Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
I should try to be kind. If I feel frustrated, I should remind myself that there will be time.
And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.
I should keep His name in my heart.
"Even if television were not filled with foolishness, violence, immorality, and filth, its entertainment value would still not justify the time drain. You are here to work to govern the Lord's affairs, not to be entertained."
Consider recreation vs. entertainment (vs. escape)
And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
Watch my words, and speak words that describe how I want to be
But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
I should keep my focus on His peace
"Yet he can understand, for he has trained himself to tune out the interference.It is difficult to spearate from the confusion of life that quiet voice of inspiration. Unless you attune yourself, you will miss it."
I can practice listening to the Spirit even when I'm surrounded by noise. This will help me get better at it.
1 - check spinal position
2 - correct without changing mood
3 - consider that "maybe" I can do this.
And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to aimpart of the substance that ye have one to another.
If I have been blessed, I should share that.
"What's the most important thing the attendees need to know?You're already doing it. You may not think of it as TFHW. If you do it with awareness, then He can bless us accordingly"
18 months - and forgotten - before I did a sacrament talk revolving around this exact theme.
"Abide in me and I in you" means that I make His kindness, my kindness; and His peace, my peace." We are not separate.
And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have atasted of his love, and have received a bremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own cnothingness, and his dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of ehumility, fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
I should look for things that cause joy.
Because when I can see Him everywhere, then I don't need to look for Him. He will just be there with me, because we are not separate. And I will know it, and I will act like it.
And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus hath the Lord commanded me. Amen.
When I do what He says, my life will be good.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Kindness will get me everything I need.
John 14:15 says "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Kindness toward God is shown by obedience. Similar to honoring thy father and mother.
And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.
I should seek things which are honest and true.
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
To be received into heaven is to be in the presence of God. And when I have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, I am in the presence of God. I can feel that presence and let it fill me with peace.
And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore, they are just and true.
I should speak the truths that he tells me to say.
Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you.
If I do what He tells me, my conscience will be clear.
"...the more the gap was closed between the principles which must be accepted by faith and those which could be obtained by knowledge, the stronger would be their faith."
Eventually all faith becomes knowledge.
"The disciples were right: they didn't have enough food, but they gave what they had to Jesus, and then HE provided the miracle."
Whatever I have, He can make it enough.
And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
He will make everything OK.
When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
As I draw near to Him, I will hear His promptings and know how to make progress in my life.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
I should never be afraid to speak the truth when prompted.
"...as we press forward in faith and walk in the meekness of the Lord's Spirit, we are blessed with power, guidance, protection, and peace."
Knowing my strengths. and being able to access them using anchors to trigger empowering beliefs, I can have power, guidance, protection, and peace.
"...abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me."
We are not separate.
And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.
I should listen to promptings and do them.
"...the Savior expects us to do all we can do, and He will do what ONLY HE can do."
The division is important. I should let Him do His part and not try to do it all.
"When we comapre ourselves to others, there can be only two results. Either we will see ourselves as better than others and become judgmental and critical of them, or we will see ourselves as less than others and become anxious, self-critical, and discouraged. Comparing ourselves to others is raely productive, not uplifting, and sometimes downright depressing. In fact, those comparisons can be spiritually destructive, preventing us from receiving the spiritual help we need."
Anxious, self-critical, discouraging. This also happens when I compare myself to my past self. I need peace to time travel
"...your potential is limitless. He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you. And that is very different from the way the world sees you."
I should try to see myself the way He sees me.
"Oil pours into our hearts when our choices show we love the Lord and we love what He loves."
What does He love?
"As you bear testimony of what your KNOW, BELIEVE, and FEEL, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truth to those who earnestly listen to your testimony."
I should testify to myself from time to time.
"Cast [Satan] out of your relationships!"
Including my relationship with myself
"..."if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" that we can say about another person - whether to his face or behind her back - that should be our standard of communication."
This can also be my standard of communication with myself. Kind and gentle.
"Make no mistake about it: contention is evil!"
Including internal contention. If I feel tesion mounting, I can seek neutral peace in teh present moment before allowing myself to time travel.
Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.
As I trust and rely, He will keep me prosperous.
And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days.
He can help me find continual peace.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
I can ask Him to ask me, then obey
"...we will become more and more cordial and sensitive to the needs of our fellow beings and will experience joy, peace, and spiritual growth. Undoubtedly, the Lord will recognize our efforts and give us the gifts we need to be more tolerant and patient with one another's differences, weaknesses, and imperfections."
I can become more cordial and sensitive to my needs. I can experience joy and peace. I can be more tolerant and patient with my differences, weaknesses, and imperfections.
"...consider ways we can transform ourselves into uplifting and supportive people, people who have an understanding and forgiving heart, people who look for the best in others."
I can become uplifting and supportive to myself. I can understand and forgive myself. I can look for the best in myself
"...end personal conflicts that are currently raging in our hearts and in our lives."
I can end internal conflicts raging in my heart. He can help me.
"...peace gives us the strength to enjoy mortal life and enables us to endure the painful trials of our journey."
Peace is the root of both strength and joy.
And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
He wants me to become steadily better off.
...an even more perfect unity would obtain among us if we followed the Savior's higher and holier expression of this second commandment - to love one another not only as we love ourselves but as HE loved us.
Unspoken, but implied, and vital - I should love myself the way HE loves me.
Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
I can have peace in my life with His help
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."
I can be unified within myself. The parts of me that struggle aren't to be defeated, but to be accepted, loved, and integrated as part of me.
"His promise is eternal: He will heal us."
He can help heal my sadness if I ask Him to.
"Self-Acceptance is the main key to achieve serenity in life."
I expend a lot of energy pushing things away. Maybe I could just let them wash over me and fall at my feet. I don't have to carry them.
"If you want to find peace in life then you have to lower your expectations. When you stop anticipating things in life, you become peaceful."
Close.
CHANGE my expectations.
Stop anticipating NEGATIVE things. That's what fear is, and what stress is. Peace is living in the moment, neither anticipating nor remembering. When I'm centered in peace, then I can safely time travel in either direction. And I can choose to feel kindness as I do.
"But peace, calm or tranquillity are not actually the opposite of stress. They represent the absence of stress. We want to feel calm rather than stressed by having the stress removed.Physiologically speaking, the opposite of stress is actually kindness."
I feel sad. There's no real reason to. I should be happy. Someone thinks I'm worth interviewing. Maybe they're right. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I am good enough. Talented enough. Have the skills they need for me to perform the work they need done. Maybe this is it. Maybe I'm enough. I want this. Good job, good pay, good location, good hours, good work, good cause. I'll be able to be proud of what I do. I'll be able to answer "what do you do there?" without feeling guilty or ashamed.
Maybe I can do this.
And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites came down out of the land of Nephi, to battle against his people. But behold, king Benjamin gathered together his armies, and he did stand against them; and he did fight with the strength of his own arm, with the sword of Laban.
With His help, I can stand against the forces of darkness and despair
And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
Sometimes I need to pray more than once to get the help I need. Sometimes it's to understand what help I need.
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
If I listen, He will tell me what I need to do.
"...offer your prayers to Him, the Giver of Peace. the Destroyer of fear. Showing His Mercy, the Merciful Master shall resolve your affairs."
"It is uniting families and feeling the joy..."
Talking to family brings joy.
And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking.
I should record my thoughts all my life.
"The Savior's healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges, and trials of every kind..."
He can help me make progress even though I procrastinate, and help me get a job even with my uninspiring work history.
Sacrifice - ...short term desires to long term rewards.
Gospel - Repent when I fall short on either of these.
Chastity - Be kind to my wife. Always answer her bids for attention by turning toward.
Consecration - Get better at all these.
Energy
Abundance
Freedom
Harmony
Play
Surprise
Transcendence
Magic
Celebration
Renewal
"Every moment is a teaching moment. Every word and action can be a guide for making choices."
I can learn from every one of my own moments, words, and actions.
And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.
Who can I know better today?
"...live in the presence of God..."
Having the Holy Ghost IS living in the presence of God.
"It is not natural for us to be humble, meek, or willing to submit our wills to God."
Knowing my weaknesses, knowing my strengths, and choosing long term results over short term desires.
"I pray that you may find peace, help many others to find it, and pass it along."
Be kind to myself and others.
"You remember the words of Jesus Christ recorded in the book of John: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.""
If I obey the commandments, the Holy Ghost will comfort me with peace
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Deny my immediate comfort for long term gain.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
What I decide with firmness becomes real into the future.
And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.
I don't always have to do more. Sometimes what I have done is sufficient
And I deliver these plates into the hands of my son Omni, that they may be kept according to the commandments of my fathers.
I just need to listen to the promptings I'm given and be kind.
"Zoram took courage and went with them."
Even if it's hard, I can choose to walk the pathe that's better for me.
"...did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know... and had witnessed for themselves."
I should look for opportunities to be kind everywhere. Opportunities to be Christ everywhere. So that others can see Christ everywhere. And notice others being kind everywhere.
I should look for kindness, and if I don't see it, then I should create it.
"Through the Holy Ghost we can experience His power every day! As much as we need!"
We are not separate
The power of Christ's atonement is that it gets me unstuck. Any time I say "I can't because..." His atonement gives Him the power, authority, and credibility to say "yes, you can"
Cleansing power — Jesus has the power to cleanse us and make us pure.
"I can't because I'm dirty" - "Yes, you can"
Healing power — Jesus has the power to heal us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
"I can't because I'm hurt" - "Yes, you can"
Restoring power — Jesus has the power to make right (at-one) all the wrongs of mortality.
"I can't because that bad thing happened to me" - "Yes, you can"
Identifying power — Jesus has the power to understand, empathize with, and guide us.
"I can't because no one understands me" - "Yes, you can"
Strengthening power — Jesus has the power to give us strength beyond our natural ability.
"I can't because I'm weak" - "Yes, you can"
Transforming power — Jesus has the power to change our very dispositions and natures.
"I can't because that's not who I am" - "Yes, you can"
Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them.
I can reach out confidently in faith to receive His peace.
"...did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know... and had witnessed for themselves."
I should speak the truth to myself, even if it makes me look bad to describe how I feel.
And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites; and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts.
There are more ways to do wrong than right. If I ask, He can help me determine what the right one is, and choose it.
If I choose poorly, I can think of what I should have done instead. This mental rehearsal will help me do better, going forward.
And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.
He says this to me every day, and not just once. It's His constant invitation to me to partake of His peace.
And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen.
I need to remember the things I have heard and seen, to strengthen my desire to seek after His peace
And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
I should be appreciative of the good things I have been given.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
"Jesus said, "...And this is life eternal, that they might know..."
Know... not just a little, and not superficially, but with depth, and over the long term. Not just short range.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;..."
I don't have to lash out at anyone because my power is under control. I only release it purposefully in pursuit of a specific change.
As I say in solitaire, "I can clear for a King, but why would I?". "I can lash out and hurt, but why would I?" I've never seen an upside to that one, if I'm thinking clearly and an not just hijacked into the moment by anger.
"...apply all that I was learning about preservation to my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the covenants that I’ve made with Them. It led me to determine whether I had placed Them in the prevailing position on my personal list of values, allowing everything else in my life to flow from that most important relationship."
What is the relationship between peace, power, and covenants?
I keep my covenants because it works. This brings peace because I'm not at war with myself over what to do. And peace brings me the power to change my life into what I want it to be.
"...the only kind of perfection is perfection in Christ: “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected..."
Perfection is looking with honest clear eyes at every aspect of myself, and being convinced that I am of worth to myself
Perfection is the refusal to refuse to see who I am and then accepting what I see.
"I have learned through painful and joyful experience that when the love of God is the foundation for my identity, I no longer need to pressure, coerce, judge, or extract validation from others in order to feel sufficient myself"
I no longer have to hurt people to feel better about myself
"God the Father knows individuals by name."
I should learn more people's names
"...Jesus commanded His disciples to love their enemies, to bless those who hurled curses at them, and to pray for those who despitefully used them."
God does this
"Sisu has been described as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, resilience, and hardiness. Sisu expresses a characteristic that manifests itself in displaying grit, resolve, and courage in the face of extreme adversity or against the odds. Someone with sisu decides on a course of action and then adheres to it—no matter what... Spiritual sisu isn't conditioned on the circumstances of our lives."
Nothing is conditioned. I possess the godly power of agency and am always free to choose.
"...Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us."
He can and He will do these good things for me if I ask. But I have to ask.
"We witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him..."
The way I remember Him is to always keep His peace with me.
"Lifelong conversion means that we endure to the end, remaining firm in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God—no matter what. Such a commitment cannot be conditional or dependent upon the circumstances in our lives."
Happiness isn't conditional or dependent, either.
"What can we do to "live happily ever after"?"
I can choose to focus on things that make me happy. It's a choice I am always free to make
And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore, I said unto my son Enos: Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.
I should take what I learn from the scriptures and pass it to others through my example
"Remember that your Father in Heaven will direct your path. He will give you direction. He will counsel you. He will place you where you need to be in order for you to accomplish your goals. Do not fear, but go forward with faith and you will have every blessing necessary for you to receive the great blessing He has in store for you.These blessings will always be with you so long as you trust Him and rely upon Him.
...Study [the scriptures] constantly throughout your life. Make them part of who you are and Satan will have no power over you, and you will be able to complete your mission and trust that He will have the confidence in you that you must have it in yourself.
Remember that there are things that need to be done in your life. You know what they are. As you put your faith in Him, He will make the way ready for you.
...These blessings are yours as you rely and trust upon Him.
And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God.
I should tell Him how I really feel.
"Focus on the joy that follows repentence as the Savior's atonement frees us. Allow the Savior to transform us into a better version of ourselves."
I can let Him transform me into a better version of me.
Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.
I can fare well if I ask for His help, which I can do as soon as I start to feel even the tiniest bit dark.
How can I do my calling?
Do both: ask ministering families what they like to do for TFHW
"First, you must love the doing"
Do I think Jesus ever had a slumped spine?
