Love Is Eternal

This is a must see if you're married. Relax, this video is brought to you by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so you knows it's clean.

http://youtu.be/hkOnH36S_pY

My Testimony (Pt 2)

You may often hear members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints say something of the effect, "I know this Church is true..." or maybe even, "I know this work is true." But what, pray tell, does that really mean? How do the members know it's true, what prompts them to make such a bold claim?

First let me ask anyone who doubts, or scoffs at members' claims of their conviction, this one simple question; and that is, how do you know it's not true? Would the devil (the enemy of ALL mankind, believers and un-believers alike) teach a group of people to pray unto God our Eternal Father in Heaven for the answer to whether or not this Church is true? No, of course not. Even if you are a member of a mainstream Christian church, you know (as do I) that the devil teaches no man or woman to do such a thing. In fact, he (still talking about Satan here) tells men and women to do the opposite! If a church tells you to read the Bible, the devil will whisper into your ear an excuse why you can't read the Bible or that you shouldn't. If a church (any church, ok, even the LDS church) tells you to pray unto God for strength and courage to do... well, anything; the devil will tell you that you can do it on your own, that you and you alone have the power to do anything.
"Besides, do you really think God will help you?" I've heard said, "Come on, you're the man! You did it before on your own (strength), you can do it again!" Have you heard anything like this before? Sound familiar? I'm sure you have. The phrase I heard alot whispered in my ear and even told to me by other people is, "Look, why pray to God at all? Have you seen what kind of mess your life is in!? God certainly hasn't helped you before, why is He is going to help you now? You're beyond help, and forget the Bible reading! Jeez, it just reminds you of what kind of screw up you are! Do you really need anymore proof!?"
As shocking as this may sound, yes, I've had people tell me these things over the course of my life. Now, with all that said, because I'm sure you get the picture. Let me ask you again, if this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not true, then why would the devil teach it's members through a man like Joseph Smith Jr. to read a book (the Book of Mormon) that is just overflowing with references to our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Why would he tell the members to listen to a man that is ordained and set apart by God to be a Prophet? Why would he (still referring to the devil here) tell the members that by obeying God's commandments you'll be blessed!? Why would he tell it's members to get married and once married stay faithful to your spouse and only your spouse? Would he tell the members to raise a good, wholesome family to teach their children to respect all just laws? You know as well as I do that all these things we teach our members to do is completely against what the devil stands for! He (Satan) is against traditional families (a man and woman), he delights in lawlessness in any form! He has no interest in our long term happiness, and he certainly does not want anyone of us to obey our Heavenly Father! The devil is the father of all lies according to the Bible AND the Book of Mormon; even Jesus Himself said that the truth was never in Satan from the start. The Book of Mormon says that the devil seeks to make all men miserable like unto himself, remember the old saying "Misery loves company"?
So all that being said, again, I ask you my friend... how do we, the Latter-Day Saints, know this Church is true? How do we know that the Book of Mormon is another testament (or witness) that Jesus IS the Christ, the Savior of the world? How do we know that the current President of the Church (Thomas S. Monson) is a Prophet called of God? Simple.... by doing the one thing that the devil tell us not to do; we offer sincere, heartfelt prayer to our Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ. And by the Spirit of the Lord, the truth is revealed unto us if we ask in complete faith that He will answer our prayer. The authorities of the Church have repeatedly said in their own unique way to pray about anything they say to God our Father so that we can know if what they say is true, He (God) will reveal it unto us individually.
I bear unto you all this solid, unshakeable testimony before God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the countless hosts of angels in Heaven; let it be written in the Heavenly courts above from this moment forth that I know without a doubt that the Bible is the inspired word of God our Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is also the inspired word of God and that was translated in this modern day by a young man called to be a Prophet. I know that this church is governed, controlled, and presided over by sincere, caring, God fearing men with a eye focused completely on doing the will of the Lord. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the only Begotten Son of the Living God and that He lives and reigns supreme at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. I know that the temples we have built (and still are building) are sacred, holy, structures were our Father communes once again with His beloved children here on earth. And most importantly, I know that God hears the sincere, faith filled prayers of His children and answers them.
I declare this boldly and without apology in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

We Still Need This!!

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” remains “a clarion call to protect and strengthen families,” according to Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who says it is also “a stern warning in a world where declining values and misplaced priorities threaten to destroy society by undermining its basic unit.”

Doctrines outlined in the proclamation apply as much or more today as they did in 1995 when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued the document, which proclaims to the world the importance of the family.

Like a Banner

Since then, prophets and apostles have repeatedly stressed the importance of the doctrines and principles in the proclamation. Elder Ballard, for example, encourages Latter-day Saints to hold up the proclamation like a banner. As Church members live and share what it teaches, he says, they will fulfill the measure of their creation on earth and will find peace and happiness now and in eternity.
Elder Ballard counsels parents everywhere to get a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and to compare the simple, clear, prophetic language with the convoluted notions of the family often proffered by society today.
“Read it and strive to align your marriage and your family to its inspired, revealed direction from the Lord,” he says. “Then be the very best and act the very best you can. God will give you strength beyond your own as you strive daily to fulfill the most sacred mortal responsibility He gives to His children. Listen to the voice of the Spirit and the counsel of the living prophets. Be of good cheer. God did not place you on earth to fail, and your efforts as parents will not be counted as failure unless you give up.”

Three Things Worth Reflection

The significance of the proclamation begins with the title, says President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.
“Three things about the title are worth our careful reflection. First, the subject: the family. Second, the audience, which is the whole world. And third, those proclaiming it are those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators,” he says. “All this means that the family must be of tremendous importance to us, that whatever the proclamation says could help anyone in the world, and that the proclamation fits the Lord’s promise when he said, ‘Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same’ (D&C 1:38).”
By studying the proclamation, families throughout the world can realize there are greater possibilities for happiness through celestial marriage than through any other relationship.
“The family unit is fundamental not only to society and to the Church but also to our hope for eternal life. We begin to practice in the family, the smaller unit, what will spread to the Church and to the society in which we live in this world, which will then be what we practice in families bound together forever by covenants and by faithfulness,” President Eyring says.
President Eyring emphasizes that the proclamation warns, “For those who fail to respond to its truths, the result will be more disastrous than simply lack of peace in this life or absence of happiness.”
He also teaches that the proclamation was ahead of its time because it warns against the very things that have undermined and threatened families in recent years. He quotes the prophetic warning and call to action with which the proclamation ends:
“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

As Eternal as the Kingdom of God

The proclamation teaches that the earth was created and the Church restored to enable families to be formed, sealed, and exalted. It teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and the family is central to Heavenly Father’s plan.
“When a family is sealed in the temple, that family may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself,” says Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Be More Diligent at Home

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encourages Latter-day Saints to be “more diligent and concerned at home,” because parents will be held accountable for rearing their children in love and righteousness. Parents have the responsibility to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of their children while they teach them to love, serve, and obey the commandments and the laws of the land.
“Fulfilling these obligations is the key to protecting our families in these last days,” says Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

My Testimony

Yea and it came to pass that I, Charles, felt compelled to write yet a few words concerning my conviction of this latter day work as it was proclaimed 181 years ago by a true prophet of the Lord. And again it came to pass that as I pondered the words which I should write unto the people, behold the Spirit of the Lord came upon me and I began to see all that which the Lord has done for the children of men. Now the Lord did not show unto me all the mysteries of His kingdom, nay, for I am not a prophet and not privy to such knowledge. Yet behold, He doth show unto me the mighty work that the gospel of the Lamb of God hath wrought in the lives of those who hath accepted His gospel in their hearts. And now I perceive that you ask amongst yourselves, 'If he be not a prophet, yet how canst he know of a surety that the Lord worketh mighty miracles and wonders among the children of men?' Yea, I knoweth these things for I have read and pondered the scriptures and they do tell of a wonderful, merciful and loving God that is longsuffering and full of perfect charity, which is the pure love of Christ who is our Redeemer! I have read the book that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Jew and that was complied and translated 400 years ago for the benefit of the Gentile, of such I am numbered. And yea, it came to pass that in the Lord's time I read another record from a people that have long since been departed from this earth. And their words came unto me from the dust and spoke of their knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, that He did minister unto them after He was raised from the dead. Yea, the record was hidden up unto the Lord many years ago and came forth in His good time to be translated and published to all nations, kindred and tongues as a witness of God the Father's only Begotten Son. That those who will believe not only the book that came from the mouth of the Jew, but also this record that was written by a branch broken off from the house of Isreal, that they may find joy and peace and blessings so abundant that they can not contain them. And now I, Charles, make an end of writting this my testimony unto you all. I declare boldly that this Jesus is the Christ and it has been recorded by two nations in two records and has been preached abroad in all the land and the isles of the sea. Wherefore, I would exort you all to come to this same knowledge and read these two records which have been named the Holy Bible, and the Book of Mormon. For in these records contain the fulness of the His everlasting gospel. Of this I bear my testimony unto you all in the holy, sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.