Do You Love Me?

Considering how the scriptures refer to the Savior as the bridegroom and the Church as his bride, this scene from Fiddler On The Roof seems analogous, albeit imperfect. The key question, have your "25 years" of service and diligence and sacrifice in the Lord's service begun to produce their intended effect of increasing your love for the Lord?

You Get What You Want

Although not always true in our day to day lives, in the long run, you get what you want.

Consider Elder Neal A. Maxwell's reflection on agency shared in an intimate way here at BYU just four months before his death. His talk is among my personal favorites. Check it out here.

Diligence

Consider this quote on what diligence is from Preach My Gospel, authored for missionaries, but applicable to all of us:

"Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work. The Lord expects you to work diligently—persistently and with great effort and care. A diligent missionary works effectively and efficiently. Diligence in missionary work is an expression of your love for the Lord and His work. When you are diligent, you find joy and satisfaction in your work.

Doubt Not

Are you your biggest fan?

If not, are you at least in the fan club? I find applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to be a difficult task for those who are overly critical of themselves.

Gathering: Securing Your Testimony

Many have asked for the notes and links associated with the 5th Sunday combined meeting we had yesterday. Here they are in their raw form.

Family Rules

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." - Articles of Faith, number 1

Since God is our Father then everyone else is a brother or a sister, and we're a huge family. Right? As a young dad trying to manage a small family of four, along with Jess, I can't even imagine what it must be like trying to manage such a large family.

Recommended Reading: "Our Relationship with the Lord"

Once again, speeches.byu.edu proves to be a gold mine.

This talk, Our Relationship with the Lord, by Elder Bruce R. McConkie is phenomenal. Much of the teaching we receive as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seems to be directed at certain needed applications of a or various gospel doctrines. In my opinion, it seems like fewer talks are focused singularly on teaching the underlying doctrines. This makes sense, because once a doctrine has been clearly taught and a correct understanding of the basics has been established, the main job is to then apply that teaching and live what we believe. Latter speeches help us apply the doctrine to our current circumstances and they refer back to and draw from the foundational, doctrine-focused remarks established previously to serve as a basis for their teaching. This talk by Elder McConkie serves, for me at least, as one of these rare talks that takes the time to establish very clearly the underlying doctrine, in this case, of the role of each member of the Godhead and of our relationship to them and each of them.

Therefore, I recommend it for your reading as well.

Text = http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6843&x=50&y=6
Audio = http://speeches-files.byu.edu/download.php/McConkie82.mp3?type=2&fname=McConkie82.mp3

Scripture Study Tool

Have you ever tried out Scriptures.BYU.edu? Jess and I love it. As you read through the scriptures and you find a verse that is meaningful to you, go to the BYU site and find the verse there. It will then tell you all the general conference talks (since the 1950's or so) that have ever cited that scripture as a reference.

Pretty cool.

Same-Gender Attraction

Do you know, clearly, how the prophets understand this issue?

In light of yesterday's ruling, I feel a need this morning to reiterate the invitation I made in my last post. Please take 30-minutes to review the Church's position - presented in the form of an interview with Elder Oaks and Elder Wickman - on and understanding of same-gender attraction.

Here's the link: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/same-gender-attraction

Inclinations, Feelings, and Behaviors

Visual of part of Elder Oaks' explanation on newsroom.lds.org

I recently read through the LDS Church's explanation of their position on and beliefs concerning same gender attraction. The article is great - I recommend it for everyone's review and consideration for two reasons.

Willingness to Receive Gifts

Seasonally, we're about as far away from Christmastime as you can get. So let me take the downtime to talk about what usually gets talked about at Christmas but perhaps gets overlooked (or "underconsidered") even then because of the hustle and bustle.

How do you feel about receiving gifts?

We often say it's better to give than to receive. My feeling is that we may say that so much that we could possibly begin to dislike receiving gifts, even emotionally "deny" them.

How do you feel about receiving gifts from heaven? How willing are you to receive? I think this question helps us understand the attribute of humility.

Do you deny them? Do you receive them grudgingly? Do you receive them with thanks? Do you ask for them regularly? Do you rely on them to get through the day?

These questions seem to represent a continuum between the proud and the humble. To be humble is to recognize your ultimate reliance upon the gifts from heaven (Moroni 10) and to ask for them regularly.

Formula for Success

Last month I referred to President Monson's "Formula for Success," primarily the first of his three suggested steps. I thought it would be worthwhile to speak to all three of the steps more explicitly, and share some of the thoughts I've had this week while I've been considering them.

The three steps President Monson recommends are

1. Fill your mind with truth
2. Fill your life with service
3. Fill your heart with love

June's Christlike Attribute: Hope

Understanding the scriptures engenders hope.

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15: 4)

The Eyes of Our Understandings ... Were Opened

In referring to the reception of the February 1832 vision that he and Sidney Rigdon experienced (D&C 76), Joseph Smith described that it was "by the power of the Spirit" that their "eyes were opened and (their) understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God."

How cool is that? Who wouldn't enjoy that sort of experience? I can imagine that great peace was derived from having that enlightening comprehension.

So what did they do to qualify for this enlightenment, and could we possibly follow the same steps to increase our own comprehension? I've been able to identify a few things they did.

Strengthening Marriage

Today, Jess and I acted on a prompting my counselors and I had in last week's bishopric meeting: to speak to the adult ward members about what the prophets have taught about how to have a successful marriage.

Luckily she and I weren't left only to our own memory or experience. We drew most of our material from the Strengthening Marriage manual produced by LDS Family Services.

Other talks and quotes were drawn from the Eternal Marriage course text from the CES Religion 234 and 235 courses.

Another great resource provided by the Church is the Marriage and Family Relations Sunday school manual.

Our intent was to provide some practical suggestions from these manuals, supplemented with examples from our peers, to be implemented and habituated by the many newly-married couples in our ward while their marriages are just beginning. We also knew the content would potentially revitalize and redirect some of the less new marriages in the ward. Our hope is that the recommendations are taken a bite at a time, step by step, even though they were poured out pretty quickly.

What I didn't expect before the moment of speaking, was the insight that this discussion would lend to understanding the nature of God. I thought that was really cool. It helped me envision the true attributes of our perfected prototypes.

Joseph Smith revealed that, in heaven, the "same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy."

We will all be "gloriously" married in the eternities if we come unto Christ and keep our covenants. None of "enjoy" that now. Knowing that is our end, whether we're currently married or single, should direct our efforts of preparing for eternity.

Great Talks About Women

Happy Mother's Day to all you sweet women!

Here are some great talks and documents worth reviewing this time a year - for both men and women.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World - First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Three Goals to Guide You - President Thomas S. Monson
The Touch of Human Kindness: Women and the Moral Center of Gravity - Elder Bruce C. Hafen and Sister Marie K. Hafen
The Women in Our Lives - President Gordon B. Hinckley
The Sanctity of Womanhood - Elder Richard G. Scott
The Divine Nature and Destiny of Women - Elder Glenn L. Pace
Women, Feminism, and the Blessings of the Gospel (MP3 only) - Elder Bruce C. Hafen
Over 10 years of archived BYU Women's Conference transcripts

Personally speaking, I have the deepest love and respect for women. I'm grateful for my wife, mom, sister, sisters-in-law, grandmas, aunts, and daughter. When I was on my mission surrounded by a bunch of other guys, I felt their absence. Love and beauty were deficient, even among that group of consecrated disciple-boys, trying to do their best to serve the Lord. Nothing can replace the grace of womanhood. I love it. Thank you, you good women, for embracing that which makes you beautiful - your divine nature. I'm so grateful for prophets who help us all understand the source of that nature, and the destiny to which it leads.

May you have a great day.

Reverence, Revelation, Righteousness, Power

A couple of Sundays ago I had an insight.

Since conference, many of us priesthood leaders have been stirred to action by President Packer's talk, in particular this comment:

"distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be."

I've personally given it a lot of thought. We're to strive to increase our personal access to the powers of heaven--the powers of our covenants--through righteous living. President Packer told us just what to do:

"power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness."

Praying for Knowledge

Now in May, our ward theme suggests we pursue the Christlike attribute of knowledge. 


In what ways can "knowledge" be considered an obtainable attribute, as opposed to just a thing? What do you think?


Preach My Gospel chapter 6, which we're using as the base reference for much of this attribute-seeking, clarifies that the attribute we're encouraging is more a thirst for knowledge, to be a knowledge seeker. (Page 119) "Seek knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge."


We should pray to be like Abraham who desired "to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and possess a greater knowledge." (Abraham 1:2)


So, the idea with the ward theme is to help us truly worship Christ through emulating Him and striving to develop His characteristics. I think we will become more like Christ by praying earnestly this month for a desire to be a knowledge seeker.


I'll be doing it. Will you join me?

180 Years

Why did the Lord restore his gospel and create The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 180 years ago this day? The answer, at least in part, was given by revelation, and is recorded today in Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:

General Conference

Do you believe that your questions will be answered and your concerns addressed this weekend in General Conference? Consider this quote from Joseph Smith:

Pg. 265

"When things that are of the greatest importance are passed over by weak-minded men without even a thought, I want to see truth in all its bearings and hug it to my bosom. I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for unbelief." (History of the Church, 6:477; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on June 16, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Thomas Bullock; see also appendix, page 562, item 3.)


Our questions will be answered and our concerns will be addressed. The only variable of significance, then, is the preparedness of our hearts to receive the Spirit. What are you doing to prepare? Share in the comments.

Safety For the Soul

What are your feelings about the Book of Mormon? Please, share your feelings, if you'd like, here in the comments below.

"All things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8: 28

Four Blessings of Temple Attendance

While I'm sharing talks, how about this one - given back in 1983, and just as true still today.

Four Blessings of the Temple

Classic Talk on Success and Sacrifice

Brother John Tanner is the Academic Vice President at BYU, but to me he's still my old hometeaching companion. I love him, and deeply respect him.

Back in 2003, Brother Tanner gave an amazing address to graduating Humanities students that was essentially a home-run commentary on D&C 117: 13. I've reviewed it tonight while preparing my talk for tomorrow's sacrament meeting, and I thought I would share the link so you could read it in full should you choose.

Here it is: http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1320

Enjoy!

Aging Well

We hear this term a lot - "she's 'aging well;'" or "people with olive skin 'age well.'" What do we mean when we say that?

When we use this phrase, I think we're usually referring to people who are getting older while yet maintaining a youthful appearance. Today however, I've thought of another way of understanding this phrase.

Elder Scott Teaches About Faith and Prayer

"When we receive help from our Father in Heaven, it is in response to faith, obedience, and the proper use of agency."
...
"Perhaps Oliver Cowdery’s experiences were recorded for us to understand how to pray and how to recognize answer to prayer. Oliver was told: “That assuredly as the Lord liveth, … even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive. …

“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.” (D&C 8:1–2; italics added.)

When we receive an impression in our heart, we can use our mind either to rationalize it away or to accomplish it. Be careful what you do with an impression from the Lord.

Repentance Builds Faith

Preach My Gospel states that "changing to become Christlike requires ... repenting."

To become more faithful, like Christ, you and I will benefit from asnswering these questions: what will I repent of today? what will I keep (feeling, thinking, doing)? What will I improve? What will I stop? What will I start?

These questions strengthen faith because once they've been answered, a second question is neccessarily posed: how am I going to do it? The correct answer to that question will always include increased faith.

Is there something you need to confess to your bishop? Really, ask yourself that question. If there is anything in the slightest that comes to your mind as you read that question, come to me. Call David Hawkinson (801-373-7495) and schedule a time for us to chat. Mortality already provides enough impediments to speedy progression without the burden of conscience. As Elder Hafen taught in General Conference back in April 2004, "because of the Atonement,(we can) learn from (our) experience without being condemned by it" - the Lord wants you to progress, so much so that He is willing to take away your guilt through His sacrifice.

Praying for increased faith is sure making my days more meaningful so far this month. I hope you are experiencing the same.

-Bishop Macdonald

How Do I Build My Faith?

"Strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ." 
- Bible Dictionary, Faith

Entering March!

Wow. March is already here. How have the first two months of the year been for you? Have you grown in "love for others, God, and yourself?" Have you resolved to be more "obedient?" I have.

This month we have the blessing of studying one of the most precious doctrines - the Plan of Salvation. We'll study chapters 5 and 6 from Gospel Principles (The Creation; The Fall of Adam and Eve), and we'll discuss "The Purpose of Mortality" (Stake Theme, March). I call these doctrines precious because they're mysteries to those outside the current reach of the restored gospel, and because understanding them changes everything. Understanding these two doctrines prepares the learner for a correct understanding of the Atonement - which is what changes everything. This would be a great month to invite your friends and family to attend church with you.

While we study these precious truths, I invite you to pray for the Christlike attribute of faith. "Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments." (Preach My Gospel, p. 116)

In February, we just resolved to be more obedient. Now, let us take that dedication, couple it with diligent study, and pray for the Lord to fill us with faith. I know this is a righteous desire that the Lord will grant as we seek it earnestly, daily, this month. Page 117 of Preach My Gospel provides a good place to begin your study.

The Lord has filled me with love for you, members of the Provo Peak 3rd ward. I love you. I know he will bless us as we seek to become more like him.

- Bishop Macdonald

Advice from Elder Busche

Elder F. Enzio Busche gave this advice back in 1996 in a BYU devotional.

Obedience

"If ye love me, keep my commandments," taught the Savior hours before going to the garden. Throughout January we as a ward have prayed to be filled with love as we've studied our duty to our eternal family. Now, the opportunity is our's to prove that love by seeking after greater obedience while studying discipleship.

Focus First on Becoming

With all the things that we could possibly do and pursue each day, how are we to know which is best? My simple solution to this question is the motto with which I've entitled this post: Focus First on Becoming.


Focus First on Becoming, to me, means first deciding the answer to these questions: of all the ways of being that I could choose today, which one is the way that I desire? What do I want to become?

January 17, 2010 Bishopric Letter to the Ward

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Provo Peak 3rd Ward,

This past week, on January 12, 2010, we held an expanded ward council meeting wherein we decided upon an exciting way of advancing the 2010 ward theme of Come Unto Christ. We would like to present it to you here below. The purpose of the theme is to direct our efforts in becoming a Christlike, temple-going covenant people by praying for and seeking 12 Christlike attributes throughout the year.

The Church's Relief Effort to Haiti

Hope and Confidence for a New Year

This question was poised to me at work this morning:

"What if 2010 begins with you confident that this will be the most remarkable year yet in your life?"

The following questions were these:

"If you believe that, how does it affect what you'll do in the first days and weeks of the new year?"

"What would you do if you knew that a new level of success is just around the corner?"

I asked my boss if I could share this thought with our ward. I've thought about the range of expectations that we may have for the new year - ranging from poor, through benign, to great - and I've been moved by the realization that is up to us. If we want if to be "the most remarkable year yet in (our) lives" then it will be.

May we set our sites and expectations high for this new year with faith that all is possible with the Lord.