An Ensign to the Nations

Now I don’t usually take the time to read the monthly Ensign magazine–and so I need this post probably just as much as anyone else.  However, I did want to make a plug for the Church magazine simply because I do value its content and wanted to encourage everyone to read it.  In what other periodical can you read the words of our leaders today?  I believe that Latter-day Saints are truly blessed with the Ensign or Liahona magazine because it is a monthly feast of spiritual guidance and current words of living prophets.

I recently picked up the latest copy of the Ensign in order to have some reading material on my long flight to Washington DC and back–and I highlighted a few paragraphs that I wanted to share from several different articles.  This will be a sort of potpourri of teachings–all taken out of context–but I hope to give you a sampling of the content of this month’s edition with links to the actual articles in case you wanted to read further.  The focus of this edition is on “Marriage in Heavenly Father’s Plan” but it is all good stuff.  So without further ado:

“As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. For example, you might yearn for direction and guidance by the Lord regarding challenges you are facing. Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song.” (Pres. Uchtdorf, “General Conference–No Ordinary Blessing,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 4)

“Some of the things we have done to have a strong, happy marriage are…Ask for forgiveness. We work to never allow pride to keep us from asking for forgiveness or admitting we are wrong. Love and unity are more important than who is right or who is wrong…Treat each other with love and consideration. We do not insult, accuse, or criticize each other.” (Rosana Pontes Barbosa Neves, “Building My Eternal Marriage,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 13)

“The essence of repentance is trying to change ourselves in ways that will make us better people. On the other hand, the foundation of pride is the desire to cover up our own weaknesses and focus on changing our spouse’s behavior. As we humble ourselves, we desire to improve our lives and take responsibility for our weaknesses. We are willing to apologize and become better people, which is at the core of repentance.” (Richard Miller, “Repentance and Forgiveness in Marriage,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 16)

“‘You look so pretty!’ my wide-eyed daughter told the radiant bride who had just emerged from the Washington D.C. Temple with her new husband. Our family had made the seven-hour trip to the temple for that very purpose—so our daughters, Hannah and Lauren, could see a temple bride.”  (Vicki Phillips Casto, “Setting Their Sights on the Temple,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 18)

“[I]f you remain true and faithful, keep your covenants, serve God, and love your Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not be denied any of the eternal blessings our Heavenly Father has for His faithful children…one of the great ways to enjoy peace and joy and fellowship, a sense of belonging, is by being active in the Church…every living soul is precious—very precious—to our Father in Heaven because they are His children, and to the Lord Jesus Christ because He went to Gethsemane for each one of them.” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Preparing for the Future,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 27)

“Don’t be afraid of marriage. I have been much more effective and much more able to accomplish things in my life with Barbara at my side than I ever would have been alone. Did we have hard times? Oh, yes. But they were some of the best times because we drew together, we prayed together, we worked together, we saw our way from one point of our lives on until today. We are so blessed that we’ve had seven children, none of which we could afford. You young people are very expensive. But don’t let that worry you. Pay your tithing. The Lord said that He’ll provide, He’ll make the way, and that was the case with us.”  (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Preparing for the Future,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 28)

“Whatever the Lord asks is little in comparison with what He has given and in light of what we receive through our small sacrifices—even redemption, revelation, power, joy, peace, knowledge, confidence, faith, hope, charity, dominions, eternal life, and all the Father has.”  (Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 35)

“For those of us who feel wanting when it comes to talents and gifts, it is encouraging to know that this invitation is not to dazzle others with who we are or what we know. Rather, our light is the Light of the World reflected in us as we simply strive to do as He did. That’s it. The Lord tells us to follow Him and not be ashamed or unwilling to stand out. Do not be ashamed to hold up His light. Do not be afraid to shine. Do not worry about the outcome.”  (Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 36)

“Through our study of history we learn that there is strength and great capacity in the women of the Church, which come from their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. This faith has given women the ability to make correct choices and overcome challenges and difficulties. It has enabled them to call upon the fire of their faith and the power of their covenants to be exemplary in their mortal experiences.” (Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 41)

“[A] celestial marriage requires living a consecrated life of worthiness and celestial principles, which leads to happiness in this life and exaltation in the next. If we live the laws pertaining to celestial marriage, we will, with our spouse and with our family, be able to have a little heaven on earth.”  (Elder Robert D. Hales, “A Little Heaven on Earth,” Ensign, Sep 2011, 45)

That is as far as I’ve read in this month’s Ensign and perhaps these phrases stood out to me because they are the things that I most need to work on.  I hope this little sampling has been informative for you and, better yet, has given you the desire to read the Ensign.  I love this gospel and appreciate you letting me to share it with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seek Ye Out Of the Best Books

My beautiful bride suggested that I write about education this week.  Education is definitely one of those things that add to the quality of life.  This is actually a soft spot for me because I love school.

Here is an example of what I mean.  When I was at BYU, I would plan out my schedule of courses several days in advance because I was just so excited to think about what classes I would be taking the next semester.  I would always include 2 or 3 alternatives, just in case the classes I wanted were taken.  I would then get up really early on the day of registration (the web site opened at 0600) and register for all my classes.  I know, I am a geek.

What I want to share is that we need to be excited about education.  I believe that Heavenly Father wants us to get a good education:

“And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118)

We are commanded in this verse to do our best to learn.  We need to study “out of the best books” which most certainly includes the scriptures but also includes many diverse topics of secular understanding.  We also need to learn by study and by faith–meaning that we need to exert our best efforts and also rely on the Spirit to guide us in our educational pursuits.

Joseph Smith taught, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” (D&C 130:18-19).  In other words, the more we learn, the better off we are.

In this life of struggle, we need to learn as much as we can in order to provide for ourselves and our families.  It used to be that a high school diploma was enough to secure employment for a lifetime.  However, the world has changed and it is becoming increasingly more important to get at least a Bachelor’s degree.  This degree should not only give us good skills to provide for our physical needs (in other words, to help us become gainfully employed) but the value of such an education goes beyond the job market.  With such an exposure to a wide variety of ideas, there are a number of things we gain as we seek education:

• Better communication skills (writing and speaking)
• Improved ability to work well as part of a team
• A wider comprehension of the world around us (I am a big proponent of General Education requirements)
• A better grasp of what it means to be a contributing member of society
• Increased ability to learn

Plus many other benefits that go beyond a pay check.  In any case, education should be a lifetime objective.  Even after we finish our formal degree we should continue to seek education.  Read a new book every month or so.  Take a class from work or from the Community College from time to time.  Ask a mentor to teach you a new skill.  Do some research on the Internet.  Don’t ever lose that zeal for learning.

I want to give you a homework assignment.  Read Pres. Uchtdorf’s excellent talk about education from the Priesthood Session of the October 2009 General Conference and share with me your thoughts on education.  What do you think?