Alma 32 27-43

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea,even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Seminario,....

El Poder de Dios




El Capitulo 13 de Alma es un capitulo muy lindo, en donde nos esneña sobre el Sacerdocio de Melquisedec.  Alma explica que el proposito del sacerdocio es "una ^bmanera que haría saber al pueblo el modo de esperar anhelosamente a su Hijo para recibir la redención." (Alma 13:2) Los Poseedores del Sacerdocio de Melquisedec que son dignos, son comisionados para actuar en el nombre de Dios para la salvacion del Hombre.  Ellos se convierten un un "tipo" de Cristo.  La autoridad proviene por medio del llamamiento, pero el PODER proviene pormedio de la OBEDIENCIA  y mantenerse DIGNOS.  El PODER de DIOS , por medio de Nuestra FE en EL.





Como padres, aveces es difficil darles el control/resposabilidad a nuestros Hijos.  Los Padres que tienen Hij@s que ya estan manejando, aveces les cuesta darles  las llaves del auto.  Aun cuando saben que ell@s son cuidados@s y muy buen@s conductor@s.  Como padres se sienten "tensos" anciosos , y un poco preocupados....hasta que ven a sus Hij@s llegar a casa sanos y salvos.  Como padres nos preocupamos por el bienestar de no solo nuestros hij@s pero tambien por el bienestar de las personas que van en el carro con ellos, por las personas que estan en las calles, y tambien pensamos en el lado monetario de las consequencias que lleva el manejar un auto.  Todo Padre quiere que sus hijos creescan y lleguen a ser personas responsables, autosuficientes, bien informadas, con experiencia, cuidadosas, etc,.  Algun dia nuestros Hij@s llevaran a sus familias en sus automobiles de lado a lado.  Y nos gustaria y esperamos que siempre esten en buenas manos.  Nos gustaria que nuestros hij@s RESPETEN el PODER  y el CONTROL que ell@s tienen al manejar un auto.  Pero para ell@s poder hacer esto, nosotros como padres debemos darles ese CONTROL/RESPONSABILIDAD y darles las llaves del auto para que ellos con la practica puedan algun dia llegar a  tener ese control.  A medida que ell@s sientan mas confianza en si mism@s al igual que experiencia, y conocimiento, ell@s seran mejor conductores y podran tener mejor CONTROL del auto.



El Sacerdocio de Melquisedec es el PODER de DIOS  dado a los Hombres deacuerdo a su FE en EL.  El tiempo que nosotros pasamos aca en la tierra es cuando debemos "PRACTICAR", y usar  este PODER del sacerdocio que se nos a sido confiado.  Podemos hacer esto pormedio del Servicio a nuestro Projimo, al traer a otros a Cristo, compartiendo el evangelio y guiando a otros  al Templo.  Pormedio de las ordenazas  del Templo, los hombre y las mujeres pueden recibir las bendiciones del Sacerdocio de Melquisedec y nos podemos preparar para poder algun dia estar en la presencia de Nuestro Padre Celestial.  Amedida que nosotros seamos Dignos, el Espiritu santificara nuestro servicio.  Entre mas hagamos uso de este PODER, adquiriremos mas reverencia  hace el.  Si es que queremos llegar a ser como Dios, debemos recibir y practicar el Sacerdocio/PODER asi como El lo hace.

Alma esta enseñando acerca del Sacerdocio prologando lo que esta por suceder.  La gente en Ammonihah practican  la supercheria que va contra el Sacerdocio que Alma posee.  Uno es de DIOS y el otro del Diablo.  La gente de Ammonihaha son testigos del PODER de DIOS, pormedio the la FE que Alma y Amulek tienen en EL(Alma 14).  No hay ninguna duda de donde proviene este PODER....

Seminary FYI

Another wonderful post by Sis Wright!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

God's Power

At first when I began reading Alma 13, I thought that this was a random chapter that Mormon included of the teachings of Alma to Zeezrom and the people of Ammonihah.  Random.  Truthfully, though, there is nothing random about the Book of Mormon.  If I find it random, that means I'm missing the point of why it is there. This is a beautiful chapter on the Melchizedek priesthood.  Alma explains that the purpose of the priesthood is "that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption." (Alma 13:2)  Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders are commissioned to act in God's name for the salvation of man.  They become a "type" of Christ.  Their authority comes through ordination, but their POWER comes through obedience and worthiness.  God's POWER, through your faith in HIM. 

As a parent, sometimes it is difficult to relinquish control to a son/daughter.  I really struggle with handing over my car keys to my teenage daughters.   Whether they're safe drivers or not, I physically have an "uptight" feeling in my chest until they're home safe, and my undamaged car is back in the garage.   Parents always worry about the safety of their children, other passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, or financial liability associated with driving a car.  Realistically, though, I want my children to grow up being capable, responsible, well-informed, experienced, safe drivers. Someday, I'll be a grandmother and my daughters will be driving my grandchildren from place to place.  I want all of them safe!   I want my daughters to respect the POWER they control behind the wheel of a car.  In order to do this, I must be willing to hand over my keys and let them practice driving.  As they gain more confidence, experience and knowledge, they become capable drivers with control behind the wheel.  

The Melchizedek Priesthood is God's POWER given to men to exercise according to their faith in Him.  The period of time we spend here on earth is when we "practice" using this entrusted priesthood POWER.  We do that by serving others, bringing others to Christ, sharing the gospel and guiding them to the temple.   Through temple ordinances, men and women can receive the blessings of the Melchizedek priesthood and prepare to "enter God's rest".  As we remain worthy, the Spirit sanctifies us through our service.   The more we exercise this POWER, the more we develop a reverence for it.  If we are to become like God, we must receive and exercise his priesthood or POWER as he exercises it. 

Alma is teaching about the priesthood in preface to what is about to happen.  The people in Ammonihah are practicing priestcraft, in contrast to the priesthood which Alma holds.  One is of God, and the other of the devil.  The people of Ammonihah are about to witness the POWER of God through the faith that Alma and Amulek have in Him (Alma 14). There will be no question where this POWER comes from.   What a great chapter!

Quote of the Day: Gordon B. Hinckley

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

“The strength of the Church lies in the conviction carried in the hearts of its members, by the individual members of the Church. It is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the obligation of every Latter-day Saint to gain for himself or herself a certain knowledge that this is the work of the Almighty, that God our Eternal Father lives and watches over His children when they look to Him in faith; that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, who rose from the dead to become the firstfruits of them that slept. That testimony ... is the most precious possession that any of us can hold” ( Teachings of GordonB. Hinckley, 647).

“I am satisfied, I know it’s so, that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should. ... That is the root from which all virtue springs among those who call themselves Latter-day Saints” ( Teachings of GordonB. Hinckley, 648).

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

Seminary Alma Chapter 5

Alma Chapter 5

P.S.
 Here is a link to where you can listen to the Chapter if you are interested!

Alma Chapter 5 scriptures
(just click where it says LISTEN)

What Matters Most

Scripture Study

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2010

Scripture Study

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson:

“When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” ( “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 81 ).

Pres. Spencer W. Kimball:

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel.” (“What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren and All Others of the Youth of Zion,” address to Seminary and Institute personnel, Brigham Young University, 11 July 1966, p. 6.)

Pres. Joseph Smith:

“Search the scriptures—search the revelations … and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 11–12.)

Elder L. Lionel Kendrick:

"It is not enough to read the scriptures. Random reading results in reduced retention. We must search for specifics. We must seek for truth and increased understanding of its application in our lives.

If we are to be effective in our study of the scriptures, we must prepare for it to be a special spiritual experience. The following suggestions may be helpful.

1. Schedule

Schedule a time to search the scriptures daily. Scripture study is such an essential part of our spiritual development that we must take time and make it a priority in our daily schedule. Our spirits should never be deprived of the much-needed spiritual nourishment which comes from scripture study. Without this spiritual food our spirits become starved and weakened to temptation.

President Kimball taught the principle that “no father, no son, no mother, no daughter should get so busy that he or she does not have time to study the scriptures and the words of modern prophets.” (Ensign, May 1976, p. 47.)

2. Pray

We should begin and end each study session with prayer. We must invite the Spirit to teach us. Nephi taught that: “the mysteries of God shall be unfolded … by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (1 Ne. 10:19.)

3. Search

To search is to seek, to explore, to examine carefully. As we study we should do so with purpose, searching for specifics and an expansion of our vision of eternal truth. We must search for principles, doctrines, answers to questions, and solutions to problems. We should look for doctrinal relationships and for possible hidden meanings of that which has been recorded.

4. Ponder

To ponder is to meditate, to think, to feast, and to treasure. It is more than a mental method, it is a spiritual striving to obtain and to understand truth. We should follow the process taught by the Savior to the Nephites as he taught them sacred principles. He then instructed them to “Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow.” (3 Ne. 17:3.)

We should ponder the meanings of the things we learn from our search of the scriptures. The Apostle Paul instructed the Philippian Saints to “think on these things.” (Philip. 4:8.) To think involves forming mental images in the mind and focusing intently upon that which has been discovered. Nephi counseled to “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Ne. 32:3.) To feast is to consume, to digest, to absorb.

As we ponder, we should follow the counsel of the Savior when he said, “Treasure up in your minds continually the words of life.” (D&C 84:85). This implies that we should repeat in our minds the principles we have learned and draw upon them in each of our decisions.

5. Relate

Nephi has counseled to “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1 Ne. 19:23.) We must read as if the Lord were speaking directly to us in a personal manner.

6. Apply

President Marion G. Romney counseled: “Learning the gospel from the written word … is not enough. It must also be lived. … One cannot fully learn the gospel without living it.” (Ensign, Sept. 1980, p. 4.) As we learn a principle, we must make a real effort to apply and to live it in our life."

(L. Lionel Kendrick, “Search the Scriptures,” Ensign, May 1993, 13)

Feeling MUCH BETTER!

  As expected, I too became a victim of the STOMACH VIRUS EPIDEMIC!  I was the last one to get sick.  It becgan with poor Justin on Friday as I had told you guys before, and the Poor Spencer got sick.  Yesterday morning it was Haylee and Me!  It was kinda funny to see us both running to the bathroom and throwing up.  It was the worst feeling ever!...My whole body was hurting.  I thought my head was going to explode!  It was a combination of  pain through out my whole body and and stomach pains, oh yes and also a fever.  They all seemed to take turns to make me miserable!  when it wasn't the throwing up it was thepains shooting through my body and then when that stopped it was the fever, I thought i was going to burst into flames!  My poor Haylee and I spent all day in bed.  While Justin and Spencer Played Video Gamed all day!....I hate when I get sick, because on top of being sick I still have to take care of my kids, and do all of my MOTHERLY duties,.....lol  that is so unfair!  But I got thru it.  Today Haylee and I woke up fine.  A little sore, but ok.  I am so glad that is so over with.  I hate being sick!  and having a house full of sick people is not fun either.

Como el Libro de Mormon trae al Hombre a Cristo

Como el Libro de Mormon trae al Hombre a Cristo

"El propósito del Libro de Mormón se declara en la página correspondiente al título. Es para: ". . .convencer al judío y al gentil de que Jesús es el Cristo, el Eterno Dios, "
El Libro de Mormón lleva a los hom-bres a Cristo mediante dos procedimien-tos básicos: Primero, habla de Cristo y su evange-lio en forma sencilla; da testimonio de la divinidad del Señor y de la necesidad de un Redentor, así como de que en El de-positamos nuestra confianza. Nos brinda un contundente testimonio de la Caída y la Expiación, de los primeros principios del evangelio, incluyendo la necesidad de que tengamos un corazón quebran-tado y un espíritu contrito, así como de que pasemos por la experiencia de tener un "renacimiento espiritual". Proclama el hecho de que debemos perseverar en justicia hasta el fin, y vivir la vida moral de un santo. 
Segundo, el Libro de Mormón expone a los enemigos de Cristo; confunde las falsas doctrinas y pone fin a las conten-ciones. (Véase 2 Nefi 3:12)) Fortalece a los humildes seguidores de Cristo en contra de los malignos designios, estra-tegias y doctrinas del demonio en nues-tros días. La clase de apóstatas con que cuenta el Libro de Mormón, es absolu-tamente similar al tipo de apóstatas de la actualidad. Con su infinito conoci-miento del futuro, Dios modeló la histo-ria que en él se escribiría de tal forma que pudiéramos distinguir el error y pu-diéramos saber cómo combatir los falsos conceptos educacionales, políticos, reli-giosos y filosóficos de nuestros tiempos.
Dios espera que utilicemos el Libro de Mormón de varias formas. Debemos leerlo nosotros mismos -cuidadosa-mente y con oración- meditando lo que vamos leyendo, tratando de determinar si se trata de una obra de Dios o la de un joven ignorante. Cuando hayamos fina-lizado de leer las cosas que se encuen-tran en el libro, Moroni nos exhorta a que lo pongamos a prueba, con las si-guientes palabras: "Y cuando recibáis estas cosas, qui-siera exhortaros a que preguntaseis a Dios el Eterno Padre, en el nombre de Cristo, si no son verdaderas estas cosas; y si pedís con un corazón sincero, con verdadera intención, teniendo fe en Cristo, él os manifestará la verdad de ellas por el poder del Espíritu Santo" (Moroni 10:14).Yo hice tal como Moroni exhorta, y puedo testificaros de que este libro es de Dios y de que su veracidad es innegable.

2 Ne. 3: 12

  12 Por lo tanto, el fruto de tus lomos ^aescribirá, y el fruto de los lomos de ^bJudá^cescribirá; y lo que escriba el fruto de tus lomos, y también lo que escriba el fruto de los lomos de Judá, crecerán juntamente para ^dconfundir las falsas doctrinas, y poner fin a las contenciones, y establecer la paz entre los del fruto de tus lomos, y ^ellevarlosal ^fconocimiento de sus padres en los postreros días, y también al conocimiento de mis convenios, dice el Señor.

Another Wonderful piece By Delirious

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010

How the Book of Mormon Brings Men to Christ

Ezra Taft Benson:

"The purpose of the Book of Mormon is stated on the title page. It is “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”

"The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means.First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel. It testifies of his divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint.

Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ.It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12 below.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.

Now God expects us to use the Book of Mormon in several ways. We are to read it ourselves—carefully, prayerfully—and ponder as we read, as to whether this book is the work of God or of an unlearned youth. And then when we are finished reading the things in the book, Moroni exhorts us to put them to the test in these words:

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Moro. 10:4.) I have done as Moroni exhorts, and I can testify to you that this book is from God and so is verily true." Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 63

2 Nephi 3:12
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.