The priesthood is real. It blesses my life, it continues to bless it, as well as the lives of my children. To be able to participate in priesthood ordinances ordained of God, that bring me closer to Him; to enjoy the blessing that come from knowing that my Heavenly Father is in my home daily, as long as we are living worthy of the priesthood blessing brings a peace in my life I know I could get no where else. My testimony of priesthood blessing came at a time in my life when I felt as though I did not need those blessing. In fact I went out of my way to shun them. Every year my dad would use his priesthood to give us school blessings. I was in my second year of college and making choices that kept my spiritually from growing in my testimony of those blessings. When he mentioned to me about school blessings I shied away from the situation. In fact i left to go back to school without mentioning it again and felt a sigh of relief as I drove away. I must admit that was the most difficult few months of my life. The boy in which I had focused all my attention upon was pursuing other directions. i was still involved but not quite as frequently. i was struggling with life direction and was torn between this boy I loved and the choice I knew needed to be made. For his sake, as well as for mine. At my lowest i began to ask myself what made me who i was. I knew, always knew really, that it was the gospel. It was about this time that the thought occurred to me that I had never gotten a blessing. I really don't know why I changed, desire maybe, choices probably, being ready to make the right choices more specifically. I could no longer sit on the fence looking at both pastures. I immediately went to a friend who held the priesthood and got the needed blessing. i don't remember what was said, all i know is that a peace went through my soul that I had not felt for a long time. I had a bounce in my step I hadn't had for some time. I will not say that life was full of joyous times after that blessing, there were some difficulties that lay in my path that I had to deal with to show by my actions that i had made better choices. That is something we deal with on a daily basis, so our testimony will grow with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I do know that my testimony of the power of the priesthood was strengthened so much that I have made it my priority to teach my children the importance of it. My son Xander truly understands the peace that comes from having the priesthood and the knowledge that comes in knowing that he can be healed or made to feel better because his dad can give him a blessing. We just gave the kids' their school blessings last night- what a special experience to hear the words of our Heavenly Father come through the mouth of their earthly father. The Priesthood is real! It must be conferred upon a worthy male by someone in authority. In this dispensation it was given to Joseph Smith, Jr and Oliver Cowdry by John the Baptist (Aaronic) and Peter, James and John(Melchizedek). Yes, the prophets of the New Testament because they were the last to have to have the keys to ordain. they recieved those keys from our Savior. No one remained worthy enough to have those keys after they had passed on-which is why the church fell into apostacy. This is Christ's church- the only church with the fullness of His gospel. The fulness being the priesthood power with all the rights to perform in His name. What a blessing we have.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
week twenty six
The priesthood is real. It blesses my life, it continues to bless it, as well as the lives of my children. To be able to participate in priesthood ordinances ordained of God, that bring me closer to Him; to enjoy the blessing that come from knowing that my Heavenly Father is in my home daily, as long as we are living worthy of the priesthood blessing brings a peace in my life I know I could get no where else. My testimony of priesthood blessing came at a time in my life when I felt as though I did not need those blessing. In fact I went out of my way to shun them. Every year my dad would use his priesthood to give us school blessings. I was in my second year of college and making choices that kept my spiritually from growing in my testimony of those blessings. When he mentioned to me about school blessings I shied away from the situation. In fact i left to go back to school without mentioning it again and felt a sigh of relief as I drove away. I must admit that was the most difficult few months of my life. The boy in which I had focused all my attention upon was pursuing other directions. i was still involved but not quite as frequently. i was struggling with life direction and was torn between this boy I loved and the choice I knew needed to be made. For his sake, as well as for mine. At my lowest i began to ask myself what made me who i was. I knew, always knew really, that it was the gospel. It was about this time that the thought occurred to me that I had never gotten a blessing. I really don't know why I changed, desire maybe, choices probably, being ready to make the right choices more specifically. I could no longer sit on the fence looking at both pastures. I immediately went to a friend who held the priesthood and got the needed blessing. i don't remember what was said, all i know is that a peace went through my soul that I had not felt for a long time. I had a bounce in my step I hadn't had for some time. I will not say that life was full of joyous times after that blessing, there were some difficulties that lay in my path that I had to deal with to show by my actions that i had made better choices. That is something we deal with on a daily basis, so our testimony will grow with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I do know that my testimony of the power of the priesthood was strengthened so much that I have made it my priority to teach my children the importance of it. My son Xander truly understands the peace that comes from having the priesthood and the knowledge that comes in knowing that he can be healed or made to feel better because his dad can give him a blessing. We just gave the kids' their school blessings last night- what a special experience to hear the words of our Heavenly Father come through the mouth of their earthly father. The Priesthood is real! It must be conferred upon a worthy male by someone in authority. In this dispensation it was given to Joseph Smith, Jr and Oliver Cowdry by John the Baptist (Aaronic) and Peter, James and John(Melchizedek). Yes, the prophets of the New Testament because they were the last to have to have the keys to ordain. they recieved those keys from our Savior. No one remained worthy enough to have those keys after they had passed on-which is why the church fell into apostacy. This is Christ's church- the only church with the fullness of His gospel. The fulness being the priesthood power with all the rights to perform in His name. What a blessing we have.
week 25
I must say that in today's world it is so easy to be deceived. There are so many paths and directions that lead us to where we want to be. Want is a good thing but is it where the Lord needs you. There are so many paths that seem good so how can one be better than the other. Now I know this lesson is about knowing that the Prophet of the Lord speaks for and behalf of our Savior. This is something that must be confirmed by the spirit and I will tell you this the Lord will not let anyone lead and guide his church who will decive you. If you are questioning this than the deception is coming from somewhere else. We are members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Sometimes it may seem easier to think its not true because you may think you would be happier and yes it may seem that way for time but ultimately your happiness is based eternally and you will find yourself wishing you had not let yourself be deceived by the adversary. That is why it is so important to do those primary commandments- pray, read your scriptures, attend church, have faith and don't get caught up in what you want, rather focus on what the Lord wants. So often we get so focused on me, me, me and I want i want, i want, that we forget the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves and i can guarantee what you get from having faith in Him, is going to be far better than what you thought you wanted. So back to "do not be deceived"! The only way we can make sure of that is to have a testimony of our prophet and the only way to have that is to pray and ask for confirmation from our Heavenly Father. As I have said before it is very easy to ask why when we are asked to do something. Sometimes we can get upset and think we know better- again that is a choice we all have to make. There are consequences good and bad. YOU CHOOSE! But do not be deceived- if you choose to not follow the prophet- you will not receive the blessings that come from following the prophet and ultimately our Savior. Do not be decieved, whether in this life or the next you will see that the consequence for not following the prophet kept you from joys beyond your comprehension.
week 24
This lesson is dear to my heart because I love to obtain knowledge, secular and gospel related. Recently I was able to go back to school and continue my education,
ultimately resulting in my Associates Degree and in the future my Bachelors Degree. the thrill that comes from obtaining bits of knowledge is a high that can't be described. In fact, don't even try to explain it to youth because honestly it comes from desire and doing. Over the years I have found that I love to read, write, study, learn and share. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to stop learning. He wants us to do whatever we can in whatever situation we are in, to continue our search for knowledge. Knowledge is the only thing we can take with us into the next life. Right now my time is to be a mom and while I would love to be going to school to pursue my next course in literature, my priority is my children and their education. In the meantime I am doing what I can to further my thinking by reading books, both secular and religious. I am asking questions. I am using the tools i am surrounded by to make myself aware. Sometimes I want people to do my work for me but I find that if I put effort into it I am able to grasp the information more clearly. Right now my education has to do with how I am able to understand my relationship with my children and their different ways of learning and apply that to my relationship with my Heavenly Father and how he sees and knows me on a perfected level. I know that as i continue to make it possible to educate myself on a variety of different subjects and levels that my Heavenly Father will bless me with opportunities to share and glean from others' experiences.
ultimately resulting in my Associates Degree and in the future my Bachelors Degree. the thrill that comes from obtaining bits of knowledge is a high that can't be described. In fact, don't even try to explain it to youth because honestly it comes from desire and doing. Over the years I have found that I love to read, write, study, learn and share. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to stop learning. He wants us to do whatever we can in whatever situation we are in, to continue our search for knowledge. Knowledge is the only thing we can take with us into the next life. Right now my time is to be a mom and while I would love to be going to school to pursue my next course in literature, my priority is my children and their education. In the meantime I am doing what I can to further my thinking by reading books, both secular and religious. I am asking questions. I am using the tools i am surrounded by to make myself aware. Sometimes I want people to do my work for me but I find that if I put effort into it I am able to grasp the information more clearly. Right now my education has to do with how I am able to understand my relationship with my children and their different ways of learning and apply that to my relationship with my Heavenly Father and how he sees and knows me on a perfected level. I know that as i continue to make it possible to educate myself on a variety of different subjects and levels that my Heavenly Father will bless me with opportunities to share and glean from others' experiences.
week 23
I am so far behind on my blog but I have kept up on my handouts so i will be catching up over the next few days. This handout is about the Word of Wisdom and how it came to be. I must say as a youth it always was hard to explain to my friends why I couldn't do this or couldn't do that but as I have come to understand the importance of it. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Heavenly Father is the Father of our Spirits and sometimes it seems like we are given commandments that have no reason behind them. Sometimes we are only being asked to show our obedience and faith. I remember as a youth and even today sometimes questioning things that I want to do. But as a parent I am coming to understand even more the role of my Father in Heaven. Always, because he knows me and you perfectly, he gives us commandments to keep us out of trouble. He isn't doing it to make our lives miserable, to make them harder, to take the joy away. In fact he is commanding because he wants to make life easier, healthier, more joyous and so much more. My kids always ask why. Its inevitable, unless of course it is something they want to do. its like as soon as they are asked to do something they don't like or seems difficult they ask why? This is not truly to understand; it is their way of complaining...they don't want to do it and they think by asking why I am going to change my mind. Anyway as i ramble on I will get to my point about the word of wisdom. It is not about what we "can't do" it is about how to live our lives in a way that will make our bodies and mind and spirit healthier and able so that we "can do" 
Back when the word of wisdom was given there were no reports out about how bad tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea were for you. Report only recently have indicated the toll caffeine takes on your body. The word of wisdom says what each of things are to be used for and their intended purpose. Only we as imperfect human beings have taken these useful medicinal items and made them "drugs" If used correctly they can be useful and healing but as we use them for recreation we build up tolerance and they are no longer useful to our bodies. We all don't need to be told how we function when we have been drinking or how our bodies crave tobacco and can't do without. We have all seen it or experienced it. So why, when our Heavenly Father asks us to refrain from these items and gives us useful tools to make our bodies and minds healthy and responsive, do we ask why? Because human nature insists we not want to feel like we are being told what to do. As a youth it feels that way, even as an adult it seems that way at times but as I contemplate it more I understand we are not being told what to do- we are being asked and we can choose and with that choice we have a consequence, we can either choose the blessings that come with following commandments or we can choose to not be prepared for eternal blessings and have to deal with physical and mental addictions that will control us and ultimately lead us into either mental, physical, financial or other distress. Its your choice--it always is! I know this now as I begin to teach my children and want so much to keep them from harm or from making the same mistakes i have made. But yes, they have a choice and their will be consequences. i only hope I can teach them from example that the blessings of following the commandments, while they sometimes may seem difficult, in the end will make life so much easier.
Back when the word of wisdom was given there were no reports out about how bad tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea were for you. Report only recently have indicated the toll caffeine takes on your body. The word of wisdom says what each of things are to be used for and their intended purpose. Only we as imperfect human beings have taken these useful medicinal items and made them "drugs" If used correctly they can be useful and healing but as we use them for recreation we build up tolerance and they are no longer useful to our bodies. We all don't need to be told how we function when we have been drinking or how our bodies crave tobacco and can't do without. We have all seen it or experienced it. So why, when our Heavenly Father asks us to refrain from these items and gives us useful tools to make our bodies and minds healthy and responsive, do we ask why? Because human nature insists we not want to feel like we are being told what to do. As a youth it feels that way, even as an adult it seems that way at times but as I contemplate it more I understand we are not being told what to do- we are being asked and we can choose and with that choice we have a consequence, we can either choose the blessings that come with following commandments or we can choose to not be prepared for eternal blessings and have to deal with physical and mental addictions that will control us and ultimately lead us into either mental, physical, financial or other distress. Its your choice--it always is! I know this now as I begin to teach my children and want so much to keep them from harm or from making the same mistakes i have made. But yes, they have a choice and their will be consequences. i only hope I can teach them from example that the blessings of following the commandments, while they sometimes may seem difficult, in the end will make life so much easier.
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