Taking Upon Us The Name of God

As I was reading through some Blogs about LDS Women, I came across this Blog called LDS Women of God and was fascinated by a post on the Abrahamic Covenant called, Taking Upon Us the Name of God.

In the post it explained the meaning associated with the changing of the names of Abraham and Sarah, with the addition of the letter H.

The name change served as a reminder that they had entered into covenants and received further light and knowledge.

I loved the explanation in the Blog, go and check it out!

The Word of Wisdom, A Principle With A Promise

In today's society everybody is health conscious and worried about what to eat. More and more the Word of Wisdom is being proven to be right on target as far as a healthy way to live each day.

The health benefits are just one blessing given to us by living the Word of Wisdom, but I think that more than a code of health, it is a simply a test of obedience.

The principle is: if you are obedient then you will be blessed with a promise of health.
But what happens if health in this world isn't given?
What exactly is the promise?

Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants tells us what the promise is:
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

The Blessing of Health
Health in their navel and marrow to their bones is more than just a physical blessing. This reference in itself is one of life, not merely physical life but Eternal life. The navel is another word for "center point" and is the reminder of the lifeline that we have as a "child of God" to the Father, this life line is Christ. Christ is also the marrow or "rich and nutritious food" on which we rely; He is the "innermost or essential part" that we need to live.

Just like the marrow is the food or blood for the bone, the blood of Christ provides us with the living matter we need to be resurrected. This is the application of the Atonement in our lives. The health we enjoy now temporally is a added blessing for living the Word of Wisdom, but the eternal health we will be given is guaranteed because of the application of the Atonement.

Wisdom and Knowledge
Where do we gain wisdom and knowledge other than from the spirit and the Temple itself. One of the requirements to enter the Temple is obedience to the Word of Wisdom. Simply stated, we are blessed with the opportunity to attend the sessions in the Temple where we gain wisdom and knowledge that will effect us eternally.

Stamina and Energy
Isn't it interesting how the world has even tried to counterfeit this blessing with the energy drinks and stimulants of today. Pure energy comes from one source and that is God.

Eternal Life
With reference to the "destroying angel" the Lord is leading us back to the Passover during the time of Moses. It was here inside the house where the blood of the lamb was spread over the doorposts that the Children of Israel were saved.

Today just as in those days, it is because of receiving the blessings of being inside the house that we will also be saved. Entering the "House of Israel" is done by covenant. Those covenants are available because of the priesthood blessings and are part of being in the House of the Lord.

The word of wisdom is an Eternal principle and is one that promises Eternal blessings!

How Can I Be

Before my son was called to serve his mission in Texas, he attended BYU Hawaii. While there he became friends with Polynesian people from all over the place.

It was there he heard this song and shared it with me. I loved it instantly.

Here is the original composer of the song, singing it with the piano accompaniment.

I hope you enjoy it as well!

Pioneers Part of my Heritage

I love the pioneers. I have always loved the pioneers. I will always love the pioneers.

I cannot think of the month of July without thinking about the pioneers.

As the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 and found a place of rest from their long travel across the plains of the United States, Brigham Young uttered the infamous statement, "This is the Place!"

It was just that, a place where they could rest for a season from the persecution of the world, and remain temporarily untouched by others.

I am reminded of the stories of my own pioneer ancestors that crossed the plains, not necessarily in that first company, but in subsequent companies that also arrived in that valley. I appreciate the hardships and sacrifices they made to make the trip.

One story in particular has always brought a smile to my face. It is the story of Susanna Stone and Thomas Lloyd. Thomas was a saddle and harness maker and in his proposal of marriage to Susanna he offered to "share his harness" with her. For a token of that commitment he gave her his most prized possession, the yoke he had left over after having driven his ox-team across the plains.

I have always loved that story, as he knew how important it was to become "equally yoked" with each other as the Lord was in the drivers seat.

My only hope is that I too can be an example and pioneer to those who may follow me, and that with my husband we can become equally yoked and submissive to the commands of the driver.

Again I must confess, I love pioneers.

LDS Girls Who Know Who They Are - Know What They Want and Know How To Get It!

LDS Girls Who Know Who They Are - Know What They Want and Know How To Get It!

As Seminary is starting I am reminded of my teaching days and of the wonderful youth that attended my LDS Seminary classes. I found this article about how wonderful LDS Girls are and thought I would share it.

LDS Young Women know that they are daughters of God, and because of that knowledge have the power to cast out Satan, just as Moses did.

This knowledge is the reason that "choosing the right" is a possibility.

I really think that LDS girls rock, as do LDS boys!

Mormons in California Called to Defend Marriage by Top LDS Leaders

Mormons in California Called to Defend Marriage by Top LDS Leaders

Read from the pulpit Sunday was a letter from our LDS leaders with a call to "do all that you can" to defend the traditional definition of marriage that is being voted upon in the upcoming elections in November in California. This is a great article that discusses that letter and the duty we have as LDS members to defend this great cause.

Make sure you read the comments that follow the article, they are just as informational as the article itself. One I loved in particular was from Ama, it gave an example of what may occur in the future if this marriage is redefined. This new definition of marriage could open up a proverbial can of worms. If you read this article make sure to make your own opinion known by voting a thumbs up and getting involved with a comment of your own.

Rarely do our leaders request that we become involved in political issues assuming a stance for one issue over another. When they do, we must listen to what they are saying. This is a time to open our mouths.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 1- Instructions on How to Gain Eternal Life

Eternal Life is something that we as Latter Day Saints are taught to prepare for now.

The Lord is very specific when He teaches exactly how that will be achieved. He answered that question Himself in the preface of the Doctrine and Covenants, or Section 1.

A "preface" typically outlines what the rest of the book is about, and in His perfect way the Lord does exactly that. He outlines beautifully who the book is for, what is contained in the book itself, and the reason that He is giving the information in the book to His people.

Who is the book for?

"For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated."

Clearly the book is for all people everywhere. It is for everyone.

What is the reason for the book?
Furthermore, it is explained that there are several reasons why the book is to be compiled.
Among them is simply that of preparation, for He is coming again.
"Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;"

Part of that preparation comes about by listening to His appointed servants, mainly His prophets and apostles. This may be one of the first and most important steps in living the kind of life that is needed to prepare for "eternal life."

Another reason the Lord needed to reiterate His instructions to His people is related by this verses:
15 For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;
16 They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.

I personally think that this is precisely the description of the world we live in today or modern day Babylon, don't you?

Now for the exact reason he decided to give us the blessing of this added book of scripture...
"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;"

Calamities are surrounding us, but the biggest one would be that of forgetting the first commandment, to love the Lord thy God and to remember the covenants He has made with His children.

The biggest reason for this added scripture is so that weak things will break down the mighty and strong, faith will increase, every man might speak in His name, his "everlasting covenant" might be established, and the "fulness of his gospel" might be exclaimed.

So what exactly is His "everlasting covenant?"
It is, simply stated, "I will be your God, and you will be my people".

This is what it will take to have eternal life...this is the main condition set by the Lord himself. But what does this really mean though?

It means that you will do everything he says, be everything he requires and love Him unconditionally.

How can you do that?

By listening to His appointed servants, mainly His prophets and apostles. It is really one Eternal Round!

Now what is the second part all about, the "fulness of His Gospel"?
It is referring to the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ as preached to the earth from the beginning of time.

It involves the restoration of His "ordinances" that are required for admittance into His presence.

The Doctrine and Covenants is an instruction book of these required ordinances, the first one being Baptism and receiving the Gift of The Holy Ghost. He instructs that repentance and living His commandments (one of them being baptism), will give one the light from the Spirit which is available to "all flesh". Upon reception of the Holy Ghost, he will instruct you by his spirit all things which you must do.
Finally, he gives added instruction and testimony:
37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

39 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen.

In perfect fairness, the same thing is required of all men everywhere, and he "excuses even not himself" from this path or way to return back to be in the presence of the Father. The path is perfect, fixed, set, and immovable.

So if you think that by "grace" you may be the exception to the rule, perhaps a study of law must be further discussed.
The Doctrine and Covenants outlines beautifully what is required to return to our Father in Heaven. Now all we have to do is "learn and do" or "search and apply" that which is written.