Ponderize #7: December 6-12 - Draft

Bishop Valentine

Moroni 7:41

And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

This is the season for hope . . . the time we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. And why do we hope? Because He is the reason for all goodness in our lives. He truly is the author of our salvation.

Brother Forsyth

Proverb 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

….lean not unto thine own understanding.   At times its hard to understand Gods will and easy for us to think that we understand everything.   We need to acknowledge him in all we do.

Brother Gibby

D&C 46: 11-13

For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby. To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

I am loving reading the Doctrine and Covenants at Christmas time, because it is the voice of the Lord, and there is so much about the Atonement, from Christ's own mouth!

Ponderize #6: November 22-28

Bishop Valentine
Alma 26:37

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving,; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

                                                                                                

Brother Gibby:

D&C 39:1

Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the great I AM, even Jesus Christ...

I am loving reading the Doctrine and Covenants because there is no better place to hear both the Savior's voice, and the prophet Joseph's voice. This is a great reminder to actually pay attention when pondering to who is speaking, rather than just sort of reading something.

Brother Burton

D&C 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.

This Thanksgiving, I hope to receive all things in life (including trials) with thankfulness. The Lord provides us so many tender mercies to let us know He is there. I am grateful this morning for the power of the Atonement and the blessings of the sacrament. I am grateful for the restoration of priesthood keys and for a worthy Bishop who exercises those keys in a Christlike manner. Thank you, brethren, for allowing me to serve with you. This truly is the Lord's work and I look forward to many more spiritual experiences with you in the future. Have a great Thanksgiving with you families!

Ponderize Week #5: November 15-21

Bishop Valentine

Mosiah 23:27-28

But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. Therefore they hushed their fears.

                                                                                                

Brother Crockett

3 Nephi 27:20

Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

The phrase "sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost" has been a study topic for me this week.  Having the gift of the Holy Ghost literally separates us from the rest of the world.

Brother Gibby

D&C 33:17

Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.

This scripture sums up one reason why we study the scriptures. If our lamps are burning, we need to keep adding oil.

Brother Burton

3 Nephi 19:33

And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.

This was a good reminder to me of where we need to seek for understanding. As we humbly open our hearts to the Lord and push aside the natural man, we will be able to understand his words given to us through the Spirit or through his chosen prophets & apostles.

Ponderize Week #4: November 8-14

Week #4 Ponderize

Bishop Valentine

Moroni 7:16

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

Bishop's Comments: This is powerful to me at a time when there is doubt and uncertainty throughout the world. People are confused about what is right and what is wrong. You could say that same sex marriage is “right” because it is about making people happy. However, can that ultimately lead to eternal marriage and eternal increase of children in the eternities? No! Therefore, same-sex marriage does not “persuade to believe in Christ” for his teaching are about being perfect as He is and obtaining eternal life.

Brother Forsyth

Mosiah 3:19

 "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

Ben's comments: I often reflect on this verse as I think it relates to so many things in life and answers many questions one may have.  I came across it last night as I was reading lesson 2 for the marriage and family relations class.  I have never read a lesson a week in advance, but I believe I needed to see this scripture and further understand its significance. As Natural man we all look for the easy way and can often find excuses to avoid things that may be untimely or inconvenient in our lives.    Reuben J Clark taught that It is our Surrender to the Authority of Jesus Christ which will allow us to be bound as families, as a church, and as the children of our Heavenly Father.

Brother Crockett

Moroni 7:45

"And charity suffereth long and is kind and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in inquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Kyle's comments:

I felt prompted after stake conference and the general conference talk by Larry Lawerence on asking myself, what lack I yet?  After praying about this, I have felt prompted to work on the different aspects of charity.  This scripture helps me to focus on the different aspects that I need to be more charitable.  Rather than attempting to do all of this at once, my goal is to take one aspect over the next several weeks to work on.  This week is "seeketh not her own", trying to give more of myself to my wife and children.

Brother Gibby

D&C 45:12

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Daniel's Comment: The hymns always help me feel the Spirit. I can definitely use that blessing.

Brother Burton
D&C 130: 20-21
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessing are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated