Monday, April 27, 2009

Diamond #8



Well its been awhile and this diamond will be short, but I really wanted to express how gratefull I am for the gifts of the spirit. I teach the 17-18 year old Sunday school class in my ward, and this past week the lesson was on the gifts of the spirit. There was a few quotes that really struck me as profound and I want to share them:
Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve said some “less-conspicuous gifts” include “the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; … the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 23; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).
President George Q. Cannon taught: “If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them” (Millennial Star, 23 Apr. 1894, 260).
I just thought those gifts that we really don't think about as being gifts of the spirit really are diamonds

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Diamond #7

One of the greatest blessings we have on the earth today is living prophets. I love the story of Hugh B Brown where he talks about a profile of a prophet. For those of you who haven't read it, I will give the short version. Basically he talks about how he was having a discussion with a prominent judge and the judge asked Bro. Brown to prepare a short on why he believed that God spoke to prophets today. Bro Brown basically gave one of the best responses I have ever heard. He says " why would God not speak to his children? Maybe he has lost the Power?" The Judge said "of course that would be blasphemous!" "Well Ok then maybe God doesn't want to talk to us anymore, maybe we have become so wicked that God doesn't love us any more."Said Bro. Brown. Then the Judge said " No God loves his children, he always has and always will love his children." "Well then"Said Bro Brown "If God Still has the power to talk to us, and he still loves us, then we must not need him, we must have made such great strides in science and technology, that we don't need the voice of God heard on the earth today." The Judge teared up and said "Hugh, never in the history of the world has God's voice been needed more." He went on to say "So what your telling me is that God DOES talk to his children today?" Then Bro. Brown bore his testimony that yes God does speak, and yes he did appear to the prophet Joseph in a grove of trees. The Judge said " I hope your people realize the importance of what you just told me. If what you say is true it is the greatest news since the angels announced the ressurection of Christ." So I add my testimony to the testimony of Hugh B Brown, God does talk to his children through his annointed prophets. We were able to listen to their words this past weekend and I testify that yes they are indeed prophets who give special witness of Christ. If we give heed to their council we can live more fullfilling, productive lives. I know this is true because the spirit is testifing it to me right now. There are few Diamonds greater than knowing that God cares enough about us and our welfare to place his ordained representatives here so that we can know His will for us.


P.S. If anyone wants to read the full Hugh B Brown story here is the link. <http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=836e092480e6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1>