The Church's New Policies Honor Parental Rights

Facebook Post from Friday, November 13, 2015

This past week has seen a massive wave of news items and social media posts regarding changes in my church's policy regarding baptism for minors. Sorry if your newsfeed has been bogged down with it and your ties to the LDS Church have never gone beyond having Mormon friends! Whew. It's been overwhelming for everyone, I think. One good thing to take away is that it is clear that Mormons are not a bunch of blind sheep. We are thinking, feeling, passionate-about-our-faith people who represent a very wide range of perspectives and experiences. Hurray! I think that is something to be glad about. Minus the bickering.

Some time ago ... here comes a personal story ... one of my children was singled out by an adult of a different church and was told that our church was wrong and The Book of Mormon, another book of scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ, was false. Woah. I was not present. And when my child, 8 or 9 years old at the time, finally told me about it the following day, he was clearly disturbed and confused. At that tender age, pretty much every adult looks like an authority figure. He wondered if I'd been lying to him or if I was just plain wrong. Of course, I was TICKED. And would've tracked this person down and let him know he'd crossed a line. But I didn't because I love people in his congregation and didn't want to cause trouble in our friendships. Instead, I talked with my son and reiterated what our beliefs are and why. He was consoled and I was still TICKED. That man had interfered in my sacred right as a parent to teach my child according to my own conscience, heart, mind, experience, and beliefs!

So, this is why I support my church's position to postpone baptism (which includes an affirmation of and commitment to all of the doctrine of the Church) for children of same-sex couples until they are of legal age (18 years old, rather than the customary 8). I do believe my church leaders are honoring that right and privilege for parents to teach their children their own values and tenets, even if those teachings are contrary to core Church doctrine.

Yes, there is a great deal of hurt anyway, but I believe the motive is to support families and not tear them apart.

{Experiences with Miracles} The Things Which are Not Seen are Eternal

I have received so many miracles throughout my life, and this year in particular, that I know they are real.  I know God's power is in his temples and is available to bless our lives.  I felt it last month before I gave birth to my daughter, Norah Jane.  

My due date was still three weeks away, but for some reason, I was filled with worry and fear about my husband, Neal, leaving us for five days to attend his dad's funeral in Utah.  We live in East Texas, so it's a full day of travel to get across the country.  I couldn't possibly have Neal miss the funeral, so I was just very worried in my heart.  

One night I couldn't help it.  I cried and cried, praying for courage. Gradually, I felt a sense of strength come over me, reflecting on the courage of the early Latter-day Saint women who had given birth in wagons and under trees as they escaped religious persecution, or without their husbands who were serving years-long missions for the Church, and I thought that I could be brave like them.  I felt distinctly that this change in my heart was a result of my mom having put my name on the prayer roll in the Helsinki temple, where she and my dad are serving an 18-month mission. I've never experienced that before, but it was clear to me that this was where the feeling of divine power was coming from: the Helsinki temple.  

As it happened, a few days later Neal left for Utah and two days after that strong, regular contractions started.  I called a friend, whose husband took my four boys to their house and she took me to the hospital.  Before we left for the hospital, though, I asked my friend's husband for a priesthood blessing. He said in the blessing that everything was "as it should be," that my family members on the other side of the Veil were working on our family's behalf and they were excited for my future.  I now felt calm as we went on our way, wondering about the things he had said.  

In the hospital, labor was progressing rapidly and I called Neal, who was on his way to his dad's viewing, with the funeral the next day.  He was nearly in a panic and started to look at changing his plane ticket to come home immediately.  It wasn't possible that he would make it home in time since my labors were always very quick, so I urged him to stay and that I would just be brave and deliver without him.  As word spread through his family and to other ward members, many prayers began to be offered on my behalf.  An hour later, the contractions began to slow down.  By morning they had mostly stopped.  Everything was very unusual.  I've never started labor that early and it has never stopped once it has started.  I was discharged and on bedrest at our friends' home until Neal returned from Utah two days later.  I believe it was a result of everyone's earnest prayers that labor stopped.  It was a miracle!  

Neal had had a very meaningful time honoring his dad, reconnecting with siblings and relatives (many he hadn't seen in years), hearing new stories about his dad and having an opportunity to grieve while surrounded by loved ones.  I am so glad that he was there for all of the funeral events.  It was very important!

Norah was finally born a week and a half later.  My mom was with us, which was another miracle, and directly because of my early labor.  When I had called her to tell her what was happening during the first labor, she was very worried.  The temple had just closed for three weeks for cleaning so she started looking at plane tickets.  When we had tearfully said good-bye in the summer, we assumed that my mom would miss the birth because of her missionary service and the high cost of plane tickets.  However, my mom discovered that her flight to Helsinki to start her mission had added on exactly enough frequent flyer miles to give her a ticket to Texas.  And because the temple was closed, she was free to go.  A miracle!

In the end, my mom and my husband were both by my side during the final labor.  Just before Norah was born, contractions were getting stronger and I was keeping my eyes closed to stay mentally focused.  I realized that I could sense a change in the room.  A great peace filled it, so thick and tangible that I made the effort to talk and said quietly, "The room is so peaceful."  Neal, who was holding my hand, suddenly began to weep.  Just minutes later, I entered transition phase and was soon asking for the doctor to be called in, so I couldn't ask what he was experiencing, but later he told me that he had felt his dad's presence.  His dad was standing beside him with his arm around Neal's shoulders.  Neal felt as though his dad was saying, "Don't worry. I took care of everything."  Neal relaxed and felt completely at peace, not nervous and worried like usual during my labors.  I could hear his strong, steady voice coaching me through the pushing, which helped me tremendously.  Delivery was very hard work, though brief, but Norah and I were safe and healthy.  Neal's spiritual experience was a tender mercy and a precious miracle.  (I will add that three years earlier, during my labor with my fourth son, Sam, very soon before he was born, I felt a change in the room and Neal had the distinct impression that my Grandma Yolanda was there with us.  He mentioned it to my mom, who was also present, and she immediately confirmed that she felt her deceased mother's presence, too.  They were both in tears because of the sacred experience.)

We had several other miracles and tender mercies this year.  Neal had a career-related opportunity in the spring to visit Utah, and I accompanied him.  We were able to visit his dad in the Alzheimer's care facility where he'd been living for over a year.  We were shocked and saddened to see how much more frail and limited he had become.  Once a strong and robust man, my father-in-law was silent and staring, unable to leave his recliner, or even speak.  It felt very much like a final visit, and it proved to be so.

Much to our surprise, Neal was called to serve in our ward's bishopric just five days after his dad passed away.  It was sad to realize the finality of his father not being able to ordain him to the office of high priest in order to serve in this capacity, as would normally have been the practice.  But, thankfully, a temple sealer we both greatly respect and admire happened to be visiting our ward that very Sunday so Neal was able to ask him to step in, and the man happily accepted the request.  Both the ordination and the setting apart were beautiful blessings.

Also, this summer we needed to sell our house since we were now expecting our fifth child and our current house was very small.  We were very worried about how long it might take, how it would all work out, if it would sell for enough for a significant downpayment on a new house, etc.  Amazingly, especially for the slower market of East Texas, our house was under contract within 4 days!  When we finally found the right house for us and negotiated a contract, the bank was able to expedite the processing of the new house in half the time the old house was taking in order to have a double closing.  On the last day of July, with a host of beloved ward members, we loaded up a moving truck, and the next day had two closings, back-to-back, then unloaded the truck at the new house right after.  To us, it was a huge miracle and an act of great generosity from the Lord, especially since I was 7 months pregnant.  Additionally, our old house sold for enough that we could put 20% down on the new house, plus have a bit extra to put back into savings, and came out in a better financial situation than we had hoped.  Wow!

This year has been full of things like that.  It's been stressful, difficult, worrisome, wearying, but then resolved through miracles and comforted through tender mercies.  And then I've wondered why I was so worried!  I know God loves us and will comfort us in times of worry.  I know that hard times can take a lot out of us, but continuing to believe that good things will come in the end, strengthens our faith, determination and trust in God.  We become more resilient and more grateful, and more compassionate and willing to help others in need.

The last time I was in Sunday School before Norah was born we read from 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.  

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

In light of all the events of the weekend before this particular Sunday School class -- Neal's dad's funeral, my early labor, my mom being able to arrange for a ticket to come, etc. -- I read this and thought that what we don't see right off is often the most important part!  During a struggle when we can't see how it will resolve, it takes faith to keep going and keep trusting.  Eventually, when deliverance comes, then we can see the good that came of it: how we've changed, what we've learned, blessings that have resulted, our increased love for God and Jesus Christ, and it all becomes worth it.  

Pondering on that I thought to turn to John 14:18 which says simply, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."  It struck me that Jesus didn't only say "I will send you a comforter," but he also said "I will come to you."  His ministry is personal.  He can come personally.  I don't know when he does, how often, or for whom, but he is not limited by anything.  He can come and personally comfort and strengthen us when we need it.  I don't know if the Savior came personally to my bedside, but he did send my husband, my mother, and even my father-in-law.  I am grateful beyond measure!

My Unplanned Pregnancy

I'm currently carrying a baby that I did not plan. In fact, my husband and I were taking precautions to prevent pregnancy because we both felt that adding another baby would be more difficult than not. I'm too old (age 36). I'm too tired. I'm too overwhelmed by 4 boys often enough to not feel up to it. Pregnancy is so long and tiring. Childbirth is so difficult. We don't have enough money. Our house is too small.  Etc... However, despite all the reasons not to get pregnant, it happened. Through our own choices and actions, of course -- though we didn't choose pregnancy itself. 

Initially it was shocking and worrisome, and has been sooo hard on my body, and yet, I look at my other children and feel reassured that I will love this child as much as I love them. That the same joy the others bring me, she will, too. That the same ways that I have been learning and changing as a result my motherhood, will continue. As we've gotten by and made it work until now, we will continue to get by and make things work. Even on our humble income, even with my weariness and sometimes selfish preferences, even with all the demands that come with parenthood.

In the end: a baby is not a crisis. He or she is family.

We rise up to challenges that are inherent in family life. We give and give and give. That's what we do. The more willing we are, the more satisfying it is. Our children grow up, they mature, they succeed and fail, they fall down and get back up. They depend on us less and less, and we feel so proud of who they are and what they are doing. It's a privilege and an honor to experience this, and to contribute to society in such a singular and important way. I'm grateful for my child. Not resentful. Not afraid. Humans are resilient, resourceful, and capable. I am capable. I can do it. Not very well all the time, but overall, yes, I can do it. In two months, she'll be in my arms and I'll wonder why I ever doubted and feared, and will just be completely grateful.

I choose family. I choose life and hope.

The Sacred Emblems of the Sacrament

Sacrament Meeting Talk

Michelle Cox

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Today, like each regular Sunday, we are gathered for a memorial service.  But, the body of the deceased is not here.  “He is not here, for he is risen” (Matt. 28:6).   The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, triumphed over death; his resurrection being joyfully announced by angelic messengers of God.  His body had been wrapped in clean linen and lovingly, sorrowfully placed in a sepulcher, but when his devoted disciples went to the tomb at the end of the Sabbath to complete the burial preparations, they found the cloth folded neatly and set to one side.  The Savior's body was not there because he had been resurrected.  Without his body to cover at our memorial service, we have been instructed to cover emblems, or symbols, of Jesus’ death; bread and water. 

During the Last Supper, Jesus blessed bread, broke it and gave it to his disciples.  The Joseph Smith translation of Matthew 26:26 records the Lord saying, “Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I gave a ransom for you.”

Only a few hours later, that body would bow down in agony under the crushing pain of the atonement for the sins, sorrows, and troubles of all mankind.  As Jesus described, “Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit – and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink – Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D&C 19:18).

 The escape route from sin being accomplished (which is our own repentance and perfect, Christ-like submission to the will of the Father), Jesus Christ then allowed himself to be arrested, unjustly tried and convicted, his body beaten and whipped, then nailed to a cross and crucified.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

At our memorial service today, young priests reverently broke bread, just as Jesus demonstrated 2000 years ago, and deacons passed it to us.  The broken bread reminds us of the torn body of the Savior; the stripes from the whip, the piercings of his hands and feet by nails, and his side by a sword.

The water, Jesus taught, we drink in “remembrance of my blood of the new testament, which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of sins” (JST-Matt 26:24-25).

When Christ prayed the great Intercessory Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, he pleaded to Heavenly Father, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:42-44).  It struck me that in the Savior's final lessons to prepare to completely fill his role as Savior, he had to experience what it is like to suffer alone, and then to suffer with the strengthening power of God.  He would then know exactly what we experience when he comes to our aid; how much we need his help and how it makes us better able to bear our burdens.

The young men in our ward who have been ordained to the office of teacher, pour water into cups that will then be blessed by priests, and sanctified “to the souls of all those who drink of it” (D&C 20:79).

Thus, the sacrament, a holy and solemn act of remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our personal benefit and progress, moves us to “witness unto … God, the Eternal Father, that [we] do always remember him,” even outside of church, even on a Tuesday morning or a Saturday night.

The great prophet Moroni, near the end of the Book of Mormon, exhorts all to “be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.  See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out” (Mormon 9:28-29).

With the same solemnity and honesty that Jesus made the atonement for us, we are to solemnly and honestly partake of the sacrament and renew our baptismal covenant to keep God’s commandments.  With this being the intent of our heart, we will find the act of taking the sacrament a renewing, humbling and joy-producing experience.

Throughout the week, we will find ourselves evaluating our thoughts and actions, asking ourselves if they will help us or hinder us in being honestly prepared and worthy to partake of the sacrament, and repenting when necessary during the week in preparation for the sacrament.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “One of the invitations inherent in the sacramental ordinance is that it be a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for the soul.”

Elder Melvin J. Ballard testified, “I am a witness that there is a spirit attending the administration of the sacrament that warms the soul from head to foot; you feel the wounds of the spirit being healed, and the load being lifted. Comfort and happiness come to the soul that is worthy and truly desirous of partaking of this spiritual food.”

As Cheryl A. Esplin taught last General Conference, “Our wounded souls can be healed and renewed not only because the bread and water remind us of the Savior’s sacrifice of His flesh and blood but because the emblems also remind us that He will always be our “bread of life” (John 6:48) and “living water” (John 4:10). 

His is a kind of loyalty that never faileth. “Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand” (D&C  27:15).

"To Young Women" - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

October 2005 General Conference

"Every young woman is a child of destiny and every adult woman a powerful force for good."

  

Virtue Opens Heaven’s Views

August 24, 2014

Michelle Cox

The prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue.”

Virtue might be most quickly linked in our minds to modesty or chastity, however, virtue is even more than these.  The Preach My Gospel manual defines virtue as “a pattern of thought [or] behavior based on high moral standards.”  I’ve found that link to our thoughts very interesting.  Virtue describes the condition of our hearts and minds – and is also a means for transforming us and opening up access to God’s power.

Mark chapter 5 describes a moment during Jesus’ mortal ministry when the hem of his robe was touched by a woman who had been very ill for 12 years and was seeking healing from him.  Verse 30 describes Jesus “immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him.”  Also in Luke chapter 6, it is recorded that “the whole multitude sought to touch him; for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”  These brief accounts seem to say that virtue is synonymous with divine power.

Why are we here on this earth?  Are we here to just trudge along and get by?  Just be as good as we can?  Moses 1:39 quotes the Lord saying, “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  Therefore, we are here to be fundamentally changed; to progress from imperfect beings into something so magnificent that we can comfortably look our Heavenly Father in the face and live in His presence, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, being “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

What does virtue have to do with it?  Quite a lot.  In order to succeed in this life – to succeed in the way that would bring eternal joy – we look to the One who overcame the world, the Savior Jesus Christ.  His virtue healed, blessed, and glorified.  His virtue served others, reached out to the lonely and the sick.  And, most importantly, his virtue observed every law and commandment of God.

The Book of Mormon teaches us that virtue leads to charity, which is the pure love of Christ, an eternal love that brings eternal blessings (Moroni 7:48).  Psalms 24:4-5 teaches us who will receive this honor, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

How else is virtue essential to our mortal journey?  2 Peter 1:3-4 open up another aspect of virtue.   The passage reads, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 

Virtue unlocks divine power in our lives, as well as “great and precious promises.”  We gain access to the healing, forgiving power of Jesus Christ.  We become qualified to participate in God’s work as his servants and missionaries.  Doctrine and Covenants 4:5-6 lists characteristics of those who are called to the work, “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.  Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”  And back to 2 Peter 1:5, the apostle admonishes, “giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge.”

Why does knowledge seem to be linked to virtue?  2 Peter 1:8 explains that if these wholesome qualities “be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  By embracing virtue, we become fertile ground for knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ.

In Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 we learn even more. The Lord lovingly commands us, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.  The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”  The image is clear:  when our thoughts are carefully guarded and tended to with virtue,  the doctrine of the priesthood (its keys, authority, power, callings, responsibilities and duties) will be pure and refreshing to our souls.

Without virtue, we lose access to this knowledge of Jesus Christ, his doctrine, and his plan.  We weaken our connection to the Holy Ghost, whose role in the Godhead is to confirm truth to us through thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts.  Therefore, our minds must be unfettered by the unvirtuous things of the world.  Modern-day apostle, Jeffery R. Holland, simply promised, “The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path,” which includes taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, remembering him, and keeping his commandments.

Doesn’t that make us stop and consider what might impact our ability to access this key prerequisite of virtue?  Of all the millions of books, movies, videos, magazines, songs, games, etc, that there are in the world, there is an urgent need to “bridle all your passions” (Alma 38:12) as the Book of Mormon says, and to “cleave unto [the Lord] with all your heart” (D&C 11:19).

Consuming anything that is unvirtuous puts us on risky ground.  The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

If we are to be able to understand the things of God, and not discount them as foolishness, and love His doctrines and willingly keep all of his commandments – then virtue is key.

How do we know if we’re on the right track?  Simply, we will love the things of God.  Doctrine and Covenants 88:40 explains, “For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light.” We will also have no desire for sin.  In the Book of Mormon, a people who were converted unto the Lord exclaimed, “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”

What can we do when we falter?  Elder Holland lovingly invites, “Claim the promises of the Savior of the world.  Ask for the healing balm of the atonement for whatever may be troubling you. … Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you.”  The voice of the Lord, Himself, beckons to us, “Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mosiah 26:30).

When we may feel bleak and broken, remember: there’s a man who died for us.  He suffered for our sins.  He allowed himself to take on the sins of all the world so that you and I, all of us, can be made clean if we take action.  “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;  But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;  Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—  Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.  Wherefore, I command you again to repent … Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.  I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.” (D&C 19:15-20, 23-24).  “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).

With the loving and eager help of the Lord, we can maintain the path of virtue as it leads us to the happiness and fulfillment that awaits us.

The Redemption of the Dead: Part of God's Perfect Plan

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 138, verses 57-60
Received by the prophet Joseph F. Smith, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on October 3, 1918

57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.
 58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,
 59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.
 60 Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is true, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen.

Teachings from this vision and some things they imply:

1.  Prophets can see into the spirit world and tell us what goes on there; reveal things that are otherwise hidden to us.  How wonderful it is to have prophets in these latter days!

2.  The spirits of the dead have access to repentance.  The effects of sin are not permanent for those who choose to accept Christ and repent.

3.  Temple ordinances are a requirement for those who wish to repent.  Which is why we do temple work. If they have already performed those ordinances during their mortal life (and are not in a state of rebellion against God, I'm assuming), they have access to repentance.

4.  They have to pay a penalty of some kind; perhaps experience grief or sorrow for what they did, perhaps do some sort of service for others to right wrongs or to just act like Christ, be obedient to his commandments.

5.  People who die with unresolved sin, but repent, are washed clean!  The guilt is gone!

6.  After they have repented, they receive a reward!  Most likely: happiness, joy, the presence of God our loving Heavenly Father, joining the missionary ranks, becoming more like Christ!

7.  Salvation is fully available!  True and complete repentance makes it as though the person had never committed the sin.  There is no lasting stain.  There is no lasting memory of guilt.  They are on equal ground with everyone else who has repented and qualified for salvation, including the sinless Savior, Jesus Christ, himself.

Christ the Consoler, Carl Bloch

It is amazing, wonderful, incredible, fantastic, and joyous!  This is what Jesus died for.  This is what he submitted for in the Garden of Gethsemane, what he submitted for when he was spit on and whipped, what he submitted for when he was nailed to pieces of wood and lifted up for all to see.  This is what he allowed his spirit to leave his body for, and then commanded it to return for on the third day.

The plan of salvation is so complete that there are no loop-holes, no flaws, no misses, no mistakes, no one overlooked.  It can work perfectly for anyone who submits, just as the Savior did.  Submission to the plan of God is not weakness, but ultimate power because it infuses us with God's power, which is the only power that Satan cannot compare or stand up to.  We can crush him through our obedience to God's perfect and beautiful plan.  We are mightiest when we are meekest before God.
I have no fear for the future; everything will be made right.  Christ succors his people in their time of need because he bought that role with his own suffering.  He earned it with his blood.  He knows pain. Intimately.  He knows healing.  Perfectly.  He is the author and finisher of our faith.

I know this because I have grieved and because I have been healed. I don't regret or begrudge the grief.  I absolutely love the healing!  And I love Jesus Christ for healing my soul.  Peace be to yours.

Love,
Michelle

Please Stay

Gina Ashby
Colorado, USA

To those who are mourning over the excommunication of Kate Kelly, more specifically those who hoped the Church would grant priesthood ordination to women through her efforts, my heart has been deeply saddened and troubled. I feel strongly to say: PLEASE STAY! Please stay with us! My heart goes out to you. I love you dearly! We went to college together, served a mission together, you are my friends, my family. You will forever be my sisters in Christ.

Please stay! Although your hearts are troubled, I plead for you to look at the big picture, the eternal scope of things. You are so needed in building up the kingdom of God, preparing the world for the coming of our Savior. There is no other place that teaches the Plan of Salvation, that has restored priesthood keys, confers the Gift of the Holy Ghost, or that looks to Jesus Christ as the literal head of the Church. There is no other place that will keep your family members as safe, or that teaches more passionately to stay morally clean, to keep the Word of Wisdom, to live the Law of Chastity, to know and love God by knowing and keeping the commandments. There is no other place with power to seal families into the eternities, or prepare us more fully to stand before God after this life is over.

Leaving this Church would rob you and your loved ones of the safety and security only the fullness of the Gospel can bring. Please stay!

As you supported OW, you felt sisterhood, unity, and bonding over a common cause. The Lord knows your desires. His prophet knows your desires. You’ve opened your hearts, shared your wounds, you’ve nurtured one another, strengthened, uplifted, inspired, and rallied around each other. You’ve felt companionship, friendship, and loyalty. You have shared your voice, felt needed, valued, and understood. In gathering, you have enjoyed the rewards of leading, inspiring, edifying, discussing, and problem-solving. You have been aware of the needs of others. You have used talents, taken courage, and stretched yourselves. The reality is: All those things can be found when similarly united in the efforts of the Relief Society. Can we, as sisters, unite together in the cause of doing good and building up the kingdom of God in the way the Lord has established?

Dive into Relief Society with equal passion! Use your strengths, talents, gifts, and skills to bless the lives of people in your ward and community—men, women, & children. Put your passion into the organization that was created and patterned after the ancient institution “to help prepare daughters of God for the blessings of eternal life.” The Relief Society has been restored modernly for women to use their glorious qualities to grow and flourish in the way best suited for women.

Study the recently published and inspired book, Daughters in My Kingdom, and be reminded how valued the women of the Church are and have always been. “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus Christ.” The Relief Society is the same women’s organization that existed in the church anciently and is “divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men.” It truly is bigger and more wonderful than we may realize.

If you are hurting, doubting, or struggling, look to the many generations before you who faced things that were hard for them and caused them to question or wonder if it was worth it. Staying the course and choosing faith always brings the greatest blessings. It will for you, too. Feelings are tender now. Don’t be rash in the moment of lamentation. Let the gospel heal you and draw you closer to the Savior. Put your energy into building faith. Hearts can heal.

As your sister in the Gospel, I plead for you to stay. Choose faith. Choose patience. Choose to trust the Lord and His modern-day prophets. All will be well. We can get through, but let’s do it faithfully, together.

Our Identity as a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Linda K. Burton
Relief Society General President

from the General Women's Meeting
March 29, 2014

"... Our true identity is that of a disciple of Jesus Christ. ...  Think what a gift it is to give our gift of daily discipleship to the Lord, declaring in word and deed, 'Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.'

...  I love the women of the Church.  I have seen your strength. I have seen your faith.  You have something to give and are willing to give it.  You do this without fanfare or publicity, drawing attention to the God we worship, not to yourselves, and with no thought of what you will receive. That's what disciples do."

Watch her full address here and be inspired!

Our Safety Depends upon Following the Prophet

From Harold B. Lee, October Conference 1970




We have some tight places to go before the Lord is through with this church and the world in this dispensation, which is the last dispensation, which shall usher in the coming of the Lord. The gospel was restored to prepare a people ready to receive him. The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand. There will be inroads within the Church. … We will see those who profess membership but secretly are plotting and trying to lead people not to follow the leadership that the Lord has set up to preside in this church.

Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet, “as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; … as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith” (D&C 21:4–5). There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:6).

... Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom the Lord has placed to preside over his church. He knows whom he wants to preside over this church, and he will make no mistake. The Lord doesn't do things by accident. He has never done anything accidentally. And I think the scientists and all the philosophers in the world have never discovered or learned anything that God didn't already know. His revelations are more powerful, more meaningful, and have more substance than all the secular learning in the world.

Sept. 15, 1979: The Role of Righteous Women

Given at the women’s fireside held September 15 in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Latter-day Saint women twelve and older met in 1,500 locations worldwide to listen ...  Since President Kimball was hospitalized at the time of the conference, his message was read by his wife, Camilla E. Kimball. 

Click here to watch the full address on lds.org.

"Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. Remember, it is as wrong to do things just to be seen of women as it is to do things to be seen of men. Great women and men are always more anxious to serve than to have dominion."

Letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to "Ordain Women" Organization

Salt Lake City -- News media are reporting today on a letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent to a women’s group called “Ordain Women” regarding plans the group has to demonstrate for female ordination at the Church’s worldwide general conference. In response to multiple requests from news media, the Church has provided a link to the entire letter. 

A Story of Healing After Tragedy: My Shattered Heart Made Whole

Please listen to this beautiful talk by my sister, Gina Ashby, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  This talk details the main components of her journey to heal after the suicide death of our older brother, Brian, in 1999.  Her message is one of hope, faith, learning, and growth.  Her courage will inspire you!



 

Walking on Water

My husband was out of town one night several years ago, and as I was putting my oldest son to bed, who was just 3 years old at the time, I thought I would tell him a story from the scriptures to help him settle down and relax.  The story that came to mind was when Peter tried to walk on water to meet Jesus, who was coming towards them in the middle of the sea.

I had thought "tried" was the right word until that night.  Then it occurred to me that Peter had walked on water.  Peter had walked on water.

That was an amazing moment.  We might not be too impressed by Jesus walking on water, because we already know he had been healing people of all manner of illnesses and infirmities, and, plus, he was half-God.  Being a literal son of God the Father in the flesh, he was naturally endowed with special, sacred powers and abilities.  So, of course he could walk on water if he needed to or wanted to.

What struck me was the realization that someone as completely mortal as myself was recorded as walking on water.  Suddenly that seemed to imply something about myself.

Matthew describes that he, Peter, and other disciples were sent by Jesus out onto the Sea of Galilea in a ship to sail to the other side.  In the meantime, he would disburse the crowd that had gathered and then go up into the hills to pray by himself (Matthew 14).

Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, the disciples on watch -- and perhaps everyone was awake anyway with how "contrary" the winds were -- noticed a figure coming towards them, a figure that was walking across the billowy waves unphased.  Fear filled their hearts as they believed it was a spirit approaching, but when Jesus called out to them and revealed his identity, Peter replied, "Lord, it if be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water" (v. 28).

Peter had witnessed numerous miracles of healing at Jesus' hands.  He knew that Jesus had some very special powers and abilities.  And having spent so much time with him, listening to him and learning from him, Peter knew that Jesus was a man without guile, full of compassion and kindness, someone who was completely trustworthy.  Even -- could it really be so? -- the promised Messiah!

Verse 29 continues, "And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus."

We know the rest of the story; that Peter broke his concentration on the Savior and began to notice the wind and the waves, and his faith wavered, allowing fear to impede him and almost drown him.  Peter then called out to the Lord to save him as he began to sink.

    "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
    And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased" (vs. 31 and 32).

Experiencing and witnessing this, everyone that was on the ship came and worshipped Jesus saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God" (v. 33).  Who can walk on water?, they must have reasoned.  Only a divine being could do that!

But, Peter did.  We don't know how many steps he took or how far from the ship he got, but his faith was powerful and incredible and resided in a mortal man's heart and mind!  So, what about me?  This sacred experience tells me that, like Peter, though mortal from both parents, I'm not doomed to fail.  My spirit was created first by Exalted Beings, therefore, it is within me to succeed.  My flesh might be weak, but it can learn.  I can gain experience in the times I fear and fall, and have the Savior's hand stretched out to me to lift me up.  I can look back and realize that I did make progress during my up times, and I can have confidence that I can keep going forward.

Not only that, but that I can overcome major obstacles.  I can.  I can.  The atonement, that beloved enabling power, is the "can" in "I can" and makes all things possible for me.  I might not ever need to walk on water during my life, but I have many challenges and weaknesses that I desperately want to rise above and walk confidently over.  I realize how often I limit myself because I think something is too hard or I am too weak or it's just not possible.

I limit my access to the atonement (Christ's power) and also discount the power endowed upon me (in small measure at birth when I came with the light of Christ, and then in great measure through temple covenant making).

In remembering that Peter walked on water, I am taught that I can overcome any obstacle -- if I just refuse to doubt the power given to me from God through Jesus Christ, my Savior.

The Power to Avoid Deception: Faith that is Never Blind

From time to time I hear, or read, someone posing questions such as: "How do you deal with the changes in Church policy and doctrine?  What do you do when you receive personal revelation that conflicts with what the prophet says?  What if you've fasted and prayed about something and received a powerful, spiritual witness to do something different than what the prophet says?"

In responding to these questions several possible scenarios come to mind:

• Ignoring personal thoughts and questions in order to do what the prophet says, no matter what.
• Being unsure of Church teachings, but concluding that prophets are trustworthy, and deciding to follow their counsel anyway.
• Actively searching for answers, by turning to friends, scriptures, Church leaders, prophets and apostles of different dispensations, then to God in prayer, and adjusting personal thoughts and opinions to match spiritual confirmation and accepting prophetic direction.
• Actively searching for answers by seeking out like-minded people, looking for authority figures who preach doctrine similar to your thoughts, becoming entrenched in philosophies of men and eventually distrusting and ignoring prophetic direction.
• Becoming apathetic towards religion because of the confusion, disappointment, and discouragement experienced while participating, and completely disengaging -- perhaps even trying to draw people away with you.

There are probably many more scenarios, but these few will suffice for now.  Perhaps they can all be defined by how personal v. prophetic revelation are balanced against each other.  How much weight does a person give to each item on the scale, in each scenario?

One person may assign very little value to his/her own ability and responsibility to seek out their own confirmation or revelation concerning any particular issue.  Another may try to find a more even balance, believing that whatever the Spirit tells them is as canonized as General Conference and scriptures.  Another may believe that prophets are to be followed, but only as far as personal conviction to outside beliefs will allow.

As I examine all these possibilities and the potential long-term, as well as short-term, ramifications on my own life, there are certain conclusions that result.

• Personal revelation doesn't supersede revelation from God to His anointed spokesmen.
• There is no such thing as blind faith.
• Examining the nature and roll of 'authority' can lead a person safely through conflicting beliefs and opinions, until he/she finds a satisfying resolution.
• Satan is as real as God is and he is actively working to deceive the children of God.

Personal revelation doesn't supersede revelation from God to His anointed spokesmen. 

So far as I can tell, there aren't any accounts of personal revelation superseding the teachings of the prophets.  Even in the case of Nephi killing Laban in the opening chapters of the Book of Mormon, Nephi was living under the Law of Moses and Laban had attempted to kill Nephi and his three older brothers, as well as had stolen all of the family's material wealth, and likely was involved with plots to kill his prophet father, Lehi.  Under the Law of Moses, Nephi may have been absolved of guilt and even been justified, though Nephi personally shrank back and wished he wasn't given this commandment.

If this holds true, then prophetic revelation and teaching holds more weight on the scale than personal revelation insofar as there is tension or conflict between the two.  If a person believes they are being granted by the Holy Ghost exemption from any law of God, then the person needs to take a second look at his/her conclusions and evaluate whether he/she is, in fact, receiving revelation from God and not a deception from the Adversary.

For example, I once met a woman who had come to believe that plural marriage was going to be reinstated so she and her husband decided to keep a woman who was down-and-out (and in their minds a potential candidate for a second wife) living with them in their house.  The agreement was that chastity would be observed until the ban was lifted.  But this plan failed and the original couple divorced, after which the husband married the now-mistress.  The first wife came to conclude that maybe the Spirit hadn't been telling them to prepare for a polygamous household, but to just help the second woman get back on her feet and on her way. In this tragic case, a family was broken apart as a result of putting perceived personal "revelation" above prophetic direction.

President Uchtdorf promised, "As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny."

There is no such thing as blind faith.

I really do not believe in there being such thing as 'blind faith.'  Not at all.  What we might call 'blind faith' I would relabel 'innocent faith.'  It is innocent because it has not been exercised yet and relies on other people.  I think of young children and new converts.  There is a belief, something inside of them nudging them forward to give this Church a try, or to believe that their parents are telling the truth.  Innocent faith is based on other people's testimony and is the ideal fertile ground in which to plant the gospel seed.


However, as children or converts begin to "experiment upon the word," as Alma says, they begin to see that good things happen in their lives when they keep the commandments, or they feel happy when they are actively involved at Church.  Little by little as they gain more knowledge and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and strive to live it, something will happen inside of them.  Some sort of challenge or trial or severe hardship will come, and suddenly they begin to reach out to God, to really know Him and His power.   Like a shaded plant, bending and reaching for the light.  Finding the light again, for themselves, makes their faith become stronger and more independent of other people.  New vision develops.

When my older brother died I found myself saying, "Now what?  Now how does this all fit into my life?  Now what does the atonement of Jesus Christ mean to me?  Now what does everything mean to me with my new eyes?"  From the ashes of my sorrow, I did experience for myself, like Alma, a restoring, healing, reconstituting power.  I was a new person, with new eyes, a new heart, a new mind.  I couldn't possibly look at the doctrines of the Church the same way any longer.  I had already established my own testimony, but now it became so much deeper.  My view had suddenly expanded and there was some adjustment to be made.  It was a painful healing process, but eventually my "joy was as great as was my pain."  Without any scientific tool to measure it, my faith became my measuring tool.  My faith had been tested, and though I faltered some at times and made some poor choices when coping with my initial sorrow, eventually I was righted up and I knew that it had come through the atoning power of Jesus Christ.

This is faith.  It is knowing without seeing, as powerfully and confidently as if you had seen.  Faith is based on experience, therefore it cannot be blind.  In this way faith can be exercised when considering the words of the prophets.  Innocent faith would cause a person to believe that the prophet is called of God because you believe that your parents or Primary teachers or the missionaries are telling you the truth.  And there is a warmth and gentle confirmation from the Holy Ghost.

But, once you start acting upon that foundational faith, and begin to have personal experiences with it for which no one else can claim responsibility, your faith matures.  Therefore, it becomes easier and easier to continue to cultivate the garden of the Word of God.  The system is in place and each doctrine, each teaching, each new program or adjustment to a program, is easier and easier to accept.  And when questions arise about any point of doctrine or practice, you gain powerful confidence that you can and will find the answer, that it will come through the Holy Ghost after searching the words of the prophets and turning to Heavenly Father in prayer. As President Uchtdorf urged, we would doubt our doubt before we would doubt our faith.

Examining the nature and roll of 'authority' can lead a person safely through conflicting beliefs and opinions, until he/she finds a satisfying resolution.

The maturing process of faith does hinge on something very important: to whom you assign the weight of authority.  So, who will you?  Who will you look to as a source of information and answers, and why?  How do they earn your trust and allegiance?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus the Savior gave us the answer!  "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).  He also said, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (v. 17).   Moroni, as prophets do, expounded on this warning system, "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.  But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" (Moroni 7:12-13).  And we know that we demonstrate our love for God by keeping his commandments (John 14:15).

If you can determine that the end result needs to be a belief in Christ that is accurate and can make salvation possible, then you can work backwards to figure out who or what will help you reach it.  If a person is saying that there is no sin in a certain behavior, first decide whether that person is encouraging you to serve yourself or God.  If the intent is for your own gratification, then that person is not a worthy authority figure, and you can know that they are incorrect.  Their teachings will not lead to eternal happiness and salvation.  If the motivation is to humbly serve God, according to His own teachings, then that person has something good to say.  If that person can verify the literal placement of divine authority on his/her own head, then that is the key to knowing that that person can be completely trusted.

Before trying to figure out whether a teaching of the Church is true, we should first seek out and develop a testimony that God is our Father, that He loves us and wants us to be happy.  Then gain a personal witness of the saving role and atonement of Jesus Christ.  Then find out for ourselves that God has spoken to humanity through prophets in ancient day, and it will become easier to believe that He has reestablished connection through prophets today.  Build up that knowledge, and faith will attend.  Once the groundwork has been established, clear and unobstructed understanding will come about any and every point of doctrine.  At least to a point that will leave us satisfied and contented until further light is given to us from God.  I have had this experience as I searched the scriptures to understand a certain gospel doctrine.  I came away from my personal study completely fulfilled and satisfied that I could continue to trust the prophets of God today.


Satan is as real as God is and he is actively working to deceive the children of God. 

This is a truth that can absolutely not be neglected if we want to stay safe in the latter days.  At every point in time, Satan has attempted to deceive mankind.  It began in the Garden of Eden and, without ceasing, has continued until our day.  Satan has no authority from God.  And it is the thing he most craves.  He gave Eve fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil without authority.  That was the problem.  The problem wasn't the tree or the fruit.  Neither tree nor fruit was evil. In fact, they were part of God's plan. The problem was that Eve was deceived by Satan. He gave her the fruit without having any authority to do so and she partook without having any authority from God to partake.

A persistent example is sexual intimacy.  Sexual intimacy and intercourse are good and right -- when consecrated by God through marriage that He ordains (between a man and a woman).  The problem of adultery, fornication, pornography, same-sex union, etc., is that sex is employed without that authorization from God.  Popular culture today promotes unauthorized sex so that Satan can deceive the masses to partake of a fruit that has been forbidden outside of proper context.  Satan succeeds in bringing misery, disease, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, despair, self-loathing, and a loss of confidence before God.

During his mortal ministry, the Savior warned that in the last days, "many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (JST-Matthew 1:9).   The Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to the Roman saints, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).

In our day, a person will not necessarily call him or herself a prophet. But they will try to act like one.  Picking out bits of scriptures or quote prophets and present it in such a way that is flattering to the wicked and confusing to the weak.  They will seek followers to support their philosophies.  They will make "fair speeches" and deceive many.

Jesus also warned, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24).  The "very elect," Joseph Smith revealed, are "who are the elect according to the covenant" (JST-Matthew 1:22).

If any person experiences a supposed "powerful, spiritual revelation" that sets them in defiance with the laws of God, that person should eventually realize that he/she has been deceived by Satan, the Master of Lies.  It is pride and vanity that would lead people to believe that they know better than the anointed prophets and apostles of the Lord.  It is the devil who seeks to flatter them, rile them up, or pacify them.

   For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

   And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

   And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. (2 Nephi 28:20-22).

The Christians under covenant -- the temple-endowed Latter-day Saints -- are the bull's eye of the target.  Satan seeks to weaken our faith, diminish our resolve, to confuse us by the fair speeches given by our own, to cause us to believe that our own minds are brighter, our own hearts are more compassionate, our own wisdom is greater than God's.  Is this not the trick that Satan used in the premortal world?  It is a very successful one; he led way one-third of God's spirit children.

For us to be safe and keep this estate, as we did in the spirit world, it is imperative to resolutely put complete and full trust in God our loving Father, in His plan of salvation and happiness, in His chosen and anointed Savior Jesus Christ, and to believe that He meant what He said, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).

We can do this by exercising our faith, putting the gospel to the test, submitting in humility to all the will of the Father and finding out for ourselves that His "yoke is easy and [His] burden is light" (Matthew 11:30) by comparison with the heavy chains that Satan seeks to bind us with.

We can do this by repenting and discovering the marvelous power that the atonement of Jesus Christ makes available.  Being clean, free, light, happy, illuminated, and full of confidence rather than doubt or vanity, are the delicious fruit that invariably come when living in the truth, light, and way of our Savior.  Keeping the commandments and being true to baptismal and temple covenants will bring greater power to recognize deception and willingness to do God's work, rather than making our own gratification the goal.  

  And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

  Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

  And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

  For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live (D&C 84:19-22).