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Update of Website: I’m Busy!

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You have likely noticed that I’m not publishing posts to the website as often as I have in the past.  I recognize that too… Sunday mornings had been my designated time for getting up early to write content.  I didn’t want to leave you hanging wondering and worrying that you would never hear from me again.

Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is largely pulled from the volunteer church members of each local congregation.

In 2020 I was called to a position in my local church congregation that requires a lot more time and responsibility. My Sunday mornings are now filled with meetings.  I have great intentions of adding to the website, so just be patient as I find a new place in my life for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with you.

Thanks for visiting all the same!

 

Photo Credit: Dallas Golden

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How Ulisses Soares Can #HearHim

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Elder Ulisses Soares is an apostle of Jesus Christ and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint.  In the video series, Elder Soares shares how he can #Hear Him

 

Image Credit: Screenshot from the video

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How Dallin H. Oaks Can #HearHim

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President Dallin H. Oaks: A Life of Service and Spiritual Guidance

President Dallin H. Oaks is a distinguished leader and a member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life is a testament to dedicated service, profound faith, and a deep connection with the Spirit. Today, President Oaks shares how he hears the voice of the Spirit speaking to him, offering insights that can inspire and guide us in our own spiritual journeys.

A Journey of Faith and Service

Born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, Dallin H. Oaks has led a life marked by significant achievements and unwavering faith. Before his call to full-time church service, he had a successful career in law and education. He served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court and as the president of Brigham Young University. His professional accomplishments are impressive, but it is his spiritual journey and dedication to the Lord that truly define his legacy.

Hearing the Voice of the Spirit

President Oaks often speaks about the importance of listening to the Spirit. He emphasizes that the Spirit communicates in various ways, including feelings, impressions, and thoughts. These promptings can guide us in making decisions, providing comfort, and offering direction in our lives. President Oaks shares personal experiences where he has felt the Spirit’s guidance, illustrating how these divine communications have influenced his decisions and actions.

One notable example is when President Oaks was considering a significant career change. He felt a strong impression to pursue a path that seemed uncertain and challenging. Trusting in the Spirit’s guidance, he made the decision, which ultimately led to greater opportunities for service and growth. This experience underscores the importance of faith and trust in following the Spirit’s promptings, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Leaders as Ordinary People with Extraordinary Faith

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like President Oaks, are regular people who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord. Their experiences and challenges are often similar to those we face. This relatability makes their advice and teachings particularly valuable. They have learned to recognize and respond to the voice of Heaven through years of faithful service and personal growth.

President Oaks’ teachings remind us that we, too, can develop a close relationship with the Spirit. By living righteously, seeking the Lord’s guidance, and being attentive to the promptings we receive, we can navigate our lives with divine assistance. This process requires patience, humility, and a willingness to act on the impressions we receive, even when they lead us out of our comfort zones.

Applying Spiritual Guidance in Our Lives

The advice shared by President Oaks and other church leaders is applicable in our own lives. They encourage us to seek the Spirit’s guidance in all aspects of our lives, from making major life decisions to finding ways to serve others. By doing so, we can experience the blessings of divine direction and become instruments in the Lord’s hands.

Personal Experiences with the Spirit

Many of us have had experiences where we felt an impression or prompting from the Spirit. These moments can be powerful and transformative. When we heed these impressions, we often find that we are able to bless the lives of others and, in turn, receive blessings ourselves. Listening to the quiet whisperings of the Spirit allows us to be agents for good in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Role of the Spirit in Everyday Life

The Spirit’s guidance is not limited to major life decisions; it can also influence our daily interactions and choices. By cultivating a habit of listening to the Spirit, we can become more attuned to its promptings and better equipped to respond. This can lead to more meaningful relationships, greater opportunities for service, and a deeper sense of purpose in our lives.

Developing Spiritual Sensitivity

Developing spiritual sensitivity requires consistent effort and practice. President Oaks teaches that we can enhance our ability to hear the Spirit by engaging in regular prayer, scripture study, and worship. These practices help us draw closer to the Lord and create an environment where the Spirit can dwell. Additionally, living in accordance with gospel principles and striving to be worthy of the Spirit’s companionship are essential steps in this process.

Overcoming Challenges and Doubts

There may be times when we struggle to recognize or trust the Spirit’s promptings. Doubts and distractions can cloud our spiritual perception. During such times, it is important to remember that the Lord is patient and understanding. President Oaks encourages us to persist in our efforts to seek the Spirit’s guidance, even when it feels difficult. By doing so, we demonstrate our faith and commitment to following the Lord’s will.

The Impact of Spiritual Guidance on Our Lives

The impact of spiritual guidance on our lives can be profound. It can provide us with clarity, peace, and direction in times of uncertainty. It can also strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with the Lord. As we learn to recognize and respond to the Spirit’s promptings, we become more effective instruments in the Lord’s hands, capable of bringing about positive change in our own lives and the lives of others.

Conclusion

President Dallin H. Oaks’ teachings on hearing the voice of the Spirit offer valuable insights and guidance for all of us. His experiences and counsel remind us that we can develop a close relationship with the Spirit and receive divine guidance in our lives. By following his example and striving to live righteously, we can become more attuned to the Spirit’s promptings and better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities we encounter.

Incorporating these principles into our daily lives can lead to greater spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. As we seek the Lord’s guidance and act on the impressions we receive, we can experience the blessings of divine direction and become instruments for good in the name of Jesus Christ. Let us strive to listen to the quiet whisperings of the Spirit and follow its guidance, trusting that the Lord will lead us on the path that is best for us.

 

Here are some further teachings by President Dallin H. Oaks.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dallin-h-oaks/revelation/
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/17oaks?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/17oaks?lang=eng

Image Credit: Screenshot from the video

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Get to Know Joseph Part 11: Pages Lost, Power to Translate Lost

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Joseph Smith and Martin Harris worked together on the translation of the gold plates into English from spring to early summer of 1828.  By June 14, 1828, Smith and Harris had translated 116 pages of the manuscript.  Martin Harris’s wife Lucy doubted the work of translation.  She felt Harris was being deceived by Joseph.

Martin wanted to prove the validity of what he and Joseph were working on by showing Lucy the pages they had translated.  Martin asked Joseph if he could take the transcript home with him to show his wife.  Joseph Smith asked the Lord for permission and received a negative response.

Martin was not satisfied with the response and asked Joseph to ask again.  Again, Joseph petitioned the Lord and received the same response.  Still, Martin needed to convince his wife and asked Joseph to again ask the Lord.

After much hesitation by Joseph and many solicitations by Martin, Joseph asked and received the answer that Martin could take the pages with the stipulation that he only shows the pages to his wife, his brother, his parents, and Lucy’s sister.  Martin made Joseph a covenant that he would only show those individuals but ultimately broke that covenant.

During Martin Harris’s absence, the Smiths became first-time parents.  Emma gave birth to a boy, but the newborn only lived a short time before he passed away.  Emma’s grief was immense and she wished for death herself.  Emma’s depression continued for two weeks and Joseph struggled to sleep from worry.

As Emma began to recover Joseph’s anxiety turned from his wife to Martin Harris.  It had been nearly three weeks since  Joseph had given Martin the 116 pages and Joseph had not received any word from Martin.  Emma eventually brought up Martin Harris and offered to stay with her mother while Joseph went to Palmyra, New York to find Harris.

The Journey Back

The journey back to Palmyra was not an easy one for Joseph Smith.  He was troubled by Martin’s lack of communication and though Joseph was already worn out, he was unable to sleep all night or take food because of the possible condemnation he and Martin were under.

The stage did not take Joseph all the way to Palmyra and with twenty miles remaining, Joseph was forced to travel by foot.  Before departing a kind passenger offered to accompany Joseph to the Smith home.  When Joseph and the kind stranger arrived the stranger told Lucy Mack Smith that for the final four miles he was required to lead Joseph by the arm because Joseph would fall asleep as he was walking.

Joseph ate a small amount then immediately requested for someone to send for Martin Harris.  At eight o’clock the family set a meal on the table expecting Martin Harris at any moment.  Hours passed with no sign of Martin.  It wasn’t until half-past twelve that Harris was spotted walking slowly towards the house with his eyes downcast.

Martin Harris stopped at the gate and got on the fence, sitting there for a while with his hat over his eyes.  Harris eventually entered the house and sat down as if to eat with a knife and fork in hand.  Hyrum Smith remarked about Martin’s lack of eating at which Harris put his hands to his temples and cried, “Oh, I have lost my soul!  I have lost my soul!”

Joseph lept up from the table and exclaimed, “Martin, have you lost the manuscript?  Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?”

All Is Lost! All is Lost!

Martin Harris honestly answered Joseph’s exclamation and responded, “Yes; it is gone, and I do not know where.”

Pacing the room Joseph wept, “All is lost!  All is lost!  What shall I do? I have sinned–it is I who tempted the wrath of God.  I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession.” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, 125-29)

Following that encounter Joseph received a revelation from the Lord in which Joseph is reprimanded, “Behold, you should have not feared man more than God.” (D&C 3:7)

For a time Joseph Smith was not allowed to translate from the plates of the Book of Mormon.

 

Image Credit: Personally composited two images from public use images provided from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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