When I was preparing my quotes for this project I came across a Mormon Messages video by President Henry B. Eyring titled, “Choose this day”. He talks about not putting off today and to choose this day to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I thought a lot about how I could better incorporate Christ into my life and although the conclusion I came to wasn’t necessarily scripture study, the feelings I had were that I needed to “listen”. (Sort of goes along with that category) The plan I came up with was while I am getting ready in the morning each day in addition to daily scripture study, using the LDS scripture app listen to a conference talk. It didn’t have to be from the most recent conference or from the living prophets; just a past talk given. The difference I felt in my life was similar from going from not studying the scriptures to diligently reading each day. It seemed as though I coincidently would pick talks that would discuss topics that I would need that day or in the coming weeks. By doing this each day I found I was better prepared for church meetings. I had more to say during lessons and was more engaged in what was being taught. Because of this I felt a new appreciation for my Savior. I have come to know him better and more fully by better understanding the principles of His gospel taught by his holy prophets. I am thankful for this project and all that I have learned from this course; Teachings of the Living Prophets.
By “moral discipline,” I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42–45). The root of the word discipline is shared by the word disciple, suggesting to the mind the fact that conformity to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ is the ideal discipline that, coupled with His grace, forms a virtuous and morally excellent person.- Elder D, Todd Christofferson. “Moral Discipline”, General Conferecne, October 2009, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/moral-discipline?lang=eng&query=agency
Agency is the power to think, choose, and act for ourselves. It comes with endless opportunities, accompanied by responsibility and consequences. It is a blessing and a burden. Using this gift of agency wisely is critical today because never in the world’s history have God’s children been so blessed or so blatantly confronted with so many choices. – Sharon G. Larson, “Agency; a Blessing and a Curse”, General Conference, October 1999, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/agency-a-blessing-and-a-burden?lang=eng&query=agency Thus we see that free agency goes hand in hand with responsibility, and that consequences, good or bad, are the result of our personal decisions resulting from the exercise of free agency. And this is another principle, obedience.- Elder Victor L. Brown, “Agency and Accountability”, General Conference, April 1985, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/04/agency-and-accountability?lang=eng&query=agency My Personal Position Statement:
Agency is such a blessing, yet it can be such a curse too. When others use their agency to make poor decisions, often times we are impacted negatively and that can cause sorrow and suffering. I learned just how powerful agency is when I went through the storm of pornography with my ex-husband. I learned the hard way that no matter how hard I tired, it didn't matter how good I was, how badly I wanted him to stop... Nothing I did would change the situation. It was HIM and HIS choices that would determine if he would ever be freed from the addiction. I learned that I couldn't be his savior, he already has a Savior who is Jesus Christ. It was one of the hardest things I think I will ever go through in my life, watching him suffer knowing I was strong enough to fight this battle, yet he chose not to fight but to only sink deeper. Agency can be a beautiful thing when we choose to follow the Savior, but when we choose to follow Satan we not only hurt ourselves but our loved ones as well. "Many members of Relief Society do not have husbands. Death, divorce, and indeed lack of opportunity to marry have, in many instances, made it necessary for a woman to stand alone. In reality, she need not stand alone, for a loving Heavenly Father will be by her side to give direction to her life and provide peace and assurance in those quiet moments when loneliness is found and when compassion is needed.” –President Thomas S. Monson, “The Spirit of The Relief Society”, General Conference, April 1992, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/the-spirit-of-relief-society?lang=eng&query=divorce
“This is not exactly what you hoped or planned, prayed for or expected, when you started out years ago. Your journey through life has had bumps, detours, twists, and turns, mostly as the result of life in a fallen world that is meant to be a place of proving and testing. Meanwhile, you are striving to raise your children in righteousness and truth, knowing that while you cannot change the past, you can shape the future. Along the way you will obtain compensatory blessings, even if they are not immediately apparent. With God’s help, you need not fear for the future. Your children will grow up and call you blessed, and every single one of their many achievements will stand as a tribute to you. Please never feel that you are in some kind of second-tier subcategory of Church membership, somehow less entitled to the Lord’s blessings than others. In the kingdom of God there are no second-class citizens.” -Elder David S. Baxter, “Faith, fortitude, Fulfilment,: A Message to Single Parents”, General Conference, April 2012, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/faith-fortitude-fulfillment-a-message-to-single-parents?lang=eng&query=divorce
My Personal Position Statement:
I never thought that at 24 with two children I would ever be someone to go through a divorce, yet here I was back at home living with my parents... Not exactly what I had pictured in my "life plan". It sometimes seems in our LDS culture that the topic of divorce is so "hush hush". But the fact of the matter is some of us no matter how hard we try are going to end up going through this painful event. When I was going through my divorce I didn't feel like I had a lot of support from the church. (I should point out I am not pro-divorce, I feel like divorce is something should only be considered when all resources have been exhausted and after careful contemplation with the Lord) When I decided to research divorce for this project, reading the words from the prophets brought so much comfort to my life. I not only felt I could heal from this event, but I could take these painful memories and turn them into life long lessons. Instead of being devastated that my marriage didn't work out I am now focusing on things I will want to take into a new marriage if I ever get that opportunity and things I do not want to repeat. As heartbreaking as the situation has been, I know Heavenly Father has been with me every step of the way; he is directing my paths and where there is fear about what is to come in my future, I know I can have complete trust in Heavenly Father to lead me where I need to go. "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made." -Alma 34:9 “Don’t say, ‘No one understands me; I can’t sort it out, or get the help I need.’ Those comments are self-defeating. No one can help you without faith and effort on your part. . Your personal growth requires that. Don’t look for a life virtually free from discomfort, pain, pressure, challenge, or grief, for those are the tools a loving Father uses to stimulate our person growth and understanding. As the scriptures repeatedly affirm, you will be helped as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ. That faith is demonstrated by a willingness to trust His promises given through His prophets and in His scriptures, which contain His own words. You may not fully understand how to do this yet, but trust that He will help you use your agency to open the doors for His healing to occur. Faith in Jesus Christ means we trust in Him; we trust His teachings. That leads to hope, and hope brings charity, the pure love of Christ- that peaceful feeling that comes when we sense His concern, His love and His capacity to cure us or to ease our burdens with His healing power.” –Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1994, pp. 8
“How the Atonement was wrought, we do not know. No mortal watched as evil turned away and hid in shame before the light of that pure being. All wickedness could not quench that light. When what was done was done, the ransom had been paid. Both death and hell forsook their claim on all who would repent. Men at last were free. Then every soul who ever lived could choose to touch that light and be redeemed. By this infinite sacrifice, through this atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.” –President Boyd K. Packer, Atonement, Agency, Accountability, General Conference, April 1988, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/04/atonement-agency-accountability?lang=eng&query=atonement My Personal Position Statement:
I am so thankful for this experience I have been able to have with the Pathway Program because I feel like it has brought me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ is supposed to be at the center of our lives and i cannot think of a better way than to have him at the center of our learning. I am thrilled to be attend BYU-Idaho in the fall and have this new pattern in my life continue. With Jesus Christ at the center of my learning, I find myself thinking of Him more. Pondering Him, His sacrifice, the atonement and how it all applies to my life. I am excited to be apart of more than just a college and to reap the benefit BYU-Idaho offers me that will have far reaching effects into eternity. “Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire. For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.”-Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The way of The Disciple”, General conference, October 2009, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/two-principles-for-any-economy?lang=eng&query=education
“Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. Yet opportunities and abilities differ. I believe that in the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty.”( –Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Where is Wisdom?”, General Conference, October 1992 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/where-is-wisdom?lang=eng&query=education) (Above Photo) Taylorsville, Utah; BYU-Idaho Pathway Class, Elder Tindall, July 17, 2014
“Relief Society stands for education. It is the obligation of every woman of this Church to get all the education she can. It will enlarge her life and increase her opportunities. It will provide her with marketable skills in case she needs them.”-President Gordon B. Hinkley, “In the Arms of His Love,” General Conference, October 2006, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/in-the-arms-of-his-love?lang=eng&query=education My Personal Position Statement:
I am a very firm believer in acquiring a higher education no matter whether you are male or female. Being a holder of a college diploma has always been a lifelong dream of mine. Growing up I was always encouraged by my parents to receive a higher education. Life happened and for a few years I questioned how I would be able to pursue my dream. In my patriarchal blessing it talks about how I would be able to secure all the education I desire, but 5 years after high school ended I was not any closer to that path, and then Pathway came into my life. I cannot put into words my gratitude I have for being apart of this amazing church who not only worries about our spiritual needs, but also our physical needs. Without Pathway, I don't know when I would have ever been able to start pursuing my college education. My dream is to one day provide a home of our very own for my children, Pathway is making that dream become a reality. "Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men." - 1 Nephi 6:5-6 “Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing. Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life.” – Elder L. Tom Perry, General Conference, October 2011, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-power-of-scripture?lang=eng&query=scripture+study
“Pondering a scripture like that gives great direction to life. The scriptures can form a foundation of support. They can provide an incredibly large resource of willing friends who can help us. A memorized scripture becomes an enduring friend that is not weakened with the passage of time.” – Elder L. Tom Perry, General Conference, October 2011, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-power-of-scripture?lang=eng&query=scripture+study “Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul- these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely is He tells us these things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost.” – President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, pp. 82 My Personal Position Statement:
I absolutely adore the scriptures. I personally feel like from a very young age, I was given a gift to understand the scriptures. The Standard Works are such a blessing in these times. In no other time in history have people had such an easy access to the Holy Scriptures. I think about Joseph Smith and how life changing the scriptures can be. He read just one verse and changed the course of history and salvation of men. I fully believe when we memorize a scripture it can become a lifelong partner. For me 1 Corinthians 10:13, has been just that. Whenever I would find myself in a hard situation, my mind would think these words, " There hath no temptation taken you but such as common to man; but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted, above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Many times has this scripture has come to my rescue and many others, but this is the one that has been with me the longest. "THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed." -The Family: A Proclamation to the World
“Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone.” –M. Russell Ballard, “What matters most is what lasts the longest”, General Conference, October 2005, “The doctrine of the family begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. The Apostle Paul taught that God is the father of our spirits (see Heb. 12:9). From the proclamation we read, “In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.” The proclamation also reiterates to the world that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).” –Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family”, General Conference, October 1996, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-eternal-family?lang=eng&query=family “While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family. When families are functioning as designed by God, the relationships found therein are the most valued of mortality. The plan of the Father is that family love and companionship will continue into the eternities. Being one in a family carries a great responsibility of caring, loving, lifting, and strengthening each member of the family so that all can righteously endure to the end in mortality and dwell together throughout eternity. It is not enough just to save ourselves. It is equally important that parents, brothers, and sisters are saved in our families. If we return home alone to our Heavenly Father, we will be asked, “Where is the rest of the family?” This is why we teach that families are forever. The eternal nature of an individual becomes the eternal nature of the family.” –Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family”, General Conference, October 1996, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-eternal-family?lang=eng&query=family “Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents, children, extended family members, leaders, teachers, and individual members of the Church.” –Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families; Our Sacred Duty”, General Conference, April 1999, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty?lang=eng&query=family "There are no perfect families, either in the world or in the Church, but there are many good families. My spiritual applause also goes to those heroic parents—left alone by death or divorce—who are righteously and “anxiously engaged” in nurturing and providing for their families, often against such heavy odds." -Neal A. Maxwell, "Take Especial Care of Your Family", General Conference, April 1994, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/04/take-especial-care-of-your-family?lang=eng&query=family My Personal Position Statement:
I have such a strong testimony of families. My family means more to me than I ever could have imagined; my children, are my everything. Watching their beautiful innocence is one of the most amazing things I have ever been able to witness. Being a mother is the most challenging thing I have ever done. Without daily help from Heavenly Father I couldn’t be the mom I am today. When I became a parent for the first time I could understand in a small way the love Heavenly Father has for us. Even when we make mistakes, He still loves us. If we turn away from him, He welcomes us back with open arms. When we cry, He is there to wipe our tears. I am thankful to know that my family can be together forever and death is not the end of family relationships. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 “Faith precedes the miracle. It has ever been so and shall ever be. It was not raining when Noah was commanded to build an ark. There was no visible ram in the thicket when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Two Heavenly personages were not yet seen when Joseph knelt and prayed. First came the test of faith-and then the miracle. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same min at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Cast out doubt. Cultivate faith.” -President Thomas S. Monson, “The Call to serve”, Ensign November 2000, pp. 48-49.) 1. “But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.” –Elder Boyd K. Packer, “Counsel to Youth”, General Conference, October 2011, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/counsel-to-youth?lang=eng&query=Boyd+K.+Packer+opposition#watch=video “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.” Even having felt that love, the true disciple sometimes feels anxiety. The Apostle John was clear about that: fear will be gone when we are made perfect in love. We can pray for that gift of perfect love. We can pray with confidence that we can feel the Savior’s love for us and for all we meet. He loved us and them enough to pay the price of all our sins. It is one thing to believe that. It is something far more to have our hearts changed to feel it every moment. The command to pray to feel the Savior’s love is also a promise. Listen: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” –President Boyd K. Packer, “A child and a Disciple”, General Conference, April 2003, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/a-child-and-a-disciple?lang=eng&query=Fear
“Perhaps our Heavenly Father’s greatest hope is that through our fears we may choose to turn to him. The uncertainties of earth life can help to remind each of us that we are dependent on him. But that reminder is not automatic. It involves our agency. We must choose to take our fears to him, choose to trust him, and choose to allow him to direct us. We must make these choices when what we feel most inclined to do is to rely more and more on our own frantic and often distorted thinking.” –Virginia H. Pearce, “Fear”, General Conference, October 1992, “We know not what lies ahead of us. We know not what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.” –President Gordon B. Hinkley, “Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 2002, pp. 90
My Personal Position Statement:
I have talked about my experience with feelings of fear and anxiety many times this semester. When I was at my weakest point, when I felt like I couldn’t even get out of bed to take care of my children, I realized the only way I was going to make it through this trial was to humble myself before the Lord, take my fears to him and ask for help. Through my intense and sometimes overwhelming experiences, I completely believe that through our trials we can be made stronger. Where I was once becoming homebound, and afraid to leave the house because of my intense feelings of fear and anxiety of getting a stomach virus, through the atonement of Jesus Christ and learning to, “replace the fear with faith”, I have overcome these feelings and am a stronger person having had this experience. It was not an easy process, it didn’t happen over night, but because of my faith in Jesus Christ, humility and trust in Heavenly Father and his promises, in this trial I have been made strong. Pornography is a harmful addictive substance. Scroll on to read and watch wisdom from Prophets and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, along with some alarming statistics of the modern day plague that is sweeping the world.
“Pornography will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife.” –President Boyd K. Packer, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel”, General Conference, October 2010, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng
“Satan promotes counterfeit love, which is lust. It is driven by a hunger to appease personal appetite. One who practices this deception cares little for the pain and destruction caused another. While often camouflaged be flattering words, its motivation is self gratification.” –“Making the Right Decisions”, Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1991, pp. 35 “I plead with you boys tonight to keep yourselves free from the stains of the world. You must not indulge in sleazy talk at school. You must not tell sultry jokes. You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material. You must not dial a long distance telephone number to listen to filth. You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind. This salacious stuff simply is not for you. Stay away from pornography, as you would avoid a serious disease. It is as destructive. It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so they cannot leave it alone. It is addictive.” “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will someday Marry”, President Gordon B. Hinkley, Ensign, May 1998, pp. 49 “When we breach the seventh commandment, we thus hurt ourselves and others too. When we are unhappy with ourselves, other people suffer. In this sense, there is no sin which is private! Furthermore, lust prevents the development of true love and thereby blocks us from keeping the first and second great commandments.” –Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Cleanse From Us All Unrighteousness”, Ensign, February 1986, pp. 20. My Personal Position Statement:
This is a topic is a very sensitive subject to me right now, it probably always will be. The clutches of pornography addiction held my ex-husband so tightly, it eventually lead to my families separation. Because of this evil, my children will never know what it is like to grow up in a home with both their mom and their dad. It’s very sad that something so miniscule and dumb has the power to destroy families. My experience with pornography was a hard experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. As his addiction deepened, I watched the man I loved, fall away from my children, his reality and me. I lost my best friend to this modern day plague, a plague “hiding behind smiling eyes.” It is sad how society accepts something that has so much power to destroy families. I hope one day like smoking used to be such an accepted practice, eventually the world will catch on and realize the dangers that come with viewing pornography. |