PonderThePath

From a 30 year married wife & mother, and a grandmother of 3; with absolutely NO REGRETS that I married young and didn’t delay childbearing; THIS IS MY BEST ADVISE to young 20s today: Love is harder to find, than work; and family is more important to build, then career. Don’t delay marriage in your youth! Don’t delay children in your marriage!

Life is a homeward journey for all of us back to the presence of God. Ordinances and covenants are spiritual credentials for our journey home to our Heavenly Father. Covenants are spiritual credentials that can open wide the windows of heaven to bring forth the promised blessings. All gospel ordinances must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, when sealed, it is bound on earth and in heaven. This sealing comes overtime as we repent consistently and walk in all the ordinances of the Lord. #ElderBednar #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

The sealing ordinance of marriage contains two parts. The lateral sealing of man and woman to each other, and the vertical sealing between the couple and God. — Unrighteousness by one person cannot rob another person of God’s promised blessings. A spouse who is unfaithful to their marriage covenant loses both the lateral and vertical sealing bond, but the faithful spouse will receive all the blessings of that covenant. #ElderBednar #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

Christ offers the woman at the well grace and transformative help… LIVING WATER… to help people transform their lives we have to look not only to their past but to their future potential. — SEEK TO BE HOLY LIKE OUR SAVIOR — Be quick to help and slow to judge is an important way we seek to be holy like our Savior. #ElderSinclair #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

The purpose of every Sunday school lesson is for people to leave thinking about and loving the Savior. — Come unto the master teacher; learn of him— to teach of the Savior, we must love as the Savior. #ElderReid #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

You may be thinking this message will really help someone else you know, but look deep into your heart to see if there are shards of pride that will prevent you from becoming a peacemaker. Stand fast in love when declaring truth! 1) Avoid overtly contentious settings 2) Find common ground 3) Be a light — stay at the tree! 4) Hold the truth even in the outreach You may win the debate in the moment… but you might lose the Spirit… and you may lose a friend in a moment. #ElderGilbert #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

When I was 16 years old I had an experience that changed me forever. One General Conference Saturday I was scheduled to work in the afternoon. I went to the first session of conference (this was back when we went to the church to watch conference) but left after to go to work. As I drive away from the building I looked back in my rear view mirror and I heard this thought as clear as day run through my mind. “The most important words being spoken on earth today, are being spoken right now in that building.” I felt an ache in my heart. I was missing it!! And for what? I instantly regretted that I hadn’t ask for the day off. That I was missing listening to prophets and apostles speak to go scoop ice cream at Baskin Robbin’s. That was the last time I missed listening to conference live. Today if I can’t be sitting, actively watching (which is always my first choice and priority), then I am listening live. I know I could read the talked later, now days you can watch the talks later, but I still keep a commitment that I made in my heart and to my Lord when I was 16 years old. I set these Conference weekends apart for a special observance of my faith and my gratitude to have living prophets. General Conference has become like a reverent and joyful holiday weekend. We do special things to prepare, we eat special foods, and I make it the center of my yearly goal setting and personal progress reporting to God. Treating conference this way has blessed my life beyond measure. I can go back in my journal and see the talks that have shaped my spiritual progress and been catalysts for me to draw nearer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I delight in conference. I love the feeling of gathering in a worldwide church all together, listening and singing together. It is extraordinary!! #GeneralConference #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

Natural and spiritual laws which govern life were instituted from before the foundation of the world. They are eternal, as are the consequences for either obeying or disobeying them. They are not based on social or political considerations. They cannot be changed. No pressure, no protest, no legislation can alter them. Years ago I supervised the Indian seminaries. When I visited a school at Albuquerque, the principal told me of an incident that happened in a first-grade class. During a lesson, a kitten wandered into the room and distracted the youngsters. It was brought to the front of the room so all could see it. One youngster asked, “Is it a boy kitty or a girl kitty?” The teacher, unprepared for that discussion, said, “It doesn’t matter; it’s just a kitten.” But the children persisted, and one little boy said, “I know how we can tell if it is a boy kitty or a girl kitty.” The teacher, cornered, said, “All right, you tell us how we can tell if it is a boy kitty or a girl kitty.” The boy answered, “We can vote on it!” Some things cannot be changed. Doctrine cannot be changed. “Principles which have been revealed,” President Wilford Woodruff said, “for the salvation and exaltation of the children of men … are principles you cannot annihilate. They are principles that no combination of men [or women] can destroy. They are principles that can never die. … They are beyond the reach of man to handle or to destroy. … It is not in the power of the whole world put together to destroy those principles. … Not one jot or tittle of these principles will ever be destroyed.” #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #marriage #gender #families “For Time and All Eternity” by Boyd K. Packer churchofjesuschrist.org/stud…

“The mother who entrusts her child to the care of others, that she may do non-motherly work, whether for gold, for fame, or for civic service, should remember that ‘a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.’” — Heber J. Grant

When the keys of the priesthood were lost, the gospel lost an important aspect of its saving power; its power to bind on earth and in heaven those ordinances given to the apostles. The plain preaching of the good news, and the belief in it, were not lost. The Gospel is this: Jesus Christ came into the world, lived a sinless life, suffered and died for our sins, was resurrected, and through Him we can repent, be forgiven, overcome death, become reconciled to God, and receive eternal life. What came forth through Joseph Smith was a restored ecclesiastical authority and the attendant ordinances and sacraments that are bound on earth and in heaven because of the proper authority from heaven. All other ecclesiastical ordinances and sacraments are appendages to it — given for one purpose, to draw the followers of Christ closer to Him through a covenant relationship sealed by priesthood keys. These ordinances and covenants do not detract from or alter the good news of gospel, but rather they sustain the believer by unlocking a greater measure of the strengthening and enabling power of the atonement. This is why Christ taught baptism, why his apostles baptized with apostolic keys to bind on earth and in heaven and confirmed upon those baptized the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. These ordinances did not go “beyond” the gospel, they didn’t alter the gospel, they didn’t create a new gospel. They strengthened the followers of Christ in covenant relationship and extended the blessings of the gospel to all who died without opportunity to believe that gospel during their mortal lives.

This talk by the current President of #TheChurchOfJesusChrist of #LatterDaySaints from years ago is one the most comprehensive explanations of what Latter-Day Saints believe about “the great #apostasy,” that came about because of the loss of #priesthood keys and thus the ecclesiastical church in the years after the death of the original twelve apostles; and the restoration of that same authority and church in these latter days, and the plain and precious parts that were lost to corruption in the church but are necessary for the fulfillment of the plan of God for the salvation of all. “The theology of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is comprehensive, universal, merciful, and true. Following the necessary experience of mortal life, all sons and daughters of God will ultimately be resurrected and go to a kingdom of glory. The righteous—regardless of current religious denomination or belief—will ultimately go to a kingdom of glory more wonderful than any of us can comprehend. Even the wicked, or almost all of them, will ultimately go to a marvelous—though lesser—kingdom of glory. All of that will occur because of God’s love for his children and because of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands” (D&C 76:43).” #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #JosephSmith churchofjesuschrist.org/stud…

I’m so grateful my grandchildren have been blessed, by God & their parents, to have the joy and priceless experiences of growing up with siblings close to their ages. I realize there are families — couples — who aren’t so fortunate and infertility limits their ability to create this condition for their children, I know the pain of that, because that was me as a young mother. Having said that, I am no less certain (perhaps more so) because of my experiences that the ideal setting for children to grow up is with siblings close to their ages, and I think the more the merrier. Children learn lessons in this ideal family setting that are much more difficult to learn without it. It is a pure delight to see my grandchildren love each other, play together, and yes, even fight with one another. The family order is truly divine, and its design is given by loving Heavenly Parents who desire the very best for all their children. Inside the family we learn a greater measure the nature of God, we learn to love as God loves, to serve and sacrafice as God sacrifices. God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be— This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God. churchofjesuschrist.org/stud… #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #TheFamilyIsOfGod

Gender is eternal! It is expressed in our sociality, but it is also a spiritual reality with a physical embodiment, and we participate in God’s plan in our unique gender roles. President, Boyd K. Packer taught: Dear brethren and sisters, the scriptures and the teachings of the Apostles and prophets speak of us in premortal life as sons and daughters, spirit children of God. Gender existed before, and did not begin at mortal birth. In the great council in heaven, God’s plan was presented: the plan of salvation, the plan of redemption, the great plan of happiness. The plan provides for a proving; all must choose between good and evil. His plan provides for a Redeemer, an atonement, the Resurrection, and, if we obey, our return to the presence of God. The adversary rebelled and adopted a plan of his own [lies and deceptions]. Those who followed him were denied the right to a mortal body. Our presence here confirms that we sanctioned our Father’s plan. The single purpose of Lucifer is to oppose the great plan of happiness, to corrupt the purest, most beautiful and appealing experiences of life: romance, love, marriage, and parenthood. The specters of heartbreak and guilt follow him about. Only repentance can heal what he hurts. The plan of happiness requires the righteous union of male and female, man and woman, husband and wife. Doctrines teach us how to respond to the compelling natural impulses which too often dominate how we behave. A body patterned after the image of God was created for Adam, and he was introduced into the Garden. At first, Adam was alone. He held the priesthood, but, alone, he could not fulfill the purposes of his creation. No other man would do. Neither alone nor with other men could Adam progress. Nor could Eve with another woman. It was so then. It is so today. Eve, an helpmeet, was created. Marriage was instituted, for Adam was commanded to cleave unto his wife (not just to a woman) and “to none else.” A choice, it might be said, was imposed upon Eve. She should be praised for her decision. Then “Adam fell that men might be.” Elder Orson F. Whitney described the Fall as having “a twofold direction—downward, yet forward. It brought man into the world and set his feet upon progression’s highway.” God blessed Adam and Eve “and said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply.” And so the family was established. There is nothing in the revelations which suggests that to be a man rather than to be a woman is preferred in the sight of God, or that He places a higher value on sons than on daughters. All virtues listed in the scriptures—love, joy, peace, faith, godliness, charity—are shared by both men and women, and the highest priesthood ordinance in mortality is given only to man and woman together. #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX churchofjesuschrist.org/stud…

#TheChurchOfJesusChrist of #LatterDaySaints teaches the husband presides in the home, but also teaches what righteous presiding in marriage looks like. When couples marry in the temple they covenant to counsel together in love and righteousness. They are taught that the principle of righteous counsel brings a couple into unity with God, and enables them to resolve conflicts and act as a unity for the greatest good of the family. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” lays out the distinct roles of husbands and wives. When husband and wife embrace their unique roles and responsibilities, united in their primary purpose of maintaining the marriage and family in peace and happiness, husband and wives tend to defer to each-other in their areas of responsibility within the home; sustaining each-other in their unique stewardships. churchofjesuschrist.org/stud…

Symbols of the Two Trees: Tree of Life: God's love, #EternalLife, the fruit we must partake of to gain eternal life. Love of God, #JesusChrist, given through God given conditions. Tree of Knowledge: mortal birth (body), accountability, mortal experience in a fallen world, progression, knowledge of God and his plan; eyes open, disernment & choice. Comes by agency of man. The trees are symbols of the essential parts of God's plan of Salvation as presented to us premortally, and as we partake of them in our second estate. We have the beautiful parallel between the tree of life in the garden and the tree of life in Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon, who describes the path we must take to the tree, what the tree looked like, and what the fruit tasted like; as well as it's effect on those who partake of it. One Interpretation: The two trees as symbols of distinctive male and femal roles can be seen in the two trees. We enter our second estate through birth to a mother, the mother nurtures us in our innocence, and guides our teaching in light and truth, preparing us to recieve the fruit of the tree of life through nurturing discernment within her children between good and evil. When they become accountable through their acquisition of knowledge of good and evil, they must be presented at the tree of life to — into the waters of baptism and through the order of the priesthood ordinance and covenants, which guard the way of the tree of life that the children will not partake of the fruit unworthily. The tree of life is guarded by cheribim and a flaming sword, symbols of heavenly power and God's word/law as well as his Spirit. We can only come to the tree of life by meeting the conditions he has set; through His power. It is the priesthood role to guard this way. The ordained man (Adam, father) gives the ordinances of salvation through priesthood power. Both roles are full partnerships with Christ and each other. Without a man and woman, married and melded, and yoked to Christ, the plan stalls, progression stops, and creation is utterly wasted. The garden teaches us that both trees are God given, both sexed with essential roles — the perfect complement to each other — both choosing to fall into mortality “that man might be,” and progressing back toward the tree of life “that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25, BOM) A pattern repeated over and over again, each man and each woman in the similitude of Adam and Eve, each participating in God’s plan, in partnership with him, given portions of Godlike power to be used within the bounds God has set; and if so, they will partake of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever without sin. #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX

There are many beautiful symbols in the Garden Story. Here is another from Hebrew teaching, merged with #LatterDaySaint temple liturgy: The garden of Eden as a symbol of the temple on earth, and the temple as a symbol of our celesial home, makes the temple a place where we can return to God’s presence, while in this world, to communion with God. A place where heaven and earth meet and the veil is lifted. This is the symbol of the holy of holies. It is in this place, the garden temple, that all life giving water flows outward into the four quarters of the world to give and govern life. Temple is a place for God to dwell with man. The ultimate goal of creation is for man to dwell with God. And the ultimate end of creation of this earth is to bring about an exalted earth where God can abide with man, no more divided by the veil. Here from the Garden we see man and woman leaving God’s presence in the fall and through covenant coming back to the temple, back to the holy of holies, to be together again with God to dwell in his presence in perfection and for eternity. #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #Temples

Men and women were literally made — formed — by God to be two halves of a whole. Not just physically but also spiritually. The gospel of redemption pertains to each and every child of God, married or single, but we become exalted only when sealed to the other half of ourselves. To live as God lives, and to become as God is, the sealing union — the melding of the two — must happen, and the two must become one flesh, abide the celestial law, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. When God’s children strive throughout their marriages for this kind of union, what they experience in the maturity of their love is wholeness that is impossible to explain and can only be understood through the experience of it. Looking back to their time when single, they will wonder how they could have thought themselves whole without the other part of themselves. Those who marry in the temple and walk faithfully through this mortal sojourn in a covenanted marriage (yoked with Christ) catch a glimpse of Heaven that is unique to the experience of #marriage. — In the same way that greater wisdom and spiritual knowledge comes to parents who rear and raise #children in this unique and unequaled partnership with God — both marriage and parenthood provides unique glimpses of the nature of God and Heaven. Now, this does not mean the any faithful covenant keeper that does not marry or bear children for no fault of their own, will be denied the same blessings in time. But I share this post as a bold invitation to not delay or defer marriage — or childbearing — rather seek it with all the energy of your souls, as though it is the most important blessing you can attain in this life and the next. Seek it as you seek knowledge and learning, as you seek greater light and intelligence; because in and through the formation of families after God’s law are found some of the hidden mysteries, the gems of eternity. Remember, “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” — D&C 130:20-21 Let’s not play down the importance of this step in our path back to God and be the cause of people missing out on significant blessings predicated upon the law of eternal marriage. Rather let’s teach others how to lay hold upon every good gift and blessing through faithfulness to the law upon which it is predicated. #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #family

I've always taught my children that to be modest is to not seek attention but to reflect God's glory. This week I found this 1957 teaching on modesty from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It teaches the principle well. I especially like what is taught about our speech in light of President Oaks recent emphasis on peacemaking. Modesty Is the Best Policy Modesty, like honesty in the copy book adage, is the best policy. It is the best policy because it is best for you. Modesty is a many-sided virtue. It applies to your manner of speech, your manner of dress, your manner of conduct. And thus it reveals the manner of person you are. Take speech. One who is modest in speech talks with restraint, sticks to the facts, gives to others the right to their own opinions without compromising his own. His opinions are listened to, his advice is often heeded. Modesty in dress is another virtue. Smartness of style and modesty can go together, and often do. On the other hand, to flaunt one’s figure, especially before persons of the opposite sex, may excite attention but not inspire admiration. Immodesty in dress is more likely to bring a “whistle call” of dubious compliment than a sincere proposal of honorable friendship. Modesty of conduct also brings its own reward. In a day when vulgarity is sometimes commercialized to the tune of “off beat” dance steps, it may take restraint to be modest on dance floor or in parked car, but true modesty will pay off in the lasting trust and enduring friendships of your companions. To these rewards of modesty you can add another – your own self-respect – and without self-respect you can never have the true joy of living which a loving Heavenly Father put us here to find and cherish. So – be modest – BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF *courtesy of my brother @BenUtah #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #modesty

“#LatterdaySaints invite each other and all men and women everywhere to “come unto Christ.” As a prophet has told us in the Book of Mormon, ‘I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.’” — Dallin H. Oaks

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn… For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust… my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings… my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again. Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem… Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. — Isaiah 50-53 #TheChurchOfJesusChrist #LatterDaySaints #LDS #LDSX #LDX #SaintsOnX #ComeFollowMe