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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

My talk given 3-14-2010 "The Gifts from the Holy Ghost"

A few weeks ago Rodrigo and I gave talks in Sacrament. The assignment was The Gift of the Holy Ghost. I wanted to record for myself and my posterity the things I learned from this assignment. I am posting the talk that I gave below. I have scripture references listed but not the actual scripture in an attempt to encourage those who read it to seek for themselves after these things. Rodrigo will be doing a guest post soon with his talk and thoughts on it.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost*

*(As I studied I realized that when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost we also receive gifts from the Holy Ghost.)

· The third member of the Godhead. D&C 20:28 What a sacred blessing it is to have the constant companionship of a member of the Godhead as we live worthily.

  • Testator – witnesses of the Father, the Son and of all truth.

Moroni 10: 4-5

I was about 10 years old the first time I remember feeling the power of the Holy Ghost. My grandmother was a lover and seeker of truth. She had a great passion for it. A friend of hers, that was a member, stopped in to her work one day to visit with her. During the course of their conversation he asked if he could bring the missionaries to share with her more about the church. She accepted. My sister and I lived with her at the time and were eager to hear these discussions as well. I am not sure the order in which we learned about the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ to the earth but, I will never forget how I felt the first time I heard the story - A young boy of 14 who went to a grove of trees and knelt down in prayer asking God what church he should join. As I heard his testimony of how God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him I was filled with light, joy and the sweetest peace I have ever felt. I knew he had seen God and Jesus Christ and that this young boy was God’s instrument in restoring His church to the earth. I have never doubted it. I hadn’t yet received the “Gift of the Holy Ghost” but I had felt of His power and had received a testimony of not only the Prophet Joseph Smith but that God hears and answers my prayers. He knows me personally by name. I am His child. The testimony I received that night led me to baptism and to receiving this great gift.

  • Comforter – gives us peace and consolation in the face of pain and sorrow. When Rodrigo and I were dating we had something we were really worried about. We discussed it and then went our separate ways for the evening. When Rodrigo picked me up the next day he told me about how he had prayed about it and that he had received an overwhelming feeling of peace. He knew everything was going to OK. The circumstances hadn’t changed but the spirit had brought him comfort. John 14:26 One of the great “gifts” of the Holy Ghost is that we can feel peace when we are surrounded by chaos, destruction, war, sorrow, and sin.

“The Holy Ghost confers upon a person the right to receive, as he may desire and need, the presence, light and intelligence of the Holy Ghost. It gives, as it were, an official claim upon the mighty assistance and comforting assurance of the Holy Ghost. When the servants of the Lord display a spiritual power beyond the command of man; when the grief laden heart beats with joy; when failure is converted into victory, it is by visitation of the Holy Ghost.” John A. Widstoe

“Yes, that still small voice, which has so often whispered consolation to my soul, in the depths of sorrow and distress, bade me be of good cheer, and promised deliverance, which gave me great comfort…For although I was troubled on every side, yet [I was] not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” [See 2 Corinthians 4:8-9] – Joseph Smith

  • Revelator – D&C 8:2-3 This gift bestows us with the privilege of knowing what path to take and giving us warning when we are in danger.
  • Sanctifier – Alma 5:7-9, It is through the Holy Ghost that we can draw on the power of the atonement and be made new. He sanctifies us – changes us.
  • Receive the gifts of the spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:31 and D&C 46:8&11. “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts…and to every man is given a gift by the spirit”

One of my good friends is the Gospel Doctrine teacher back in South Carolina and she recently shared something she had discussed in class. She presented the question - What gift of the spirit would I or should I seek to help me be a better mother, daughter, wife, friend? I have pondered this question and have been seeking a specific gift of the spirit to help me in my family calling. It has helped me reach beyond my self to serve beyond my own abilities.

  • The Holy Spirit of Promise – He confirms that the priesthood ordinances that we have received and the covenants that we have made are acceptable of God. This approval depends on our continued faithfulness.(True to the Faith)
  • Because of the Holy Ghost I know that God lives that Jesus is the Christ His Son, my Savior and Redeemer. That through Him I can be forgiven and live forever with my Father in Heaven and my family. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that we have a prophet upon the earth today. I receive comfort and direction that lead me to all that is good. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Monday, March 29, 2010

Easter Traditions - Christ's last week

This year we are continuing our Easter tradition. First Rodrigo and I are rememborizing (remembering our previous memorization :) a portion of "The Living Christ" each of the 12 days. You can find the pretty little cards we use for this here.

We are once again following the last week of the Savior's life beginning today with, "The Savior cleanses the Temple". We missed Palm Sunday yesterday but will review this tonight in FHE. Each day using the corresponding picture from the gospel art kit we will have a devotional and discuss the things that happened in Christ's life that day. The gospel art picture will then be placed on the wall for us to look at and ponder throughout the week. Thursday we will celebrate passover with foods that are typically eaten.

Saturday we will hide easter eggs and present easter baskets to the boys. Fun has a place too in our traditions!

Sunday we are getting up to watch the Sun rise. We will talk about His resurrection and share our testimonies with each other (help Joaquin to practice:) and have a celebration dinner. It doesn't end there though! Monday we are going to have a FHE on his visit to the Americas.

I have added one thing this year to our tradition...I am re-reading "Jesus the Christ". I of course won't finish by the end of the week but it will be wonderful reading about the Savior throughout the week.

CHRIST'S LAST WEEK
Sunday - Triumphal Entry "Palm Sunday"
Monday - The Savior Cleanses the Temple
Tuesday - Scribes question Jesus/Parables and teachings
Wednesday -Scriptures are silent on the events of this day. FHE and overview of the week also discuss Conference and the things we enjoyed.
Thursday - Passover, Garden of Gethsemene, Betrayal
Friday - Arrested, Tried, and Cruxified
Saturday - Visits the spirit world - Make Easter Story Cookies
Sunday - Resurrection - "The Empty Tomb" - Make Empty Tomb Rolls as part of celebration dinner.
Monday - FHE - Discuss his visit to the Nephites and have a fun activity.

I hope that this tradition will continue to help strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ...his life, his great atoning sacrifice and his resurrection.

Happy Easter Week Everyone!!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Something to Ponder

The following is the quote of the week for my blog but it bears repeating as a post. Definitely worth regular pondering...

The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ...The Lord's tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."

~ Elder David A. Bednar

I love the last line...and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."


How have you experienced the tender mercies of the Lord?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring is in the Air

Well, we took a cue from a family we greatly admire...namely the Brock's and we have begun not only the physical preparations for our garden but the spiritual as well. We will be planning out our garden for the next 3 family home evenings. We've actually planted the peas - The USU extension has proven a wonderful resource as well as the following websites:

http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/firstgarden/index.html - This is a great site to help get the kids involved in the planning, planting, and harvesting!
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/

The plan is to update our blog weekly on our progress, successes, challenges and the things we learn so we can use this information for our future gardens.

We have felt such a peace in this project...more to come soon!
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