Daily Ponderings: Remember Them No More

Hebrews 10:17

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

If He can forgive my past, who am I to bring it back if the lesson has been learned?

Daily Ponderings: I Will Put My Laws Into Their Hearts

Hebrews 10:16

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

With practive, being like Him can become automatic

Daily Ponderings: He Hath Perfected

Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Any mistake can be overcome

TFHW: The Family That Plays Together

4-29-22
Went to "The Music Man" with my family

Daily Ponderings: Unto Them That Look for Him

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

I should look for Him in my life and try to be like Him

I can choose to be a little more like Him each day, and the effect will be cumulative

TFHW: The Family That Plays Together

4-29-22
Went to "The Music Man" with my family

Daily Ponderings: Spoken Every Precept

Hebrews 9:19

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

I should learn the rules for becoming more like Him

I can learn and internalize these rules

Daily Ponderings: Add to Your Faith

1 Peter 5-7

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Add to willingness to act in the face of an uncertain outcome, having my actions characterized by honesty.

Acting according to the best of my knowledge, and enlarging the body of that knowledge that I am acting according to the best of.

Finding a balance in the tradeoff between the costs and benefits of my actions.

Being willing to change my approach if my original plan of action doesn't work.

Considering the consequences as far into the future as I can see.

Being kind to my family, which is easy; and God, strangers, and myself, which can be harder.

TFHW: Minimalism

4-27-22
Prayed for TFH Council

Daily Ponderings: The Time of Reformation

Hebrews 9:10

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

I should choose to reform myself to become more like Him.

I can become a little more like Him each day, by pushing through the hundreds of tiny persistent failures that lay between Him and me. He's there, on the other side of them, and I can make it through. Stumbling forward is still progress.

What Is the Sabbath Supposed to Do?

Give me time to look at Him. To study Him, to know Him, so that I can tell if I'm becoming more like Him.

All the covenants I keep, all the commandments that I obey, these things are strengthening my relationship with God
I become more powerful, more clean, more like Him
All the covenants are for my benefit. Every commandment is for my benefit.
They are the rules for becoming more like Him

TFHW: Contact Family

4-26-22
Emailed Erik
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: In That He Saith

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

I should listen to what He saith to me.

I can take what He says and use it to become more like Him

Pray and Ask for Understanding

From "Preach My Gospel: How Do I Study Effectively and Prepare to Teach?"

"Pray and ask for understanding"

I should pray more

I can experiment with praying - even just a brief prayer - before every new activity. Maybe just a single word like "peace" or "kindness".

Daily Ponderings: Following the Example of the Son of the Living God

2 Nephi 31:16

And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

I can daily, hourly, moment by moment, heed the rules for becoming more like Him.

Daily Ponderings: Set the Example Before Them

2 Nephi 31:9

And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straightness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

I should preach the gospel in my home by being a model of following the rules for becoming more like Him.

I try to be kind. Sometimes it's all I can do just to forbear

Daily Ponderings: In Keeping His Commandments

2 Nephi 31:7

Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

Not the 10 alone, but more especially the personal commandments

Daily Ponderings: Concerning the Doctrine of Christ

2 Nephi 32:2

Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.

I should think about the rules for becoming more like Him

Daily Ponderings: I Write But a Few of the Words

2 Nephi 31:1

And now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren. And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass; neither can I write but a few of the words of my brother Jacob.

I can write, even if it's only a few words

TFHW: Ancient History

4-25-22
Responded to Erik with Coat of Arms
Scheduled Endowments for Saturday

Righteousness Must Be Chosen

From Henry B. Eyring's April 2014 "A Priceless Heritage of Hope":

"They never force righteousness because righteousness must be chosen. They make righteousness discernible to us, and They let us see that its fruits are delicious."

My job is to make righteousness look delicious

Daily Ponderings: I Took Them by the Hand to Lead Them

Hebrews 8:9

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

I should seek His guidance and allow myself to be led. To learn how to choose the best path to walk.

I can become more like Him when I let Him teach me.

TFHW: Helping Others

4-24-22
Texted Tonya about TFHW
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: Serve Unto the Example

Hebrews 8:5

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

I should try to be as kind as Jesus in all that I do

I can be kind

TFHW: Round Trip

4-23-22
Did endowments at the temple
Answered Roy's email, sent my phone #
Responded to Erik's email

Daily Ponderings: The Word of the Oath

Hebrews 7:28

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

I should make and keep promises.

I can know what to do with His help. His peace will help me to do what I know

TFHW: My Favorite Island

4-22-22
Improved place names: Niue
Printed names for endowments

Daily Ponderings: Draw Nigh Unto God

Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

I should seek peace to be better able to feel His presence and guidance.

I can have peace as my constant companion

The Scriptures Are Arranged

From Boyd K. Packer's "Teaching Seminary: Preservice Readings":

"Individual doctrines of the gospel are not fully explained in one place in the scriptures, nor presented in order or sequence. They must be assembled from pieces here and there. They are sometimess found in large segments, but mostly they are in small bits scattered through the chapters and verses."

"Because the scriptures are arranged the way they are, there are endless combinations of truths that will fit the need of every individual in every circumstance."

Peace Is the Key

Peace is the key to and root of power, kindness, and laughter.

I need to understand it better.

TFHW: More Generic City Names

4-21-22
Improved place names: Nigeria - 0 for 10, generic city names

TFHW: Not Quite Australia

4-20-22
Improved place names: New Zealand - 0 for 10, all city names were generic

Daily Ponderings: In the Loins of His Father

Hebrews 7:10

For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

I should remember whose I am and where I came from

Daily Ponderings: After the Order

Hebrews 6:20

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

I should seek to become more like Him by being kind.

I can be kind - to God, to others, to myself

What to Write in My Heart

Things written in our hearts - the rules for becoming more like Him (All are "the rules for becoming like Him"
[The rule is: be kind - to God, myself, and others])[we become like Him when we have those not only memorized, but internalized the rules. Like how my fingers know how to type with no hesitation between my brain and keyboard]

[every upset is a rules violation][I already have rules for being happy. Are they useful? Can I find better ones? If so, how can I install them?]

TFHW: Where My Heart Is

4-19-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class
Gave Kitten a blessing

Daily Ponderings: No Greater

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

He is the best place to go for solace, comfort, peace, strength, and power. There is no greater.

His Commandments Are Not Grievous

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

His commandments are just the rules for being happy. They are no different than all the other rules for being happy that I've already internalized.

TFHW: Word to the Wise

4-18-22
Helped Joshua with his sacrament meeting talk

What I Can Become

From David A. Bednar's 2004 BYU address "In a State of Happiness (Mormon 7:7)":

"It is one thing to perform the outward actions of obedience; it is quite a different thing to become inwardly what the commandments are intended to help us become."

Daily Ponderings: Receiveth Blessing From God

Hebrews 6:7

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

I should see His blessings in all things

I can feel happy and blessed

TFHW: Help Me!

4-17-22
Asked by Tanya to help her with TFHW
Asked Tanya about her TFHW situation
Asked by Bishop to conduct a TFHW event for the youth on Wed night.
Answered Br. Dave's text
Participated in Easter morning fun with family
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: Discern Both Good and Evil

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I should seek to discern between good and evil

I can know the difference, and choose good. Always

TFHW: Good Session

4-16-22
Went to the temple for endowments
Bought books for Joshua

Daily Ponderings: Unto All Them That Obey Him

Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

I call them commands. That sounds like forcing, but it's really just the answer to my question, 'what's the best way forward?'

I should listen to the answer to the question I asked, just like I would listen to my mechanic.

TFHW: Spread the Word

4-15-22
Texted TFH Council to spread the word about temple entering phase 4

Happiness

From "How Can I Forgive Others"

"Happiness is a choice. It does not depend on the actions of others or on justice being served."

Not Disappointed

From "Preach My Gospel: What Is My Purpose As a Missionary?"

"When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself, You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you"

Daily Ponderings: Glorified Not Himself

Hebrews 5:5

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

I should use my gifts to encourage and to bless others.

I can be kind

TFHW: Land of the Tulips

4-14-22
Improved place names: Netherlands

Daily Ponderings: Unto the Throne of Grace

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

He can grant me any help I need

Daily Ponderings: An High Priest

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

I should look to Him whenever I feel sad or lost

I can receive strength if I ask

Change Your Life, Change Your View

From "Preach My Gospel: What Is My Purpose As a Missionary?"

"Record your thoughts and feelings about this message [of the restoration of the gospel] including how understanding it better had changed the way you live and the way you view the world around you."

Knowing that I can become more like Him helps me seek and find strength and peace I'd never before imagined.

Declare Repentance

From "Preach My Gospel: What Is My Purpose As a Missionary?"

"As you teach people to understand the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you 'declare repentance'"

Repentance requires faith because it presumes empowering beliefs: that it is possible to change, that change can be lasting, and that I will be better off if I change.

TFHW: Spicy, No?

4-13-22
Improved place names: Mexico

Daily Ponderings: Let Us Labour

Hebrews 4:11

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Following the way of happiness will be hard. The adversary will clamor that I should take a different path. However, he will not suggest one that works better or brings more happiness. He will only attempt to instill fear and doubt about the path I am on.

TFHW: Funny Dream

4-12-22
Emailed John that I dreamed that he prayed with me and started speaking Spanish. Didn't mention the phrase "even though our hearts are far apart"

Wrong Question

The adversary's question is always some form of 'why aren't you doing something else?'

No matter what I'm doing it's never enough, and it's never the right thing.

He doesn't have suggestions for what I can do better or what I should be doing. Only the question of doubt and sadness: 'why aren't you doing something else?'

My response: 'Hmmm... what do you suggest?' always leaves him silent. Which is how I know it's him, and not Him.

Root of Conflict

When President Nelson asks me to end conflict in my life, this includes conflicts I have with myself. I need to become of one mind in directing my choices, not scattered, random, or haphazard.

I need to become one with myself, as Jesus and the Father are one.

The Doctrine of Christ

The Doctrine of Christ is the rules for becoming more like Him.

But it's really only one rule.

Be kind. To God, to others, to myself.

Check Your Premises

Gratitude presupposes several empowering beliefs:

Life *is* good
Other people *are* good
It *is* possible to get what I need and want
I *can* feel happy

Daily Ponderings: Some Must Enter Therein

Hebrews 4:6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

I should enter. Entering is done by moving forward.

I can move forward in the direction He would have me go.

I can mke that the direction I would have me go.

I can learn to trust His guidance, and follow it without contention

Daily Ponderings: Faith and Repentance

Mosiah 18:20

Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

Why faith and repentance?

Because I need empowering beliefs to move me forward, and if my faith fails, I need repentance so that I can feel forgiven and able to get past the failure and get back to moving forward.

TFHW: Temple Thursday

4-11-22
Signed up for Thursday temple appointment. Cancelled appointments. Rescheduled for next Thursday
Wrote to Aunt Marion

Daily Ponderings: Enter In

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

There is somewhere beautiful He wants me to go. I should heed His call.

I can follow where He beckons

TFHW: A Little Indexing

4-10-22
Did indexing (Wisconsin Births)
Visited Roger & Betty

Alternatives

Being able to explain spiritual experiences in secular terms is only useful if that explanation empowers you to better utilize the power of those spiritual experiences.

Daily Ponderings: Exhort One Another Daily

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

I should invite and encourage those around me to have gospel experiences

I can invite, and be thankful for, the opportunity

TFHW: 55 Wet, 56 Dry

4-9-22
Did temple baptisms and confirmations
Had Michael read Preach My Gospel

Daily Ponderings: If Ye Will Hear His Voice

Hebrews 3:7

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

I should invite Him to speak to me and listen to His voice

I can hear Him and know that it's Him

TFHW: Sign, Print, Cut, Sort, Bag

4-8-22
Signed Michael's paperwork
Printed baptism cards for the temple

Walk With Him

What does it mean to walk with Him?

What does it mean to dance with Gene Kelly?

Mistakes Are My Friend

Instead of being angry that I made a mistake, I should be greatful that I caught it.

What Would You Have Me Do?

My wife asked: "What if, before we say or do anything, we mentally say 'I am Thine. What would you have me do?'"

I think He would respond with, "What do YOU think?". And then, if I don't know, He would help me find an answer.

But He won't just tell me. He wants me to learn how to be like Him, and think like Him. So He will let me try, and He will love and encourage me all the while.

Covenants

Take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.

Law of Obedience
Law of Sacrifice
Law of the Gospel
Law of Chastity
Law of Consecration

TFHW: Who Knows?

4-7-22
Emailed family about Grandma's cookie recipe
Reserved baptisms

Daily Ponderings: He Is Able to Succor

Hebrews 2:18

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

I should remember the hard things I've done, and use that to help others through - or avoid - their hard times.

I can be a strength and a comfort

My goal in my blogging was, after I'd suffered the pain of doing it alone, striving to mmake it so no one good had to go through that some thing.

There were two who did it wrong. I couldn't help them. They didn't have the light with them.

Daily Ponderings: I Will Put My Trust in Him

Hebrews 2:13

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

If He has ever helped me in the past, I should remember that and use that to strengthen the anchor of my faith.

I can decide to become more like Him in little ways that will accumulate over time. A steady drip of living water until my cup runneth over.

Unprecedented Times, Unprecedented Measures

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2021 "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation"

"It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures - perhaps measures we have never taken before - to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations"

Not simply a call to do more, but a call to do differently. A call to pray and seek the counsel of the Holy Ghost to know what to do.

Don't Just Obey. Understand.

Don't just obey. Understand why I'm being asked to do something. The Navy spent 6 years teaching me that principle. Have I forgotten?

TFHW: Support Group

4-6-22
Had talk with Michael out breaking his texting habit
Went to a park in New Berlin with family

Daily Ponderings: Crowned With Glory and Honor

Hebrews 2:7

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

I should seek His help to feel His transformative power helping me to own what I do

I can own what I do

Called to Serve

In answer to a prayer, I've been told that I have been called on a mission. No namebadge, but I am to labor in the Brookfield, 935 Garvens Mission. There to serve and teach the gospel to everyone I live with.

I'm starting by reading Preach My Gospel

The Rocket That Ignites Itself

From last night's covenant class:

"Revelation is always given as a way to move forward."

It's All Connected

At prototype, I learned the individual systems (mechanical, electrial, reactor), but then I also had to learn Integrated Plant so that I would be aware of how the systems interacted and affected each other. Because they were, in reality, one system. They were just separated into subsystems to facilitate learning.

Covenants are the IP of the gospel. They connect all the individual parts, because the gospel is all one interconnected whole. I study it in disassociated chunks to facilitate learning. Covenents is the thread that connects all the moving parts.

TFHW: Reach Out Red

4-5-22
Texted Mariah to see if she needs anything. No response
Attended Kitten's covenant class

Daily Ponderings: To Minister for Them

Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

I should reach out as the Spirit direct

I can be told who to reach and how

TFHW: None of Them Were Actually in Mauritius

4-4-22
Improved place names: Mauritius
Gave Kitten anniversary love note

Daily Ponderings: Thou Remainest

Hebrews 1:11

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

He will always and everywhere be there for me. I should seek His counsel

I can get answers to the questions I have

TFHW: Just Pick the First Trelew on the List

4-3-22
Improved place names: Marshall Islands (Everything was Eden... that was weird)

Daily Ponderings: To Him a Father, to Me a Son

Hebrews 1:5

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

I should raise them as my own, to practice for when she comes

I can be as powerful and wise as Him, with His help, and love as nurturingly as He, seeking for them what's best in the long run.

TFHW: Say Again, in English

4-2-22
Improved place names: Malaysia (0 for 10, couldn't read)

Daily Ponderings: The Grace

Philemon 1:25

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Anything I can't do by myself, He can help me with

Anything I am afraid to do, He will protect me in doing.

Nothing can hurt me

TFHW: Sounds Warm and Wonderful

4-1-22
Improved place names: Malawi
Texted Philemon 1:4 to TFH council

Work Is Play

I should bring to my work the same curiosity and vitality I bring to play

Daily Ponderings: I Have Written, I Will Repay

Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

I should do the things I say I will do.

I can keep my word

TFHW: Places Everyone

3-31-22
Improved place names: Madagascar