The Promise of Protection

Let’s read in Ezekiel chapter 47:

“Afterward he [an angel] brought me [Ezekiel] again unto the door of the house [of the Lord]; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

“Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

“And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

“Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

“Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. …

“Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh” (Ezekiel 47:1–5, 8–9).

Ezekiel sees a river that increases as it flows from the house. The water that is moving forth from the temple represents blessings that flow from the temples to heal families and give them life....

ELDER RENLUND: I feel grateful to add my testimony to theirs—to be one more apostolic voice in support of this temple challenge. I extend the promise of protection that has been offered in the past. Brothers and sisters, I promise protection for you and your family as you take this challenge to find as many names to take to the temple as ordinances you perform in the temple and to teach others to do the same.

If you accept this challenge, blessings will begin to flow to you and your family like the power of the river spoken of by Ezekiel. And the river will grow as you continue to perform this work and teach others to do the same. You will find not only protection from the temptation and ills of the world, but you will also find personal power—power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family members to each other and heal that which needs healing.

• FEBRUARY 2017
• FAMILY HISTORY AND TEMPLE BLESSINGS

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

Family History and Temple Blessings

By Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

And by Ruth L. Renlund and Ashley R. Renlund

From a presentation at the RootsTech 2016 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, on February 6, 2016. To watch a recording of the presentation, visit lds.org/go/217Renlund.

The Goblet Of Gratitude

 “Those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances,” Ensign, May 2014, 70.

Planning Delightful Sunday Activities

Are you searching for Sunday activity ideas to help strengthen your family and make the Sabbath a delight? Family home evening is an ideal time to generate ideas and plan such activities. To help get you started, consider reviewing the online article “20 Do’s for Making the Sabbath a Delight” (lds.org/go/sabbathE217). The article includes a printable “bucket list” of Sunday activities that your family can perform and check off as the activities are completed. The ideas include looking through family photo albums, writing thank-you notes to the people who speak in church, creating a gospel quote book, and taking a Sunday walk.

Experiences to Stimulate Growth

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain. … This life is an experience in profound trust—trust in Jesus Christ.”

Richard G. Scott, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16–17.

Grace

“It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”

Bible Dictionary, “Grace”; emphasis added.

Good Men Better

“The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

See Franklin D. Richards, in Conference Report, Oct. 1965, 136–37; see also David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1954, 26.

Guidance for Major Decisions

Guidance for Major Decisions

“The Holy Ghost provides personal revelation to help us make major life decisions about such things as education, missions, careers, marriage, children, where we will live with our families, and so on. …

“Each of us may feel the influence of the Holy Ghost differently. His promptings will be felt in different degrees of intensity according to our individual needs and circumstances.”

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Holy Ghost,” Ensign, May 2016, 105.

Awaiting Your Visit: One Sister’s Perspective

Awaiting Your Visit: One Sister’s Perspective

Name withheld

Jan 2017 Ensign, 49. 

Does it appear my family doesn’t need home and visiting teachers? Please think again.

Today, when we talked about when you could come visit my family and me, you said, “Oh, I know you are fine. We’ll catch you another time.”

That may be true based on what you see: a good marriage, financial security, faithful church attendance, dedication to Church callings, and well-adjusted children. From the outside, it may look like we have things under control and don’t need help from anyone. While it’s true that we have been deeply blessed in many ways and we feel grateful to Heavenly Father for His kindness, it’s not true that we don’t need home and visiting teachers.

For instance, did you know that over the years we have moved several times and have experienced difficulty in starting over in a new ward? Did you know that because of the size of our family I am sometimes overwhelmed with the tasks at hand? Did you know that my husband’s frequent travels shift much of the heavy burden of running the home and family to my shoulders? Did you know that we have children who are grown and living outside of our home, and that I have worried about one of them and his testimony? Did you know that we have been dealing with depression and an eating disorder among our children? And did you know that both my husband and I are struggling right now with some health issues?

Of course, life is full of challenges and problems for all of us. Some days run more smoothly than others. These trials and challenges are just part of our earthly existence.

Even if you were to come to do home or visiting teaching, we might choose not to share some of these private things, but we would still love to have you in our home. That way, if the time came that we did feel like sharing some of our burdens, we would feel that you were a safe person to share with. Maybe we could even begin a friendship.

We might not ask you to do anything for us—that’s generally not our way—but we would like the company of fellow Latter-day Saints in our home, sharing their spirit and their testimony of gospel principles with our family. We would love our children to see how the process of home and visiting teaching works.

Please know that we see you as our brother or sister. Please come to our home and teach our family. Please come to our home, sit with us, and help us fill our cup. Then we will all be refreshed.

To All Home Teachers

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) gave the following counsel to home teachers—counsel that is also applicable to visiting teachers: “Above all, be a genuine friend to the individuals and families you teach. … A friend makes more than a dutiful visit each month. A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens, and a friend reaches out.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Home Teachers of the Church,” Ensign, May 1987, 50.

Do Your Best

 “If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us.”

Teachings: Gordon B. Hinckley, 339.

Don't Get Discouraged

‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’

Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands,” Ensign, June 1995, 4.

Responsibilities

“Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. First, we have a responsibility to our families. Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.”

We must have a balance. President Hinckley suggested that we fulfill this fourfold responsibility through family prayer, family home evening, family scripture study, honesty and loyalty to our employer, fulfillment of our Church responsibilities, personal scripture study, rest, recreation, and exercise.

See Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rejoicing in the Privilege to Serve,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 21, 2003, 22, 23.

Trust and Get Understanding

As we trust in and rely on the Lord, a greater measure of understanding comes from Him into our heart.

I have personally observed the heartbreak and personal havoc wrought upon those whose focus is on worldly “getting” and not on the Lord’s “understanding.” It seems that those who lean unto their own understanding or rely on the arm of the flesh are more likely to develop a disproportionate focus or obsession for material gain, prestige, power, and position. But keeping the “getting” in accordance with this scriptural guidance of “understanding” will temper your temporal appetite. It will allow the proper context for your activities as a productive member of society and of the Lord’s kingdom.

• JANUARY 2017
• WITH ALL THY GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

With All Thy Getting, Get Understanding

By Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From a devotional address, “Lean Not unto Thine Own Understanding,” given at Brigham Young University on January 14, 2014. For the full address, go to speeches.byu.edu.

ListenDownloadPrintShare

Christ’s Infinite Atonement

Christ’s Infinite Atonement

“The Savior, the Master Healer, has the power to change our hearts and give us permanent relief from the sorrow caused by our own sin. …

“… [He] can comfort and strengthen us when we experience pain because of the unrighteous actions of others. …

“… [He] can comfort and sustain us as we experience painful ‘realities of mortality,’ such as disaster, mental illness, disease, chronic pain, and death. …

“The Savior [says]: …

“‘… If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come … will I receive’ [3 Nephi 9:14].”

Carole M. Stephens, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, “The Master Healer,” Ensign, Nov. 2016, 10, 11, 12.

Not Just Another Group of Women

“The Relief Society was not just another group of women trying to do good in the world. It was different. It was ‘something better’ because it was organized under priesthood authority. Its organization was a necessary step in the unfolding of God’s work on earth.”

Daughters in My Kingdom, 16.