Is America in Peril?
I admit—I’ve developed a pessimistic view of America’s future in recent years. When the twin towers went down on 9-11-2001, I was amazed at the way American’s responded. Everywhere I looked people were flying our flag; in their cars, houses, and businesses. When President Bush went before congress for a televised speech it was a God touched moment. I felt it, as did many others.
Peggy Noonan, wrote:
We Thank Thee, Oh God, for Prophets-Honoring the Prophets for the June 8, 1978 Revelation
I'm honored to belong to a church led by living prophets. The June 8, 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy males is an example of their prophetic calling.
Following are a few excerpts from, Lengthen Your Stride, by Edward L. Kimball, pp. 217-223:
"Day after day, and especially on Saturdays and Sundays when there were no organizations [sessions] in the temple, I went there when I could be alone...
Preparing for Conference this Weekend
I'm looking forward to conference this weekend. In preparation I made a list of things I can do to prepare. What would you add to or delete from this list?
1. Pray for those who will speak in conference this weekend.
2. Pray that I'll be guided by the Spirit to hear and understand those messages the Lord knows I need to hear.
A Prophet’s 9-11 Prayer
In Oct 2001 General Conference, weeks after 9-11, President Hinckley closed his remarks by offering a prayer.
"And now as we close this conference, even though we shall have a benediction, I should like to offer a brief prayer in these circumstances:
O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Judge of the Nations, Thou who art the governor of the universe, Thou who art our Father and our God, whose children we are, we look to Thee in faith in this dark and solemn time. Please, dear Father, bless us with faith. Bless us with love. Bless us with charity in our hearts. Bless us with a spirit of perseverance to root out the terrible evils that are in this world. Give protection and guidance to those who are engaged actively in carrying forth the things of battle. Bless them; preserve their lives; save them from harm and evil. Hear the prayers of their loved ones for their safety. We pray for the great democracies of the earth which Thou hast overseen in creating their governments, where peace and liberty and democratic processes obtain.
Wrapping Our Minds Around an Idea-Choose Your Ideas Carefully
Wrapping our minds around an idea is one of the joys of life. It is fulfilling to wrap our minds around an idea and then apply our new idea in some fashion and see the results. However, at times the results can be unsettling. Ideas can seemingly wrap themselves around our minds and create misery for ourselves and others. The Lord told us there is opposition in all things and this includes the pursuit of learning.