Wherefore, men are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death. 2 Nephi 2:27 Heavenly Father has given me agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for myself. … the right to direct my life is one of God’s greatest gifts to me. While here on earth, I am being proven to see if I will use my agency to show my love for God by keeping His commandments. The Holy Ghost can guide me. I am responsible for the choices I make. God is mindful of me and will help me make good choices, even if my family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. I can be obedient and set an example for others to follow.
Talk Source: https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/agency-and-accountab…
Before we came to earth, our spirits lived with Heavenly Father who created us. We knew Him, and He knew and loved us. It was a happy time during which we were taught God’s plan of happiness and the path to true joy. But just as most of us leave our home and parents when we grow up, God knew we needed to do the same. He knew we couldn’t progress unless we left for a while. So he allowed us to come to earth to experience the joy — as well as pain — of a physical body.
Each time we make a poor choice with painful consequences, that decision leads to unhappiness — sometimes immediately, sometimes much later. Likewise, choosing good eventually leads to happiness and helps us become more like Heavenly Father.
Talk Source: http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness
Even though we cannot remember living with Heavenly Father, He remembers. He knows and loves each of us because we are His children. One day we’ll remember how well we know Him, too. President Ezra Taft Benson (1899 – 1994) once said, “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us” (quoted in Ensign, May 1991, 66). I think it will be _______________ to return home to Him someday because _______________.
Talk Source: http://www.lds.org/friend/2004/01/i-know-heavenly-father-loves-me?lang=eng
When Jesus was on the earth, he taught the gospel. The people who believed and followed him were called disciples. The disciples of Jesus Christ followed Jesus and tried to be like him. They chose the right and were blessed.
Jesus’ disciples were baptized. They could be cleansed of their sins and return to live with Heavenly Father.
Jesus’ disciples were fed. The people who followed Jesus Christ were filled spiritually by listening to his words. They were fed physically when Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, when Jesus turned water to wine, and when they caught fish.
Jesus’ disciples were filled with hope. Because they knew that Jesus Christ was their Savior and tried to be like him, Jesus disciples were filled with hope for the future. The Apostle Paul said he was “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began/” (Titus 1:2) Jesus disciples hoped for eternal life.
Jesus’ disciples were filled with love because they chose to be obedient. Jesus taught his disciples: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:9-11)
We are blessed when we follow Jesus Christ. I will be a disciple of Jesus Christ by choosing the right.
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When the prophet Noah was alive, people were very wicked.
“[But] Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God.” (Moses 8:13)
Because Noah and his sons chose the right, they received the Priesthood. Noah was called to preach the gospel. “And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; [Noah said] Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless [the people] hearkened not.” (Moses 8:20, 24)
Noah was sad that the people would not repent, even though he taught the people a flood would destroy them. “And the Lord said: I will destroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air.” (Moses 8: 26) The people were totally wicked and would be destroyed.
But Noah and his sons were still righteous. Heavenly Father commanded Noah to build an ark so he and his family and the animals could survive the flood. They would not be destroyed. Noah was blessed for choosing the right. Heavenly Father protected Noah and his family.
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Before we were born, we lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We needed a place to live with our families. We needed a place to get physical bodies. We needed a place to learn to choose the right.
Jesus Christ created the earth so we could live there and grow. On earth, we could have physical bodies. We could live with a family. We could learn to choose the right.
The prophet Moses knew what Jesus Christ did for us. Here is what Moses said:
“And there stood one among them that was like unto God, [it was Jesus Christ] and [Jesus Christ] said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon [Heavenly Father’s children] may dwell;
“And we will prove [Heavenly Father’s children] herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; (Abraham 3:24-25)
I am grateful for Jesus Christ. He created the earth, where I can live and learn to choose the right.
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Heavenly Father taught Moses about what you and I did before we were born (Abraham 3). Before we were born, you and I lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus and Satan and many other of God’s children. We were happy, but we could not grow. We needed physical bodies
—hold up your hand—
like the ones we have now to grow like Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father had a plan to help us grow like him. We would receive physical bodies and live in families. Satan wanted to destroy Heavenly Father’s plan.
Heavenly Father said, ” And we will prove [these children] herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;” (Abraham 3:25)
Many people did not obey Heavenly Father. They followed Satan. You and I chose to follow Heavenly Father. We were courageous. In the premortal life, you and I chose to follow God’s plan.
I am grateful that I chose to be obedient to the Lord. I chose the right before I was born, and I will choose the right again today.
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Do you know what you want to do tomorrow? What about next week? Or next year?
The gift of making choices about what we will do is called agency. Heavenly Father lets us make choices. Our choices can help us or hurt us. When we use our agency to be obedient, Heavenly Father will bless us. When we are disobedient, we must face the consequences.
The prophet Joshua told the Israelites what he would do with his agency. He made the choice to be obedient He said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua told the people he would use his agency to serve the Lord, no matter what.
I am grateful I can make choices about my actions. I will be like Joshua and use my agency to serve the Lord.
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Building with Ancestors By June Brown – Friend Aug 1998 Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? (2 Sam. 7:5.) The Vernal Utah Temple is built largely within the walls of the former Vernal Utah Uintah Stake Tabernacle, constructed in 1907. Thus, one of the newest temples was built, in part, by faithful Saints long dead. In a happy mingling of the old and new, children of today joined their ancestors in raising a temple to the Lord. At the groundbreaking, President Gordon B. Hinckley invited children to help turn over the soil. He said, “Every boy and girl who lives in these stakes would take pride through the years to come if he or she, through a little sacrifice, were to make a contribution of a dollar or two … or five or ten toward the construction of a house of the Lord, and each time he or she passed it or came into this building, he or she could say, ‘I had a part in the building of that sacred and beautiful structure.’” The boys and girls of the temple district listened to the prophet and contributed not only their dollars but their talents and hard work as well. Some of the bricks in the tabernacle were damaged and needed to be replaced. N. J. Meacher, who is not a member of the Church, donated a beautiful old home whose bricks matched those of the tabernacle. Matt Foley was assigned to supervise tearing down the house and salvaging the bricks. His three grandsons, Greg (7), Corey (10), and Dallen (11), volunteered to help him. The bricks had to be removed one at a time and carefully cleaned and tested for strength. The Foleys, along with many other volunteers, were able to save sixteen thousand bricks, which are now in the temple walls and the walls enclosing the grounds. When the temple was completed, Greg attended the open house. “The Spirit was so strong!” he said. “I’m eager to go back to the temple when I’m twelve,” Dallen stated. “I can’t describe how good it feels to know that we actually helped to build a temple.” Their cousin Corey agreed. “It was a great experience, preserving the bricks for a temple. It’s a very special building that will help people for a long time.” Forty-two children from the Altamont Second Ward, Altamont Utah Stake, traveled fifty miles to Vernal to sing for visitors waiting in line at the temple open house. They sang “I Love to See the Temple,” “Families Can Be Together Forever,” “Reverence Is Love,” and “Eternal Things” to an appreciative audience. It was an act of service and love. Haylee Toland (11) said, “The temple is a spiritual, peaceful place, and I’m glad we could set the mood for people’s visits.” The Primary girls of the Vernal Fifth Ward, Vernal Utah Ashley Stake, created a beautiful and original design for tissue box holders to be placed in the temple where needed. They stitched plastic canvas with white yarn, making sure that the boxes were perfect. They donated many hours to this gift for the house of the Lord. The girls also tied a beautiful white baby quilt to be used for the baby crib in the temple nursery, where children wait to be sealed to their parents. Amy Lefevre said, “I’m happy and excited because I know I’m making something important and special for the temple.” The ward Primary leaders also decided to use a penny bank to collect money for the temple. A counselor in the bishopric designed and built a bank that looked like the proposed temple, with a window in the bank so that the children could see their money grow. They donated $350, mostly in pennies, for their gift of love. Brother Brownie Tomlinson helped to demolish the interior of the old tabernacle and excavate the ground under and around it. His sons, Russell (13) and Shawn (11), assisted by hauling bricks and stones and doing other jobs that were safe for boys their age. They donated long hours and worked hard to prepare the site. Brother Tomlinson noticed that as Shawn became covered with white dust, it looked as if an angel were working among them. Although Shawn can’t remember feeling like an angel, he reported that it felt good to help build the temple. “I got to thinking about all the people who would be married and sealed and baptized there, and it was really special to be part of it.” The Valiants of the Naples First Ward Primary, Vernal Utah Uintah Stake, started something big when they decided to collect aluminum cans from their families, the bishop, and along the road. They gave the bishop $9.51 for the temple. After that, at an Achievement Day activity, the girls made it their goal to collect cans everywhere they could. They made arrangements with Western Park to collect cans each night after the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. Wearing old coats and surgical gloves, they crawled around under the bleachers and in the dumpsters at Western Park. They and their advisers worked from 10 P.M. to midnight for three nights. Many ward members donated cans to the project, and in July, Primary children brought cans to a pioneer activity. The total donation was $80. Inspired by the children, the whole ward gave generously, donating enough to pay for three chandeliers, the furniture, and the carpeting in the celestial room. When Stephanie Romane (11) went to the open house, she was so overwhelmed with the beauty of the celestial room that she just stood in the doorway for a while. “Who would have thought that those cans could turn into this elegant room?” she said.
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Daniel pushed the handcart with all his strength. His arms and legs shook from the effort. He saw sweat run like tears down Jane’s face as his sister pushed beside him, while their parents strained to pull the handcart. He saw his mother’s mouth moving and her eyes shut, and he knew that she was praying for strength. The last few weeks had been difficult. The food supplies were low. Each person in the handcart company was allowed only two cups of flour a day. There hadn’t been any meat for days. Daniel didn’t mind the hungry feeling as much as the weakness. And now they had come to this stretch of the trail without sufficient energy to pull the handcarts through the deep, dry sand. Daniel’s father set the cart handle down and said, “Let’s all rest for a few minutes.” Jane crumpled into a heap at Daniel’s feet. He sat down by her and gingerly lifted one of her feet. He tore another little strip from the bottom of his shirt and wound it snugly around her foot. Her shoes had worn out weeks ago. At first, she had tried walking in the soft dust of the wagon-wheel ruts. But her feet had become so sore that much of the time she either had to crawl or have Daniel carry her piggyback. Any time she had to stand, her feet bled painfully. “Tell me again about what the Salt Lake Valley will be like,” she said. Daniel sighed. At least she hadn’t asked how many more miles they had to go. “The missionaries said that the beginning of a beautiful city is already there. Thousands of people have arrived in the valley, and a temple has been started.” “Will we live in the city?” she asked next. “The missionaries said some of us will stay there, but some families will be called by Brigham Young to settle towns and cities many miles away.” “What is the land like? Is it beautiful?” Daniel tore another strip from his shirt to wrap her other foot. He wondered if she was missing her flower garden. “Well, the missionaries said it was land that no one else wanted. That’s one reason the Saints hope to be able to worship and build Zion there without the persecution that we’ve had elsewhere. And we’ll make it beautiful. After all, the scriptures say that the desert is going to ‘blossom as the rose.’” * Jane smiled contentedly. Daniel leaned against the cart. He knew that Jane had been waiting to hear, “blossom as the rose.” For some reason that gave her comfort. Tears sprang to his eyes as he looked at her. Her clothes were worn and her feet were blistered and scabbed, but never a complaint escaped her lips. Her testimony that God was calling them was firm and sure. He wished that he felt that way. He had at first. But lately, with so many adversities, he had begun to wonder. Why wasn’t God helping them? Why had the journey been so difficult? Did he really want to be planted in this new land—especially a desert—after all? Daniel looked around. Not a handcart moved. Most of the company were doing as they were doing—resting. His parents moved closer to him and Jane. His father pulled off his hat and bowed his head in prayer. “Dear Father,” he pleaded, “Thou seest our situation and knowest our needs. We pray that Thou wilt bless us that we may live to yet serve Thee and to build up Thy kingdom. …” “Pa, look!” Daniel whispered as soon as the prayer was over. A large cloud of dust was moving toward them. “Is it a buffalo stampede?” Jane asked. The attention of the whole company riveted on the growing dust cloud. “I think it’s Indians, Pa,” Daniel whispered. Jane moved close and put her hand in his. The Indians stopped a short distance from the weary company. The sun shimmered on the sand, and waves of heat could be seen as well as felt. One Indian dismounted and slowly approached the handcarts. Daniel hugged his sister protectively. He heard Mother’s sharp intake of breath. The Indian went to where Father stood and stared at him for several moments. Without taking his eyes off Pa, he took hold of the cart handle and began to pull it. It moved sluggishly, protesting with loud creaks. At his signal, the other Indians got off their horses and pulled the handcarts through the sand. Their somber faces sometimes broke into smiles, as though they were having fun. A great cheer arose from the handcart company. By evening the handcarts were on solid ground again. The pioneers began to fix their meager meal to share with the Indians, who now unloaded fresh buffalo meat from two ponies. As Daniel helped one of the Indians unload some of the meat, he noticed a pair of moccasins tied to the saddle. If only Jane could have them for her feet! Perhaps there was something he could trade for them. All through supper, he hardly noticed the taste of the roasted meat as he thought about the moccasins. His only possession was a broken pocketknife. He pulled it out and looked at it. Very little of the blade was left. No, he couldn’t ask his new Indian friend to trade for it. It wasn’t a fair trade. He put the knife away. Morning came early. The Indians stayed for breakfast, then they and the Saints prepared to go their separate ways. Mother leaned her mirror against the wagon wheel. Daniel took the comb from her hand and began to comb his hair. He had long since quit grumbling about this morning ritual. Even though it seemed silly to him to comb his hair in such circumstances, he knew that it was important to his mother. The astonished face of his Indian friend filled the mirror beside his own. The Indian examined it front and back. He pointed to the mirror then to himself. Daniel nodded. “Mother, I think he wants this mirror.” Mother looked up from the campfire. “After all he has done for us, if he wants it, let him have it.” Daniel lifted the mirror off the wheel and put it into the hands of the Indian. Within minutes the man was back with his horse. He put the reins in Daniel’s hand. Daniel understood that the Indian wanted to trade his horse for the mirror. Daniel smiled warmly at his friend, shook his head, and handed him back the reins. The Indian pulled a long rifle out from under his saddle blanket and offered it to the boy. Again Daniel shook his head. His friend climbed on his horse, looked at him for a moment, then disappeared in a cloud of dust. Daniel sighed. He had wanted to ask for the moccasins, but he didn’t know if it was fair to ask for more when they had already been given so much. The next morning he was abruptly awakened by his sister. “Daniel, come quick! Look what Heavenly Father has blessed me with.” There on her bedding lay the beautiful moccasins. Daniel gently slipped them onto her feet. The Indians had helped them get out of the sand, then given them food, and now his friend had left footwear for Jane! In his mind and heart the thought blossomed—Heavenly Father had answered their prayers!
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