First Presidency Message
Priesthood Lesson August 1999
What is a definition of a Horizon?
- The limit of sight
- The edge of our understanding
- The future
What analogies are there in the gospel to "horizons?"
The blessings of Adversity
- How many of you have heard stories from relatives about living through the great depression, or other lean times?
- Has anyone had to work while growing up to support yourself or other family members? How has it affected you?
Story related by Faust:
Friend had 2 sons graduating with advanced degrees, one from Stanford, the other Harvard. The man had himself worked his way from being a paperboy to the president of a large newspaper company. President Faust pondered and then mentioned to him, "I wonder if your sons are as well educated as you were at their age."
Quote by Henry Ward Beecher
"affliction comes to us all. Not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry, but to make us wise; not to make us despondent, but by it's darkness to refresh us as the night refreshes the day . . . It is trial that proves one thing weak and another strong. A cobweb is as good as the mightiest cable when there is no strain upon it."
Brigham Young Quote page 262
Discourses of Brigham Young, p.345 - p.346
If Adam had not sinned, and if his posterity had continued upon the earth, they could not have known sin, or the bitter from the sweet, neither would they have known righteousness, for the plain and simple reason that every effect can only be fully manifested by its opposite. If the Saints could realize things as they are when they are called to pass through trials, and to suffer what they call sacrifices, they would acknowledge them to be the greatest blessings that could be bestowed upon them. But put them in possession of true principles and true enjoyments, without the opposite, and they could not know enjoyment, they could not realize happiness. They could not tell light from darkness, because they have no knowledge of darkness and consequently are destitute of a realizing sense of light. If they should not taste the bitter, how could they realize the sweet? They could not.
Personal excellence
- What motivated the workers on the SLC temple to such extreme craftsmanship?
- Aside from the results of our labors, what are the benefits from putting our all into our work?
- We must utilize our talents
Spiritual excellence
D&C 93:1
Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;
- Rhetorical: How many of us are pursuing this goal? Can we personally see this as an objective?
- Do we stretch ourselves in terms of our personal spiritual growth?
- Do we have personal integrity?
- Who can relate Karl G Maeser's word of honor, line of chalk statement?
- Honesty and integrity are the most important things to learn in our education.
Said Shakespeare:
//This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night from the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
//(Hamlet act 1, scene 3 lines 78-80)
Confidence
- Where does confidence come from?
Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6, p.57 - p.58
Unless ""[the saints of God]"" have an actual knowledge that the course they are pursuing is according to the will of God they will grow weary in their minds, and faint; for such has been, and always will be, the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God against the pure and unadulterated religion of heaven (the only thing which insures eternal life), that they will persecute to the uttermost all that worship God according to His revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by His will; and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of heaven, and of their having embraced the order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in Him necessary for them to overcome the world, and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.
- What can we do to increase the confidence of those we associate with?
Physical soundness
- What do we do to maintain or physical activity?
- How does our physical condition affect our spiritual condition?
- Plug for activities. . .
Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.318
We frequently neglect giving ""[our children]"" any information concerning their bodily well-being. In our cities we appear to be providing our young people too much mental exercise, and no physical diversion and work, while in our country settlements, we seem to be over-burdening them with bodily labor, and in many cases doing little or nothing for their mental development and recreation. Hence, in the one case they seek forbidden places and pleasure, on account of too much mental exercise; and in another, because of too little.
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.475-476
The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That is why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4; Mosiah 4:27), and that we should use moderation in all good things. In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies in certain elements in the body can promote mental depression. A good physical examination periodically is a safeguard and may spot problems that can be remedied. Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. (CR October 1974, Ensign 4 ""[November 1974]"": 66.)
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.562
Have a good physical outlet of some sport or exercise. Overcome evil with good. You can overcome many evil inclinations through good physical exertion and healthful activities. A healthy soul, free of the body- and spirit-dulling influences of alcohol and tobacco, is in better condition to overthrow the devil.
Service
- What do we do on a regular basis to help others?
- What can we do to serve those we home teach?
- We must render service as the Lord provides opportunity.
- Look at Jonah, who didn't like the Lord's call to serve. (Jonah 1:17 - 3:3)
Conclusion
- All of you have home teachees. What can you do to serve them?
- Which of the points from the First Presidency Message do they most need to hear?
- Is there a reason that home teaching must wait to the end of the month?
Challenge and testify.
