge
God is a God of truth.


Fifth Lecture- Teaches of the Godhead and how they are of one heart and one mind.

Sixth Lecture- Explains how the idea that one is pursuing the course in life that is agreeable to the will of God gives someone the strength and desire to sacrifice all for God. Only those who are willing to sacrifice everything are worthy to live with God. This knowledge of pursuing the right course in life is how the early saints were able to endure the loss of everything they did.

Seventh Lecture- The fruits of faith- need for greater faith, creation, power to endure trials, knowledge of God, spiritual confidence, mental exertion, being one with Christ, and salvation is the end of faith.


Notes from the Treatise on Faith by Orson Pratt

How is faith a gift but also dependent on our exercise, free will and agency? Faith is a gift but we can only have it in the Lord’s appointed way. The way we receive this gift is to hear the testimony by those called and inspired by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
Through this medium man makes himself acquainted with the evidence in favor of the divinity of the word, the evidence being of divine origin as well as the word. This evidence begets faith in the mind and this faith though it be obtained through the exercise of the free will and agency of man, is still the gift of God, granted through the evidence accompanying the preached word.
When the honest humble souls either hears or reads that which is given him by the Spirit, the light which is in him witnesseth that it is of God; for light cleaves to light and truth to truth; the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world, and if he loves that light which is in himself, he will love all other light that is presented to his mind and embrace it. Light cannot be presented to the mind of a candid honest person without being perceived as light, but if he receives it not, he extinguishes in a degree the light that is in him and darkness still greater ensues.
The only way to receive additional light is to practice according to the light which we have, and if we do this, we have the promise of God that the same shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Two Men

Two men looked through the self-same bars,

One saw mud, the other saw stars.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.

Today I made a plan, a promise in my mind, that I'd begin this very day to let my light so shine.

The early morning dawn revealed my mother's face, reminding me that my own home was my beginning place.

With a happy heart I sang and helped in little ways to bring a ray of loving light into my family's day.

Then out into the world I went with watchful eye. I saw a woman old and bent and could not pass her by.

With gentle voice I spoke, then listened for a while and saw her sad expression change into a grateful smile.

As time went quickly by I said a silent prayer and asked to bring the light of love to someone in despair.

Outside my circle of friends I saw a lonely one, a person often ridiculed and left to walk alone.

With courage I reached out and drew her in with me. The joy I saw will ever be a cherished memory.

As evening time approached I had a chance to share a priceless gift that I hold dear with someone who would care.

In faith I gave a friend the sacred book of life and testified that it contained the purest gospel light.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."

This song from the Young Women's themes by Janice Kapp Perry  changed my life for the better when I was a teen.  I pictured some girl going around trying to brighten everyone's day and I tried to be that girl.  I don't know how effective my efforts were, but at least it got me to stop thinking about myself so much and focus on other's people needs.  It was great therapy for a bad mood!

RS lesson December 2008

"Testimony" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks Ensign May 2008 

taught by Alison Jaehne

I have had a wonderful Christmas preparing for this lesson. All month I have been reading and thinking about testimonies. It added to the spirit of Christmas for me! I have felt closer to the Lord and to the Spirit as I have only read church magazines and the scriptures this month. I have thought about what I know, and how I know it. I have experienced my personal testimony-building events all over again as I reread my journal and relived the memories of my 'special experiences'.

In the same conference issue as our lesson, Elder Ronald Rasband gave a talk called 'Special Experiences'. He said, "Our personal journey through life provides us with many special experiences that become building blocks of faith and testimony. As experiences accumulate in our lives, they add strength and support to each other. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too do our personal life experiences become building blocks for our testimonies..."

A pivotal personal experience for me was when I was at Rick's college, ahem, 21 years ago, I had a bishop who said from the pulpit in Sacrament Meeting, "I know there is a Garden and a Grove. Those are the two most important testimonies." Wow! What does that mean? I have thought about it a lot over the years. The Grove is the Sacred Grove, where Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith. For a long time, I thought that the Garden he referred to was the Garden Tomb, where Jesus was resurrected and saved us all from physical death. A testimony that Jesus has risen is certainly important and a testimony of the First Vision sort of covers that. I really think that he meant the most important testimony was of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus paid for our sins and saved those will repent and have faith in him.

In this January Ensign 2009 each of the apostles witness of the prophet Joseph Smith. Elder Quentin L. Cook testifies, "The foundation for every important decision and choice you will make is your testimony of Jesus Christ, (I know there is a Garden) and the restoration of His gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith." (I know there is a Grove)

Sister Gillespie's Sacrament Talk was wonderful! The symbol of the olive tree and the olive press and what the Savior did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane is the greatest miracle in our lives! I made extra pictures of an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane for anyone who would like one, to remind us of what happened there and to feel close to it.

In the same May 2008 Ensign issue as our lesson, Elder Steuer quotes President Spencer W. Kimball, "The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden from those who do not properly search and strive to find them...Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It takes persistence and dedication of one's life."

Doctrines covered in the lesson:

Definition of testimony and what it is not- a travelogue, health log or an expression of love for family members or preaching to others. If we stick to saying what we know, then as we share our special experiences, we will be bearing pure testimony.

The differences between three different kinds of knowledge- I know the church is true vs. I know it is cold outside vs. I know I love my wife and how we know them: scientific measures, personal subjective ways (which although not scientific, are very important) and through the Holy Ghost.

A scripture mentioned in the lesson and three times in the April 2008 conference must be important for us to study: 1 Cor 2:14 "the natural man receiveth not the things of God for they are foolish unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned" What is the "natural man"? The "natural" man is linked in the footnotes of Mosiah 3:19 as a worldly man, not spiritually reborn. Of course we are born our pure; our natures are divine! The world tries to get us to forget that!

Those who have a testimony of the restored gospel also have a duty to share it. Those who have the gift to know have an obvious duty to bear their witness so that those who have the gift to believe on their words might also have eternal life. D&C 46: 13-14

We should bear our testimonies often. We should strengthen our children by encouraging them to define themselves by their growing testimonies, not just by their recognitions in scholarships, sports, or other school activities. We can help them to recognize their own special experiences that can become building blocks of testimony.

How can we know that we are following the right church? By their fruits ye shall know them. The May 2008 Ensign has a talk which tells of the disaster relief the saints have given so willingly and efficiently.

Each of us two different channels to God. We have a channel of governance through our prophet and other leaders. This channel has to do with doctrine, ordinances, and commandments, results in obedience. We also have a channel of personal testimony which is direct to God. This channel results in knowledge. Knowledge encourages obedience and obedience enhances knowledge.

Why would someone not desire to know or refuse to acknowledge that they do know or have felt the Spirit? Once a person knows, then they feel obligated to obey. Obedience requires sacrifice. Sometimes a person is afraid to sacrifice. They don't know the joy and the freedom they will feel through obedience and sacrifice and the wonderful happiness of helping God in His work.

When geese fly in a v formation, because of the loss of wind resistance, they are 75% more productive in flight. When a goose falls out the formation, it instantly feels the drag and the incredible effort it takes to fly alone. When a goose is shot, two other geese follow it down to the ground and stay with it until it dies, then they catch another v formation to catch up to their flock. The goose in the front of the v flies works the hardest against the wind and when it tires, it falls back into the v and another goose takes over. The other geese honk to cheer the leaders on. Like the geese flying together, getting together and sharing our testimonies help each of us along.

My Testimony:

I, myself know that there is a Garden and a Grove. I wish I had the time and the room to explain all the details of the special experiences of how I came to know. I have been to the Sacred Grove and I have been to the Garden of Gethsemane. These are building blocks of my testimony. I know that a person doesn't have to go there to gain a testimony, so why is it so important to me and such a part of my testimony that I have been there? This month, I realized that I gained my testimony, not in those places, but thinking about the significance of what happened in those places. Having been there made the events seem so very real and tangible to me.

I had the same 'real' experience when I put myself with the Nephites in Bountiful when the Savior visited them. In my mind, I stood in line to feel the prints in His hands and to worship Him. That experience is very real and very special to me. It is as if I was there.

My testimony has largely come through songs. When I thoughtfully sing, 'Oh How Lovely Was the Morning' 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives' 'I Stand All Amazed' or 'I Believe In Christ' the Holy Ghost witnesses to me that it is true! I know it is! And I am so grateful! I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

RS Lesson November 2008

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 108–10

taught by

Alison Jaehne

Recently my wife, Barbara, had back surgery and could not lift, twist, or bend. Consequently, I have done more lifting, twisting, and bending than ever before—and it has made me more appreciative of what women, and especially you mothers, do every day in our homes. As a young father, I learned the demanding role of motherhood. I served as a counselor and as bishop for a period of 10 years. During that time we were blessed with six of our seven children. Barbara was often worn-out by the time I got home. She tried to explain what it was like to sit on the back row in sacrament meeting with our young family. Then the day came that I was released. After sitting on the stand for 10 years, I was now sitting with my family on the back row. The ward's singing mothers' chorus was providing the music, and I found myself sitting alone with our six children. I have never been so busy in my whole life. I had the hand puppets going on both hands, and that wasn't working too well. The Cheerios got away from me, and that was embarrassing. The coloring books didn't seem to entertain as well as they should. As I struggled with the children through the meeting, I looked up at Barbara, and she was watching me and smiling. I learned for myself to more fully appreciate what all of you dear mothers do so well and so faithfully!

I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be "full-time moms," at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.

We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives.

As a Church, we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve. So today, let me ask and briefly answer four questions. While my answers may seem extremely simple, if the simple things are being tended to, a mother's life can be most rewarding.

What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Second, don't over schedule yourselves or your children.



Third, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it.

Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all. There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, "We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised."

I hope all of you dear sisters, married or single, never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord and to the leaders of the Church. We love you. We respect you and appreciate your influence in preserving the family and assisting with the growth and the spiritual vitality of the Church. Let us remember that "the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World"). The scriptures and the teachings of the prophets and apostles help all family members to prepare together now to be together through all eternity. I pray that God will continually bless the women of the Church to find joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God. Now, in closing, I want to add my witness... Jesus is the Christ and this is His Church. We are doing His work, to which I testify in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Principles discussed which apply to all stages and females roles in life as well as young mothers:

3 Ne 14:2 Let us not judge another mother for how she raises her kids. Everyone child and situation is different and even every generation is different.

2 Ne 4:35, 3 Nephi 18:20, D&C 46:30- When we have the Spirit and pray for the right things in the right way, our prayers will be answered.

Inspiration on mothering to Sister Hurdman: "You do the loving, I'll do the perfecting" Inspiration on mothering to Sister Young: "Your job is to love them, my job is to save them." No matter what we do, we cannot save our children. We are to teach them while they are young, provide an example and love them through their imperfections and mistakes.

An example of diversity and beauty, 22 sisters each read a sentence from the section on creating from Elder Uchtdorf's talk in the Sister's meeting called 'Happiness Your Heritage'. It was beautiful! We are co-creators of light and happiness!

Object lesson from 'Teaching, No Greater Call" Like a half-empty glass, at my very best, I am inadequate. Like adding water, the Spirit and the Savior fills our half empty glasses. The Lord does answer our prayers and help us when we need it and ask.

RS Lesson September 2008

"My Words... Never Cease" by Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Elder Holland's talk addresses the criticism by some religions that we are not Christian because we have more scripture in our present canon than just the Bible. His key doctrinal point is that "...God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth, revelations which mandate an open canon of scripture." To discuss this, it helps to define revelation, canon and scripture.

"What is revelation? It is the inspiration of the Holy ghost to man. This is the key, the foundation stone of all revelation." (Wilford Woodruff Millenial Star 53:642 aug 10, 1891) Brigham young said,"No person receives knowledge only upon the principle of revelation, that is, by having something revealed to them...Who reveals? Everybody around us; we learn of each other. I have something which you have not; and you have something which I have not; I reveal what I have to you, and you reveal what you have to me. I believe that we are revelators to each other. Are the heavens open? Yes, to some at times, yet upon natural principles, upon the principle of natural philosophy." (Journal of Discourses 3:209 Feb 17, 1858)

What is scripture? "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord and the power of God unto salvation." (D&C 68:4) By the Lord's definition of scripture: 1) Not all scripture is received by the presiding prophet. Many of the books in the New Testament were not written by Peter, the presiding prophet at the time. 2) Not all scripture is recorded. "Most scripture has been, is now, and will continue to be oral and unrecorded." [on earth, anyway.] (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:55 Bruce R. McConkie as quoted in Keys to the Scriptures by George A. Horton) Lori Olsen brought up the scripture in D&C 62:3 where the Lord says that the elder's testimonies were recorded by the angels in heaven. 3) Not all scripture is canonized. For example, consider the abundance of the writings of Joseph Smith which are undoubtedly inspired, but have not been added to our canon, which we call 'the standard works.'

In general conference next week, we will hear talks that will be as holy and binding on us as our canon of scripture. "So how shall we know when the things someone has spoken were said as they were 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost' ?" We can know whether someone is moved upon by the Holy Ghost when we are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. "In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to determine when they so speak." (J. Rueben Cark BYU address July 7, 1954) Elder Holland says, "The ultimate source of knowledge and authority for the Latter Day Saint is the living God. The communication of those gifts comes from God as living, vibrant, divine revelation." There is a footnote here in Elder Holland's talk which says, "For a full essay on this subject, see Dallin H. Oaks, "Scripture Reading and Revelation," Ensign, Jan 1995. In it, Elder Oaks says, "This is why the teaching of the Holy Ghost is a better guide to scriptural interpretation than even the best commentary. As Paul told Timothy, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16; also 2 Pet. 1:21). This means that to understand scripture, our minds need to be enlightened by the Spirit of the Lord. As we learn from the fiftieth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, "he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth recieveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth" (D&C 50:21). When this happens, the reader is edified by personal revelation." Elder Oaks makes a distinction between public revelations we receive from the church leaders and private revelations for our own personal use. This week we can prepare our hearts and minds to receive personal revelation from the public revelations talks that will be given. Especially in the crazy world we live in, we are so lucky to have counsel from the Lord to us!

I read from a manual I found in the lobby this morning that says that when we are reverent in the way we dress, listen to music, interact with others, talk about sacred things and study the scriptures, we are more upon to receive revelation from the Lord.

What does 'canon' mean? In the footnotes of Elder Holland's talk, it says, "Canon is defined as "an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture". The Bible dictionary says that canon is a word of Greek origin meaning "a rod for testing straightness". It reminds me of the rod of iron. Is canonization important? Absolutely! There must be a united and orderly way for the Church to function and teach the doctrines of the gospel. How does the church decide what to canonize? There is no formal procedure for canonization, but it appears that those revelations containing eternal principles which are applicable in all times and conditions are more likely to be added to the canon. When the prophets and apostles presiding over the Church are moved upon by the spirit to add scripture to the canon, they make a proposal to the Church members, who then have an opportunity to vote on the proposal. Who remembers voting to add a revelation to our canon of scripture in 1978? President Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation extending the priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the church.

The church received the Book of Mormon by unanimous vote in 1830. The Doctrine and Covenants appeared in 1835. The Pearl of Great Price was not presented to the church for a vote until 1880. When the church was organized, it was already accepted that the Bible was the word of God. We have borrowed the canon of the Bible from the early Jewish and Christian faiths. How did they canonize the books of the Old and New Testament? Many details of the canonization of the Bible are not available to us, especially of the Old Testament. (see Bible Dictionary Canon for a wonderful description of how the Old and new Testaments came to be in our present form.) There are books and prophesies that are referred to in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon which are not in our Old Testament. (see Bible Dictionary Lost Books for a list)

The definition of Testament is fascinating! Testament is a middle English word from the late Latin word testamentum, which means covenant with God and from the Latin word testari which means to be a witness, and stare to stand and comes from the word testis which is akin to the word tres which means three. The MW dictionary says "a covenant between God and the human race" So according to the dictionary and the root words, Three stand as a witness and covenant between God and the human race.

Jesus said, "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me." (D&C 19:23) The scriptures are where we learn of Jesus so we can become more like Him. He promises us peace if we will learn of Him and walk in His footsteps.

Elder Holland's talk addresses the criticism by some religions that we are not Christian because we have more scripture in our present canon than just the Bible. Has anyone ever tried to argue with you, quoting the scripture in Revelations 22:18? "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are in the book." Marilee Crockett shared with us how living in the Bible belt, she was bombarded with that scripture and all kinds of other arguments against the church. Reciting the three ways in which that scripture only refers to the book of Revelations itself, as the lesson teaches, wouldn't make a difference to the people she encountered. She could only bear her testimony and try to avoid the bashing and live in such a way that they would eventually see that she and or her church leaders are NOT demons like their churches taught them.

Our prophet, said in this last conference, "I would encourage members of the church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. the world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours." (Ensign page 90)

MaryAnn Hurdman shared a story relating to how we can build upon the scriptures we have in common with other religions. They are vitally important to us! There was a group of chinese students at a church school that were required to take a Book of Mormon class. Two weeks into the class, they were lost and required tutoring. They asked, "Who is Noah? What is the Fall? Who is Abraham?" and many other questions. The Old Testament contains many doctrines essential to our faith.

I want to bear my testimony about the Book of Mormon and it's importance to us. There are 15 books in the Book of Mormon. Except for the relatively brief contributions of Enos, Jarom, Omni, Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom, and Amaleki, which comprise less than 8 pages of our present text, all of the records included inour present Book of Mormon were engraved by four persons: Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and Moroni.

They had significant and remarkable characteristics and experiences in common:

Nephi Jacob Mormon Moroni
1. They were all personal witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ during the time they lived on the earth. 2 Nephi 11:3; 2 Nephi 11:3 Mormon 1:15; Ether 12:22-23, 38-392.

2. They were visited by and tutored by angels or translated beings.
1 Nephi 11; 2 Nephi 10; 3 Nephi 28:26; Mormon 8:113.

3. They were guided by the Lord as to what they should write.
1 Nephi 6:5; Jacob 3:13, 3 Nephi 26:6-12, 3 Nephi 23:7-144.

4. They warned us that we will be held accountable for what we do with what they have written. 2 Nephi 33:10-15; Jacob 6:11-13; Mormon 3:20-22; Moroni 10:24-29

Three of the engravers tell us that they will meet us face to face at the judgement bar of God. Moroni tells us that when we see him at the bar of God, the Lord will ask us, "Did I not declare my words to you, which were written by this man?" (Moroni 10:24-29) (Selected writings of Daniel H. Ludlow p115-199)

Who will join me this week in reading in the scriptures everyday 10% more and pondering them 10% more? This will prepare our hearts and minds us to receive personal revelation as we hear the word of the Lord in conference. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

RS Lesson July 2008

Ask In Faith By Elder Bednar April 2008 Conference



Dear Sisters, (Alison's words are in black ink)



I am grateful that I have the chance to teach in Relief Society. I love to attend Relief Society! I have a testimony of it's importance in our lives. I am a Registered Nurse (not currently working) and I have a tendency to examine the biology of our lives. I heard of a study in which groups of male rats and groups of female rats with cancer both had improvement in their condition when they were placed with healthy female rats. Other male and female cancer rat groups who were placed with healthy male rats or by themselves and did not enjoy the company of healthy females around them all got worse. I believe that. I believe that the very hormones in our veins, which cause us to focus too narrowly on things that need improvement (sadly, we sometimes nag family members who need improvement); these hormones, especially when we are feeling the spirit, can also be soothing. Our very presence can be comforting. Sometimes my 3 year old son pats the couch next to him and says, "Mom, dit!" ( translated: "Mom, sit") while he watches his show. Even my husband likes me to sit in the room while he relaxes, whether I have a mobile project to do or nothing. When they want me to sit with them, I have to try so hard to not worry about all the things I need to get done and the other things I could be doing! I have friends who feel the same thing in their families. I believe this is part of our divine nature as women. This is why we need Relief Society. This is why we need visiting teaching. EVERYONE needs the association and just the very presence of females in their lives for comfort and nurturing.



I am so grateful to the sisters who are working in the Primary and Young Women's! Thank you so much! It means so much to me that I get to attend Relief Society and that my son has fun in the nursery. His very first experiences in church and in the gospel have been positive and that builds a strong foundation for life. I think I speak for the other sisters whose children you teach. I will be eternally grateful for you and your sacrifices for my son to have a good experience in church!





Elder Bednar begins his talk by saying:

"I invite the Holy Ghost to assist us as we consider a principle that can help our prayers become more meaningful—the gospel principle of asking in faith. I want to review three examples of asking in faith in meaningful prayer and discuss the lessons we can learn from each one of them. As we speak of prayer, I emphasize the word meaningful. Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer. I expect that all of us already know that prayer is essential for our spiritual development and protection. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do. And even though we recognize the importance of prayer, all of us can improve the consistency and efficacy of our personal and family prayers.

Ask in Faith and Act

The classic example of asking in faith is Joseph Smith and the First Vision. As young Joseph was seeking to know the truth about religion, he read the following verses in the first chapter of James:" If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:5–6).

Please notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act. Pondering this biblical text led Joseph to retire to a grove of trees near his home to pray and to seek spiritual knowledge. Note the questions that guided Joseph's thinking and supplicating.

"In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it? …"My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join" (Joseph Smith—History 1:10, 18).

Joseph's questions focused not just on what he needed to know but also on what was to be done! His prayer was not simply, "Which church is right?" His question was, "Which church should I join?" Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act."



The very words and intentions that Joseph Smith used in his prayer made a difference in the outcome. Read aloud 2 Nephi 4:34 My God will give me if I ask not amiss. Read aloud 3 Ne 18:20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name WHICH IS RIGHT, believing ye that shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. Read aloud D&C 46:30 He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God

So, we need the influence of the Holy Ghost before we even pray, to know the right things to pray for, and in the right way, if we want our prayers to be meaningful and effective. It takes some prior thought and focus. For example, if we ask for "more money" and He gives us a dime, He answered our prayer, we have more money. If we ask for help to know how to get out of debt, like the prophet has commanded, and we fully intend to abide by the counsel, even if it means we have to sacrifice, then our prayers can be answered more specifically toward that goal.

"True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness" and that it is also "the principle of action in all intelligent beings" (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

The Prophet Joseph further explained that "faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth" (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior's Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28)."

I wanted to draw a diagram on the board showing how: faith leads to --righteous action-- which increases our SPIRITUAL CAPACITY and POWER But I thought of another diagram: a tree; as I read the rest of the Ensign. As the scripture in Alma 32 teaches, faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow. It needs nourishment from the sun, which is like the Light of Christ, which gives us truth and light and His Spirit. The seed of faith needs nourishment from the Living Water, which is Jesus Christ and His atonement in our lives. With the nourishment of His light and the atonement, we feel compelled to righteous actions. Our faith in Him begins to grow. The little seed FAITH sprouts RIGHTEOUS ACTIONS until it grows into a beautiful tree full of POWER enough to stand on it's own.

In the back of the Ensign, we are introduced us to the new general authorities who were recently called. One of them, Elder Pearson, when he was mission president, used to tell his missionaries about five challenges that can overcome or weaken faith, if faith isn't continually strengthened. "You've got to get rid of doubt, distraction, disobedience, discouragement, and lack of diligence in order for your faith to be effective" These five challenges are like the weeds, the bugs, gravity, the whirlwinds, and the lightening strikes, that threaten to destroy our beautiful faith trees. We need to get rid of these five things to be able to ask in faith in our prayers. The source of these challenges is not the Spirit, which teaches a man how to pray. It is the Father of Lies, who teaches us not to pray and tries to destroy our means of communication with our Father in Heaven. 2 Nephi 32:8. 1) We need to carefully pull out the weeds of disobedience that would choke our faith roots, cutting off the Living Water and separating us from the benefit of the Atonement. 2) The little bugs of a lack of diligence gnaw away at our righteous action branches weakening them, slowly. 3) The gravity of too many distractions in our lives overwhelm us and pull us down to the ground, unless we prune away all except what matters the most to us. 4) Whirlwinds of discouragement come upon us suddenly and the dust clouds surrounding us block our vision of the truth and the warmth of the sun which is like the Light of Christ, truth and the Spirit in our lives. 5) Doubts are like lightening strikes that damage our righteous action branches and threaten to burn us up if we try to hold onto them and give them importance. These five challenges to our faith are tools of the adversary to weaken our faith. Meaningful prayer is one of the tools Heavenly Father has given us to strengthen faith.



"I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as "a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings" (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say "amen," by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father. Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. Let me provide an illustration of what I mean and extend to you an invitation." Elder Bednar talks about how we pray for missionaries to find people to teach, but really it is our job to find people for the missionaries to teach. He gives us examples of how to effectively pray that we might find people for the missionaries to teach. Like we mentioned, the very words we use in prayer, make a difference. The spirit will help us to know what to pray for and what things we personally need to be working on. Last week, Sister Gibby tearfully shared with us how when President Hinckley invited couples to go on missions, the Spirit witnessed to her very strongly that they were to go on a mission. They prayed about it and acted on that prompting, fulfilling a mission.

"This same pattern of holy communication and consecrated work can be applied in our prayers for the poor and the needy, for the sick and the afflicted, for family members and friends who are struggling, and for those who are not attending Church meetings. I testify that prayer becomes meaningful as we ask in faith and act. I invite all of us to pray in faith about our divinely given mandate to proclaim the gospel. As we do so, I promise doors will open and we will be blessed to recognize and act upon the opportunities that will be provided."

After the Trial of Our Faith

My second example emphasizes the importance of persevering through the trial of our faith. A few years ago a family traveled to Europe from the United States. Shortly after arriving at their destination, a 13-year-old son became quite ill. The mother and father initially thought his upset stomach was caused by fatigue from the long flight, and the family routinely continued on its journey.

As the day continued, the son's condition became worse. Dehydration was increasing. The father gave his son a priesthood blessing, but no improvement was immediately evident. Several hours passed by, and the mother knelt by her son's side, pleading in prayer to Heavenly Father for the boy's well-being. They were far from home in an unfamiliar country and did not know how to obtain medical assistance. The mother asked her son if he would like to pray with her. She knew that merely waiting for the anticipated blessing would not be enough; they needed to continue to act. Explaining that the blessing he had received was still in effect, she suggested again petitioning in prayer, as did the ancient Apostles, "Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). The prayer included a profession of trust in priesthood power and a commitment to persevere in doing whatever might be required for the blessing to be honored—if that blessing at that time was in accordance with God's will. Shortly after they offered this simple prayer, the son's condition improved.

The faithful action of the mother and her son helped to invite the promised priesthood power and in part satisfied the requirement that we "dispute not because [we] see not, for [we] receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith" (Ether 12:6). Just as the prison holding Alma and Amulek did not tumble to the earth "until after their faith," and just as Ammon and his missionary brethren did not witness mighty miracles in their ministries "until after their faith" (see Ether 12:12–15), so the healing of this 13-year-old boy did not occur until after their faith and was accomplished "according to their faith in their prayers" (D&C 10:47).

Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done

My third example highlights the importance of recognizing and accepting the will of God in our lives. Several years ago there was a young father who had been active in the Church as a boy but had chosen a different path during his teenage years. After serving in the military, he married a lovely girl, and soon children blessed their home. One day without warning their little four-year-old daughter became critically ill and was hospitalized. In desperation and for the first time in many years, the father was found on his knees in prayer, asking that the life of his daughter be spared. Yet her condition worsened. Gradually, this father sensed that his little girl would not live, and slowly his prayers changed; he no longer prayed for healing but rather for understanding. "Let Thy will be done" was now the manner of his pleadings. Soon his daughter was in a coma, and the father knew her hours on earth were few. Fortified with understanding, trust, and power beyond their own, the young parents prayed again, asking for the opportunity to hold her close once more while she was awake. The daughter's eyes opened, and her frail arms reached out to her parents for one final embrace. And then she was gone. This father knew their prayers had been answered—a kind, compassionate Father in Heaven had comforted their hearts. God's will had been done, and they had gained understanding. (Adapted from H. Burke Peterson, "Adversity and Prayer," Ensign, Jan. 1974, 18.) Discerning and accepting the will of God in our lives are fundamental elements of asking in faith in meaningful prayer. However, simply saying the words "Thy will be done" is not enough. Each of us needs God's help in surrendering our will to Him."

One of my favorite stories and one that changed my life in 2003 is called the Parable of the Unwise Bee, written by Elder James E. Talmage and reprinted in the February 2003 Ensign. He tells about how he was in a little, quiet, secluded "upper room" in the tower of a large building where he could go to write his books. Often he would pause and watch the flying insects which managed to get in through the partly opened window. One day a wild bee flew into the room and tried for an hour to find a way out. When ready to close up the room and leave, Elder Talmage threw the window wide and tried to guide the bee out. If left inside, it would die like other trapped insects had. The more he tried to drive the bee out, the more determinedly the bee resisted. Its previous peaceful hum developed into an angry roar and its darting flight became hostile and threatening. Then the bee caught him off guard and stung his hand- the hand that would have guided it to freedom. It flew up to the ceiling and landed out of reach. The sharp pain of its unkind sting aroused pity instead of anger because the bee would now die alone in the room without the reaching freedom and safety. He said, "To the bee's shortsightedness and selfish misunderstanding I was a foe, a persistent persecutor, a mortal enemy bent on its destruction; while in truth I was its friend, offering it ransom of the life it had put in forfeit through its own error...We are prone to contend, sometimes with vehemence and anger, against the adversity which after all may be the manifestation of superior wisdom and loving care, directed against our temporary comfort for our permanent blessing. In the tribulations and sufferings of mortality there is a divine ministry... Disappointment, sorrow, and affliction may be the expression of an all-wise Father's kindness."

"Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other" (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," 752–53). Humble, earnest, and persistent prayer enables us to recognize and align ourselves with the will of our Heavenly Father. And in this the Savior provided the perfect example as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. … And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly" (Luke 22:42, 44)."



To understand God's will for us personally, it helps to understand the plan of salvation and the gift of free agency. Read the quotes at the end of the lesson.



"The object of our prayers should not be to present a wish list or a series of requests but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing. Every sincere prayer is heard and answered by our Heavenly Father, but the answers we receive may not be what we expect or come to us when we want or in the way we anticipate. This truth is evident in the three examples I have presented today.

Prayer is a privilege and the soul's sincere desire. We can move beyond routine and "checklist" prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and as we humbly acknowledge and accept "not my will, but Thine, be done. I witness the reality and divinity of our Eternal Father, of His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost. I testify that our Father hears and answers our prayers. May each of us strive with greater resolve to ask in faith and thereby make our prayers truly meaningful. I so pray in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

My faith is strengthened when I hear your stories of prayers being answered. Two stories come to my mind. One was told to us by Sister Maryanne ( sp? J ) Hurdman. She told of how once of her kids got in trouble at school. While she was waiting at home and worrying about how to punish the child, she took her concern to the Lord and she received the impression, "You do the loving, I'll do the perfecting." I love that!! That shows us to trust in the principle of free agency and personal accountability and focus on loving our loved ones!

Another story was shared by Sister Evie Stewart about a time when she was praying fervently that her son might feel the Spirit during a fireside that he was having a hard time sitting through. As she prayed that night, the events of that day flashed through her mind, events that were particularly special in the whole family with a feeling of love and happiness. The words came into her mind something like this: "If you want him to know what my Spirit feels like, then be like me." Wonderful advice!

I talked to Sister Jaynes today and her husband never actually was in the ICU as the rumor went, but he did have a number of complications after his surgery which normally would put someone in the ICU on a ventilator and on heavy-duty drugs. So those of you who prayed for them, your prayers were answered! It was a miracle he didn't experience the full extent of the complications he suffered!

Sister Semadeni gave us a few parting words. They leave tomorrow on their mission!! With her testimony, she said that she is impressed with how specific prayers for specific people really make a difference in preaching the gospel.



I add my testimony to Elder Bednar's that I know that Heavenly Father is real and listens to every prayer we think and say. Last week a friend of mine was going to have a 30th birthday party dinner. Four days before it, her younger sister who was 28 weeks pregnant stopped feeling the baby moving inside her. She went to the ER and the worst was confirmed, the baby had died. My friend cancelled her birthday dinner and flew to San Francisco to be with her sister, who was actually on vacation from Utah, visiting their parents. My friend was so sad that her sister's first pregnancy was going to end like this. I told her I would pray for her and her sister. I thought about what I could pray for that was right and the will of God. I couldn't pray for the life of the baby, she was already gone. I knew that the delivery might be uncomfortable, especially in a different city. I prayed that she would have good doctors and nurses to help them through the delivery and that they would have peace and strength and my friend would know how to help her sister. A couple days after the 14 hour labor and the delivery of a 2 ½ pound perfectly-formed little girl, my friend called to update me. I was so grateful when she told me that on the night her sister delivered, the night nurse was young and sweet. She was quiet and respectful, only entering the room when she had to, and only speaking when she had to. My friend expressed tearful relief that the night nurse had a spirit of reverence throughout the ordeal. My friend was glad that the morning nurse was not around during the delivery. The next morning, the discharge nurse was mature and seasoned, very cynical, and very liberal. I knew that my prayers for my friend's sister to have good doctors and nurses were answered. I know that Heavenly Father cares about even the little things in our lives. If it is on our minds, He wants to hear about it and help us with it. He wants us to be happy even though He allows us to struggle and grow. He has answered many, many little prayers for me. As I try to have more meaningful, specific and righteous prayers, I see them more clearly being answered. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.




Favorite quotes read throughout the lesson which help us to understand God's specific will for each of us:


( Marion G. Romney Conference Report 1969) .If we can bear our afflictions with faith, understanding and courage…we shall be strengthened and comforted in many ways. We shall be spared the torment which accompanies the mistaken idea that all suffering comes as chastisement for transgression.…I have seen the remorse and despair in the lives of men who in the hour of trial have cursed God and died spiritually. And I have seen people rise to great heights from what seemed to be unbearable burdens.





(Orson F. Whitney) No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God…and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven…"



(Spencer W. Kimball in Tragedy or Destiny?) If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil-- all would do good but not because of the righteousness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, only satanic controls. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, or godhood....2 Nephi 2:11...

Being human we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education. Hebrews 5:8-9...

We knew before we were born that we were coming to the earth for bodies and experience and that we would have joys and sorrows, ease and pain, comforts and hardships, health and sickness, successes and disappointments. We knew also that after a period of life we would die. We accepted all these eventualities with a glad heart, eager to accept both the favorable and the unfavorable. We eagerly accepted the chance to come earthward even though it might be for only a day or a year. Perhaps we were not so much concerned whether we should die of disease, of accident or senility. We were willing to take life as it came and we might organize and control it, and this without murmur, complaint or unreasonable demands. In the face of apparent tragedy we must put our trust in God, knowing that despite our limited view, his purposes will not fail. With all its troubles, life offers us the tremendous privilege to grow in knowledge and wisdom, faith and works, preparing to return and share God's glory.