Be Righteous in the Dark

Brigham Young once said, “We need to learn to be righteous in the dark.”

There are a couple of ways I look at this. One, is with to be without sight. It is difficult to be blind. I know this first hand. Yet, I don’t believe that is the type of “dark” he was referring to.

Sin is a form of darkness. I know that when I was living in sin, I hated it. I did not like myself, and had no great love for those whom I was with; those who seemed to enjoy what was being done. I cared about them, but when I would say things like, “I don’t think we should be doing this.” I was laughed at and made to believe that I was wrong. I was not good enough to be “good” yet not bad enough to be “bad”. It was very frustrating.

We are surrounded by the dark. Not just what happens after the sun goes down, but even while the sun is up in the sky. It was then and is now- very dark and growing ever darker.

One day, I was in the bathroom and thought, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” There came a thought into my mind, “You don’t have to.” I decided right then, I was not going to do those things any more. I felt, even if they kill me, I will not do those things anymore and I didn’t.

There have been times since then I wished my life had been different, but through it all, I can say, “I never did those things again and I like myself. It matters not rather others like me or not. I can live with myself, which was hard for me to do growing up. Do you like yourself?

Yesterday, I watched a movie from the early 1960’s. It was a classic with Henry Fonda. I could not finish watching it. You might ask why? It was not even p.g. rated (No sex, violence, curse words, etc). What I saw and felt as I watched it surprised even me. I learned that “I” had learned how to be righteous in the dark.

In that movie, there was a young woman working at a store selling clothing and two people came in and sort of “took her under their wings” to “help” her. They appeared to be very rich people and bought her nice clothes and took her to a fancy party. They encouraged her and gave her money, which she and her roommate had very little of.

I know that is how Satan and those who follow him work. They give the appearance of doing something good for someone, yet it is all for show. They really care less about the other person, but rather they use that person to get what they want.

In the movie, they convinced the girl that she could help them get rich, have luxury, and be happier than she ever dreamed possible. At first, she refused and tried to leave, but they managed to convince her it was no crime. All she had to do what just be a “pretty” girl and then get “rich” men to give her “gifts”, or keep them distracted while they did what they knew how to do.

Let me share with you that this is a “combination” that has been used since time began. There are three ways that Satan works. I have seen them all, up close and personal. One: Pleasure and pain. Two: Enticement and lies. Three: Wealth and murder. (This is not just murder of the body but rather murder of virtue, spirit, and truth) They teach that good is evil and evil is better than good.

That is a knockout punch, wouldn’t you agree?

It has been well over 60 years since I was introduced to these “combinations” and they are still in force today. But now it is so ingrained in society that most people cannot see it for what it really is.

About 20 some years ago a woman shared a story about chocolate chip cookies. She described this combination in words that were simple for people to understand, yet I’m sorry to say most people just thought it was cute “fairy tale”. They did not see the danger in a “little” chocolate.

Brothers and sisters: That story was not about a fairy tale, nor are the combinations that Lucifer would have you adult’s ingest a joke. Most of you were brought up watching Television. Slowly, over time evil was introduced in such a way, that you never knew you were being polluted. You still find those things fun and funny, after all, there is no sex, violence or whatever. But let me warn you, Satan knew exactly what he was doing. He would never give you what it really is up front.

God and those who follow Him give you truth up front. God’s truth is plain, clear, and up front. He has given us greater truth than He gave your ancestors. Prophets = Living prophets have tried to share God’s truth for thousands of years. Today, we have living prophets among us again. Yet, they are speaking, and many ignore what they are saying. How sad is that?

God’s truths were polluted over time until people stopped listening to the real prophets that Father keeps sending to warn us and teach us how to be careful. People tend to pick and choose which things they want to do and not do. Please, think about what you decided you did not want to hear or live.

The moment you stopped doing what the prophets counseled, was when you drew closer to the dividing line. When we don’t follow the counsel of the prophets we stop being safe. Don’t think for a second that you will wait until the last minute and then your friends can save you. That is one of Satan’s lies.

A storm is coming, brothers and sisters. A storm like no other you have seen. I do pray you are standing on Hallowed Ground. Until we meet again, may God be with you.

God Is:

“For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
“Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:23-29)

In the very first book written in Holy rite we find this truth:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

Many people do not understand this one basic fact: We are not just “form” or “essence” but rather we are specific beings (both form and essence), male and female. Together, we are “man”. Which is actually short for mankind.

God has an “image” just like our “image”. He has a head with hair and body parts, with passions, emotions, and feelings.

God is an “Eternal” Father and “Mother”. Not that his body contains both sexes, oh no. But rather there are “two” who became as one.

Just as a person marries a person of the opposite gender to become “one”. Father and Mother come together to create another person. Just as you created your children, so our Heavenly Father and Mother created Jesus Christ. First a child is created spiritually (without a body) and then they are created mortally (with a body).

For me, this is “love”. Real love. I am like my Heavenly Mother. I have a Heavenly Father and they love me.

I also had a mortal mother. I had a mortal father. Together, they created my body and my Heavenly Parents placed my Spirit into that body. I shall be eternally grateful to them all for that gift.

On Prayer

Many people have heard the Lord’s prayer so often, they tend to ignore it. They know words, but not really understand what the words really mean. From the Holy Bible, in the Book of Luke in the New Testament (King James Version), we read:

“ And it came to pass, that, as he (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
“Give us day by day our daily bread.
“And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
“For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
“And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
“I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:1-10)

It is by the much begging that caused that good man to get up and open the door and give the bread unto his friend. He knew that if he did not get up, his friend would nag him so much he would get no sleep.

Does God know that you will continue to plead with Him over your struggles? Do you tell Him that you need Him? Do you go to him over all your days? Do you share your joys and your sorrows with Him each and every day? How do you expect His help when He never hears from you?

One of the things God has asked of us, is to come to Him. He asked us to pray over everything: our fields, our flocks, our herds, our food, our drink, our children, our parents, over everything and that even includes our enemies.  From the Book of Mormon we read:

“Therefore may God grant unto you, my (sisters and) brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

“Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

“Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

“Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

“Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

“Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

“Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

“Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

“Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

“But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

“Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.” (Alma 34:17-27)

In my lifetime I have received more blessings than I can ever adequately give thanks for. The Lord has been so good to me. I have had so many experiences in sickness and in health that leave me with no shadow of a doubt in my heart and mind that there is a God in heaven, that He is our Father, and that He hears and answers our prayers.

As I look to, listen, and read what the prophets of God say, I treasure their words. My very first living prophet was Spencer W. Kimball, who said:

“We must remember that reverence is not a somber, temporary behavior that we adopt on Sunday. True reverence involves happiness, as well as love, respect, gratitude, and godly fear. It is a virtue that should be part of our way of life.” (Spencer W. Kimball)

It is my prayer that we may all remember to pray and bring God back into our lives on a daily basis. He needs to hear from us. I pray you will join your faith with mine in asking for His help in our lives and in our Country, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

Questions on my mind

Today is a Sabbath day for me. I love the Sabbath days that God has given unto His children. A day of rest from our labors. A day to meet with others and partake of the Sacrament in remembrance of Jesus Christ and him crucified for us.

As I was reading this morning, I came across things that prophets have spoken since days began about God’s laws. One of the very first laws God gave was for Adam and Eve to go forth and multiply. He never rescinded that law. All of their posterity (of which you and I are one) were under obligation to honor that same law.

When I was married, I told my husband I would give him no more children until he became a better father to the two I had given him. Big mistake on my part, because after our children were kidnapped, he wanted me to have more children, and I refused. I was grieving for that which I had lost, and did not want to create more with a man who would not protect us.

When my home was broken into a few years later (after my husband left) I became pregnant by strangers. I believe that little spirit was to have been mine and she wanted to come to earth so badly that she came the way she did just to get her body. If I had not refused my husband, perhaps she could have come to a married father and mother. I did give her life, yet, when I had cancer I had to give her up. God wanted me to have children, yet, that was not to be my joy in this life. I was never to give birth to another child.

This morning, I read something that one of the prophets of this last dispensation said. I would like to share it with you:

…”If the love of the world and wicked practices of the world mean more to a man and a woman then to keep the commandment of the Lord in this respect (to multiply) then they shut themselves off from the eternal blessing of increase. Those who willfully and maliciously design to break this important commandment shall be damned. They cannot have the Spirit of the Lord.” . . .

“If we refuse to live by the covenants we make, especially in the house of the Lord, then we cannot receive the blessings of those covenants in eternity. If the responsibilities of parenthood are willfully avoided here, then how can the Lord bestow upon the guilty the blessings of eternal increase? It cannot be, and they shall be denied such blessings (Joseph Fielding Smith 1955 – Doctrines of Salvation 2: 87-89)

I was not a member of the Lord’s true church when I married my husband, so we were not sealed in marriage, although I did believe in my vows (until death us do part). I remarried after the rape, and my first husband was not dead (He had obtained a divorce for mental cruelty since I refused him). Until I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints I did not even know what a Temple was. Now, I honor my covenants with the Lord. Knowing the great blessings God wants us to have, not just in this life, but for all eternity helps me to keep going.

Over years past, I have been able to help other women who got pregnant, either by incest, rape, or by sex outside of marriage. I have felt good in helping them to learn truth in time to save the child they otherwise would have aborted. I know many women can not give birth to a child, and the only way they can have a family is to adopt others children. I believe that those sweet little ones came to earth so these good women can have that blessing.

In the world today, many have been tricked into not knowing what they were doing. Many are using abortion as a form of birth control. As I have seen women who have had abortions in the past learn truth, I strive to comfort them and let them know that since they did not know, the Atonement covers that sin of murder. I know many mourn and grieve for the rest of their lives over what was done. It also breaks my heart when I see so many blame God for their own bad choices.

Now that Planned Parenthood is being exposed for what they really do, many are speaking up and stopping the funding of these murders of the innocent. I am glad they are waking up.

Elder Melvin J Ballard  (Not the Apostle today, but his father whom he was named after) said the following:

. . .”About the throne of our Father are his children whose numbers are fixed and have not been changed nor altered from the beginning, so far as those who were to come to this earth are concerned; for they were seen, even from the days of Adam, the host of the unborn. They have cried around the throne of the Father night and day for the privilege of coming into earth life, and they seek that opportunity today.”

I am grateful that Father has not already burned the earth for what we have allowed to happen to those sweet little spirits in years past.  But I do know the day will come that all those who knowingly do these atrocities shall pay a high price, higher than they now know, for the millions of innocents they destroyed. The things done to these wee ones is worse than anything Hitler and those who followed him ever did to thousands of innocent people.

This is not just my opinion, for I know that God Himself is displeased with the shedding of innocent blood.

May God forgive us and help us to be valiant in keeping the commandments He has given us personally, is my prayer, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen

Prophets

It must be remembered in studying the lives and messages of the prophets of the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, that in their day and times, things were not exactly like today. There were no television sets, no automobiles, no cell phones, nor computers. Generally the prophets were confined to a rather small geographical area. They acted within their culture, just as the prophets of today.

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

God must choose whom will be His prophet. This is entirely different than for man to choose God. You can’t go to school to become a prophet, only God makes His choice.

The Lord Himself said:

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

“These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (John 15: 14-17)”

Many years ago, a very wise man, whom was an Apostle of Jesus Christ said:

“God raised up prophets in ancient Israel for the same reasons He raises up prophets today. They are to teach the people the laws of God and how to live them, call the people to repentance when necessary, and bear witness of Jesus Christ. The work of all true prophets of all ages is to act as God’s messenger and make known God’s will.” Elder A. Theodore Tuttle

Each prophet spoke, and those now living speak to us in words we can understand. Plain and simple words in whichever language we speak. No matter what level of education we have. Just as Jesus spoke in language the people of Jerusalem understood within all levels of education. He spoke of vineyards, and flowers and what the people knew. Now, prophets speak in whichever language and people they are among, of how to overcome, just as Jesus did. God puts words and thoughts into prophets minds which they in turn speak to us.

God loves us, yet as you know, we are not always obedient children. We do things that are displeasing to Him, and need to repent and turn back towards Him. As Moses told his people:

“For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. “Deuteronomy 4:24)

He was very concerned about the reverence due God. Many of his people were afraid of God. As with Moses, I know He is a living, loving, caring and forgiving being. God does run out of patience however, when His children refuse to repent. He has always wanted to be personal with His children, not just in days past, but rather He does now as well. If you have children, don’t you sometimes run out of patience with them? Yet, you love them, right?

“And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” (Exodus 19: 17)

Many of those people were afraid and ran away thinking God was too powerful and if they left His presence, He would not see them. Many today make that same mistake. They think He is not watching. Moses said something to his people that I would like to share with you:

“And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” (Number 11: 29)

God has called Thomas S Monson as a prophet to guide us today. Many years ago he said:

“Our youth need less criticism and more models to follow.”

I believe we still need to be better models of what we want all children to become. Not just by words, but by our own actions. Another thing that he stresses is to:

“. . . Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings.”

Always, I wish to share with you that which I know to be truth:

“For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?”

“And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.”

“But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.” (Mormon 9:9-11)

I know that God is a God of miracles. If you will take the time to look around, you too can know Him for yourself. I love God. I also love the prophets, both living and dead. I have learned so much about life by following their counsel. When I make mistakes, I repent as quickly as I am able and begin again to walk the walk so He will have no doubt where I am nor whom I follow.

I invite you to use this great gift of repentance and listen to living prophets then turn to the Lord God who loves us all. I am looking forward to seeing Him again. How about you?

Don’t Give Up

I do not know if you are religious or not, but I wish to share something with you that has helped me.

“When we allow God to come into our lives (or we are wise enough to come into His) He “enlarges our steps” for the path we must walk – or, in more modern language, He gives us bigger feet that do not slip.”

“But other elements of God’s miraculous help consists of things He does to, in effect, let us help ourselves. Some paths we feel we just can’t walk. Some mountains seem just too high to climb. Some steps are just too difficult to take. When that is so, heaven does intervene, but often it is not to smooth out the path or remove the mountain or shorten the steps. More often than not, God sends help in a different way. He makes us stronger and more sure-footed. In effect, He gives us bigger feet, stronger legs, a firmer back, more stiffened shoulders. He deals with us rather than with the problem we face. We then proceed with new strength, less slipping, and are all the stronger for it.”                                                 Jeffery R Holland, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just as you have illnesses that frustrate you, I too have many disabling illnesses. Arthritis, at times so bad, that my neck; shoulders; back; arms; knees; even my fingers and toes tend to hurt even just to move them. I also have stomach issues: GERD and Barrett’s Disease, thus, at times, I vomit a lot. I had a hole in my right eye and lost all the fluid. I was horribly abused as a small child and in my growing up years. I had more blows to my head than a boxer receives over many years in the ring. I had been in a car accident that almost cost me my life. My children had been kidnapped when they were mere babies. I have had recurring bouts with cancer. As a child, I had protein malnutrition.

It came to pass in my life, there was a period of time (four years in fact) that I had to stay mostly in bed or at a hospital. During that time, I contracted e-coli; double pneumonia; blood clots; and Cellulitis on my legs so bad that I almost died from each as well as could have lost both my legs. I have been in and out of various types of hospitals since I was about 6 years old. The majority of the time I have had zero help from others. When I developed cancer as a young woman, my husband walked out on me and my new baby to fend for ourselves.

As you can see, I understand just how hard some of you have it in life. Yet, I want you to know that the words of Jeffrey R Holland are true. I testify to you that I am able to walk now. I can see again with both eyes and there are no more lesions on my brain. The growths throughout my body are all gone. I still have both legs. I still have issues, yes, however, I can do more now and be happier than I have ever been in my entire life.

Psalms 18: 36 “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”

Psalms 94:17-19  “Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

Jesus is “The Christ” in Greek = Messiah in Hebrew. We know that Jehovah = God of the earth of the Old Testament. I learned that Jesus is the Christ, by what I experienced as a small child. He took me out of that closet. He was with me in that back yard. He was with me at my uncle’s home. He was with me in institutions. God sent missionaries to find me when I was out in the desert in Arizona and they taught me all I needed to know: so that I could recognize that it was He who had been with me as a child in California. There might be mistakes in the scriptures, yet they are men’s mistakes not God’s. God lives. Jesus is the Christ. The Atonement He made on our behalf is real, if we will seek it. The Holy Spirit is real. He teaches us truth and never lies.

I don’t mean to be preachy, but I felt you needed to hear these things this morning. Please, don’t give up. I know how badly you want all this crap to end, but don’t give up. I know there are times when it gets bad before it can get better. What you are going through will not last forever.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that He may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” Alma 37:37

To The World

I wish to invite all Baptized Christians and all Jews around the world to join in Prayer to the God who created us all, in the prayer of the Old Testament Prophet Hezekiah as he blessed his people (2 Kings 19:19) Any others who wish to join with us, I know the Lord would love to hear from you.

“Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.”

To all Baptized Women around the world: and any others who wish to join with us:

I join with the admonition of a more recent prophet: Gordon B Hinckley, here are his words:

“I feel to invite every woman everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.”  President Gordon B Hinckley

May God grant unto us the righteous desires of our hearts, is my prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen