On the other side of the Veil

One thing that really stood out to me this week was the fact that work is being done on both sides of the veil right now and at all times. We must not stop our work on this side or else the work on the other side will come to a stop as well. I really got thinking about this because sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle of life that we forget to take the time to go to the temple and spend an hour or two there. What a great and marvelous place it is and to be able to go inside of it brings great joy into our lives. 

Richard G Scott gave a talk titled The Joy of Redeeming the Dead and in this talk he stated "But what about you? Have you prayed about your own ancestors’ work? Set aside those things in your life that doesn’t really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences. Perhaps you have been prompted to look for ancestors but feel you are not a genealogist. Can you see that you don’t have to be anymore? It all begins with love and a sincere desire to help those beyond the veil who can’t help themselves. Check around. There will be someone in your area that can help you have success. This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. "

I know that we do great work inside of the temple and are helping those who can't for themselves on the other side. 

My Testimony & Life Goals

I am going to start out with a story to talk about where my testimony comes from and how I learned a lot about myself. When I was 13 years old I was just like any other teenager. I was a social butterfly and loved hanging out with my friends. On December 6, 1996 my life was changed for the better. I learned what my testimony of the Church was and also areas that I could improve upon. I grew up in the country and on a farm so it was very easy to take the snow machines out and not get in trouble with the police officers from driving on the roads.

It was just like any other Friday night before I chose to make a decision that would change the way I looked at life.  My parents were gone for the evening with my father at work and my mother had left for a temple recommend interview. She was taking too long and I wanted to hang out with 2 of my friends. One lived across the field from me and the other just a mile up the road.I had came inside to get a flash light and I could not find one. I had a great idea of using a lighter to check the gas to make sure it was not empty thus being the reason it wouldn't start. I was being smart, so I thought, when I was having a hard time getting the snow machine to start. I held the lighter to one side of me as far from the gas tank as I could and thought I would be okay. The next thing I remember is a flash of fire going in front of my face. At first I thought it had just scared me until I felt the burning sensation on my face. I immediately jumped for the snow and stuck my face in it and then I smelt burnt hair and at this point I knew I was in trouble and had done something really stupid. I ran in the house and my brother saw me and started to freak out. I went straight to the bathroom to run cold water on my face while my brother called over to the church to inform my mom that she needed to come home now that there had been an accident. We only lived about a half a mile from the church and my mom and the bishop were at our house in a matter of minutes. The bishop gave me a priesthood blessing and stayed with my siblings while my mom took me to the hospital.

I remember sitting at the hospital in my overalls that were dripping wet from the huge towel that I had for my face and wondering how my life was now going to be. I couldn't stay inside the hospital because the heat hurt my face so bad yet I was freezing outside because it was winter. Once it was my turn the doctors and nurses pulled all of the burnt skin off my face and cleaned my hairline and put some burn cream on my face. I was released about 4 hours later and sent home with lots of pain medication and burn cream and was told to stay inside to let the skin heal. I had second and third degree burns over all of my face with the worst being right under my eyes and on my hair line. I had no eyebrows or eyelashes and the whole front of my hairline was gone. I was told that I would be in large amounts of pain and that I would not want to leave the house.

Once I got home from the hospital my dad was there and gave me a fathers blessing. I remember him blessing me with a full and quick recovery and I remember thinking to myself that this was not possible with what I had just been told from the doctors. Well, my dad is amazing and gave me the blessing I needed as a teenager. His words gave me comfort and I knew that no matter how extensive the scaring was I would be okay and I would find someone to love as I got older to start a family with. I went to church that Sunday with my mom because I was tired of sitting at home. Nobody recognized who I was and they were shocked when they found out it was me. Needless to say my night of fun that I had wanted turned into an ER visit that was not so much fun. Through this all I learned the power of the Priesthood. I never once took a pain pill and within 2 weeks you could not tell I had ever been burned. I did not scar at all and this to me is amazing. I learned a very valuable lesson at a very early age and for that I an thankful.

I have a very strong testimony of the power of the Priesthood and I know of the power that it has if you just believe in it. I know that Jesus dies for me so that I may come here and learn and grow and return to live with my Father in Heaven again. I love that I am married to a man that holds the Priesthood and that our children can fill of this power in our home.

I have many goals in life that I have and would love to accomplish. I think that for me the most important now is to raise my children with of love of the gospel and hope for them all to serve missions and get married in the temple. My goal is to be worthy to be able to stand in the temple with them as they go on to the next journey's in their lives. I want to be the best wife and mom that I can be in this world that is so full of troubles and sorrows.

1 John 1–3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

Read 1 John 1:1–4. Describe in writing John’s desire for those he wrote to. Study the following scripture references and then list what these verses teach about how we can come to know God better and have greater joy and fellowship with God:

o       1 John 1:8–10

                * Once given is a conference report was a statement that said "That feeling of guilt is to the spirit what pain is to the physical body however guilt can be harder to bear than physical pain." We all have the ability to repents ans be forgiven of our sins. 

o       1 John 2:3–6

                 * When we claim that we know God, it bears great responsibility, and an apostle has given us information to check our knowledge of God. We show God that we love him by following his commandments. 

o       1 John 2:9–11; 3:11–19

                 * Always strive to do good to all those around you. Show your love to everyone in a way that God shows love to you. 

o       1 John 2:15–17

                 * We should not seek after the things of the world. We should also not give into temptations of the world or from the world. Live within our means. 

o       1 John 2:20–21, 27

                 * Others will not be able to lie to us due to the fact that we know the truths of all things and believe them. 

o       1 John 3:4–6

                * We are shown forgiveness and love by our Father in heaven and he will never leave us. 

2.    Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

              * I know that for me showing love to others when they have offended you in one way or another is a very hard thing to do. I try to forgive however I am not one to forget easily. I know that I must rely on the Lord and go to him in time of need when I am having a hard time being nice or forgiving to those who have offended me. 

Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only

James 1

1.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:

       What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

* If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God

* Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath

* Be doers of the word, and not hearers only

      How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

* To ask in faith without ever wavering. When you are leaning on the Lord for answers, this is the time that you will need your own faith to be strong.  

      How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

* We believe in one God and he is always there for us. We can not believe one thing and then follow a different lifestyle. We must follow what we know to be true and make the better of two choices when faced with them. 

      From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

* We can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ by being a doer and not just a listener. We need to remember in times of trial and frustrations to be a good listen and to not speak to quickly. We should not react to things just based on emotions. We need to really think about them and then think before we speak. 

      Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.

* My daughters primary teacher sends a review of the lesson in the mail to each child that misses class on Sunday every single week. 

* My visiting teacher who comes into my home to uplift me and see how my life is going. 

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.

* We can relate to Joseph Smith in our search for truth

* We must all gain wisdom from God to stay on the straight and narrow

* If we lack wisdom and need the help of the heavens that they are there

Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

We are told to treat them kindly and have compassion on them. We should talk to them and listen carefully with our hearts. We should treat them as if it was our-self. 

• How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is held in high regards to the Lord. We should be honorable as it is our ultimate goal in this life. 

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

We need to be happy with what we have and enjoy the blessings in our own lives. 

• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?

Our Savior is. He does not ever waiver. He is the same today and he was yesterday or will be tomorrow. 

• How are we sanctified?

Through the atonement, we are all sanctified. 

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

We are told to obey those who rule over us. Grief is not profitable to us so we must have joy. 

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

Paul asked for prayers for himself and the other leaders and missionaries that were trying to share the gospel with the people around them. In doing this, it shows that he knew that prayer can go a long ways in the eyes of the Lord and those around him. 

Epistle to the Hebrews

1.    Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

* Jesus Christ is superior to angels 
* He is greater than Moses
* Inheritance of the world

2.    Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

* Jesus Christ created all the worlds around us
* Jesus Christ suffered for our sins
* Jesus Christ is great than angels
 
3.    Read Hebrews 2:7–18; 4:13–16; Alma 7:11–15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

* Christ came to the earth so that he could suffer the sins of the world for us. We have the atonement in place for us to be able to return to him because he did suffer for us. Christ has lived on the earth and knows what we are going through and he also knows our hearts. He is always there for us if we allow him to be. He had to come here and suffer for us so that we would have a way back to him again.


 

Philippians

Choice 1: Philippians 1–4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

• People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).
• Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).
• An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).
• How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

1.The lord really likes people with a positive attitude and who can keep their emotions in check. We need to remember to always look at each other as equals. We are all Christ’s children and accepted the plan before being sent to earth. As the primary song states, “Jesus says love everyone!”

2. We must remember to gain our own testimony and not rely on the actions of others to gain it. We need to gain and feed our testimonies through things that we discover on our own. We were put on this earth to be tried and tested so that we could discover on our own the strength and faith that we have. The Lord will not give us more than we can handle.

3. Paul tells us that "all good can be found in Christ." The Lord will not let a convert join the church and then have a miserable life. If we follow Christ then we will be blessed and be able to lead a life in the right direction. 

4. The Holy Ghost speaks to us and we have the power to either accept that or deny it. The scriptures help to remind us about how our Father in heaven wants us to live. As long as we listen to the prophet and follow the commandments, life will be great.