Wow! This is a great talk by Daniel L. Johnson about the law of tithing and that there is never an excuse not to pay it, EVER. 

Also, that if we don't pay it we will lose temporal and spiritual blessings, so it's very critical, as I've mentioned here in the other audio clips of talks about tithing.

He said:

"There are many reasons that are used to not pay tithing, such as medical emergencies, debts, car or home repairs, educational expenses, and insurance. These reasons and others like them are very real and are lived and dealt with every day by many, if not most, of us. These tax our limited financial resources and, if we are not wise stewards of these resources, may result in the inability to meet our tithing obligation to the Lord."

He then says: 

"A lack of compliance with this eternal law is not to be taken lightly and can not only seriously impair our spiritual growth and development, but it can also limit the physical and temporal blessings that we could otherwise enjoy."

Like he says; this eternal law is not to be taken lightly and not only seriously impairs our spiritual growth....but it can also limit our blessings, both physically and temporally and we will lose blessings.

Those windows of heaven are up there folks. God has his hand on the lever and wants to open them so badly, but can't, unless you are paying your FULL tithing. If you aren't, he will withhold blessings from you in every way he can, to punish you for your disobedience.

Daniel then says: 

As President Spencer W. Kimball once said: "The Lord herein makes clear that tithing is his law and is required of all his followers. It is our honor and privilege, our safety and promise, our great blessing to live this law of God. To fail to meet this obligation in full is to deny ourselves the promises and is to omit a weighty matter. It is a transgression, not an inconsequential oversight."

So, there it is, in the words of a great Prophet; it is a TRANSGRESSION to not pay tithing, not an inconsequential oversight." 

So, the next time you decide to pay medical bills, gas, phone, put gas in your car, buy food for your family, instead of paying your tithing; you are TRANSGRESSING and losing blessings. Is it worth it?

So, ask yourself this; would you rather feed your family and have electricity, and the necessary things you need to live, but know that you are transgressing and sinning against God; or would you rather pay your tithing, know that you're being obedient and let the cards fall where they may?

I know that I'd rather have bill collectors tracking me down and suing me, no food and be homeless and bankrupt, before I'd stop paying my tithing. Better to be in jail, for defaulting on my creditors, then it would be to default on God and lose my Eternal blessings. Prison on earth, doesn't hold a candle to spirit prison in heaven.

I'm so grateful for talks like this, that remind us all that tithing is always first, like Lynn G. Robbins said, even before feeding our families. Now, that's true inspiration and a God that loves us all and always has our best interests in mind.

This talk was originally given in the October 2006 General Conference.

The Law Of Tithing-Daniel L. Johnson

This is part 2 of one of the more amazing and powerful talks I've ever heard. 

In Part 2, Thomas S. Monson, the next great Prophet of God, deals with the horrible problem of drug and alcohol abuse. 

Thomas S. Monson said:

"Drugs and alcohol cloud thinking, remove inhibitions, fracture families, shatter dreams, and shorten life. They are everywhere to be found and are placed purposely in the pathway of vulnerable youth."

I have struggled greatly with the reason why The First Presidency and Apostles of God, have decided to allow alcohol to flow and be sold in The Church of Jesus Christ's new malls, in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. 

At least they agreed to be closed on Sunday, in order to "keep the Sabbath day holy."

It is extremely troubling to me and after much anguish and soul searching, I cannot find the answer. Even my Bishop could not explain it to me and told me not to worry about it.

However, with what Thomas Monson just said, about alcohol and how it "clouds thinking, removes inhibitions, fractures families, shatters dreams, and shortens life"; one has to ask why these inspired men of God, would allow it to be served in their malls, which are really the Lord's malls now. 

Jesus must be very disappointed with this decision by his current Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and I hope that there will be some type of supernatural intervention, since we are promised that they will not and cannot, ever lead us astray. 

To recap, Thomas S. Monson said, in referring to alcohol and drugs: "They are everywhere to be found and are placed purposely in the pathway of vulnerable youth."

So, I ask; why would Thomas S. Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley, want to be a part of the "alcohol is everywhere" worldly ways of Satan? It just doesn't make sense! Are they not, through their actions, "purposely placing alcohol in the pathway of vulnerable youth?" 

Is that not what Satan does, according to Thomas S. Monson? He says that it is "purposely placed" meaning that Satan is doing it, right? Now they are doing it too, just like Satan?

I just can't stop asking why and it truly torments my soul to the very core. I asked a best friend about this the other day and he explained it this way:

"There is opposition in all things and the church is just placing opposition in people's paths, so that they can overcome the temptation and prove their love for God."

He also said:

"Our leaders can never lead us astray and so the decision to allow alcohol to be served, in the church's malls, came directly from Jesus Christ to Gordon B. Hinckley, through direct and inspired revelation. 

We are taught to follow the Prophets and Apostles and support them in all things, at all times and if we don't support the church's malls serving alcohol; then we don't belong in the church and we should be excommunicated for our rebellion or resign immediately."

But, excommunication for what? 

For upholding a value and belief, that I was taught since birth and even in the April 2006 General Conference, by Prophets, Apostles and my parents, that alcohol is evil and destroys families and individuals? For holding God's Prophets, Seers and Revelators, to the same standards that I'm supposed to keep?

Now, I'm supposed to just turn a blind eye? Can anyone explain this to me and help me out here? I just don't know how we can believe and teach one thing as a church and members and then go out and do the exact opposite. Isn't that hypocrisy?

Sadly, I'm beginning to think the only reason they did it was for money, but I hope that's not the answer.

I'll say the same thing to the church, that I say to the Marriotts:

If you can't maintain your standards in the businesses you own and can't be "in the world, but not off the world", practicing what you preach, then you should sell the businesses and get out immediately and not sell your soul to the devil.

This talk was originally

True to the Faith-Thomas S. Monson-Part 2

This is part 1 of this great talk, by this great and powerful man, with an incredible gift of speaking, in which he describes the dangers of pornography.

At the end of this clip, he states:

"Avoid any semblance of pornography. It will desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience. We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants, "That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness."5 Such is pornography."

One can only hope that J. Willard Marriott Jr. is listening to and learning from this powerful advice from the next Prophet, Seer and Revelator of God, Thomas S. Monson. I don't know how or why the Marriotts sell and profit from hardcore pornography in their hotels or how they justify it, but it has to end now.

J. Willard Marriott Jr. is currently an Area Authority Seventy who talks at many Stake Conferences and somehow I don't think selling hardcore pornography in your hotels, is keeping with the spirit of his calling, beliefs or church and it sets a horrible example to the world of Mormonism and makes us all look like hypocrites. 

Quite honestly, I'm embarrassed and angered by it and I hope he doesn't pay tithing on this money. 

In the April 2006 General Conference, Richard G. Scott referenced J. Willard Marriott Jr. and what a positive influence he had on his daughter, as a Bishop, in encouraging her to serve a mission:

"As she sat down before a choice bishop, she asked, "What do you think of my serving a full-time mission?" The bishop jumped from his chair, clapped his hands on the desk, and said, 'That is the greatest thing I could imagine for you.' That comment tipped the scales."

"Mary Lee served a most effective mission in Spain that unveiled hidden capacities, matured her spiritual development, and caused to flower capabilities that have blessed her as a wife and mother. The bishop that had such a profound influence in my daughter's life is J. Willard Marriott Jr., currently an Area Seventy. But we remember him most for what he did for our daughter Mary Lee...."

Let's all hope that he will continue to be that great example and realize the grave and great error of his ways, by ceasing to sell and profit from hardcore pornography in his hotels. I wish he'd clap his hands on the desk and shout, "no more hardcore pornography in my motels." He owes all of us members a big apology for his actions.

If he has no power at the top and can't stop it from being sold, due to the tremendous revenue it is generating for the shareholders; then he needs to get out now and repent quickly, before it is too late for him and the sins of everyone watching it are on his hands.

The estimates are in the hundreds of millions of dollars, that the Marriott hotel chain profits each year, from this "darkness" and filth, that "desensitizes the spirit and erodes the conscience", according to the next great Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

Just remember everyone that we must be examples to the world, like a light that cannot be hid. We can't say one thing and then go out and do another and not expect to be called hypocrites, by those that we want to convert to "the one and only true church on earth." 

We must live our religion, not just preach it. We can't talk about the incredible dangers of pornography and then go out and sell it all day long, all over the world, unless you are J. Willard Marriott Jr. of course. Let's hope he will make the right decision.

Let me end with Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley's words about the destructiveness of pornography, from the October 2000 General Conference, that Thomas S. Monson quotes:

President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: 

"I fear this may be going on in some of your homes. It is vicious. It is lewd and filthy. It is enticing and habit-forming. It will take [you] down to destruction as surely as anything in this world. It is foul sleaze that makes its exploiters wealthy, its victims impoverished."

Thi

True to the Faith-Thomas S. Monson-Part 1

Dallin H. Oaks

Everyone is always wondering if the General Authorities have ever condemned caffeine, which they clearly have, no matter how people try to justify it, in order to feel better about their addiction to it. 

There is a reason people, that you can't buy caffeinated drinks on BYU's campus. If it was allowed, you could buy them at BYU, plain and simple.

In this talk, Dallin H. Oaks says:

"We should avoid any behavior that is addictive. Whatever is addictive compromises our will. Subjecting our will to the overbearing impulses imposed by any form of addiction serves Satan's purposes and subverts our Heavenly Father's. This applies to addictions to drugs (such as narcotics, alcohol, nicotine, or CAFFEINE), addiction to practices such as gambling, and any other addictive behavior. We can avoid addictions by keeping the commandments of God."

If this isn't clear, then I don't know what is? Summarizing this clip, Dallin H. Oaks clearly says that anything addictive, "compromises our will." 

Also, that anything addictive "serves Satan's purposes and subverts our Heavenly Father's." Now that's powerful, isn't it? Do we really want to subject ourselves unto Satan? I hope not.

Also, he clearly refers to CAFFEINE as a DRUG, which it is and a highly addictive drug of Satan, to try and hook us and take away our will and free agency.

So, the next time you want to drink a Pepsi or Coke,  or drink some hot chocolate or even eat a chocolate candy bar; please remember the pleadings of Dallin H. Oaks, an inspired Prophet, Seer and Revelator of God, to avoid anything "addictive" or you will find yourself subject unto the devil.  

Try to always find yourself "keeping the commandments of God" and you'll be just fine and be able to overcome the temptation and/or addiction, if you already have it.

This talk was originally given at a fireside
address at Brigham Young University on October 11, 1987.

Free Agency and Freedom-Dallin H. Oaks

David A. Bednar

First off, I want to apologize for the audio quality, as it's pretty bad on this one, but it's the best there is, that I could find.

I just really felt the need to share this talk, because it re-visits the incredibly important earring issue one more time. This talk was in 2002 and he references the story his wife told in 2001 and that he re-told in 2005, at BYU-Provo. 

He shares a letter from a young woman who was so inspired by that talk, given by his wife Susan K. Bednar, that she went home and took out her 3 earrings, that she had in each ear, so that she wasn't like the girl in the story. She said that she was also "more cautious about the skirts she wore, making sure she would not show any skin." Thank You on behalf of all men!

David A. Bednar then quotes the girl as saying:

"But something more important happened as a result of listening to Sister Bednar's talk and following her counsel. I became more susceptible to the Spirit."

The spirit was just waiting to contact her and help her and God wanted to bless her abundantly, but just couldn't do it, as long as she kept those darn earrings in her ears. Once removed, the spirit moved in and filled those extra holes, so to speak.

He then tells everyone that "this young woman presently is serving as a full-time missionary."

He says to "note how her initially conforming and complying obedience developed into heartfelt and willing obedience and led her into a remarkable opportunity to serve and to assist in building the Kingdom."

It's just so amazing isn't it? I mean, if she hadn't heard that speech by Susan K. Bednar and been inspired to "heed a Prophet's pleading" and remove her 3 earrings in each ear; she most certainly wouldn't have been worthy to serve a full-time mission and would have lost the "remarkable opportunity to serve and to assist in building the Kingdom." What a blessing!

David A. Bednar, then says, "Brigham Young University-Idaho is a set apart and sacred place where young men and women, with a remarkable capacity to obey."

To me, the most powerful part of the speech, is when he says, "The true Spirit of Ricks is about progressing to and through "letter of the law" obedience to public and institutional commandments and toward the spirit of devoted discipleship and a private, personal, and individual change of heart. The letter from this young woman provides a powerful example of the impact of the Spirit of Ricks."

It not about the spirit of the law folks, and never has been, at any point, rather "the letter of the law." I mean think about it. 

Even though he said last year at BYU-Provo, that it wasn't about the earrings; I think he was just making a different point, because it was all about the earrings and removing those 3 earrings in each ear, has helped this young woman for all eternity, to be "obedient to the letter of the law." That's what it's all about!

If she hadn't simply and obediently removed those earrings; no mission and no eternal blessings would have been received. She may have even left the church, become rebellious and "kicked against the pricks", and lost her eternal family, who knows? From simple things(obedience), great things come to pass and miracles happen.

I hope that all women out there will weigh whether it is worth throwing away your eternity, for some stupid earrings and a rebellious, reckless, irresponsible attitude? Please heed the Prophet's pleading and get those earrings out of your ears! 

Also, you men out there, should heed Susan K. and David A. Bednar's council and end any relationships you currently have with women that have more than one earring in each ear. 

It doesn't matter how much you love them or what wedding plans you may have. If they won't heed a "prophet's pleading", they are not the one for you, plain and simple, end of story. 

This talk was given at a devotional at BYU-Idaho, on June 27, 2002.

Heartfelt and Willing Obedience-David A. Bednar

Here in part 2, Susan Bednar starts off by telling women how to pick out their clothes and test them, to see if they are modest or not. She describes what she does each time she gets dressed.

She then tells a story about a young lady who bore here testimony and "professed her love for the Savior, and her desire for a temple marriage" but "in a terribly immodest and inappropriate outfit" and what a hypocrite the girl was to do this and that she really couldn't "love the Savior and dress immodestly." This young woman also wouldn't "qualify" for a temple marriage due to her immodesty, according to Susan Bednar and I would have to agree with this assessment, whole heartedly.

Then, Susan Bednar surprised me, by sharing the same exact story(about a girl who wouldn't remove her extra earrings), that her husband David A. Bednar shared last year at BYU-Provo, May 10, 2005, called "Quick to Observe." In fact, it was the very first LDS Highlight podcast, back on July 31, 2006 and one of my favorites talks of all time. 

I had no idea that this was actually a story that his wife had shared 4 years before he did. He wouldn't have shared it too, and again, unless it was very important and something we needed to pay close attention and head to.

What's amazing, is the almost word for word accuracy of the following statement, used by both Susan and David Bednar, 4 years apart.

Susan and David both said:

"This young man waited patiently for several weeks for the young woman to remove her extra earrings, but she didn't take them out. Her message of noncompliance to a prophet's pleading was a valuable piece of information for this young man."

Susan Bednar then says:

"he was looking for a girl who had the courage to follow the prophet. 'No decent man admires an immodest woman.'" 

So, she is saying that this young woman didn't have "the courage to follow the Prophet Hinckley's "pleading", which is so sad and unfortunate. I'm glad that young man dumped her, if that was her attitude, because he deserves much better than her. 

Susan then mentions that the wearing of additional earrings is Immodest, because, "'No decent man admires an immodest woman.'" It's interesting that when David A Bednar shared this same, exact story at BYU, he said, "The issue was not earrings!" Susan Bednar makes it very clear, that it was all about the earrings and immodesty; so it leaves me a little confused, but I can see the big picture. 

This man did the right thing ending the relationship and one can only hope that this young woman learned how to be modest and follow a "prophet's pleading", by removing her additional earrings, that had no business being in her ears.

Susan then goes on to say, "We live in an evil world. Satan is alive and well in the fashion industry." She talks about some young LDS women, that had the courage to take on the fashion industry, to counter Satan and what he is trying to do, by leading young women astray with styles of clothes.

One can only hope that when the LDS church's malls open up in about 5 years, that they will be wise and never cater to that latest trends or have sexy or immodest dresses in their malls, that are for young girls or any women for that matter. They can set the standards for the world and show everyone how it is done.

Susan Bednar then says:

"...If we desire the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we must invite it by dressing modestly. If we desire a temple marriage, we must prepare now by dressing modestly."

So, if women dress immodestly, they will not have the companionship of the Holy Ghost or be able to have a temple marriage. I call that pretty darn important, don't you? Dress modestly women and you will be blessed richly.

This talk was originally given at a 6 Stake Fireside, on September 16, 2001, 5 days after the 911 attacks in New York. I'm so glad that Susan Bednar was able to stick to the most impo

Reverencing Womanhood-Susan Bednar-Part 2

This podcast was created to highlight the key parts of the greatest and most important talks ever given in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Please Leave comments at LDSHighlight@hotmail.com

LDS HIGHLIGHTS

This is a very powerful talk by David A. Bednar about the power of the Holy Ghost and that it is how we communicate directly with God, our Father.

David A. Bednar states that "God communicates with us through our very thoughts and feelings" and then counsels us to "to avoid polluting our minds with pornography, watching R-rated and inappropriate movies and television programs, and taking into our bodies harmful and addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol...."

As we already know, in regards to pornography, from the Dallin H. Oaks quote from a letter, in April, 2005:

"In my eyes cocaine doesn't hold a candle to this. I have done both. . . . Quitting even the hardest drugs was nothing compared to [trying to quit pornography]"(letter of Mar. 20, 2005) 

Now David A. Bednar also does an amazing display in this talk, with a tuning fork and it really helped me to understand the talk better and what he was trying to explain about the Holy Ghost. David A. Bednar is a genius, a true man of God and knows how to reach deep into our hearts and souls.

He said:

"Just like the sound produced by this tuning fork, the Holy Ghost is constant, steady, and sure."

He then states:

"I have wondered if we as members of the Church talk about and emphasize marvelous, magnificent, and dramatic spiritual manifestations so often that we perhaps overlook the customary influence of the Holy Ghost that is quiet, delicate, and subtle."

He then quotes President Boyd K. Packer, when he said:

".....I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts us to use them to the blessing of others." 

David A. Bednar then talks about those who question their own testimony, because they haven't personally seen the angel Moroni. He mentions that if you have doubts about the truthfulness of the church and your testimony; "you are normal and everything is 'ok.'" 

Then, in his most powerful statement, in the entire talk, he says:

"Please remember this important principle: People who have profound spiritual experiences 'do not talk about them, except in the rarest of circumstances.' It would be a good thing for you to consider the implications of that principle."

He then quotes Joseph F. Smith, who said:

"Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs, and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members of the Church who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths....." 

He then leaves us with a final warning regarding this, when he said:

If we are not careful and discerning, we may mistakenly follow a false sound that will lead us astray."

Finally, he quotes Joseph Smith saying:

As the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, ". . . For nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God." 

So, the bottom line is that we all need to be very careful to not follow false spirits and sounds of Satan and realize how easily we can be deceived and tricked by Satan as "an angel of light." Also, we should rarely, if ever, share our personal spiritual experiences with anyone, at any time, because they are too sacred and holy. 

The more we share them, the more slippery our path will become and we may slip right into Satan's path and the false spirits will then control  and deceive us, thus dragging us down to hell for all eternity. 

So, let us all go forward, not boasting or talking about our special spiritual experiences, rather keeping them sacred and to ourselves and very private. Please don't allow our sacred spiritual experiences to be our greatest downfall, that will destroy our soul for all eternity and separate us from our families.

This talk was originally given

Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost-David Bednar

Gordon B. Hinckley

In this amazing talk, Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley reminds everyone that doesn't pay their tithing, or obey all of the other commandments of the Lord, that they will be "burned as stubble", at the 2nd coming, using the Doctrine and Covenants[D&C 34:7–9] for the reference. 

He says:

"Nonetheless, the word of the Lord is clear that those who do not keep the commandments and observe the laws of God SHALL BE BURNED at the time of his coming."

He also jokes about tithing being "fire insurance" and some people in the audience laugh, but then he confirms that paying tithing is indeed fire insurance and therefore no laughing matter.

He also speaks of the 2nd coming and the faith and surety of good, obedient Latter-Day Saints.

The bottom line is to pay your tithing everyone or you will indeed be burned as stubble at the time of the 2nd coming, as the Modern-day Prophet of God has promised and I for one, do not want to be burned up like stubble. Do you guys want to be burned? Pay that fire insurance or suffer the consequences! 

This talk was originally a fireside address that was given at Brigham Young University on March 25, 1979.

We Need Not Fear His Coming-Gordon B. Hinckley

In this extremely important talk, given at the last General Conference Priesthood session, Gordon B. Hinckley condemned all current and past racism. 

My favorite quote was:

"Now I am told that racial slurs and denigrating remarks are sometimes heard among us. I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ. How can any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood arrogantly assume that he is eligible for the priesthood whereas another who lives a righteous life but whose skin is of a different color is ineligible?"

Basically, Gordon B. Hinckley is talking about the past and current Prophets and Apostles, that taught "Blacks are the seed of Cain", "Blacks were less valiant in the pre-existence" or that there should be "death on the spot" if a black person mixed their seed with a white person and so on and so on.

I don't know where this leaves Apostles and Prophets like Boyd K. Packer and Brigham Young among others, since "no man who makes disparaging remarks, concerning those of another race, can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ."

For example, Boyd K. Packer taught, in 1977:

"We've always counseled in the Church for our Mexican members to marry Mexicans, our Japanese members to marry Japanese, our Caucasians to marry Caucasians, our Polynesian members to marry Polynesians. The counsel has been wise.....Plan, young people, to marry into your own race. This counsel is good."

Brigham Young taught:

"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so (Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, p. 110)."

So, I guess it is a step forward to admit the racism and condemn it, but I don't know where that leaves us. Also, to wonder where it all comes from or to be confused about it, is a little puzzling to me, since it is so easily and clearly laid out in our LDS history. It is confirmed by the fact that blacks were denied all temple blessings until 1978.

Hopefully this is a step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done.

This talk was given in April 2006 at the Priesthood session.

The Need for Greater Kindness- Gordon B. Hinckley

Susan Bednar really chastises women in this talk, but with the spirit of course, while telling them how their inappropriate attire, leads men to have impure thoughts and actions. 

She quotes a letter from Emily Eyring Robertson(probably the daughter of Henry B. Eyring) that states:

"Rather than being disappointed or confused by girls who dress immodestly in spite of the Honor Code, I find myself getting angry at them. They subject my husband, other women's husbands, and men in general who are trying to stay clean, to seeing more than they want to of something that is naturally hard for them to avoid...they contribute to the breakup of marriages and families. It seems like a drastic conclusion, but that's what it comes down to.."

Wow, I agree with everything Emily said. Men always try to be on their best behavior, but it's so hard, when women dress so immodestly. 

Susan Bednar then says:

"You can't believe all the female students I've walked past who were sitting in a chair, and when I looked down I could see their underwear or even worse. I think you know what I mean. I'm sorry to be so blunt. I'm just telling you what I saw."

and:

"These past few weeks I've been shocked by all the low-rise jeans, short tops, and navels I have seen on campus. Ladies, your pants just barely cover the private areas of your bodies. They are so revealing....for more than a year now, I've been so disappointed by all the tight-fitting, low-cut tops I've seen.....Some of the tops you wear show every bump and every curve on your breast. They fit you like a wet swimming suit with no padding..."

Then, the best part of this talk is when she tells girls how to sit properly when wearing a dress and how to cross their legs so that you can't see everything under the dress.

She said:

"A few months ago I was sitting on the stand in this building when I counted the girls on the front row who were wearing dresses for devotional, and then I noted how many of them were sitting modestly. There were just a few. Now you might say, "Sister Bednar, come on, lighten up. They wore dresses. Give them a break." But girls, when you wear a dress, you need to sit with your legs together, close together. When you are sitting up in the bleachers, put your feet down in front of you, not up on the next bleacher; you'd be amazed at what you can see. You need to make sure that when you cross your legs your dress isn't so short that you can see to high heaven! I felt sorry for the priesthood leaders on the stand with me that day....You would have been embarrassed, too."

I just thought it was interesting when she said that she could see to "high heaven", when looking up the girl's dresses. I'm not sure why she is looking up girl's dresses and walking around campus noticing "how revealing their clothes are",  how she could see their "navel" and  "underwear or even worse", and how they show "every bump and every curve on their breast", as it feels a little strange and odd to me, but I understand the point she's making.

At least as the wife of an Apostle, she is no longer subjected to such awful things and sites, on a daily basis and having to look at the panties and "high heaven", of the girls sitting on the front row, up in the balcony. Then again, if they ever go to BYU to speak again, she may have to look up more dresses, which I hope she doesn't. Hopefully the girls learned from this talk not to show their "high heaven" anymore.

I'm sure that this talk helped a lot of young women in attendance that day, to know how to keep their legs together when wearing a dress and to not put impure thoughts into the heads of good men. Despite the seriousness of this talk, Susan Bednar did get quite a few big laughs from the girls.

This talk was originally given a 6 Stake Fireside, on September 16, 2001, 5 days after the 911 attacks in New York. I'm so glad that Susan Bednar was ab

Reverencing Womanhood-Susan Bednar-Part 1

James E. Faust explains very clearly, the LDS Church's stance on homosexuality and gay marriage. There can be no doubt where they stand, not that there is much doubt anyway.

He refers to homosexuals, engaged in sexual activity, as being "the inappropriate use of sacred creative powers."

He makes it clear that it is impossible that homosexuality is inherited or that people are born that way, because it "it would frustrate the whole plan of mortal happiness. Our designation as men or women began before this world was." He also mentions that "No scientific evidence demonstrates absolutely, absolutely, that this is so.

James E. Faust then states there is "the false belief of inborn sexual orientation." So, I'm gathering that he saying heterosexual people are born heterosexual, but homosexual people are not born homosexual. 

So, in short, he does indeed believe in "inborn sexual orientation", but only for heterosexual people. I'm not sure why he mentioned that it was a "false belief", since it is his belief, as he clearly stated in the sentence before. Hopefully that makes sense to everyone.

This powerful and extremely important talk was given on November 15, 1995 at BYU.

Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil-Faust

In this amazing talk about the dangers of pornography, Dallen H. Oaks concurs with a letter he received from a man who was addicted to hard drugs and pornography, stating that addiction to pornography is far harder to overcome than addiction to hard drugs.

The most powerful quote from this letter is:

"In my eyes cocaine doesn't hold a candle to this. I have done both. . . . Quitting even the hardest drugs was nothing compared to [trying to quit pornography]" 

So, let this be a lesson to everyone, male or female, that according to a current Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ; trying to overcome addiction to cocaine or heroine, etc, is far easier and nothing compared to overcoming addiction to pornography. Now that's pretty powerful. 

I guess if you had to choose between which addiction to be more concerned about, it would have to be the pornography, according to Dallin H. Oaks. 

It's hard to believe that people are better off addicted to cocaine or hard drugs, than Playboy, but an Apostle said it in General Conference, so therefore it is and it must be so. Some great advice from a great man of God.

This talk was given in the April 2005 General Conference

Pornography-Dallin H. Oaks

This is clip #2 of this amazing and powerful talk given by M. Russell Ballard. I posted part 1 a couple of days ago.

In this clip, he basically says the same thing he said earlier in the talk, about running from those "that claim to know something that the First Presidency or the 12 Apostles of God don't know." He says again to, "run away from them as fast as you can."

He also states:

"There are people all around the world who are now making the declaration that they are the Christ. Please be careful."

He also makes the same exact statement, word for word, that he made back at a  BYU-Provo Devotional on November 6, 1994, in the talk entitled "What Came From Kirtland?"(posted here August 12, 2006) This is obviously very important for him to repeat it again, so let me post it again.

M. Russell Ballard says again:

"You keep your eyes riveted on the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. WE WILL NOT LEAD YOU ASTRAY. WE CANNOT."

The difference this time, is that he goes on to explain why that is, that they can't lead us astray and it is beautiful the way he expresses himself. M. Russell Ballard is a very eloquent and blessed speaker, inspired directly by God himself. I think being a direct, living descendant of the beloved Joseph Smith, might be the reason for this.

He then discusses a missionary who almost lost his testimony after reading some anti-Mormon literature for the first time. The bottom line, as he explains in this story, is that if you give the Lord equal time and read The Book of Mormon everyday, and nothing else, you will always know the church is true and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. 

It is also a strong warning to stay away from that evil anti-Mormon doctrine that is all lies and from the Devil himself, the master of all lies. Just reading it once, can cause even "the elect", to be led astray and lose their testimony.

The last part of this clip explains that no matter how righteous we are and how focused on Christ we are, that we can still have a lot of problems and difficulties.

M. Russell Ballard says:

"Does that mean we will not have turmoil or personal problems or sickness or family challenges or employment difficulties? Not at all."

However, he does point out:

"But it does mean that if our faith is anchored securely in our testimonies of Christ, we will be able to cope with whatever adversity comes our way, and we will be able to do so in a positive, faith-promoting manner. If we keep the eye of faith focused on Christ, we gain a broader view and an eternal perspective, and with that we can understand adversity from within the context of Heavenly Father's eternal plan for all of His children. And we can find comfort in this life in the eternal safety, peace, joy, and security that He promises."

So, no matter what has happened or is happening in our lives, whether someone has died or is extremely ill or sick, etc, we can look at the situation in a "positive, faith-promoting manner." We will also understand that it is all "from within the context of Heavenly Father's eternal plan for all of His children."

How beautiful to know that Heavenly Father has blessed us all with such trials and pain, in order to help us grow and become better people. No matter how bad things are, they're for our own good in the long run and the eternal perspective of things.

This talk was originally given at BYU-Provo, as a devotional Address, on March 12, 1996.

When Shall These Things Be-M. Russell Ballard-Part 2

Ezra Taft Benson

In a follow up to the last audio that I posted from Gordon B. Hinckley, I felt that I should post a quote from this amazing and powerful talk by the former Prophet Ezra Taft Benson.

In this very short quote, he makes it crystal clear, that under no circumstances, will a Prophet of God ever be allowed to lead the Church astray.

It is such a comforting feeling to know that we can listen and obey the Prophets every word and not have to even think about it or worry, that it may be something incorrect or wrong, since that is impossible. 

What a blessing to have modern day Prophets that CANNOT err, CANNOT make mistakes and CANNOT lead us astray.

This address given on February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

The 14 Fundamentals-Ezra Taft Benson

Susan W. Tanner

Another powerful clip, where Susan W. Tanner explains how there is "an intimate link between body, mind and spirit."

She then explains the importance of the word of wisdom and says, "she remembers an incident in my home growing up when my mother's sensitive spirit was affected by a physical indulgence. She had experimented with a new sweet roll recipe. They were big and rich and yummy—and very filling."

What happened, is that her mother ate 3 of these "big and rich and yummy—and very filling" sweet rolls, which in turn, offended her spirit and made her feel unworthy to say the family prayer. I'm sure that most of us would feel the same exact way she did.

As I have reflected on all of the past Thanksgiving holiday meals, buffets, eating cookies, pizza parties, etc, I too realize that I have overindulged way too many times and deeply offended my spirit in the process. 

I remember and recognize that I usually felt good and normal before a buffet, but then afterwords, I felt sluggish, bogged down, sad and somewhat depressed. 

Now, thanks to Susan W. Tanner and this example of her Mother, that she shared with all of us, I understand that this feeling that I've had, is my sensitive spirit having been offended. 

I too, now feel shame and embarrassment, just like Susan W. Tanner's Mom felt and I feel the need to repent and not take part in these overindulgences again. I hope that I can have the strength to not overindulge and offend my spirit. It is certainly a humbling experience.

I hope that the rest of you will do the same and stop offending your spirits through gross overindulgence, especially during the upcoming holidays. I know that this will be a challenge for all of us to obey the Word of Wisdom and stay in the good graces with our spirit. 

We must learn to obey both the spirit and letter of the law, in order to achieve eternal salvation in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom and one day become a God of our own worlds without number. 

I don't know why everyone laughed during such a serious and important example of how we shouldn't offend our spirit and I hope that those that laughed, now understand that it wasn't funny, but a very serious matter. 

I don't think that they understood the severity of the matter and I think that Susan W. Tanner was quite shocked at the laughter.

Next time any of you want to eat more than one sweet roll, chocolate chip cookie or cake, please remember this story by Susan W. Tanner, say a prayer and refrain from the temptation, thus not offending your amazing spirit. Let's not be like Susan W. Tanner's Mother and have to bow our head it shame and not feel worthy to pray.

This talk was given in the October 2005 General Conference.

The Sanctity of the Body-Susan W. Tanner

Robert Hale

This is another very powerful and emotional talk on the importance of tithing and how our eternal life literally depends on it, even if you are a non-member, just taking the discussions.

Robert D Hales mentions that even donating tithing money to charitable donations is very wrong. It is up to the LDS Church, Jesus' Church, to decide where your money goes, what it is spent on, not the person that is donating.

He then says:

"As soon as you have demonstrated your faith in paying tithing over a period of time and kept the other necessary commandments, you will be able to enjoy the eternal blessings of the temple. I plead with you, do not let this opportunity pass by. Do not procrastinate."

This tells me that our eternal life hangs in the balance. No matter how great of a person we are, no matter how great of a spouse, parent, etc, we will not be eligible for the "eternal blessings of the temple", if we don't pay our tithing to Jesus Christ and his Church.

As he also mentions, "I encourage you to gather your little ones around you and help them count their pennies." The Lord's Church needs every cent that it can get, even "little one's pennies", in order to further the work.
 
He then discusses 2 missionaries that were teaching a very poor family, that lived in a house "made out of pressboard and sticks, with a dirt floor and no electricity or beds." The Father worked everyday, just to be able to put food on the table each night. In other words, they were about as poor as you can get.

The Senior companion wondered if they should even teach tithing at all, or at least delay it, while the junior companion, wanted to teach it in the next discussion, even though it wouldn't be for 4 more discussions. Why you ask?

The junior companion expressed it this way:

"I know the principle of tithing isn't taught for four more discussions, but can we please teach it the next time we visit? They need to know about tithing now because they need the help and the blessing of the Lord so much."

You see, even though they weren't members; the Lord couldn't bless them, even though he wanted to, because they weren't members of his Church, paying their tithing.

As Robert D. Hales says, in a summary of this story:

"The Lord wants to bless this family and anxiously awaits their obedience so He can."

So, even though they didn't realize or know that they should be paying tithing and that they were being disobedient, The Lord couldn't bless them, even though he anxiously wanted to. That is powerful.

The Lord can't wait for them to be LDS and paying their tithing, so that He can bless them. In the meantime, The Lord needs to leave them in poverty, without those blessings that he "anxiously awaits" to bless them with.

This clip shows the importance and power of tithing and how the Lord can't and won't bless you and will withhold blessings from you if you don't pay it, even if you aren't LDS and didn't even know that you should be paying it. Their is no salvation in ignorance and we are all accountable for our sins of commission and omission, even if we don't know better. 

Robert D. Hales says the following:

"Keeping the commandments, which includes paying our tithing, will qualify us to enter those temples, be sealed to our families, and receive eternal blessings."

So, the opposite is also true; if we don't pay our tithing, "we will not be qualified to enter the temples, be sealed to our families and we will not receive eternal blessings."

Robert D. Hales gets very emotional at one point in this talk, as you can hear his voice crack, talking about the importance of tithing and you may want to get the tissues ready. He is a great man.

This talk is amazing and basically breaks it all down and leaves no doubt; if we don't pay our tithing, nothing else we do really matters and everything in eternity, hinges on paying our tithing.

This talk was gi

Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings-Robert Hale

I just can't stress enough the importance of paying tithing and as we've learned, it is even more important than "feeding our families", if we have to choose between the two.

This incredible talk by Sydney S. Reynolds once again shows how tithing, even when a man and his family had nothing; payed huge, life changing dividends, that wouldn't have happened otherwise.

She talks about a man named John Orth, who had a terrible accident and had hot molten lead splashed onto his face and body. He lost complete vision in one eye and didn't have very good vision in his other eye. As a consequence, he lost his job, due to his poor eyesight.

She says:

"He was forced to go door-to-door seeking odd jobs and handouts to pay for food and rent."

So, it's very clear that they had nothing. When it gets to the point that one has to "go door-to-door seeking odd jobs and handouts to pay for food and rent", things have gotten as bad as they can possibly get. other than death itself.

He then went to see his Branch President, after a year of not paying tithing. The Branch President understood the situation and what a horrible time they'd been through, "but asked John to make it a matter of prayer and fasting so that he could find a way to pay his tithing."

Of course, since John was out begging for food and had nothing to tithe on at all, "John and his wife, Alice, fasted and prayed and determined that the only thing of value they owned was her engagement ring—a beautiful ring bought in happier times." 

So, they went and pawned it out and then paid their tithing and some outstanding bills, even though it broke their hearts. 

It's obvious that the Bishop could not financially help a member that wasn't a full-tithe payer, no matter how much they were in need and suffering, because it just wouldn't be right or just.

Well, a funny thing happened on his way to pay his tithing. As he left the Bishop's office, after paying his tithing from the ring they pawned; he ran into the Mission President, who just happened to be there and who just happened to be an eye doctor. 

Long story short, “President Dr. Rees” who was Sydney's Mother's Father; helped the man regain 95% vision in one eye and 15% in the other eye. 

As a result of this, "with his vision restored, John was never unemployed again; redeemed the ring, which is now a family heirloom; and paid a full tithing for the rest of his life. The Lord knew John Orth, and He knew who could help him."

She then says:

"Generations were blessed because a family decided they would pay their tithing regardless of the difficulty—and then met a man who 'happened by' and 'happened' to be an eye surgeon..."

There is so much to learn here, but the bottom line is that unless this man had belonged to the LDS church and pawned off his wives engagement ring, to become a full-tithe payer, even when he had nothing and had to go door to door begging for food; he never would have regained his eyesight, or a job and would have suffered greatly, along with his family, until the day he died and probably for the rest of eternity. 

Just because he paid his tithing, everything changed and he was blessed for eternity instead, along with his family.

Heavenly Father wanted to richly bless him and his family, but could not and would not, until he sacrificed everything and became a full-tithe payer, even when he had nothing to tithe on.

Just another powerful example of how there is no excuse, or reason ever, even if we are begging on the streets for survival, to not pay our tithing. 

If this man, who had nothing, can pay his tithing, we can all pay our tithing and assure ourselves that we won't be "burned as stubble", like it says in the Doctrine and Covenants and like President Gordon B. Hinckley promises will happen to all of those that don't pay their tithing.

What a wonderful, inspiring talk.

This talk was ori

He Knows Us; He Loves Us-Sydney S. Reynolds

Wow!! This is another great talk by M. Russell Ballard, where he says:

"You may not be aware of it, but there are 'false prophets' rising within and without the Church. They believe they have had revelations, that they know something the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles don't know."

He then says:

"You need to be very careful of such people. If you are ever approached by anyone who claims special authority or revelation from God outside the sustained priesthood authority, turn and run from them as fast as you can."

This just confirms to me once again, that the Prophets and Apostles know everything there is to know and we just need to blindly follow them, with great faith, because they can never lead us astray or God will remove them. 

These men are not just fallible men, who can sin like us and they know so much more than any of us will ever know and they will give us everything we need to get through life and help us with every challenge we face. 

If we know anyone in or out of the church, that claims special visions, authority or revelations; please everyone, let's all take M. Russel Ballard's Prophetic advice and "RUN FROM THEM AS FAST AS YOU CAN", because they are all "false Prophets" and very dangerous people, that work directly for Satan and they may drag you down to the depths of hell. 

Are we willing to take that risk? You can't say you haven't been warned.

This talk was originally given at BYU-Provo, as a devotional Address,  on March 12, 1996.

When Shall These Things Be-M. Russell Ballard

Spencer W. Kimball

In this amazing audio clip, Prophet President Kimball speaks about the importance of "WORDS." 

He says that we need to use a "reasonable vocabulary of well chosen words and speak finely, not coarsely." He gives several examples and even uses them in complete sentences, in order to help us understand how to use words correctly and in a way that people will understand us when we talk to them.

He gives a great example of how to speak in a Kodak store, so that the clerk will be able to understand us correctly and easily. He then cleverly mentions some "four letter words", leading up to the word LUST, which was the one he was looking for all along. 

Like President Kimball says, "many of us are destitute of words and consequently clumsy in our speech, which becomes mere babble." He says that "some use words accurately and others sloppily." Are we sloppy with our words or accurate?

I think we can all make a stronger effort to speak better and more clearly and use words properly and in the correct sentences more often, like President Kimball clearly explained to us in this speech. If we do this, other people can actually understand what it is we are trying to say. Let's not "just speak into the air", as Paul said.

How we share the Gospel and the words we use, can be the difference of people either joining the LDS church or walking away from the truth and Eternal happiness. It can mean the difference of Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom with our families, loved ones and friends or Eternal suffering in a lower kingdom, without our friends, loved ones and families. Which one do we want to choose, both for us and others?

This is a very powerful talk from a very inspired Prophet, as our "WORDS" and how we use them are so important. I'll be including more clips from this incredible talk, that we can all learn a lot from.

This talk was originally given at BYU in January, 1965.

Love vs. Lust Part 1-Spencer W. Kimball

Brent L. Top

Brent L. Top, asks everyone the question:

“Would you be willing to lay down your life rather than denounce your faith and testimony of the restored gospel?” 

What is our answer? Would we die for our testimony of the LDS church? If our life hung in the balance, and we were about to be executed in front of our families, like the example he uses, would we have the courage to take the bullet for the restored gospel? 

I sure hope so, because their is no greater cause or anything more important than being able to have the privilege of dying for the LDS church, Jesus and our testimony. What a blessing that would truly be!

Brent L. Top says:

"I like to believe that I could definitively and without hesitation declare that I would gladly lay down my life for my faith.  Yet I am not sure giving that answer is as easy as it sounds.  In fact, I am quite convinced that it isn’t that easy—nor was true discipleship ever intended to be easy, comfortable, convenient, painless, or free from sacrifice and sorrow.  Nevertheless, I hope that I could and would be able to sacrifice my life for my testimony.  In the meantime, however, I can say (as I should have said to my student who posed that penetrating question to me), 'I have made a covenant to do so if necessary.'" 

The last sentence is the most important part of all, where he says:

"I have made a covenant to do so if necessary."

Exactly! All of us that have been through the temple, and have made a very sacred covenant with God, "to die if necessary", if that is what it takes,  to stand up for the church, our testimony, sacred temple covenants, Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. Those that haven't been through yet; this is what you have to look forward to and it is a great privilege to make these covenants.

The example he shared, was the famous story about 2 LDS men in Mexico, that wouldn't renounce their testimony, when facing a firing squad. 

Brent L. Top said:

"....two LDS fathers, the branch president and his first counselor, who were imprisoned and sentenced to death.  They were told they would be spared the firing squad if they would denounce their Mormon beliefs.  Because they refused to do so, the two men, President Rafael Monroy and Brother Vicente Morales, were executed in front of their families and branch members on 17 July 1915."

What great men, to allow themselves to be executed in front of their families and branch members. Would you all be willing to do this and be so strong and brave like they were. Like I said earlier; let's hope so.

I'm sure that their families were very proud of them and what they did for the LDS church and Jesus and would have wanted nothing less in that moment, than to see their great example. I'm sure they went straight to the Celestial Kingdom, where we all want to be.

So, once again, be honest and ask yourselves:

“Would you be willing to lay down your life rather than denounce your faith and testimony of the restored gospel?” 

This talk was originally given at a BYU-Idaho Devotional on December 9, 2003.

Taking Up the Cross-Brent L. Top

M. Russell Ballard stresses how important it is for us to find the people that are ready to hear the restored gospel right now. 

He says to "plea with the Lord daily", to help us find people that are ready. He says that we need to be bold in reaching out to others and helping people to know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true.

He talks about the power of Lucifer and how he is "unleashing vulgar, revolting, violent, and sleazy filth with the design to destroy the spiritual sensitivity of our Father's children." He says that we are "truly at war with those that mock God and shun the truth", which is the LDS Church and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He says that we should be ready to bear our testimonies in any place, at any time. He says that the spirit will help us to know what to do and what to say.

This message is so important. I feel that we should be standing on street corners, talking to every friend, people we work with, family members and even strangers bearing our testimonies of this one and only true, restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we up to the task? 

I hope that we can have the courage to do this and not let Jesus Christ down, as we are his messengers of truth and light. Like M. Russell Ballard says, "we need to keep our covenants" and we all know what those are. Are we keeping them?

This talk was given in the October 2000 General Conference

Now Is The Time-M. Russell Ballard

As confirmation of the last audio post from Prophet Ezra Taft Benson; M. Russell Ballard also confirms that the leadership of the LDS Church, which includes Prophets, Apostles and probably Seventies, "cannot lead you astray."

M. Russell Ballard said:

"God bless you to keep your eyes riveted on the leadership of the Church. We will not lead you astray. We cannot."

So, we now have 3 witnesses saying the same thing, that LDS leadership cannot lead us astray. 

To recap, we have Wilford Woodruff in Declaration #1, President Benson's 14 fundamentals talk and now M. Russell Ballard, all saying the same basic. What a great feeling to know that these incredible men of God, cannot, under any circumstance, lead us astray because God won't allow it and will physically remove them if they even try.

In review, Wilford Woodruff taught, in Declaration #1, in the Doctrine and Covenants:

"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty."

Also, once again, current Apostle M. Russell Ballard taught:

"We will not lead you astray. We cannot."

Then President Benson taught:

"The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet, The prophet will never lead the church astray and The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I think that about sums it up perfectly and we know that we never. ever have to worry about what we are taught by the Prophets and Apostles, as it can only be from God, from 1830 until the present day and beyond into the future. So, we can obey them and be blessed or reject them and suffer greatly. What choice will you make? I do not want to suffer.

They will never, ever change their minds on any doctrines or change their views, because that would be leading us astray and it can never be allowed and has never happened. God is the same yesterday, today and forever and so are his Prophets and Apostles.

This talk was given at BYU-Provo on November 6, 1994

What Came from Kirtland-M. Russell Ballard

Joseph Smith

Boyd K. Packer

This was the opening prayer at the Joseph Smith Commemorative Broadcast, last December. The reason I love this opening prayer so much, is the praise that he gives to Joseph Smith and his ONE wife, Emma Hale Smith.

Boyd K. Packer said:

.......We remember as well, in this commemoration of Joseph Smith the Prophet, his WIFE, Emma Hale Smith, elect lady, his SWEETHEART, wife and mother of his children. We pray that uh, her memory will likewise be blessed...

This prayer was given December 23, 2005

Joseph Smith Commemorative Broadcast-Boyd K. Packer

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