The following comes from Decisions for Successful Living written by Harold B. Lee, one of the Prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Turning from the love of the world to the Love of God.
1. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
"To be poor in spirit is to feel yourselves as the spiritually needy, ever dependent upon the Lord for your clothes, and your food and the air you breathe, your health, your life; realizing that no day should pass without fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for guidance and forgiveness and strength sufficient for each day's need."
2. Blessed Are They That Mourn
"To mourn, as the Master's lesson here would teach, one must show that 'godly sorrow that worketh repentance' and wins for the penitent a forgiveness of sins and forbids a return to the deeds of which he mourns."
3. Blessed Are the Meek
"A meek man is defined as one who is not easily provoked or irritated and forbearing under injury or annoyance. Meekness is not synonymous with weakness. The meek man is the strong, the mighty, the man of complete self-mastery. He is the one who has the courage of his moral convictions, despite the pressure of the gang or the club."
4. Blessed Are They That Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness
"Did you ever hunger for food or thirst for water when just a crust of stale bread or a sip of tepid water to ease the pangs that distressed you seem to be the most prized of all possessions? If you have so hungered then you may begin to understand how the Master meant we should hunger and thirst after righteousness. It's that hungering and thirsting that leads those away from home to seek fellowship with saints in sacrament services and that induces worship on the Lord's Day wherever we are. It is that which prompts fervent prayer and leads our feet to holy temples and bids us be reverent therein."
Learning to love our fellowmen
5. Blessed are the Pure in Heart
"If you would see God, you must be pure. There is in Jewish writings the story of a man who saw an object in the distance, an object that he thought was a beast. As it drew nearer he could perceive it was a man and as it came still closer he saw it was his friend. You can see only that which you have eyes to see. Some of the associates of Jesus saw him only as a son of Joseph the carpenter. Others thought him to be a wine-bibber or a drunkard because of his words. Still others thought he was possessed of devils. Only the righteous saw him as the Son of God. Only if you are the pure in heart will you see God, and also in a lesser degree will you be able to see the 'God' or good in man and love him because of the goodness you see in him. Mark well that person who criticizes and maligns the man of God or the Lord's anointed leaders in his Church. Such a one speaks from an impure heart."
6. Blessed are the Merciful
"Our salvation rests upon the mercy we show to others. Unkind and cruel words, or wanton acts of cruelty toward man or beast, even though in seeming retaliation, disqualify the perpetrator in his claims for mercy when he has need of mercy in the day of judgement before earthly or heavenly tribunals. Is there one who has never been wounded by the slander of another whom he thought to be his friend? Do you remember the struggle you had to refrain from retribution? Blessed are all you who are merciful for you shall obtain mercy!"
7. Blessed Are the Peacemakers
"Peacemakers shall be called the children of God. The troublemaker, the striker against law and order, the leader of the mob, the law-breakers are prompted by motives of evil and unless they desist will be known as the children of Satan rather than God. Withhold yourselves from him who would cause disquieting doubts by making light of sacred things for he seeks not for peace but to spread confusion. That one who is quarrelsome or contentious and whose arguments are for other purposes than to resolve the truth is violating a fundamental principle laid down by the Master as an essential in the building of a full rich life. 'Peace and goodwill to men on earth' was the angel song that heralded the birth of the Prince of Peace."
8. Blessed Are They Which Are Persecuted
"May youth everywhere remember that warning when you are hissed and scoffed because you refuse to compromise your standards of abstinence, honesty and morality in order to win the applause of the crowd. If you stand firmly for the right despite the jeers of the crowd or even physical violence, you shall be crowned with the blessedness of eternal joy. Who knows but that again in our day some of the saints or even apostles, as in former days, may be required to give their lives in defense of the truth? If that time should come, God grant they would not fail!"
9. Continuing Efforts to Acquire the Attributes of God
This was an interesting exercise. It put a unique reading to the "Blessed Attitudes".
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Mormon Tabernacle Choir December 14th - What a performance!
I just finished listening to Music and the Spoken Word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir this morning. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has been performing a weekly radio broadcast since 1929. I was touched by the beauty, spiritual message expressed. Mr. Brian Stokes Mitchell performed with the choir and I must say he was amazing. They performed an English carol and Mr. Mitchell sang for each character.
Then Mr. Edward Herrnamm did a monologue accompanied by the orchestra and choir about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. How his wife died when their home started on fire and Mr. Longfellow was burned trying to save her. Mr. Longfellow wrote the music to the song I heard the bells on Christmas Day. His poem is called Christmas Bells and was written in 1866. Mr. Herrnamm did a wonderful job expressing the sentiments and feelings that may have wracked Mr. Longfellow. When Mr. Longfellow was recovering and his wife was buried three days after the fire on their 18th wedding anniversary, Mr. Herrnamm said, "Mr. Longfellow struggled with life and whether to live. As the fire raged without, a fire also raged within." For all those struggling this Christmas I wish you peace.
The song is sung by a christian music group and is a beautiful rendition of the song. The video uses a lot of film from movies made by the LDS Church about Jesus' life.
If you want to search for the actual broadcast search for the December 14th message. Again, it was incredible.
December 14, 2008
Weekly, Live Broadcast
Conference Center
TICKETS ARE REQUIRED: The live broadcast, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, takes place every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. This week's "Christmas" program includes, singer Brian Stokes Mitchell and actor Edward Herrnamm. Doors open for the broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Guests should be seated by 9:15 a.m., when the doors are closed. Admission is free and limited to eight years of age and older.
Then Mr. Edward Herrnamm did a monologue accompanied by the orchestra and choir about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. How his wife died when their home started on fire and Mr. Longfellow was burned trying to save her. Mr. Longfellow wrote the music to the song I heard the bells on Christmas Day. His poem is called Christmas Bells and was written in 1866. Mr. Herrnamm did a wonderful job expressing the sentiments and feelings that may have wracked Mr. Longfellow. When Mr. Longfellow was recovering and his wife was buried three days after the fire on their 18th wedding anniversary, Mr. Herrnamm said, "Mr. Longfellow struggled with life and whether to live. As the fire raged without, a fire also raged within." For all those struggling this Christmas I wish you peace.
The song is sung by a christian music group and is a beautiful rendition of the song. The video uses a lot of film from movies made by the LDS Church about Jesus' life.
If you want to search for the actual broadcast search for the December 14th message. Again, it was incredible.
December 14, 2008
Weekly, Live Broadcast
Conference Center
TICKETS ARE REQUIRED: The live broadcast, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, takes place every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. This week's "Christmas" program includes, singer Brian Stokes Mitchell and actor Edward Herrnamm. Doors open for the broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Guests should be seated by 9:15 a.m., when the doors are closed. Admission is free and limited to eight years of age and older.
Where to find Mormon Music? And do Mormons listen to Evangelical Christian music?
This afternoon my wife found a website called Pandora.com. It is a free music website that plays songs based on your favorites. For instance, if you wanted to listen to Country music, you can type in the name of a song and a playlist will be created for you. The website will play tons of songs based on your preference for music. It creates a great mix of spiritual music for Sundays.
This brings me to the title of this post, "Where to find Mormon Music? Do Mormons listen to Evangelical Christian music?". At Pandora.com we entered "Mormon Tabernacle Choir". Turns out Pandora play lots of LDS music and it mixes in the likes of Charolette Church, Greg Buchanan, David Phelps, Jeff Majors, and the London Philharmonic Choir. It's been a joy to listen to.
Mormons believe good music can help you feel more spiritual. In fact, one of the articles of faith states, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Music has been a part of Mormon worship services since the early days of Mormonism. The following quote is from LDS.org:
This brings me to the title of this post, "Where to find Mormon Music? Do Mormons listen to Evangelical Christian music?". At Pandora.com we entered "Mormon Tabernacle Choir". Turns out Pandora play lots of LDS music and it mixes in the likes of Charolette Church, Greg Buchanan, David Phelps, Jeff Majors, and the London Philharmonic Choir. It's been a joy to listen to.
Mormons believe good music can help you feel more spiritual. In fact, one of the articles of faith states, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Music has been a part of Mormon worship services since the early days of Mormonism. The following quote is from LDS.org:
Three months after the Church was organized [in April of 1830], the Lord,
through the Prophet Joseph Smith, instructed Joseph's wife, Emma, to make a
selection of sacred hymns for the Church: "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" (D&C 25:12).
Additionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints created a website that holds all of their hymns. Now you can listen or download the hymns before you go to a meeting. Pandora.com has made a difference in our Sundays, I recommend setting up a Mormon Tabernacle Choir station to all my friends: both Evangelical and not.
Here is a song by David Phelps, I might not agree with his doctrine and the Chrisitan stores selling his CDs may diss my religion by selling anti-Mormon books, but wow, he does a pretty good job and I celebrate his passion:
Knowing the truth by the Sprit of God
Knowing the truth by the Spirit of God
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
If we desire to gain the maximum amount of pure knowledge and to possess as much truth as possible, we must develop eyes that can make unbiased observations. We need eyes that see, not necessarily what we want them to see, but rather, the things God wants us to see. We need eyes that can see the truth in its purity. We must be willing to let go of even our most cherished misconceptions and be willing to change any or all of our current views. All truth comes from God, and therefore, we can have complete faith in the benefit of changing our perceptions in every way that will bring our understanding closer to the fullness of truth we receive only from God.
While it is essential to be open-minded, this does not require us to be ever learning and yet never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Conviction and certitude are not strangers to open minded theists. For, when the truths of God are confirmed in your heart and mind through the spirit of God, there can be no deeper certainty that you have received the truth in the center of your being.
We need to rely on God for a complete understanding of the truth.
A Correct Comprehension of Ourselves
By Appreciable
If there's a God in heaven, If there's a plan for me.
I know that I must find them, If my purpose I would see.
Unless I know why I am here, Upon this troubled earth.
I'll never know the reason, My soul has wondrous worth.
If there's a great creator, Why did he send me here?
What's the purpose of my life? To conquer doubt and fear?
What will happen after death? Why did we come to be?
Will I just stop existing? Or come back as a tree?
What's the greatest future, That I can hope to reach?
Are they only fiction? These words the prophets teach?
The answers to these questions, Are difficult to find.
I look but cannot find them, Recorded in my mind.
The mind alone can't find them, These answers that I need.
I need something to verify, These words I'm asked to read.
The theories of the scientist, Can't explain mortality.
These theories can't be proved, With facts my eyes can see.
I need a message straight from God, That speaks straight to my heart.
Where no one else has access, With all their cunning art.
The Holy Ghost alone can teach, The truths that God will share.
And God will guide me straight to him, With tender loving care.
Our decisions about gaining a knowledge of the truth have important consequences.
Standing in Line
By Appreciable
I'm going through this Life, Just the same as anyone.
Avoiding pain and strife, And looking for some fun.
A friend of mine, stood in a line, And I walked over there.
The company was so divine, I stayed, without a care.
The years flew by as we progressed, Not making any plans.
We thought we'd find some peace and rest, But left with empty hands.
For, when we'd reached the very end, We found, as others had.
We'd been distracted by a friend, We didn’t see the line was bad.
Please question the direction, The line is headed in.
To make a good connection, That the prize we all may win.
Do we want the things this line will give? Or will we later grieve?
Let’s ask ourselves, while we yet live, “Is there more I can receive?”
The moral of this story, Is there for us to see.
If we want to find God's glory, We must ask God where to be.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
If we desire to gain the maximum amount of pure knowledge and to possess as much truth as possible, we must develop eyes that can make unbiased observations. We need eyes that see, not necessarily what we want them to see, but rather, the things God wants us to see. We need eyes that can see the truth in its purity. We must be willing to let go of even our most cherished misconceptions and be willing to change any or all of our current views. All truth comes from God, and therefore, we can have complete faith in the benefit of changing our perceptions in every way that will bring our understanding closer to the fullness of truth we receive only from God.
While it is essential to be open-minded, this does not require us to be ever learning and yet never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Conviction and certitude are not strangers to open minded theists. For, when the truths of God are confirmed in your heart and mind through the spirit of God, there can be no deeper certainty that you have received the truth in the center of your being.
We need to rely on God for a complete understanding of the truth.
A Correct Comprehension of Ourselves
By Appreciable
If there's a God in heaven, If there's a plan for me.
I know that I must find them, If my purpose I would see.
Unless I know why I am here, Upon this troubled earth.
I'll never know the reason, My soul has wondrous worth.
If there's a great creator, Why did he send me here?
What's the purpose of my life? To conquer doubt and fear?
What will happen after death? Why did we come to be?
Will I just stop existing? Or come back as a tree?
What's the greatest future, That I can hope to reach?
Are they only fiction? These words the prophets teach?
The answers to these questions, Are difficult to find.
I look but cannot find them, Recorded in my mind.
The mind alone can't find them, These answers that I need.
I need something to verify, These words I'm asked to read.
The theories of the scientist, Can't explain mortality.
These theories can't be proved, With facts my eyes can see.
I need a message straight from God, That speaks straight to my heart.
Where no one else has access, With all their cunning art.
The Holy Ghost alone can teach, The truths that God will share.
And God will guide me straight to him, With tender loving care.
Our decisions about gaining a knowledge of the truth have important consequences.
Standing in Line
By Appreciable
I'm going through this Life, Just the same as anyone.
Avoiding pain and strife, And looking for some fun.
A friend of mine, stood in a line, And I walked over there.
The company was so divine, I stayed, without a care.
The years flew by as we progressed, Not making any plans.
We thought we'd find some peace and rest, But left with empty hands.
For, when we'd reached the very end, We found, as others had.
We'd been distracted by a friend, We didn’t see the line was bad.
Please question the direction, The line is headed in.
To make a good connection, That the prize we all may win.
Do we want the things this line will give? Or will we later grieve?
Let’s ask ourselves, while we yet live, “Is there more I can receive?”
The moral of this story, Is there for us to see.
If we want to find God's glory, We must ask God where to be.
Trust in God
Throughout the ages there have been so many different ideas on the nature and existence of God as well as the role and teachings of Jesus Christ. With so many different ideas leading to so many different religions and teachings throughout the world, I find great comfort in know that God can reveal to me through the Holy Ghost that which is just and true, right or wrong, light or darkness.
The Mountain of the Lord
The Mountain of the Lord
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Throughout history, there has been a deep and abiding desire in the human family to seek for the presence of God. There seems to be an internal drive to worship God in almost all of the people who have lived upon the earth. Many religious faiths have incorporated the top of mountains as Holy Places. In the History of Israel, Mountain tops have been very important, as when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God directly, upon the top of a mountain.
There is a hill in Jerusalem called the temple mount. There is a great deal of turmoil in our world over the ownership and control of this hill. As we read from the Old Testament we find that the record indicates the existence of more than one sanctioned temple at a time. In addition to the preceding truth, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe, there was a branch of the House of Israel that was led by the hand of the Lord to the American Continent. These people also built temples after the pattern of Solomon’s Temple. Thus, God always accepted the existence and functionality of more that one temple at a time and intended that there should be temples available throughout the earth. Many modern-day Jews believe that there are not currently any temples upon the earth recognized by God. These Jewish worshipers also believe that the only location upon which a temple can be built is where the Dome of the Rock stands today (A Muslim place of Worship). These conflicting systems of belief have resulted in struggle and turmoil for many years.
There is a record that was written by the descendents of the house of Joseph, (One of the sons of Israel) on the American Continent. This record is called the Book of Mormon. In this Book of Scripture, we are taught that the Book of Mormon would be used with the Bible, “unto the confounding (of) false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace... and bringing (us) to the knowledge of (our) fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.” This ancient record serves as the testimony of a second Nation that Jesus is the Christ. This record was translated by the gift and power of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Using the Prophet Joseph Smith as a modern-day Prophet, God restored his fullness of Doctrine, Covenants, and Priesthood Authority upon the Earth. When the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in these latter-days the Lord also commanded that temples again be built. The Authority to administer Ordinances in the house of the Lord is found once again upon the earth, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In our time, once again, the mountain of the Lord’s House has been established and all of the people of the world are invited to prepare themselves to enter the Modern-day temples (There are now over 100) that have been built throughout the earth. These temples have been built under the direction of Modern-day Prophets in the LDS Church. The invitation to come to these houses of prayer and learn how to enter the presence of God, is one that is extended to all the people of the world. This message from the Lord, through the restoration of the fullness of his Gospel, can bring peace, joy, and happiness to every child of God.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Throughout history, there has been a deep and abiding desire in the human family to seek for the presence of God. There seems to be an internal drive to worship God in almost all of the people who have lived upon the earth. Many religious faiths have incorporated the top of mountains as Holy Places. In the History of Israel, Mountain tops have been very important, as when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God directly, upon the top of a mountain.
There is a hill in Jerusalem called the temple mount. There is a great deal of turmoil in our world over the ownership and control of this hill. As we read from the Old Testament we find that the record indicates the existence of more than one sanctioned temple at a time. In addition to the preceding truth, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe, there was a branch of the House of Israel that was led by the hand of the Lord to the American Continent. These people also built temples after the pattern of Solomon’s Temple. Thus, God always accepted the existence and functionality of more that one temple at a time and intended that there should be temples available throughout the earth. Many modern-day Jews believe that there are not currently any temples upon the earth recognized by God. These Jewish worshipers also believe that the only location upon which a temple can be built is where the Dome of the Rock stands today (A Muslim place of Worship). These conflicting systems of belief have resulted in struggle and turmoil for many years.
There is a record that was written by the descendents of the house of Joseph, (One of the sons of Israel) on the American Continent. This record is called the Book of Mormon. In this Book of Scripture, we are taught that the Book of Mormon would be used with the Bible, “unto the confounding (of) false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace... and bringing (us) to the knowledge of (our) fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.” This ancient record serves as the testimony of a second Nation that Jesus is the Christ. This record was translated by the gift and power of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Using the Prophet Joseph Smith as a modern-day Prophet, God restored his fullness of Doctrine, Covenants, and Priesthood Authority upon the Earth. When the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in these latter-days the Lord also commanded that temples again be built. The Authority to administer Ordinances in the house of the Lord is found once again upon the earth, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In our time, once again, the mountain of the Lord’s House has been established and all of the people of the world are invited to prepare themselves to enter the Modern-day temples (There are now over 100) that have been built throughout the earth. These temples have been built under the direction of Modern-day Prophets in the LDS Church. The invitation to come to these houses of prayer and learn how to enter the presence of God, is one that is extended to all the people of the world. This message from the Lord, through the restoration of the fullness of his Gospel, can bring peace, joy, and happiness to every child of God.
Faith, Hope, and The Love of God - Motivator and Harmonizer
I heard somewhere that Faith, Hope, and the Love of God can make a life more enjoyable. While some discount faith right off the bat by saying, "How can you have faith in something you have never seen?" I suppose it depends on your definition of faith. Does it really make sense to say "I believe that something is there; although, I have never seen the something there"? Perhaps faith can be defined as more than "blind belief"?
I propose a bold definition of faith
Around 1250 AD, faith was defined as the "duty of fulfilling one's trust". Could faith not also be defined as a "principle of action"? As one has faith, or in other words fulfills the duty to one's trusts, the individual is propelled forward in action. I think faith then is a motivator. And faith in Jesus Christ represents a motivation to become more like him: kind, thoughtful, gentle, peaceful, and confident.
Hope now enters the mind
With the principle of action represented, or in other words, faith in Jesus Christ as a fine example to follow. I believe one may now hope for better things. Suppose one did not have faith in Christ and instead placed their faith in money, what would be the consequence? If the principle of action is faith in money, then the individual would be motivated to make financial gain, and hope for better monetarily purchased things - clothes, cars, houses. With faith in Christ, the individual is motivated to make self improvements and to hope that such changes will be made permanent. My favorite definition of hope is "to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence". With Jesus as an example of what to look forward to, the modern Christian then has a pattern for love, kindness, respect, confidence, and friendship.
Charity - The Pure Love of Christ
Once one recognizes faith in Christ as a principle of action, develops the forward looking hope of becoming a little more Christ-like, then the individual is ready to both receive and give the pure love of Christ. Charity, not just alms giving, becomes an attitude. A way of viewing and treating those around us just, fair, and right. This ability to view and temper our responses provides the individual's spirit the opportunity to receive joy. I think of this using a small parable I wrote.
A small river running down from the mountains was needed by a man to provide water for his family and farm. Recognizing the high stakes, the man felt motivated to bring together his resources and build a dam to provide for his family. Having never built a dam before, the man researched until at last he found a book written by a man long ago. After reading the book and making some drawings, the man looked forward to his project with desire and confidence that he could harness the water. Feeling his motivation empower him and with his confidence assured, the man built the dam. Able now to harness the water, the man recognized his unique position brought about by the example of the builder that went before and left his message in a book. The man felt greater humility and a stronger connection to earth. His thoughts turned to the good that had come to him, he felt pleased with his work, thankful for his learning, stronger from his motivation, and joyful at what had been accomplished for him and his family. Perhaps this is what Faith, Hope, and Charity can do for you and me.
I propose a bold definition of faith
Around 1250 AD, faith was defined as the "duty of fulfilling one's trust". Could faith not also be defined as a "principle of action"? As one has faith, or in other words fulfills the duty to one's trusts, the individual is propelled forward in action. I think faith then is a motivator. And faith in Jesus Christ represents a motivation to become more like him: kind, thoughtful, gentle, peaceful, and confident.
Hope now enters the mind
With the principle of action represented, or in other words, faith in Jesus Christ as a fine example to follow. I believe one may now hope for better things. Suppose one did not have faith in Christ and instead placed their faith in money, what would be the consequence? If the principle of action is faith in money, then the individual would be motivated to make financial gain, and hope for better monetarily purchased things - clothes, cars, houses. With faith in Christ, the individual is motivated to make self improvements and to hope that such changes will be made permanent. My favorite definition of hope is "to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence". With Jesus as an example of what to look forward to, the modern Christian then has a pattern for love, kindness, respect, confidence, and friendship.
Charity - The Pure Love of Christ
Once one recognizes faith in Christ as a principle of action, develops the forward looking hope of becoming a little more Christ-like, then the individual is ready to both receive and give the pure love of Christ. Charity, not just alms giving, becomes an attitude. A way of viewing and treating those around us just, fair, and right. This ability to view and temper our responses provides the individual's spirit the opportunity to receive joy. I think of this using a small parable I wrote.
A small river running down from the mountains was needed by a man to provide water for his family and farm. Recognizing the high stakes, the man felt motivated to bring together his resources and build a dam to provide for his family. Having never built a dam before, the man researched until at last he found a book written by a man long ago. After reading the book and making some drawings, the man looked forward to his project with desire and confidence that he could harness the water. Feeling his motivation empower him and with his confidence assured, the man built the dam. Able now to harness the water, the man recognized his unique position brought about by the example of the builder that went before and left his message in a book. The man felt greater humility and a stronger connection to earth. His thoughts turned to the good that had come to him, he felt pleased with his work, thankful for his learning, stronger from his motivation, and joyful at what had been accomplished for him and his family. Perhaps this is what Faith, Hope, and Charity can do for you and me.
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