Saturday, April 8, 2006

   Testimony
"I cry unto the Lord, who is my strength."
"Becoming Our Best Selves", President Thomas S. Monson, Liahona and Ensign, April 2006, 2–6

"Our foundation is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The authority of the holy priesthood is here, restored under the hands of those who received it directly from our Lord. The curtains have been parted, and the God of heaven and His Beloved Son have spoken to the boy prophet Joseph in opening this last and final dispensation.
"Our burden in going forward is tremendous. But our opportunity is glorious."
"Becoming Our Best Selves", President Thomas S. Monson, Liahona and Ensign, April 2006, 2–6Gordon B. Hinckley, "Opening Remarks," Ensign, May 2005, 6

"Having died, [Jesus Christ] might have been forgotten, or, at best, remembered as one of many great teachers whose lives are epitomized in a few lines in the books of history.
"Now, having been resurrected, He became the Master of life. Now, with Isaiah, His disciples could sing with certain faith, 'His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6)."
"The Symbol of Our Faith," Ensign, Apr. 2005, 5

"On occasion I have observed parents shopping to clothe a son about to enter missionary service. The new suits are fitted, the new shoes are laced, and shirts, socks, and ties are bought in quantity. I met one father who said to me, 'Brother Monson, I want you to meet my son.' Pride popped his buttons; the cost of the clothing emptied his wallet; love filled his heart. Tears filled my eyes when I noticed that his [the father's] suit was old, his shoes well worn; but he felt no deprivation. The glow on his face was a memory to cherish."
Thomas S. Monson, "An Attitude of Gratitude," Ensign, Feb. 2000, 4

The great thing is that we can know for ourselves the truth. We aren't supposed to simply say, "Since so-and-so says it's this way, it is." We can trust in others' testimonies for a while, but then we need to know for ourselves. And we can, when we ask our Heavenly Father. God is our Heavenly Father and loves us perfectly and purely. Jesus Christ is His Son and our Saving Redeemer, Who came to Earth to atone for our sins. They know the right path, for They see what is unknown to us and is darkness. They will show us the way, which is through Them and to Them. The joy of Their love and peace is wondrous. This is God's true Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with His true prophet and authority on the earth. Believe, come unto Him, have rest and peace and joy. As They love us, love Them, each other, and yourself. In my Lord Jesus Christ's holy name, amen.

2 Nephi 14:2-6
Compare Isaiah 4.
In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem—
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged [...] by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning.
And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.

Luke 14: 11
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Doctrine and Covenants 112:2-5
Verily I say unto you, there have been some few things in thine heart and with thee with which I, the Lord, was not well pleased.
Nevertheless, inasmuch as thou hast abased thyself thou shalt be exalted; therefore, all thy sins are forgiven thee.
Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.
Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth;

Exodus 33: 11
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Doctrine and Covenants 84: 63
And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God’s high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends;

"If our hearts are right before God, adversity will school us, help us overcome our carnal nature, and nurture the divine spark within us. Were it not for adversity, we would not know to 'choose the better part' ("Father in Heaven, We Do Believe," Hymns, no. 180). Adversity helps us see where we need to repent, to bring into subjection baser instincts, to embrace righteousness and enjoy 'peace of conscience' (Mosiah 4:3)."
(Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared . . . Be Ye Strong from Henceforth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 11)

The Lord still guides us, with council as good for our day as for His, Adam's, and all. In my Lord Jesus Christ's holy name. Amen.

Love, hugs, and pocket hugs.
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