The Lord’s Thoughts and Ways

Isaiah 55:8–11; Jacob 4:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14–16

There are times in our lives when we may feel forsaken by the Lord. We go through trials and tribulations, or simply the blessings we ask for take a long time to arrive. Children often want things that are not the best for them and cry as their parents don't give in to their petitions immediately. These scriptures bring us comfort because we know that God loves us, he know everything and he wants our long time happiness.

As we learn from the scriptures we can come to understand God's ways as he has answered his children's prayers and they have had to be patient. We also learn from our experience being patient and drawing closer to God.

I have seen examples of this in my life as I have had to be patient and give up temporary pleasure for long time happiness. Sometimes my plans don't go according to what I plan, but later on something even better comes as a result. Sometimes, however, the answer is no and I have had to learn to trust God. 

I know that he loves his children and knows better than us. I know that he is our Father and as we have faith in him we will be able to understand his plan and be happy.

An Ensign to the Nations

1. High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret's sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion's mount behold it stand!

2. For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion's hill
Truth's standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.

3. His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We'll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth, and learn his word.

4. For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we'll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.

Text: Joel H. Johnson, 1802-1882

Music: Ebenezer Beesley, 1840-1906

The old Testament prophet Isaiah prophesied the gathering of Israel by their God and the fulfillment of the promised blessings to the house of Jacob.

He didn't know how it was going to be done, but he knew that God would ''remember still his promise made of old'' to old testament prophets.

In 1830 He brought his church and priesthood authority back to the Earth and established an ''ensign to the nations'' and established ''high on the mountain top'' his house, his temple. People in all the world are receiving the gospel and saying going ''up and serve the Lord, obey his truth and learn his word'' by attending the temples that are dotting the whole world.

We live in a time when the promises and blessings of God are available for each of us. Wherever we are, we are part of that gathering of Israel as the gospel spreads through all lands and nations and the blessings of the temple are made available to more people.

Learn more: www.mormon.org

Isaiah 5:26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Isaiah 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Esther

Queen Vashti

When the King tried to expose her to all the men who were with him so they could admire her beauty she refused to do it. The King was angry and took her away from her position. She was not afraid of what people would say or how the king might react when she stood for what she believed. (Esther 1:12)

Mordecai

He adopted Esther and was a loving step father who cared about her well being (Esther 2:11). He was firm and would not bow down to Haman and fought for what he believed right. (Esther 3:2)

Esther

She is described as beautiful and that she found favor on all people who looked upon her. The Kind made her his Queen. She was obedient to her step father. She was willing to sacrifice herself to save the Jews, she had great faith and asked them to pray and fast for her so she could talk to the King and make him change his mind (Esther 4:16)

All of them were selfless and willing to put others first. They were firm and not afraid of doing what they believed. They stood for what is right and saved their people. 

There are times when we feel pressure from our friends and others around us to do things that are not right. We might feel scared about what they might think or that they might mock us for acting differently. However we need to remember the great example of Esther and Mordecai who were not afraid of defending the truth before the King and ended up saving their people. In this world of decaying values we can also be heroes.

A Wise and Understanding Heart

In the Book of Kings chapter 3 we read: 

8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

I think all of us have found ourselves at some point in a situation, a project, or with a task at hand that we feel is too difficult for us to complete. Salomon felt that way, it was too difficult for him to serve his people since they were too many and he wanted to do things right so that’s why he asked the Lord for wisdom and help. The Lord was very pleased since he didn’t ask for blessings for himself but asked to be able to bless others. While more worldly people would have asked for power, money or a long life, he asked for wisdom to help others. The Lord was very pleased with him because of that.

At the beginning of his reign Solomon demonstrated that he had received wisdom when two women came to him with a problem. Both of them had had babies recently but one of them had been so careless that her baby died. She then stole the other woman’s child and claimed to be the mother. Then the scriptures say:

 24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

 25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

We all can receive spiritual gifts like wisdom just like Solomon did. We just need to ask the Lord, and if it is righteous and it is his will for us to receive it then we will possess the gift. We may ask for a kind heart, for faith, for charity, for wisdom and patience, or for the energy to serve others happily. I know that he will answer our prayer.

Instructions Manual for Having and Listening to the Holy Ghost

Instructions Manual for Having and Listening to the Holy Ghost

What Jesus told his disciples:

Keep the commandments and the Holy Ghost will stay with you. The world doesn’t see him or know him but he will be with you when you do this.  John 14:15–17

The Holy Ghost will teach you and help you remember Christ’s teachings. He will also give you heavenly peace. John 14:26–27

The Holy Ghost will testify of Christ. You must share your testimony of him also. John 15:26–27

The Holy Ghost was given to the disciples when Christ departed. The Holy Ghost will help you stay away from sin and help you be righteous and have good judgment. John 16:7–8

The Holy Ghost will guide you to the truth, show you things that are to come and communicate to you what God wants you to know. John 16:13–14

The Holy Ghost will ‘’quicken’’ your intellect. He will expand and purify your passions and affections and helps you to use them wisely. He helps you to purify your relationships with others. He will help you to develop Christ like attributes. He will strengthen your body and make you more able to serve others. He is a special messenger from our Heavenly Father. New Testament Institute Manual, pg 167-168

The Holy Ghost does not have a physical body. He manifests to you teaching you and when you get baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost you will have the right to have his company always. He testifies that the gospel is true. He is a cleansing agent that can purify you. (LDS Bible Dictionary)

When Christ was ascended to heaven and his apostles departed to the world to teach the gospel they were led by him to know how to act and what to say. As they testified of Christ and his gospel, the Holy Ghost touched the hearts of the people so they could also know of the truth of those teachings. They also received revelations from God like Peter when he was told that it was time to preach the gospel to the gentiles, or John when he wrote the book of Revelation.

Today we can also obtain a testimony of the restored gospel through the Holy Ghost. He teaches us and testifies of the truth. After we are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost he stays with us constantly. I have had many experiences of times when I felt that I should not go through certain street, or that I should do or not do something. As I have followed those impressions I have been kept safe from harm. I know that this is true, that God loves us, we are his children and that this is the church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. I know it because I have prayed about it and received an answer through the Holy Ghost.

https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual?lang=eng

www.mormon.org

By this shall all men know...

John 13:34-35

‘’By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’’. 

People realize how we treat others and if we show love for them. As disciples of Jesus Christ we must strive to genuinely love those around us and show that love by our actions.

Here are some situations that could happen to us and the way a true disciple would react:

Someone you know is ridiculed or made fun of because of the way he or she dresses

A disciple of Christ would reach out to that person in love and offer friendship and support. That would make that person feel good and feel loved. It would also set an example for the other people so they stop making fun of the person.

You see a new person at church.

A disciple of Christ would say hello to a new person at church, ask her name and become a friend to her. When we arrive at a new place most of the time we feel shy and apprehensive, so having a friend really helps us feel more comfortable. Jesus also taught that we need to be one, we need to be united and that means reaching out in friendship to our brothers and sisters.

Here is an invitation for you:

Ponder the question, “Do people know that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ by the way I treat them?” Select a family member, coworker, or neighbor and make a short list of things you can do during the coming week to show him or her the kind of love the Savior would show. Then follow through with what you wrote down.

I chose a person and this is what I will do this week:

I will say hello to her and ask her how she feels

I will help her with everything I can do for her

I will show my appreciation for all she does for me

I will tell her that I love her

I will listen to her and develop more interest for her ideas