Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Reading for April: Enos
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article for February 2008
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Article for January 2008
Walk with Christ Document
Walk with Christ
This year we invite all to come unto Christ, to be perfected in him and to consecrate their lives to the building up of Zion (Moroni 10: 30-33). Sally DeFord’s lyrics to the song “Search Diligently, Pray Always” describe our path:
Words of wisdom wait for me, written for my day,
Works of holy scripture like a lamp to light my way,
Teachings of the prophets that testify of Christ,
That speak of hope and endless joy and everlasting life.
Chorus:
So I will search diligently, pray always,
Believing in His word.
And all things in heaven and earth
Will work together for my good.
A loving Father waits for me to come to Him in prayer,
He will grant me strength to stand through all I must endure,
He offers me His spirit and love that conquers fear,
And when I seek His counsel I will find Him ever near.
(Repeat Chorus)
Celestial glory waits for me, a promise, sure and bright,
If I will walk uprightly with the Savior as my guide.
He will walk beside me along this mortal path,
And lead me home, an heir with Him to all the Father hath
(Repeat Chorus)
Over 100 years before the birth of Christ, King Benjamin also described our path: 1 and 2) put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ and 3) submit ourselves to Lord as a child submits to his father. Only as we cast off the natural man and develop Christ-like qualities through the grace of Christ can we develop the self-mastery and freedom to truly give ourselves to His service. But it is a path that brings joy. It is the plan of happiness, for it is through lives of service and bringing souls to Christ that we find joy! (D&C 18: 15-16, Alma 29:9)
Schedule for Monthly Topics related to “Walk with Christ”
Focus areas for instruction throughout the year. To enable this mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that enables us to become instruments in His hands (Mosiah 5:2, Alma 5:11-13), we suggest three areas of emphasis. We invite you to study and prove these principles of happiness throughout the coming year.
| Months | ||||
| Atonement of Christ | November | February | May | August |
| Becoming Christ-like | December | March | June | September |
| Consecrating ourselves | January | April | July | October |
- Come to understand the atonement of Christ (3 Nephi 27:13-21, Mosiah 2:9, D&C 68: 25). “The Atonement is the sun, water, and soil that nourishes those seeds [of our potential to become like god]. It is the eternal power so essential to our growth” (Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 245). Thus we must not only open our minds to comprehend the possibilities of this doctrine, but apply our hearts to understanding that comes through experimenting upon His word. Then we will be able to experience the joy of the atonement, be filled with desire to bear witness of the atonement to others, and be instruments in teaching others to understand. We invite all to have a personal experience with:
· The personal nature of Christ’s atonement for you
· His grace (divine strength) that enables us to overcome sin and develop Christ-like qualities
· Faith in Christ as a principle of action. As we pray with faith in Christ each morning and then act in faith throughout the day, we will be able to offer prayers of gratitude as we return to report each evening.
· Repentance as a turning of the heart and will to God which brings a renewal of hope to our relationship with God, ourselves, and those with whom we live.
Ideas for further reading:
Julie B. Beck, “Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Ensign, May 2007, pp. 109–12.
Elder David A. Bednar, “Come unto Christ,” Religion Symposium, January 29, 2000. www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/ReligionSymposium/2000_01_29_Bednar.htm (Cycles of Faith)
Elder David A. Bednar, “According to Thy Faith,” Devotional, 29 Aug, 2000, http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2000_08_29_Bednar.htm (Principle of action)
Elder Gene R. Cook, “Receiving Divine Assistance through the Grace of the Lord,” Ensign, May 1993, p. 79+.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Live by Faith and Not by Fear.” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Strengthen Faith as You Seek Knowledge,” BYU–I Devotional, http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2006_03_14_Cook.htm
President Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Russell M. Nelson, “Repentance and Conversion,” Ensign, May 2007, pp. 102–5.
- Covenant to become a Christ-like person (Matthew 5:48, Moroni 10:30-33, Mosiah 3:19, D&C 78:7). The atonement is available to each of us. We will access its power most effectively as we make and keep sacred covenants to do His will. We came into this life as his covenant sons and daughters, spirits who had been personally called and received our first lessons in His presence (Alma 13: 1-6, D&C 138: 56). How will we exercise our moral agency? We have (again) entered into covenants that we will serve him and keep his commandments. Why? That he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon us (see Mosiah 18: 10). Through the fall the door to knowledge of good and evil was opened (Moses 5: 10-11). Through the atonement we can be cleansed through the baptism of water and the spirit. Then, if we will, the Holy Ghost can guide us into all truth (John 16:13), through grace our weaknesses become strengths (Ether 12: 27), and through His personal tutelage we become saints, free to be instruments in His hands (John 8:31-36, 50-51). We invite all to develop their potential to become saints through:
· Fasting with a purpose
· Developing and keeping a plan for personal physical fitness
· Seeking the gift of charity to receive and express the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:47-48).
· Seeking the gift of discernment, the highest expression of which is the ability to see and bring forth the good in ourselves and others (S. Richards, Conference Report, April 1950, 162-163; Bednar, Quick to Observe, Ensign, Dec 2006, 30-36).
· Regularly worshipping in the temple (note the counsel and keys delivered that are described in D&C 109 and 110).
Ideas for further reading:
Elder David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, "Are You a Saint?" Ensign, Nov 2003, p. 95+
Elder Quentin L. Cook, "Rejoice!" Ensign, Nov 1996, p. 28+
Elder Keith K. Hilbig, “Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “We Are Children of God,” Ensign, Nov 1998, p. 85+.
Elder Octaviano Tenorio, “The Power of Godliness Is Manifested in the Temples of God,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Claudio D. Zivic, “After All We Can Do,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
- Consecrate your time and talents to build up Zion (Matthew 11:28-30, D&C 6:5-10, D&C 62:1, Abraham 2:9-11). Christ was lifted up upon the cross that he might draw all men unto him (3 Nephi 27: 13-16). As we develop self-mastery through the atonement we become saints, free to do His will. Sacrifice relates to what we are willing to surrender or give up for a cause. In a gospel sense, consecration relates to developing our talents, becoming the best we can and devoting our lives to building up the kingdom of God. Consecration is motivated by charity (see Bednar, Jan, 1999 below). As we yield our hearts to Him, let us consecrate our lives that we too may be the means of inviting and drawing others to feel Christ’s love. This is our call, our opportunity as the seed of Abraham. We invite all to “go on in so great a cause…Courage, brethren [and sisters]; and on, on to the victory” (D&C 12:22) of building up Zion through:
· Asking to receive opportunities to meet those who are prepared to be taught (D&C 4:7, Alma 26:22). If we do not ask, we may not receive. (Consider 3 Nephi 15: 12-23 & 16:4)
· Inviting others to come into our homes for fellowship and gospel instruction. (As far as possible, seek to have every upper-level discussion in the home of members.)
· Participating in service projects with quorum, class and family members. (Consider service for or with those we would teach. As they are involved with us in service, they become fellow citizens with the saints (Ephesians 2:19). They will feel “at home” with us and drawn to what we have. They may then feel “at home” with us as they are taught and more likely to join us in worshipping Christ at church.)
· Teaching others to understand the doctrines of faith in Christ and repentance. Every lesson should be taught by the spirit (D&C 50:13-14, 22). Every lesson should have a learning objective we are invited to apply in our lives.
· Utilizing the pattern for sharing the gospel with non-members and less active members given in 2 Nephi 25: 26: talk, rejoice, prepare others to feel the spirit, testify of Christ, and write what we receive.
Ideas for further reading:
Elder David A. Bednar, “Your Whole Souls as an Offering Unto Him,” Devotional, 05 Oct, 1999. http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/1999_01_05_Bednar.htm
Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Be a Missionary All Your Life,” BYU Devotional, 13 March 2007. http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=11678
Elder Quentin L. Cook, "Looking beyond the Mark" Ensign, Mar 2003, pp. 40–44.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Bishop Richard C. Edgley, “Enduring Together,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
President Henry B. Eyring, “God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Erich W. Kopischke, “Preach My Gospel—the Unifying Tool between Members and Missionaries,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
President Thomas S. Monson, “Mrs. Patton—the Story Continues,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
Elder Michael J. The, “Out of Small Things,” Ensign, Nov 2007.
