Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Meekness

A Speech by Elder Maxwell




Through the virtues of patience we live out our lives
While not pursuing that which goes out of style
Thus avoiding being like the gaderine swine
Whose appetites go whole hog for the trends of time

Will we be meek and listen to our Savior?
He meekly proffered His life as our ransomer
He did as the Father taught and required
Let's square our shoulders, also, impressed with desire

Our meekness can be an initiator
As it is often a spiritual facilitator
We will do exceedingly well throughout all of our days
If we live with hope in Christ, filled with charity and faith-

Then, we'll have acquired attributes of Deity
To participate in the wind up scenes that are to be
With meekness being the subtraction of self
Reducing the multiplication of our pride's swell

Our meekness is what gospel life is about
Through our meekness God's love goes beyond doubt
This does not mean that we force loved ones to God
But, we can teach the prepared, through virtue of the rod

The scriptures tell us of all we can be
Likened to our Savior...we can say "here I am, send me"
So, in matters little or seemingly too large
Let's emulate our Savior and trust in His charge

Our meekness is vital to become Christ-like
Through our meekness other virtues come unto sight
This does not translate into character weakness
But puts ourselves, purely, in a posture of kindness

We can be meekly drenched in our destiny
Washed in love, peace, and serenity
If we're seeking to do service and giving gently
We'll see love flood the world where lives where was once empty

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Family

A Proclamation to the World

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    President Thomas S. Monson, President Henry B. Eryring, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

LDS TEMPLES

What is an LDS Temple?
 Is there secret things going on in the Temple?
Why are only some mormons aloud in Temples?
Read below to get an answer to all of these questions



Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple

Nashville, Tennessee Temple




Salt Lake City, Utah Temple

 What is a Mormon Temple?


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has more than 100 operating temples around the world. Visitors are welcome to visit the temple grounds at all of these temples and attend open houses prior to dedication. However, only baptized members who are qualified and prepared are allowed to enter a temple after it is dedicated.
In temples, Church members participate in ordinances designed to unite their families together forever and help them return to God. In the temple, members:
Receive sacred ordinances, including those that bind husband and wife together for eternity, as well as join children and parents (Malachi 4:5-6).
     Is there secret things that go on in the Temple?
Many people around the world think that Mormon Temples are places were Mormons go and do secret things. This is not the case. All of the things that happen in the Temple are so sacred that it is not apropriate do discuss them outside of the temple.
The Temple like I mentioned above is a place were endowed members go in and recieve sacred ordinances. So sacred that they cannot be discussed outside of the temple.

Why are only some Mormons aloud in the Temple
.You  must be spiritually mature and you must be in good standing with the church, meaning that you must be worthy. Members of the church take the Temples seriously because they are so sacred and there are so many blessing that you can reciece from attending the temple. It is possible for every member to go inside the temple and participate and it is a goal for all of the members. It takes alot of preparation to enter the temple. The Church stongly encourages every member to do everything they can to be able to enter the Temple.





Temples

There are temples all over the world. Here are the places of the temples owned by THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

134 operating  ·  10 under construction  ·  16 announced

Aba Nigeria Temple

Johannesburg South Africa Temple
Madrid Spain Temple



Vancouver British Columbia TempleSacramento California TempleRaleigh North Carolina Temple


For viewing pictures of these Temples go to www.temples.lds.org. To learn more contact your local missionaries at 1 (800) 438 7557.