The Holy Priesthood

Talk presented in Sacrament meeting about 6 months ago, hope you enjoy.

Brothers and sisters, It is amazing to realize that in thousands of chapels throughout the world, others of us (the saints) and fellow holders of the priesthood of God—are gathered in such a cause on this sacred day, witch is, to serve our brothers and sisters and to purify and strengthen our faith and our hearts. I would like to direct my words to the brethren of the ward this morning. A common thread binds us together. We have been entrusted to bear the priesthood and to act in the name of God. We are the recipients of a sacred trust. Where much is given, much is expected, Brethren, our prophet and president declares, “Much is expected of us”.

President Monson admonishes, and quote “Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. There are many tools to help you learn the lessons which will be beneficial to you as well as helping you to live the life you will need to have lived to be worthy. Adherence to which will bring the blessings of our Heavenly Father and the guidance of His Son to each of you. Begin to prepare for a temple marriage as well as for a mission.

President Monson has also warned, not speaking of any particular situation or place including, but no limited to, internet, house parties, work activities ect… “Be careful to go to places where there is a good environment, where you won’t be faced with temptation.

A wise father said to his son, “If you ever find yourself in a place where you shouldn’t ought to be, get out!” Good advice for all of us.

Our Heavenly Father has counseled us to seek after “anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy. A prophet of God declares,” Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes an impression on you. Don’t be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station if what’s being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father’s standards. In short, if you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don’t see it, don’t read it, and don’t participate.” (End quote) And I will add, JUST CHOOSE THE RIGHT.

President David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church, advised, “I implore you to think clean thoughts.” “Every action is preceded by a thought. If we want to control our actions, we must control our thinking.” Brethren, fill your minds with good thoughts, and your actions will be proper.

In the book of Mosiah, King Benjamin warns, “I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers’ ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye mush perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

In conclusion I read the first two verses of the popular hymn, “Come All Ye Sons of God,” But I would like you to imagine if you are a young man walking the streets of your mission, and if you are a husband, father, or grandparent imagine this call out to your friends, neighbors and co-workers. “Come all ye sons of God who have received the priesthood, go spread the gospel wide and gather in his people. The latter day work has begun, to gather scattered Israel in and bring them back to Zion to praise the Lamb. Now speaking to those of whom we are to share the gospel with, here is our message.

Come, all ye scattered sheep, and listen to your shepherd, while you the blessings reap which long have been predicted. By prophets long it’s been foretold: He’ll gather you into his fold and bring you home to Zion to praise the lamb.

I leave you my testimony, that I know the priesthood is a true gift from god. It can be utilized to bring forth much righteousness, to lift the heavy heart, to touch to hardened mind, or to lift up the broken spirit. Just as Christ demonstrated many years ago, the priesthood can heal the sick, it can sooth the afflicted and can comfort those who stand in need of comfort. This testimony I bear in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The title of "Laborer"

In today's world the title "laborer" most often depicts the factory worker, the slave laborer, or just plain working hard for not very much money. The title is often looked down upon from the upper and middle classes of society. the Webster's dictionary describes "labor" as a person who does unskilled physical work for wages.
The definition of "Laborer" in the gospel sense is much different. A laborer in the gospel has a deeper sense of understanding of the worth of souls. The laborer in the gospel is a dedicated individual who has a deep desire to bring about the Lords will and not their own. The Lord told Joseph Knight in a revelation through the prophet in 1830, give your language to exhortation continually, that you may receive the reward of the laborer.
The Lord says in revelation in 1829 to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! Here in, we learn of one of the sweet rewards of being a laborer in God's kingdom. He continues, "And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
A laborer in the kingdom of our father desires to help others come unto the gospel. A laborer in the gospel seeks to do the will of God, a laborer in the gospel strives to fulfill their duties with full purpose of heart.

A perfect example of a laborer in the gospel was Hyrum Smith, The Lord tells him in revelation, thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever, and this because of thy family. Amen.

herein lies my testimony, that we might laborer all our days to fulfill the will of the Lord, to serve and build faith among the saints. I testify that a Laborer in the gospel sense will one day inherit the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. The Lord will guide our path and free us from condemnation and from the bands of justice. The loving arms of our Savior will wrap around our wounded souls and will eternally weave our hearts as one. These things I leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


References:

D&C 23:3 Hyrum Smith, 1830
D&C 23:7 Joseph Knight, 1830
D&C 18:15-16 Jossph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, 1829

This post is for everybody who, day in and day out feel the pains and struggles of trying to do their best but feel they have fallen short again and again. I personaly have been working hard at waking up early and reading the scriptures. At times, when I am rushed I read them at the office before anyone shows up for work. This routine has gone on for about 3 weeks and has been working very well. Each day I read the scriptures and been saying honest heartfelt prayers. I have found that my day's would rn much more smooth than when I would not. So we all know that in life when all well and going great, a storm is about to hit. Well, at work we started a remodel of my store which took my office away. We also had thrown at us three trainings where we had to send my entire staff to Salt Lake for training which cuts the staff down in the store by 40% through out the month. I also had a training that started at 6am on Monday and Monday night they started the remodel which caused me having to be at the store at 7am the next morning all the while working to drive exceptional numbers. With all this happening I of coarse did not read or believe it or not, talk with the Lord for two day's. This may sound crazy but I didn't even think about it until Tuesday night when Amy says to me, so what are you guy's doing for Young Men's tonight. I looked at her and said, I honestly forgot about it. So many times in life we find ourselves caught up in our day to day struggles that we forget to turn to the one person who knows us better than ourselves; the Lord. We have all felt this struggle but it is tough to break out of the mindset to turn to our savior apposed to someone in the flesh. Not saying it is bad to turn to a close family member or a friend, however, I think we must remember that the Lord has lived and fully understand what we are going through. I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants section 17 this morning which is a revelation given through the prophet Joseph in regards to the 3 witnesses seeing the record of the Book of Mormon. The lesson I pulled from the first verse of this section is that, you must rely on the words of the Lord with full purpose of heart. One cannot keep the commandments half-heartedly, or pray half-heartedly, or read the scriptures half-heartedly, we must read, study, pray, attend church, keep the commandments with our whole hearts. Now, remember we are imperfect, we are going to fail and fall. We then must repent with full pupose of heart and ask the Lord for help and strength to do these each and every day. I found that the last two day's I was split between early morning trainings, remodels, work struggles and more. What I forgot to do was communicate those troubles to my Heavenly Father. I could have told him, Father this morning I will not be able to read the scriptures but I promis I will read when I come home. This tells the Lord that we are thinking of him first but we just have a lot on our plate right now. So many times we put him off, not intentionally, but we do, we forget him and go about our struggles alone. This in turn drives a heavy heart and even depression at times. My prayer is that we can no longer put off the Lord, but do as King Benjamin advised in the book of Mosiah; For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. This Scriptures means more to me now that I have recognized my imperfections. Now that the Lord has instructed me, I feel more equipped to to turn to him and not the things of the world.

Tory Savage :)

References:

D&C 17:1
Mosiah 3:19