Leadership

Christ taught of Leadership

            Christ is the best example of a leader any of us could ever ask for. He never acted as though he was better than anyone even though he was. He washed the feet of his disciples to show them how a good leader should be. This simple act of service was huge to them. He willingly suffered the worst pain imaginable for our sins. He let himself be hung on a cross for us, as a leader.

            I don’t expect any of us to die for someone but we can show simple acts of service. Our leadership in the LDS church helps with service all the time. No one in our church is a paid. It’s all voluntary. Many churches pay their Bishops and priests, that is their career, but as part of the LDS church authority goes everyone is a volunteer, from the prophet on down the primary teachers in individual wards. Bishops spend countless hours helping others and leading their people and all out of the goodness of their hearts.

Mark 10:43-45

 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

 44 And whosoever of you will be the cheifest, shall be servant of all.

 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

I loved verse 45. Even the Son of man came to be a minister and to give his life

If we are striving to be like him we could think of it as this: every son and daughter of man came to be a minister. That’s us!

We may not be out performing miracles and bringing people back from the dead as Christ did but we can tell of the Him when the opportunity arises. We don’t have to even invite someone to church, even an act of kindness can be the start. Something as simple as a card on Christmas or helping a neighbor with yard work. Sometimes it takes just talking about Christ. I was watching this video about the t.v. show Duck Dynasty, (I know seems off topic but it’s not) and I don’t even watch this show, but it was all about how the father, had gotten into drugs and alcohol and he was losing his family. His wife and two young boys didn’t like who he had become and one day he sat down he said he just couldn’t take it anymore. His wife told him to talk to a man in town so he did. The man told him all about Jesus Christ and that he had suffered and died for our sins. He had never heard this before. He totally changed his life, it’s such a great story.

            But maybe one day we can be that person, the one who tells about Christ and helps change someone’s life. Here is the link to the video just in case someone wanted to watch it.

http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/the-robertsons/

The Second Coming - Should we be afraid?

 So to start I'm going to make a list of things that will happen. The are scriptures verses found in the Pearl of Great Price under Joseph Smith-- Matthew

Also you can read about the Second Coming of Christ in the Holy Bible. Mark 13 and Luke 21. They are basically the same scriptures.

 

Events to occur at the Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem

6 Many Men shall come saying- I am Christ- and shall deceive many

7 people will be hated by all nations and killed for my name’s sake

8 many shall be offended and shall betray one another and hate one another

9 many false prophets shall arise

18 great tribulation on the Jews, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, such as was not before sent up Israel of God since the beginning of their kingdom, nor ever shall be sent again upon Isreal.

19 All things which have befallen them are only the beginning of the sorrows which shall come upon them

Promises to the righteous

11 he that remains steadfast and not overcome shall be saved

Signs of the second coming of Christ

22 false Christs shall arise, false prophets that shall show great signs and wonders, that if possible they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.

23 hear of wars, and rumors of wars, but the end is not yet

29 nation shall rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.

31 this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked.

32 the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet shall be fulfilled.

33 the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven

40 but of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my father only

46 watch for ye know not he hour at which the lord come

48 the hour ye think not, the Son of Man cometh

Promises to the Righteous

37 whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of the elect for the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

50 blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh shall find so doing, he shall make him a ruler over all his goods

 Now, should we be afraid?

        I think all of us have worried about the Second Coming at one time or another. We ask ourselves, are we ready? What if it was tomorrow, would I have lived my life worthily enough? The things that will happen are pretty scary, wars, the prediction about the Jews, is terrible. Basically they have only seen a sample of what will happen to them and with the Holocaust, I don't know how it can get much worse. 

         Christ says that even the angels of heaven don’t know when it will be but only the Father. However, there are signs that we can look for. He promises that those who treasure his word will not be deceived and that if we remain righteous and strong we will be saved by Christ.

We have to remember that he second coming is the destruction of the wicked not the righteous. So if you're a bad person, then yeah, be afraid. But If we live a good life, do the best we can, and have taken Christ as our lord and savior we will be okay. The second coming of Christ will be a joyous day for us that are alive and have lived well because we get to see Him.

Temporal Marriage and the Resurrection

            So as many of you may know, Mormons believe in eternal marriage. Marriage that lasts beyond the grave. No "til death do you part" here. --- this cartoon is awesome! haha I want one of me and my hubby------------------->>>

Anyway we believe that families are forever, there are plenty of songs about it trust me :) Having said that, I’ve had Christians I know question that belief. They say, “in the bible it says no one after death is married. We all become angels.” And I’ll give them that, it does in fact says that, almost word for word. Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but as the angels of God in heaven.

            But his words say IN the resurrection and in Helaman. 10:7; ( Matt. 16:19; ) it says, Whatsoever you shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven:

            Luke records the Lord’s words as follows in part: ‘But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.’ In the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage; for all questions of marital status must be settled before that time, under the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 548.) again I emphasize this scripture. Whatsoever you shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven:

            Basically you have to be sealed before the resurrection or you will indeed be an angel of God with no spouse. No that that would be bad, angels are great but who doesn't want to be with their family?  I’m so grateful that through graciousness of God I was able to be sealed to my husband for all eternity. Although if someone you love has not, there is still hope. In the temple we also help those who have passed on already and we will until the resurrection I suppose.

In D&C132: 15 Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.

 16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in  marriage but are appointed angels in heaven which angels are ministering servants to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

Rewards eternal

Earthly & Heavenly Rewards

                Sometimes it can be hard to look at the eternal rewards when we see the benefits of our lives here on earth so plainly right in front of us. There is a story in the bible that tells of a man who thought he followed the commandments and asked Christ, “what lack I yet?”

                Matthew 19: 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

            But this man couldn’t see past his life on earth. Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

                To those who make sacrifices for Christ he makes a promise. Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children or lands, for my names sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

                Sometimes it’s hard to stand up to those that we know in the name of Christ but we will be rewarded for keeping his commandments even when it’s not the “popular” thing to do or the most modern “trend”. When friends turn to things not in line with your beliefs stand strong.

                There is a parable in  Matthew 20 about laborers who some work 10 hours some work 1 hour and other various hours of work but they all get paid the same. At first I’m thinking, that’s not fair. I’d be mad if I worked that much longer than someone and got paid the same. But if you think of it in terms of being a follower of Christ it makes more sense. There are those who are believers of Christ their entire lives, and follow his ways, always .And then there are those who wait til they are older to decide that its what they wanted all along and just didn’t know, but they will still be rewarded in heaven for being a believer in Christ because that’s what it takes. Believing in Him brings the benefit of his forgiveness.