Look the part, act the part, be the part

Story:

In a most memorable story from the Book of Mormon, the people of Ammon had covenanted never again to take up weapons for the shedding of blood. But "when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions . . . which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country" (Alma 53:13). Helaman and his brethren persuaded them to honor their covenant with the Lord.

We can't tell from the story, who first pointed out that their sons had not made the same covenant their parents had made. Perhaps it was one of the young men who suggested the possibility that he and his buddies be allowed to "take up arms, and [call] themselves Nephites.

"And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives" (Alma 53:16–17).

This was an incredible job for a group of 2,000 young men, but they were extraordinary young men. "They were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

"Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him" (Alma 53:20–21).

The story continues by relating how these young men fought valiantly against the much older and much more experienced Lamanite army. In the words of their leader-Helaman, "They . . . fought as if with the strength of God; . . . and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war" (Alma 56:56).

Can you believe that? Aren't they great? These inexperienced young men were so spiritually and physically prepared, and so powerful, that they frightened their foes into surrendering! Although all 2,000 of the young men were wounded in battle at one time or another, not one was killed (see Alma 57:25). Helaman said: "And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power" (Alma 57:26).

Clarion Call: We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like Helaman's 2,000 stripling warriors, are "exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity" and who are "true at all times in whatsoever thing they [are] entrusted" (Alma 53:20).

We need missionaries who are valiant, courage, strength, active, true.

How do missionaries really act? (Certainly not like the ones in this video clip filmed in Toronto for Mr. Sub)

"To those of you who are currently serving as full-time missionaries, we thank you for your service. Today is a good time for each of you to take a close look at your performance; and if you are not measuring up, your mission president will help you make the necessary changes to be an effective, dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Elder Ballard, October 2002 General Conference Talk)

Application:

1. Who are your favorite missionaries in the Book of Mormon and why?
2. Get your Dad to tell you a story or two about his mission?
3. Read an experience from Grandpa and Grandpa's mission as posted in a blog earlier today.
4. Look at the Blog about Grandpa's Mission to France - http://frenchmissionary.blogspot.com/ - Can you identify the missionaries in your family history ancestry line?

What Are Returned Missionaries Like?

Advice from Elder M. Russell Ballard

"To those of you who have already served, please remember that you were released from your missions but not from the Church. You spent two years as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. We expect you to always look and act like one of His disciples. Look the part. Act the part.
Don't follow worldly trends and fashions. You are better than that.
If you have slipped, then do what is necessary to regain your spiritual balance.
The rules for happiness and success after your mission are pretty much the same as they were during your mission: pray hard, work hard, and be obedient.
Get busy now and find your eternal companion to enjoy life with.
Serve the Lord together, and raise up the next great generation. (October 2002, General Conference)

As a checklist of sorts to the departing missionaries of the West Indies, the following encouragements are given:

1. Draw close to the Savior through heartfelt prayer morning and night and other moments.
2. Feast upon the words of Christ by consistently studying the scriptures every day. Follow the counsel of living prophets. Attend an institute class.
3. Be an example in Church activity. Be part of the STP (Same Ten People) group. Honor the Sabbath. Stay in a white shirt the entire day. Attend meetings. Obey the Word of Wisdom, pay tithes and offerings. Support your leaders. Keep the commandments.
4. Serve cheerfully and gratefully in every calling you receive.
5. Enjoy the sweet, sacred spirit that comes from frequent temple attendance.
6. Dress and groom in a way that reflects your lifelong commitment to share the gospel with others.
7. Be loving, thoughtful, helpful tolerant and appreciative to your family as you seek to deepen eternal relationships.
8. Date and court in a way that lest you and your partner's draw closer to standards of temple marriage.
9. Carefully select practical and worthwhile goals and in an organized way work to reach them.
10. Apply yourself prayerfully and diligently to selecting and pursuing academic and vocational goals.
11. Share the gospel and testimony with those who are not members or who are less active.
12. Keep a personal journal.
13. Improve community by thoughtful and participative service.
14. Remember you entire life is a mission. Each phase can be richly rewarding - magnify your talents. Take advantage of opportunities.

Do this because it is right, satisfying and because we are obedient. (President Kimball thoughts reflected in October 1977 Conference Report).

Activity:

Justin, Jeremy, John and Jason: - why not have a discussion with your spouse about how you as a returned missionary are doing in each of these categories? (Jamie, you could just review this on your own?)

Mission Highlights

State of the Mission - Report at the Half-way Mark

What do you know about Grandpa and Grandma's Mission to the West Indies? We have now been gone for over 18 months. In a few days it will have been 19 months.

Each of the 5 J's has been to the West Indies to visit - Jamie has come twice. Each of the grandchildren except Julia and Rachel have visited us. We are counting on seeing them this Fall.

The mission is very spread out. It includes St. Maarten in the north, then Guadeloupe, Martinique (French Islands); then St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Trinidad & Tobago as English-speaking islands; and finally the three countries in South America that do not have a stake or a temple - French Guiana (French-speaking), Suriname (Dutch-speaking), and Guyana (English-speaking.

Every six weeks grandma and grandpa travel to Suriname, Guyana, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe for zone conferences in addition to the one they host in the mission home in Trinidad. They also try to visit each country every four months where zone conferences are not held because grandpa needs to meet with members for interviews for temple recommends and other critical member needs.

When grandpa and grandma arrived, the mission baptized about 40 people each month. The following month they were challenged by Elder Mickelsen of the Seventy to help realize the prophecy of President Hinckley that the mission could double its baptisms. In December 2006 the missionaries rallied and baptized 111 people. In July of 2007, they had another push and baptized 107 people. They had wanted a white Christmas that Christmas and had one. Then they wanted a Christmas in July and reached that goal. As the year progressed, the Elders felt that they could get 104 baptisms per month beginning in September and reach 1000 baptisms in 2007. Well in September, October and November the mission did not reach 100 per month, but in December 2007 they baptized 175 souls bringing the total baptisms in 2007 to 1021. This was followed up with 115 baptisms in January of 2008, which is where we are today.

Some of the highlight missionary memories for grandpa include challenging Brother Ningwah in Curepe last December to get baptized. He had been dragging his feet and thought mistakenly that the baptism interview was some type of test to see how much of the discussions he remembered. Grandpa gave him a sample of the interview and read him the scripture Mosiah 18:10 "if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abudndantly upon you?" The following Saturday, grandpa was able to drive Brother Ningwah to the beach where he was baptized in Trinidad. (Las Cuevas).

In the country of Guyana, grandpa and grandma were invited to come teach with Elders Webb and Nielsen. While teaching, the challenge for baptism was given to this family of 8 and several of the family accepted and were baptized the following weekend.

Another great experience for grandpa occurred last October when grandpa and grandma were attending Church in Chaguanas. Grandpa asked Brother Gopaul Sr. why he was not baptized and then challenged him to get baptized that month. Brother Gropaul fasted and prayed and was baptized. Grandpa and grandma and Elder Johnson of the Seventy were in attendance for the baptism.

As you remember, two of grandma and grandpa's missionaries were lost on Mount Pele for three days and nights. After anxiously searching for the elders and after the prayers and fasting of members throughout the world, the elders were found by a Hindu farmer who had dreamed that he would find them. The scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants, 123:17 summarized the experience: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

During grandma and grandpa's travels they have meet member after member who was led to the Church by dreams. One example of this was in Tobago with the experience of Sister Williams, who was baptized last weekend. She had a dream in which she saw two missionaries standing in front of a building. Inside the building was a woman dressed in white teaching other women about what they needed to do in their lives to be able to be dressed in white. In her dream, Sister Williams asked some people in the street about the two missionaries and was told that they represented the Church of the Mormons. About a month later, Sister Williams saw the two missionaries from her dream standing by a bridge in Tobago. She was driving her sister home, so she slowed down her car and asked the missionaries who they were. They responded they were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said that she was looking for some missionaries from the Church of Mormons. The elders said that would be them. She was very excited and told them to wait right there and drove off. Not knowing if she would return, the elders continued on their way. Well, Sister Williams rushed back to the spot by the bridge where the missionaries had been and they were gone. She drove around Tobago looking for them and found them. They taught her the lessons and grandpa and grandpa attended her baptism in the sea by Grafton Bay in Tobago a week ago Saturday.

Grandma had a interesting experience in Curepe a couple of weeks before the Tobago experience where a sister who had been confirmed the week before told her that in relief society she thought she was having a heart attack. She rushed to the hospital after relief society, not wanting to be rude, and was hooked up to an EKG. While she was in the waiting room praying fervently that she was not dying, other people there asked her to pray for them. She was found to be perfectly normal and realized she had been feeling the Holy Ghost.

Today, in Trinidad grandpa and grandma had another very memorable experience. Grandpa had asked the Quorum of the Twelve for permission to combine the two districts in Trinidad and make one district. To have a stake, you must have the district look and feel like a stake for one year. 475 people came to the District Conference where grandma and grandpa spoke. Prior to the conference, they held a training session for 182 people. This is the highest number of people attending a conference in Trinidad in its history. For an intermediate hymn, grandpa had all the return missionaries and existing missionaries come to the front of the chapel and stand with the choir as it sang "Called to Serve." For the second verse, the chorister invited all the members to stand after being asked by grandpa to do so, and they joined in the singing. There was not a dry eye in sight as together the latter-day saints of Trinidad worshipped and prepared for their soon to be stake.

This has been a peak at grandpa and grandma's mission? Why not test yourself in seeing if you remember a few of the highlights shared?

Sample Discussion:

1. Who found those lost missionaries and what happened to him the night before he found the elders?

2. What was it that the lady in Curepe was feeling when she thought she was having a heart-attack?

3. Who did Sister Williams in Tobago see in her dream and what were they doing?

4. Who else had a vision when he was 14 years old and wanted to know what Church was true?

5. How many people were baptized in the West Indies in 2007? Is this higher than the 601 who were baptized in 2006?

6. How long have grandpa and grandma been living in the West Indies? Can you name some of the countries they visit regularly?

"C'est Moi!"

Self Confidence: Remember Who You Are and From Whence You Came

I love the movie Camelot. As I reflect back on my life, I remember several "Camelot" memories. Each of us is making those memories.

Here are a few of mine:

Dating your mother and getting engaged
Raising young children and our wonderful vacations together
Sunday night crepes as a family
Acting as a family in the Hill Cumorah Pageant - three summers
Touring France as a family while picking up Justin
Creating a company in Canada from scratch and the excitement of success
Taking people on Church history tours and the family-like bond that was created
Working with missionaries for that first "white Christmas" when we topped 100 baptisms
Working with missionaries as the mission topped 1000 in 2007
Seeing your mom's slide shows
Seeing your slide shows on the blogs
Seeing the slide shows of the family growing up

We must not be proud, but we can be self-confident as we reflect upon our roots and from whence we came. Consider the self-confidence of Sir Lancelot. Also remember what happened to him later in the movie when he became too confident and did not live up to the standards of purity and righteous that he had set for himself...yes, Camelot crumbled.

However, there is the memory of Camelot at its peak.

LANCELOT:
Camelot! Camelot!
In far-off France I heard your call.
Camelot! Camelot!
And here am I to give my all.
I know in my soul what you expect of me,
And all that and more I shall be.

A knight of the Table Round should be invincible,
Suceed where a less fantastic man would fail.
Climb a wall no one else can climb,
Cleave a dragon in record time,
Swim a moat in a coat of heavy iron mail.
No matter the pain, he ought to be unwinceable,
Impossible deeds should be his daily fare.
But where in the world
Is there in the world
A man so *extraordinaire*?

C'est moi! C'est moi, I'm forced to admit.
'Tis I, I humbly reply.
That mortal who
These marvels can do,
C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I.
I've never lost
In battle or game;
I'm simply the best by far.
When swords are crossed
'Tis always the same:
One blow and au revoir!
C'est moi! C'est moi! So adm'rably fit!
A French Prometheus unbound.
And here I stand, with valour untold,
Exeption'ly brave, amazingly bold,
To serve at the Table Round!

The soul of a knight should be a thing remarkable,
His heart and his mind as pure as morning dew.
With a will and a self-restraint
That's the envy of ev'ry saint
He could easily work a miracle or two.
To love and desire he ought to be unsparkable,
The ways of the flesh should offer no allure.
But where in the world
Is there in the world
A man so untouched and pure?
(C'est moi!)

C'est moi! C'est moi, I blush to disclose.
I'm far too noble to lie.
That man in whom
These qualities bloom,
C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I.
I've never strayed
From all I believe;
I'm blessed with an iron will.
Had I been made
The partner of Eve,
We'd be in Eden still.
C'est moi! C'est moi! The angels have chose
To fight their battles below,
And here I stand, as pure as a pray'r,
Incredibly clean, with virtue to spare,
The godliest man I know!
C'est moi!

Activity:

Identify those wonderful memories you have had of the Camelot-like times in your lives.

Make a scrapbook of those memories or a slide show.

Share the memories with your siblings and with your family.

Remember, who you are and from whence you came.

Less Talk - Make It Happen

Getting Things Done - Now


After you watch that humourous video clip about all those "thinking" business people sitting around talking about saving a man, but doing nothing about it, think about how you are making use of time? Are you getting things done?

President Hinckley gently reminds us to do a little better - to continually make improvements.

President Kimball used to describe it this way "lengthen your stride and do it now."

And President Kimball reminded us often about the example of our elder brother, even the Savior Himself and how He went about doing good.

"Jesus was a patient, pleading, loving leader who didn't grow impatient with those he led.

And when Peter drew his sword and smote the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear, Jesus said, "Put up thy sword into the sheath." (John 18:11) Without anger or being perturbed, the incident passed.

You will recall his saying several times, "Come, follow me." His was a program of "Do what I do", rather than "Do what I say." His innate brilliance would have permitted him to put on a dazzling display, but that would have left his followers far behind. He walked and worked with those he was to serve. His was not a long-distance leadership. He was not afraid of close friends or that proximity to him would disappoint his followers. The leaven of true leadership cannot lift others until we are with and serve those to be led.

Jesus kept himself virtuous and thus, when his closeness to the people permitted them to touch the hem of his garment, virtue could flow from him. The woman in the large press of people touched his garment: "For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. . . . And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" (Mark 5:8, 30)

We are not perfect as Jesus was, but unless those about us can see us striving and improving, they will not be able to look to us for example and they will see us as less than fully serious about the things to be done." [Spencer W. Kimball, "The Perfect Executive," Insights and Perspectives (a publication for employees of the Corporation of the President) 1 (May 1977)

Are we serious about the things we need to do? What needs to be done in your life? And how should you we do it?

I remember a BYU Devotional where an MTC President Max Pinegar gave a talk on this subject.

He first reminded us of a quote from Sir Charles Morell said, "The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example" (Quote Book, p. 190). Can the world, in fact, look to us for example? Or will those about us see us as less than fully serious about our religious convictions? What needs to be done? And how do we do it?

In another example, Brother Pinegar told of Michelangelo, who chiseled away at a block of stone for months; eventually Moses resulted. When a man asked him how he had done it, he simply replied, "I just chiseled away until everything that wasn't Moses wasn't there."

So ask yourself: What needs to be done? It is a wise man who follows the counsel of the prophets. And what has he President Hinckley counseled?

Activity: (Look at recent General Conferences and identify counsel from our living prophet or the other 14 men we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators) Then, list how we will do it.


There is urgency in the clarion call of our prophets to respond to their challenges. We might have to sacrifice some of the things we enjoy doing in order to accomplish what prophets have asked us to do.

Perhaps less computer time or fewer dvds? Perhaps less sleep? Think of the reference in Proverbs 20:13, the first part of the verse, that says, "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty."

Are you serious about the things to be done?

Quoting President Kimball, "Unless those about us can see us striving and improving, they will not be able to look to us for example and they will see us as less than fully serious about the things to be done."

So, after this lesson think about "less talk....make it happen!"

Lesson on Faith

What do you know about faith?

This movie clip from Indiana Jones is my favorite clip to show when teaching a lesson on faith.

Here are a few suggestions to consider when preparing a lesson on faith:

1) Read and study the Bible Dictionary discussion on faith. It is the best treatise on the subject that I have read.
2)Read Jer. 16:16 - ask what is being hunted and fished?
Read Matt. 4:18,19 - ask how we can become a fisherman and discuss how we can develop Christ-like attributes
Read Luke:5:1-11 - discuss the experience of when the Savior saw the disciples fishing unsuccessfully and then read John 21:2-13 which occurred after the Savior's resurrection
3)Define faith (read Hebrews 11:1)
4)Ponder Joseph Smith's quote on faith that it is a principle of action and of power and discuss
5)Watch the Indiana Jones Clip and compare to Nephi trying to get the plates from Laban three times
a) It is time to ask yourself if you believe - note the example of the penitent man must be humble (lst test)
b) Only in the footsteps of God may you proceed - note the second example but also that Jehovah in the Latin Alphabet begins with an I
c) It takes a leap of faith - the third test (and note how Indiana put his hand over his chest and actually had to put all of his weight out in mid air - do we have faith?

Discuss:

1. What motivated Indiana Jones?
2. What did Indiana Jones have confidence in?
3. What are ways we can show others the way through our faith?

Further Study:

Ether 12:29-30
Mosiah 8:18
Gen. 14:30-31 (JST)
Alma 37:40-41
Hel. 4:13

Application Questions:

How do you feel about faith in your life?
What can you do to invite the Spirit so that you will have faith continually?
What are times in your life when you have felt faith and how has it strengthened your ability to live the gospel?

Start the New Year With Gratitude

Gratitude: While studying the new "Teachings of Presidents of the Church " manual on Joseph Smith and some of his journal entries, I noted an entry on January 1st where he expressed gratitude for having been permitted to live yet another year.

In October General Conference, President Eyring counseled us to write something every day for which we are grateful that the Lord has blessed our lives.

The December 22, 2007 Church News had a fascinating editorial on gratitude of particular interest to this mission:

"While preparing a (Church) lesson on gratitude, I experienced Doctrine and Covenants 78:19:

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

My heart pounded and my blood rushed. Where had this scripture been hiding? I understand math. Added one hundred fold at least; from simple gratitude. Plus it said "this earth." Sometimes blessings feel so far in the future. One hundred are available here and now.

Jubilantly I shared this with my visiting teaching message. Those I visited wanted the reference. My family memorized it before they could have the home evening treat. My son serving a mission enjoying few baptisms needed this scripture. Be thankful to have the gospel to share, even if it isn't accepted. Keep loving the people and it will come back to you one hundred fold. Be obedient and you will be blessed with what you need. I wrote my missionary I wasn't sure what the "glorious" entailed but it had to be good it it was coming from Heavenly Father.

A month later this scripture again came to mind and enveloped my soul when our son and his companion serving on the French Caribbean island of Martinique spent three days missing on Mount Pelee. They share a love of nature, and the earth gave them enough water and food to survive. The people they love were searching for them and many more cam. They prayed for deliverance. Prayers multiplied from homes and temple altars in many nations. Fasting increased. These young men asked for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and it never left the.

With honor, through obedience, they used priesthood power to bless one another. The powers of heaven and the things of this earth were "added unto them."

Upon hearing they were found and unharmed, my spirit, heart, mind and body came together in an uncontainable burst of loving gratitude to our Father in Heaven. I will share with my son that I have now been blessed to understand, at least in small part, what "thankfulness shall be made glorious" entails. And yes, it is good. Very good. --Donna Gray, Taylorsville Utah (mother of Elder Tyson Gray)

Family Home Evening Activity:

1) Resolve to write down something every day for which you are grateful.
2) Recognize Heavenly Father's blessings and express gratitude to Him.
3) Review your daily journal often.