Jeff

Dear Jeff,

For as many years as I can remember we have been counseled to have a years supply of food, water and other necessities.  We have also been encouraged to get out of debt and save some money for a “rainy day”.   At each General Conference we have been given counsel to prepare for difficult times ahead.  We never know when or where a disaster might occur.  Recently many members have needed to turn to their savings and food storage to get them through difficult times because of the downturn in our economy.  Many people have lost their jobs,  their homes and their ability to support their families.  Hopefully they have listened to a “prophet’s voice” and were prepared for these times by having their food storage and savings available.

One of the problems with storing food is that it deteriorates and spoils.  We need to rotate our food storage to prevent this from happening.  If you were to store more than one year’s supply of food, much of it would probably spoil before it could be used.   My recommendation would be to follow the counsel of the Brethren and have in your storage sufficient to support you and your family for one year. There are several countries where people are not allowed by their government to store food or they might not have room to do so.  Those of us who live where we can store food are fortunate and need to follow the counsel of the Brethren.

We have been counseled to save for the future.  Not only should we have sufficient in our savings account for whatever may come, but it is a great way to make our purchases.  Often you will get a better deal when you pay cash for your purchases and you will have received interest on your savings instead of paying the finance company interest on your purchase.

Their counsel for us to get out and stay out of debt is very important as well.  By doing so we show obedience to the Lord’s prophet and it is very sound financial advice.  Interest is a very heavy taskmaster.  It works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  It doesn’t take vacation or holidays, but is always there.  The Brethren have advised us that we should only go into debt to buy a home and possibly a vehicle.  Even in the purchase of a home, we need to be prudent and not purchase one beyond our means and ability to pay for.  For everything else we should avoid going into debt and wait until we are able to pay cash for it.  Several people who have lost their homes might have been able to save it if it were not for all the other debt they had.

The First Presidency has given us the following counsel:  “Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.  We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.  We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”

I just wonder why, if the Lord saved the most valiant for
the latter days there is more wickedness than ever before. We are who
we were and will be. So if we have the same attitudes and behaviors,
wouldn’t it be fair to assume that not everyone was valiant so much as
they didn’t want Satan’s punishment?

Diana

Dear Diana,

We have been told many times that some of the most valiant spirits have been kept to come forth in these days.  We should not assume that this applies to everyone born in these latter days.  Some of the most vile men who have ever lived, have done so since the Gospel has been restored to the earth.  Hitler is one that comes to mind.  Nor should we forget that many of the very elect have been on the earth throughout its history. Adam, Noah, Moses Abraham to name a few.  Abraham was told he was one of the chosen.  In Abraham 3:  22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the ^aintelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the ^bnoble and great ones;  23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast ^achosen before thou wast born.

President Joseph Fielding Smith declared: “Our young people … are the nobility of heaven, a choice and chosen generation who have a divine destiny. Their spirits have been reserved to come forth in this day when the gospel is on the earth, and when the Lord needs valiant servants to carry on his great latter-day work.” Ensign April 1970.

In General Priesthood Meeting, President Spencer W. Kimball declared, “We are rearing a royal generation—thousands of whom sit with us here tonight—who have special things to do.” Conference April 1976.

It is interesting that President Kimball didn’t say that all those there were, but “thousands of whom sit with us here tonight”. As we look at the youth today, we can see those that are “noble and great ones”, but I am afraid that not all of them are in that category.

The other point is that Satan is aware that the end is near and he and his forces are doing all that they can to destroy the plan of our Father.  Never in the history of the earth has his effort been this strong. In order to resist Satan, many of the “noble and great ones” were reserved to come forth at this time.

Gramps

I have a missionary who is currently serving a mission in France. Is it OK for a missionary to leave a girlfriend at home? While he is gone, what should I focus on when I write to him? Since he is gone and growing a great deal spiritually, what should I do to prepare and grow spiritually while he is gone?

Gennie, from Rialto, California

Dear Gennie,

Those are good, thoughtful questions from someone who has a boyfriend on a mission. If you really love this young man, I’m sure that you would want him to have the most successful mission possible. Your letters would probably help him most if they somehow encouraged him to concentrate on devoting himself exclusively to the work of the Lord. Too frequent letters would be a distraction, causing him to think too much of home and girlfriend. If you let him know that you will be writing rather infrequently because you don’t want to distract him from the work, he would probably understand and admire you for it. Depending on how close your relationship is, I imagine that it would also be a good idea to relieve any of his anxieties about whether or not you plan to be there for him when he returns.

Now concerning your own preparation for his return. You will do your part well if you are faithful to your commitments to the Lord and are actively participating in the growth of the kingdom. Attending Institute would be a good idea. But in an attempt to be on his level spiritually when he would returns I would suggest that you immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon. He will know it well and love it. So if you could also know it well, it could become a great bond between you. I would set up some sort of a schedule to spend a reasonable amount of quality time in the Book of Mormon every day. You may be surprised at your own growth as you ponder and personalize the divine truths that are so aptly revealed therein.

Gramps

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel (Jer 3:23).

That could perhaps be the reference since I would imagine that your preacher recognizes no other source of the word of God than what is found in the Bible. I would suggest that you invite your preacher friend to read through the Book of Amos, in the Old Testament. In Amos 3:7 we read—

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Now, if the Bible is true, which I believe that your preacher friend would not deny, he must come to either one of two conclusions–either God had no more secrets to reveal to man after 740 BC (the year that Amos died), or that God continued to speak to man after the time of Amos. Your preacher will have to find some other reason for stating that God closed His mouth when the Bible as we know it came together as a single book. Nobody knows exactly when that was, but the most ancient manuscripts of the Bible that we have, the Codex Sinaiticus date from the fourth century AD, the Codex Alexandrinus, probably written in the 5th century and the Codex Vaticanus, again probably compiled in the 4th century AD. So, before those dates, there was not any book called the Bible.
The first of the two possible conclusions stated above from Amos is ludicrous, since it is unthinkable that God would have abandoned his people after the time of Amos, which at the very least would invalidate the New Testament. There has to be another conclusion to the preacher’s reference in Amos, as we know that God spoke to succeeding prophets, revealed Himself to His disciples during the New Testament time, and has appeared in person in our day to the Prophet Joseph Smith. FORGET THAT PREACHER!
Your next question was,

“How do I get them to care to try for the highest [glory in the celestial kingdom]? I’m not sure I really care so long as I make it to the Celestial Kingdom.”

Well, if you don’t care if you make it to the highest glory there is no way that you can get anyone else to care. But let’s see if we can help you a bit to fervently care for that option. The highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom is called exaltation. It is reserved for just one class of people. These are they who are sealed to one another as husband and wife in the holy temple, and who live thereafter in complete compliance with the marriage covenant that they took upon themselves in that holy ordinance. That covenant includes living by all the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who are so sealed and who overcome the world are resurrected as gods!

And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them–Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection….and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths–then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that….if ye abide in my covenant….it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them (D&C 132:19-20)

That greatest of all blessings to be given by the Father is available to all of His children who will avail themselves of the requirements, and those requirements are available to all! We cannot begin to fathom the infinite love, kindness and condescension that our Heavenly Father has for all His children who will obey His word.
Gramps

Amy, from Mesa, Arizona

Dear Amy,

It is my opinion that self awareness groups, implied by the very title, tend to help the individual focus on himself or herself. This is a trend that society in general seems to have taken. The rights of individuals seem to be supreme. But a part of the equation seems to have been forgotten: with every right there is an attendant responsibility. Unless one can consider individual rights within the context of the total good for society, then the rights of one often become the oppression of another.

While the objectives of self awareness groups at first blush may seem laudable, one must weigh them against the principles of the gospel. One of the great messages exemplified by the life of the Savior was to forget oneself in the service of others. If our focus is inward, even with the objective of self improvement, that inward focus tends to take one’s mind away from the noble objectives of service to others, and in the extreme, points in the direction of pride and arrogance.

The counsel of the Brethren has been clear on where our focus should be-

“Brothers and sisters, as you go forward with your ambitious programs, forget yourselves now and again. Lay aside your selfishness; lose yourself in the service of others and in some great cause.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, BYU Speeches, October 17, 1962, p.6)

“If you would find yourself, learn to deny yourself for the blessing of others. Forget yourself and find someone who needs your service, and you will discover the secret to the happy, fulfilled life.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.449)

“In the past several years, studies have been made and are being made among some segments of the Church population primarily to determine what things seem to have the greatest impact or influence in people’s lives to help them become spiritually mature and at peace. I have not had an opportunity to go through some of those studies carefully, but I have reviewed virtually all of them to some degree, and some of them I have reviewed very closely. It is interesting to me that in all of these studies three things seem to emerge regularly as having tremendous importance in the acquiring and maintaining of spiritual health and well-being. These may not be surprising to you, and yet may be because they are so standard and foundational to the gospel we don’t give them as much attention as we need to. One is prayer. People who will pray regularly and out of the genuine recognition of the source of peace, comfort, and security that Deity represents have a tremendously powerful and stabilizing influence in life. The second thing is the study of the scriptures-regular study. There is something about scripture study that is tremendously significant, more so, it seems, than we have ever realized before, even though attention has been given to this in the past. Its effect upon stability and spiritual and emotional health is very potent. The third thing is a disposition to do something good for someone else, an inclination to forget self in a concern for someone else. Now, I’m not just talking about church service. Assigned church service is important, but I refer more to an attitude or a disposition to be alert to the needs of others and then the determination to make an effort in some way to respond to those needs. There is apparently something so very Christ-like about that attribute that it represents a tremendously strong underpinning of emotional and spiritual strength.” (AMCAP, Volume 16, Elder Dean L. Larsen, p.179)

With Elder Larsen, I am of the opinion that the ideal road to self improvement is found in the application of the principles of the gospel. There are many programs and many philosophies that have noble aims and objectives, and try for the betterment of mankind. But if these programs and philosophies are examined carefully, that which may be judged to be of intrinsic worth comes to be the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, expressed in philosophical terms rather than in religious terms. The application of those philosophical principles, outside of the gospel context, may produce increase of ability and feelings of self worth, but they all fall far short of the self improvement that comes to those who learn to love the Lord, Jesus Christ, to pattern their lives after his example, to qualify for the purifying influence of the Holy Ghost, and who learn to forget themselves in the service of their fellow man.

Gramps

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have (2 Ne 28:30).

So if we faithfully do our own part, and not worry about what others are doing, [we] shall learn wisdom; and will continue to receive the blessings of the Lord; and because of our faithfulness the Church will continue to grow and develop, until one day you shall have a temple in Sungai Petani.
Gramps

Authority must always be conferred; it can never be acquired.

Experience must always be acquired, it can never be conferred.

Someone said on one occasion,

“The Lord makes some people bishops just to see if the people can stand them.”

So, let’s relax a little. Allow others to be as imperfect as we are, realizing that they will grow from their experience. Another little couplet that may be worth repeating is that—

Good judgement comes from experience;

Experience comes from bad judgement.

With all, the Lord is at the helm. This is His Church, and it is His training ground for those whom He is calling to positions of the highest responsibility in His eternal kingdoms. The true philosophy of calling people to serve in the Church is not to ask,

“Who would be the best person to fill this position of service?”

but

“What would be the best position of service for the growth and development of this person?”

Nephi quoted well the concept of incremental growth through service—

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have (2 Ne 28:30).

Gramps

“The harmony of grace and works was an important element of the latter-day restoration of the true doctrine; however, Church members of the new dispensation are naturally inclined to overemphasize works, in contrast to prevalent sectarian doctrines of salvation by grace alone. Our propensity to rely so heavily on works also reflects our present technological, behavioristic society, which places so much emphasis on achievement. We almost worship “all we can do.” In business, we measure success by the bottom line. In education, the behaviorist tradition promotes a technical training model that demands specific, measurable outcomes. Such behaviorism works well for goals that are concrete, visible, and rule driven” (Dawn Hall Anderson and Susette Fletcher Green, eds., Women in the Covenant of Grace: Talks Selected from the 1993 Women’s Conference Sponsored by Brigham Young University and the Relief Society, p.264)

“Alan’s changed life is reflected in his goals for personal growth and Church service. He finds measurable fulfillment of such goals not only in the usual day-to-day activities but also as a student at Brigham Young University, as part of a BYU show touring the Orient, and as a member of “The Free Agency” group which entertains and inspires the youth of the Church” (Hartman Rector, Jr., and Connie Rector, No More Strangers,1:, p.90).

Gramps

How can I get rid of terrible feelings of bitterness towards God for not intervening in the loss of my wife, my children, my career and the educational goal I had almost reached but can no longer afford due to crushing child support and alimony payments. All I have left is ashes. Countless were the times and ways God could have intervened to have prevented these tragedies. How can we be expected to believe in the values the church places on marriage, families and education when divine will seems to fight against those same things in real life?

Hurting, from Grants Pass, OregonDear Hurting,

The first thing I want you to do is to read (again) the Book of Job–all 42 Chapters. Study to see if any of it can be related to your circumstance. Maybe God DID intervene in all your losses, and in those losses are blessings unimaginable–if they can be perceived. But to blame God for ANYTHING is an attitude completely out of place with reality. How can God bless you when you are mad at him?–and at the same time apparently hold yourself blameless. The prophet Joseph Smith is reported to have said that he never received a revelation except in answer to prayer. If you are acting as God’s judge do you think that He will bless you just to get in your good graces? There is a purpose in suffering and there is a purpose in sorrow. What were the Savior’s words to Joseph Smith in a similar situation? Thou are not yet as Job (D&C 121:10).

What you could well recognize is that none of this is God’s fault; it is all your fault. You are mad at God for not robbing you of one of the greatest gifts given to man–your free agency. If he were to intervene and manage all your affairs so that there would be no upsets, no problems, no disappointments you would have gained nothing by your experience; it would all have been His doing. If you had had faith and confidence in God because He is the one perfect being in the universe, and He is your Father and He loves you and wants the very best for you much more than you do–if you had had faith and confidence in Him your problems may well have been solved by now. He absolutely knows exactly what is best for you, and is willing and anxious to lead you in paths of righteousness for His names’sake if you were only willing to live in such a way as to be sensitive to the voice of the Lord (it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul)–(Hel 5:30) He would be the solution to all your problems, rather then their supposed cause.

So the suggestion is to trust in God, be not bitter, but humble and teachable. Be willing to accept what may seem to be overwhelming difficulties when they come your way, and try to follow the inclinations and whisperings of the Holy Spirit. If you seek to find and understand God’s will for your life, rather than turning against God because he does not succumb to your will, you will find the peace and happiness that you seek, and you will realize and be thankful for the blessings that will come to you as you make the most of the opportunities for change that come your way.

Gramps

Dear Cheryl,
So here’s an article by a general authority addressed specifically to the preparations of seventy-two-hour kits—

“Preparing seventy-two-hour emergency kits,” Gene R. Cook, Raising Up a Family to the Lord, p.291.

The preparation of seventy-two-hour kits has been a first order emergency response promoted by the Mormon Church for a long number of years. It is taught in virtually all the wards and stakes of the Church. Does your friend think that any program officially instituted on the ward or stake level has less importance because it is promoted by a bishop or stake president rather than by a general authority? All such programs come down from the top.
Now, with this new knowledge do you think that your friend will now go out and prepare her seventy-two-hour kit? It would also be very interesting to know if this person has on hand her year’s supply, since she thinks that it is from the general authorities and on a higher level of importance that a seventy-two-hour supply.
Gramps

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it (Matt 10:39).

To lose oneself in the service of others is the shortest road to a close relationship with the Savior. He will guide you in doing his work and through that guidance you will come to know him much more intimately, and thus will realize your noble desire.
Gramps

And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying: I am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh. And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you (Moses  6:51-52).

In these two verses Adam is given the requirement to be baptized on condition of repentance from all his transgressions. Since it was specifically because of the transgressions of Adam and Eve that the fall came, baptism had to have come after the fall. This is reinforced in verse 59 of the same chapter—

That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory.

The concept of seeking knowledge to become more like God relates only to knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ—

And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms– That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you (D&C  88:77-80).

This scripture tells us also to learn the things of the world, but for a specific purpose related to the gospel—

That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

It is also necessary for us to learn the things of the world for the purpose of keeping body and soul together and to provide for the needs and wants of others for whom we are responsible. But to think that academia is the repository of any knowledge that will advance one person one iota beyond another in preparing them for their eternal destiny is mere foolishness. As the scriptures say—
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Cor  3:19).
I know of candidates for salvation in the kingdom of God who know not how to read or how to write. But they are people filled with faith. They are so poor that they have no other recourse for their daily sustenance then to depend on the Lord. However, it is true that knowledge accumulates in the universities. The freshmen bring a little in and the seniors certainly take none away, so knowledge accumulates.
Gramps

of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father (Mark 13:32).

Peter, James, John and Andrew had the same concern as do you, and the above scripture was in response to their question to the Savior as to when his coming would be—

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? (Mark 13:3-14)

The Savior then reviewed for them the signs of his coming, suggesting that we should watch for the signs to know when his coming is near. I think that it would be well to study Mark 13 and attempt to ascertain which of the signs have already occurred and which are yet to come. That should give a more firm idea of how close we are to the time of his coming. And I would suggest that it is not very far off.
Gramps

I’ve been told the Holy Spirit of Promise mentioned in D&C 88:3-4 is the Holy ghost as mentioned and referred to in John 14:16, while the second comforter is Jesus Christ. However, some of the references that are given under these two verses seem to refer to the second comforter. For example 2 Peter 1:19 talks about the more sure word of prophecy associated with the second comforter and D&C 132:49 which talks about Joseph Smith’s calling and election made sure. Even vs. 4 of D&C 88 seems to refer to exaltation or calling and election made sure. Can you clear this up for me?

Steve, from Utah

Dear Steve,

The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost. The Second Comforter is the promise of eternal life that the Savior makes to those who have proven themselves worthy, having dedicated themselves to the service of the Lord and having proven by their obedience and sacrifice that they will serve him to the end. Perhaps the following words of Joseph Smith will be of interest:

“The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39, p.150).

Gramps