Wesley L. Jones -Church Auditing Department Report
F. Michael Watson -Statistical Report, 2000
- Total Church Membership -11,068,861
- Every one of us has at least tasted the pain of conscience which follows our mistakes.
- All of us sometime, and some of us much of the time, suffer remorse of conscience from things we did wrong or things left undone. That feeling of guilt is to the spirit what pain is to the physical body.
- But guilt can be harder to bear than physical pain. Physical pain is nature's warning system that signals something needs to be changed or cleansed or treated, perhaps even removed by surgery. Guilt, the pain of our conscience, cannot be healed the same way.
- "A man is his own tormentor and his own condemner. ... The torment of disappointment in the mind of man [or woman] is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone."
- For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding."
- The Atonement has practical, personal, everyday value; apply it in your life. IT can be activated with so simple a beginning as prayer. You will not thereafter be free from trouble and mistakes but can erase the guilt through repentance and be at peace.
- If we are willing to leave our loved ones for service in the mission field, we will bless them with a heritage that will teach and inspire them for generations to come.
- "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." Your life is your preparation. You have valuable experience. You have raised a family and served in the Church. Just go and be yourselves. The Lord has promised that angels will go before you. You will be told by the Spirit what to say and when to say it in a very natural process as you strengthen young missionaries, testify to investigators and new members, teach leadership skills, and friendship and fellowship less-active members, helping them return to full activity. You are the testimony, and you will touch the lives of those with whom you come in contact.
- Perhaps those who are not able to serve could assist another couple to go on a mission.
- Where much is given, much is expected. You have received much in your life; go forth and freely give in the service of our Lord and Savior.
- Go forth and serve!
- We all love to be of service.
- The extensive communication resources which the Lord has revealed for our day have, to a large degree, been appropriated for evil purposes. the print media, television and videos, and now the Internet constantly bring into our homes material that will pollute our souls and destroy our lives. Our homes in times past have generally been peaceful havens against the world. To retain that peace now takes an almost unrelenting vigilance.
- Yet we have great reason for optimism. We are not left without defense against these wicked elements that would bring us sorrow and despair here and would deny us the joys of eternity hereafter.
- He is our protector in a world constantly seeking to solve problems through violence. He is our protector in a world where the minds of so many are filled with evil continually. We, of all people, should look to the future with enthusiasm and optimism. We have His word to direct us, to comfort us, and to give us hope for the future. There is so much that lies ahead of light and purity and virtue; and, in time, violence will disappear, for surely the lamb will lie down with the lion.
- A knowledge that Jesus Christ lives and is our Redeemer and Savior is worth whatever the cost may be.
- There will be roadblocks along the way. Persist.
- As temples are prepared for our members, our members need to prepare for the temple.
- To enter the temple is a tremendous blessing. But first we must be worthy. We should not be rushed. We cannot cut corners of preparation and risk the breaking of covenants we were not prepared to make. That would be worse than not making them at all.
- Wearing the temple garment has deep symbolic significance. It represents a continuing commitment. Just as the Savior exemplified the need to endure to the end, we wear the garment faithfully as part of the enduring armor of God. Thus we demonstrate our faith in Him and in His eternal covenants with us.
- Because the ordinances and covenants of the temple are sacred, we are under solemn obligation not to speak outside the temple of that which occurs in the temple.
- If our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective.
- Often [it is] part of human nature to attach less value to familiar things simply because they are so common to us.
- What the members of the Church possess is a "pearl of great price," yet sometimes this priceless gem is so familiar to us that we do not appreciate its true value. While it is true that we should not cast our pearls before swine, this does not mean we should not share them with people who will appreciate their value.
- We need to remind ourselves about the value of our heritage so we do not underestimate its worth.
- The principle of love is the motivating power that moves us to give our time, our money, and services.
- "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
- "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."
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
The Dream
...Involved Robin Williams helping me out in a school with some problem.....
-S.N.D
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