Why Do We Make Covenants?

Here are a gathering of quotes on the topic. Those of you that attended Elder's Quorum today heard the topic discussed briefly and I came home and read up a bit on it. Hope at least one of you benefit from it.

...

The Latter-day Saints are a covenant people. From the day of baptism through the spiritual milestones of our lives, we make promises with God and He makes promises with us. He always keeps His promises offered through His authorized servants, but it is the crucial test of our lives to see if we will make and keep our covenants with Him. . . .
The fruit of keeping covenants is the companionship of the Holy Ghost and an increase in the power to love. That happens because of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change our very natures. We are eyewitnesses of that miracle of greater spiritual power coming to those who accept covenants and keep commandments. . . .
Each of us who have made covenants with God face challenges unique to us. But each of us shares some common assurances. Our Heavenly Father knows us and our circumstances and even what faces us in the future. His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, has suffered and paid for our sins and those of all the people we will ever meet. He has perfect understanding of the feelings, the suffering, the trials, and the needs of every individual. Because of that, a way will be prepared for us to keep our covenants, however difficult that may now appear, if we go forward in faith. Henry B. Eyring, "Witnesses for God," General Conference, October 1996; Ensign, November 1996, pgs. 30-33


The following is taken from We Believe, compiled by Rulon T. Burton

108. God's people are a covenant making people.

Marion G. Romney

Traditionally, God's people have been known as a covenant people. The gospel itself is the new and everlasting covenant. The posterity of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob is the covenant race. We come into the Church by covenant, which we enter into when we go into the waters of baptism. The new and everlasting covenant of celestial marriage is the gate to exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood by an oath and covenant. CR1962Apr:17

John A. Widtsoe

Everyone who receives an ordinance must make a covenant, else the ordinance is not fully satisfactory. He who is baptized covenants to keep the law of the Church; he who is administered to for sickness, and the administrators, covenant to use their faith to secure the desired healings; he who receives the temple endowment covenants to use in his life that which he has been taught; he who is ordained to the priesthood agrees to honor it, and so on with every ordinance.

That places covenants high, as they should be. Knowledge of itself has little saving power. Only as it is used does knowledge become of value. The man who learns and promises to use that knowledge is of value to society. ("What Is the Need of Ordinances?" IE1948Feb:97) TLDP:117-18

President Brigham Young

All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this Church. They covenant to cease sustaining, upholding and cherishing the kingdom of the devil and the kingdoms of this world. They enter into the new and everlasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God and no other kingdom. They take a vow of the most solemn kind, before the heavens and earth, and that, too, upon the validity of their own salvation, that they will sustain truth and righteousness instead of wickedness and falsehood, and build up the Kingdom of God, instead of the kingdoms of this world. (At Bountiful, Utah, May 17, 1868, JD12:230) TLDP:118

Related Witnesses:

Marion G. Romney

A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. An oath is a sworn attestation to the inviolability of the promises in the agreement. In the covenant of the priesthood the parties are the Father and the receiver of the priesthood. Each party to the covenant undertakes certain obligations. The receiver undertakes to magnify his calling in the priesthood. The Father, by oath and covenant, promises the receiver that if he does so magnify his priesthood he will be sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of his body; (see D&C 84:33) that he will become a member of ". . . the church and kingdom, and the elect of God," (Ibid., 84:34) and receive the ". . . Father's kingdom; therefore," said the Savior, "all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (Ibid., 84:38) CR1962Apr:17

Joseph Smith

All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity . . . are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, July 12, 1843, [1831]) D&C 132:7

Delbert L. Stapley

The Holy Priesthood is accepted by an oath and covenant and is binding upon those who receive it. They obligate themselves to keep faithfully all the commandments of God and to magnify their callings by honoring and exercising the priesthood in righteousness for the benefit and blessing of mankind. CR1959Apr:109

Author's Note: Ordinances are covenants, writes Joseph Fielding Smith: "Each ordinance and requirement given to man for the purpose of bringing to pass his salvation and exaltation is a covenant. Baptism for the remission of sins is a covenantÂ….

"Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a covenant. . . . All of the Ten Commandments are everlasting covenants. The law of tithing is a form of an everlasting covenant . . . although some day we shall be given a higher form of this law known as consecration.

"Marriage is an everlasting covenant, but not as some believe, the new and everlasting covenant." (Church News, May 6, 1939; Doctrines of Salvation, 1:152-53)

. . .

113. We are to keep the sacred covenants we have made with God if we are to merit entrance into the celestial kingdom.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The fate of the covenant breaker was most severe. "And the soul that sins against this covenant, and hardeneth his heart against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church, and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption." The breaking of any covenant that our Father in heaven makes with us, is a dreadful thing. We make a covenant in the waters of baptism. Many have broken it, and hence lose the promised blessings. All through our lives we are called to enter into covenants and many members of the Church seemingly fail to realize the seriousness of a violation or to understand that punishment must inevitably follow. Solemn covenants are taken by members of the Church in the Temples. These covenants are to prepare us for an exaltation. Yet there are many who receive them who utterly fail to heed them, but presumably, they think the Lord has a short memory, or that he is so extremely merciful that he will break his promises and the punishment mentioned for the violation will not be inflicted. In this manner many deceive themselves. CHMR1:322-23

Delbert L. Stapley

Perhaps we should define the meaning and significance of a covenant. In a spiritual application a covenant is a solemn, binding compact between God and man whereby man agrees to keep God's commandments and serve him in righteousness and in truth unto the end. The gospel covenants and obligations bind Church members to obedience to laws and principles given of God which lead to happiness, love, and eternal joy. A covenant then is an agreement which includes obligations and is given as a principle with promise of blessings for obedience. . . .

Perhaps in Church assemblies today we do not stress sufficiently the importance of gospel covenants and the Saints' obligation to them. It is our duty to learn and understand the sacred and binding nature of the covenants we accept at baptism and the covenants and obligations associated with all other ordinances of the gospel found along that narrow path which leads to life eternal. CR1959Apr:107-08

Joseph Smith,

receiving the Word of the Lord

For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me. (Revelation received Aug. 6, 1833, in consequence of the persecution of the Saints) D&C 98:15

Joseph Smith,

receiving the Word of the Lord

I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. D&C 82:10

Joseph Smith,

receiving the Word of the Lord

The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, July 12, 1843 [1831]; law given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost) D&C 132:27

Related Witnesses:

John A. Widtsoe

Everyone who receives an ordinance must make a covenant, else the ordinance is not fully satisfactory. He who is baptized covenants to keep the law of the Church; he who is administered to for sickness, and the administrators, covenant to use their faith to secure the desired healings; he who receives the temple endowment covenants to use in his life that which he has been taught; he who is ordained to the priesthood agrees to honor it, and so on with every ordinance.

That places covenants high, as they should be. Knowledge of itself has little saving power. Only as it is used does knowledge become of value. The man who learns and promises to use that knowledge is of value to society. ("What Is the Need of Ordinances?" IE1948Feb:97) TLDP:117-18

Recorded in Ecclesiastes

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. (Reflections of a son of David the king) Eccl.5:4-5

HYMNS Written by Prophets

Applicable to this Topic

Parley P. Pratt

Father in Heaven, We Do Believe

HYMNS:180

Father in Heav'n, we do believe

The promise thou hast made;

Thy word with meekness we receive,

Just as thy Saints have said.

We now repent of all our sin

And come with broken heart,

And to thy covenant enter in

And choose the better part.

O Lord, accept us while we pray,

And all our sins forgive;

New life impart to us this day,

And bid the sinners live.

Humbly we take the sacrament

In Jesus' blessed name;

Let us receive thru covenant

The Spirit's heav'nly flame.

We will be buried in the stream

In Jesus' blessed name,

And rise, while light shall on us beam

The Spirit's heav'nly flame.

Baptize us with the Holy Ghost

And seal us as thine own,

That we may join the ransomed host

And with the Saints be one.

SUMMER FUN (Father and Son's Campout is TONIGHT!)

Brethren,

Summertime is upon us. For the elders and the ward in general, that means lots of opportunities for service. However, in this message, it’s just the fun stuff…take a look at all the good activities we have coming up.

Announcements:

1. You and your family are cordially invited to a Traditional Hawaiian Luau, including Polynesian dancers, music, food and fun. Date: Friday, June 19, 2009. Time: 7:00pm
Location: The Carlson's Meadow, 5005 Jett Road, Atlanta, GA 30327 (directions on the invitations handed out in Church)
RSVP (very important): GLENRIDGELUAU@GMAIL.COM
Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

Thanks,
Brenda Barlow
2. I want to pass along some information about the upcoming Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration (aka Fathers and Sons) Campout on May 15-16.

We will be camping at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort. We will have a brief devotional Friday evening followed by a "dessert potluck" -- bring a snack to share. The Stake will provide some marshmallows for roasting as well. Also, the Stake will provide breakfast on Saturday morning. We can check into the campsite any time after 4 pm and check out is 1 pm. We will make arrangements to have parking passes available at the Gate House (see below), but please arrange to carpool if possible. Check in for the 1200s campsites (1208-1211).

Brother Mike Fisher passed along some additional information about the site as well as some directions to the site (see below).

Lake Lanier campsite
1) There is water
2) The bathroom is one block away
3) There are 4 pads which can take 3-4 tents each(1208-1211)
4) There is plenty of space on the beach to camp
5) You can place tents between the pads
6) The cars cannot park along the road
7) Unless the cars have a pass the cost is $8.00
8) Since this is a primitive camp, there is no pavilion
9) There is an equestrian center where you can go riding-$35.00 per hour
12) You can fish as well as go swimming on the beach

DIRECTIONS TO LAKE LANIER CAMPGROUND

Take Exit 14 off of 400 (20 East toward Buford)

Left on Peachtree Industrial (approximately 10 miles from Exit 14)

Left on Friendship Road which becomes Holiday Road (approximately 5 miles from Peachtree Industrial)

Continue straight on Holiday Road and go around traffic circle.

Stop at Gate House and present parking pass for admission into the park

Follow signs to Beach and Water Park, camp grounds, equestrian center, etc. ( left at the Clock tower)

Pass water park on the left and bear left at the camp ground sign

Bear right when you see the camp grounds registration sign. There is a green house on the left. (5 miles from Friendship Road)

Pass the bathrooms (gray building) on the left and continue on the road until you see a sign for the 1200 camp ground on the right. Drive through the gate and up the hill to park. Please note that there is no parking along the paved road or at the dumpster area.
There is additional parking at the green house and at the Equestrian Center.


3. Smyrna Ward BBQ Date: Saturday, June 6th.
Activities and Pinewood Derby start at 4:30, with dinner at 5:30
Location: Tolleson Park Pavilion and Volleyball Court, near intersection of South Cobb Drive and McCauley Road

It will be an awesome evening of fun and great food!

Cub Scouts Volunteers

The Smyrna Ward Cub Scouts are in need of some volunteers to help supervise day camp this year. Day camp is a week-long activity held at Jim Miller Park on June 8-12 from 7:45am-3:00pm. Obviously, we are not asking for anyone to commit to an entire week of help, but if you are available for any of those single days, we desperately need the help!

The commitment entails showing up for the time and shepherding about five, very willing boys through a series of activities run by other people (things like archery, crafts, etc.) Volunteers can be female or male (ask your husbands if they are available too!).

There is a brief fact sheet attached and, if you can help, there is a form to fill out that I can send you. Please respond quickly as the registration is due this week! Let me know if you can be of service.

Thanks so much. We really appreciate any help you can offer!

Ariel Partridge
(ariel.partridge@gmail.com)

Time Sensitive Announcements!!! April 14, 2009

Brethren,

We want to thank each of you for reporting your home teaching so quickly. This month, 16 of you replied within 24 hours with your home teaching results. I’m not sure you each understand how helpful that is. It was a pleasant surprise, so thank you.
We hope that each of you enjoyed your Easter and had an opportunity to reflect on the Savior and all that He has given to each of us.
We have a series of announcements this week. We appreciate your help in advance!

1. Sister Hill move – THIS SATURDAY, April 18th. More details to follow with address and time.

2. Youth baptism: THIS FRIDAY, April 17th 6:30 PM. Think back to your own baptism. I am sure that your attendance will be greatly appreciated.

3. Stake Service Activity - April 25th. 9:00 AM—Noon. Our team lead is going to be Josh Jernigan. This is a huge service project with media coverage brought in by the stake so it is important that we get some solid attendance. Several friends, neighbors, community groups, churches, and partners in Atlanta came together to plan a project where we could serve the community, work with the community through partnering, do something good for the environment by example, and have time left for our family. We will be cleaning up bike and pedestrian trails the PATH
Foundation built in Atlanta as well as a few parks through Park Pride in the vicinity of the trails.

At noon, we will finish up the work and meet for photo opps, media interviews, and a complimentary lunch around 1:00. An invitation with driving directions to the building will be given to volunteers after the work is finished at each work site. The LDS church is providing the lunch complimentary to all event partners, volunteers, media, and city officials.

4. Paige Henderson Move - May 2nd. No time yet. Stay tuned.

5. Stake Priesthood Invitation: “You are invited to a special evening of inspiration, testimony, and brotherhood. The Atlanta Georgia Stake Priesthood Meeting will be held Sunday, April 26 at 6:00 PM at the Ponce de Leon Building. We extend a special invitation to fathers and sons, and ask that all fathers invite their sons (ages 11 years and older and regardless of whether they are holders of the Priesthood or members of the church) to attend with them. Come prepared to feel the Spirit of the Lord. You will be blessed by attending. We look forward to seeing you.” --Stake Presidency.

6. New member discussions – Thanks to the sisters on Sunday, we should all be prepared to give a simple new member lesson. We will be getting a list of all those families that still need those lessons and we ask that you will be diligent in delivering those lessons as the home teacher. Thank you in advance.


Lastly, for those of you that have not yet had a chance to see the Easter video put out by the church, please take a few minutes and watch it with your family. The Atonement is what makes Jesus Christ our Savior. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

These are the Times that Try Men's Souls

Before I get into the meat of what is on my mind, Mike Best has notified us that Costco is running a sale on their 2009 Quicken Premier money management personal software. You can purchase the program right now for $20 plus tax. (50% off). Mike has coupons for four copies. It is a valuable tool, and is easier than doing finances by hand. Most credit unions, banks and credit cards have automatic downloads of statements to make reconciling even easier. I am about 5 days late in getting this out, so hopefully he has some left. Please contact Mike if you could benefit from this: (404-368-7110)


I was tracked down by an old friend this week. We started by catching up, exchanging stories, talking about our families, and how we’ve arrived at where we are. He told me that he was in the process of moving. He felt that he was being exploited by his employer and it was taking time away from his family. He acknowledged that the pay was good and he had gained considerable experience, but was asked to work more often than he would like to do. With the current economy as a backdrop, I felt anxiety for him in making the decision to willingly change jobs when so many people are without work, working week to week, or will soon be without work. But he spoke with an optimism. He was confident in his abilities. He said that they have made conscious efforts to not live beyond their means, to do what they know they should be doing and to fulfill their callings and they have always felt comfortable financially.

As we study the scriptures, we tend to keep a study companion book nearby at all times to help shed light on what seem to be even the most simple verses. After reading Doctrine and Covenants 24: 3-9, Joseph Smith is told, “In temporal labors thou shalt not have strength.” The Doctrine and Covenants student manuals refers to Smith and Sjodahl’s commentary and explains, “The Prophet Joseph’s gifts were of a spiritual, not financial nature, but the Lord promised him that, if he would magnify his calling, he would always have what he needed. Financial ability is also a gift that can be used for the glory of God, but the Prophet was not a financier. He did not live for the accumulation of wealth. The Kingdom of God was his first and chief concern.”

It’s OK to not be “of great means.” It’s amazing how happy one can be by making the Kingdom of God a first and chief concern. At the same time, the reality is that we live in a society that requires money for food, shelter, medical care and other necessities. Often, when we are unable to satisfy even these basic needs, it become very difficult to focus on much anything else in life, including our Church responsibilities, building of the Kingdom, and strengthening the foundation of our testimonies.

1. If we find ourselves paying more money each month than we are bringing in I would challenge each of us to try to step back from our own lives ask God to help us separate needs from luxuries.
2. Take out a sheet of paper.
3. List the needs on one side of the paper and how much they are costing.
4. On the other side of the paper list the luxuries and how much they are costing.
5. Take that evaluation to God, ask Him for to help you figure out a way to make you income exceed your expense.
6. Ask for an interview with a member of the bishopric. Bring your sheet of paper with your needs and luxuries listed. Ask for their help. Most often, a new set of eyes will be able to see things that you have never been able to.
   

This video is a very simple explanation of how a very simple budget can be set up. Once you are able to set up the budget, the hard part is going to be to determine where cuts can be made. For that, I would encourage you to go through the steps above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9uynrzqftI

Message-Ryan Inns Lesson

Time ran short on Sunday to finish the lesson. Such being the case, Ryan Inns has been nice enough to share his notes on the lesson with us all and we are copying them here. Please take time to prayerfully read through the summary.

President Peterson asked if I would give him a copy of my notes I prepared for the Elders Quorum lesson today since our time was cut short and I was not able to deliver everything I had prepared. I have also taken a little time to summarize my notes, including some topics that were already discussed, in order to connect everything in its entirety.

I started the lesson talking about how life is so unpredictable at times, and despite our greatest efforts we can never guarantee how our life will unfold itself. All of us have experienced, at one time or another, both uplifting and discouraging experiences. These experiences can be seen as peaks and troughs within our lives, and to illustrate this concept I shared a quotation from C.S Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.

Humans are amphibians -- half spirit and half animal... As spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time. This means that while their spirit can be directed to an eternal object, their bodies, passions, and imaginations are in continual change, for to be in
time means to change. Their nearest approach to constancy, therefore, is undulation -- the repeated return to a level form which they repeatedly fall back, a series of troughs and peaks...

This quote reminds me of the ubiquitous saying, “The only thing in life that is constant is change.” Everything changes, but through the cycle of peaks and troughs we need to remember to always have a positive trend. To clarify this concept I would like to use something that Brother Alexander told me shortly after Church when he said, “It is important that when you take a step back you always counter with two steps forward.” If we try to live our lives while keeping this concept in mind, then we can count on progressing toward the ultimate goal of obtaining eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

The source of these peaks and troughs can be found in nearly everything and almost everywhere. The troughs could be as simple and innocent as a car accident where you are at fault or as serious as a death in the immediate family, while the peaks could be a promotion at work or a birth of a child. Sometimes we may have control over our circumstances, but on the flip side, we may not. Regardless of the control that we have over our circumstances, we need to remember it is how we react to change that is important. Elder Neal A. Maxell shared a keen insight regarding irony in life and how we react to it when he said,

"Irony is the hard crust on the bread of adversity. Irony can try both our faith and our patience. Irony can be a particularly bitter form of such chastening because it involves disturbing incongruity. It involves outcomes in violation of our expectations. We see the best laid plans laid waste.

"Amid life’s varied ironies, you and I may begin to wonder, Did not God notice this torturous turn of events? And if He noticed, why did He permit it? Am I not valued?

"Our planning itself often assumes that our destiny is largely in our own hands. Then come intruding events, first elbowing aside, then evicting what was anticipated and even earned. Hence, we can be offended by events as well as by people.

"At the end, meek and lowly Jesus partook of the most bitter cup without becoming the least bitter." (“Irony: The Crust on the Bread of Adversity,” May 1989).

Examples in the scriptures of this principle are numerous and range from Enoch to Joseph Smith; however, I would like to focus on examples of both Nephi and Laman. The simultaneous lives of Nephi and Laman are interesting to study because they both were raised similarly, but they nevertheless reacted differently to the same circumstances. The following table shows three examples from Nephi and Laman’s life that demonstrate different ways we
each can react to changes in our lives. While reading these passages, please note
their attitudes and how each reacted to the same situation.

Leaving Jerusalem:

• Nephi: 1 Nephi 2:16
• Laman: 1 Nephi 2:12-13

Brass Plates:

• Nephi: 1 Nephi 3:7
• Laman: 1 Nephi 3:5

Ship Building:

• Nephi: 1 Nephi 17:7-9
• Laman: 1 Nephi 17:17
  

From just these three examples the differences between how Nephi and Laman responded should be clear. Nephi, being a faithful man, trusted in his Heavenly Father and did not let worldly distractions or limitations stop him from accomplishing those things he was asked to do. While, on the other hand, Laman questioned everything he was asked to do and always seemed to respond with a negative attitude. How can we ensure that when the time comes for us to react that we will do so as Nephi? To respond in this way we must be faithful and obedient, meaning the Lord may require us to take a step into the dark and wait for His illuminating light to catch up (Boyd K. Packer, “The Candle of the Lord”).

The Brother of Jared gives a wonderful example of this principle when he was asked by the Lord to prepare means to travel to the Promised Land. After finishing the construction of the barges, instructions of which came from the Lord, the Brother of Jared was asked to perform one more task. The task involved creating a way to provide light within the barges for the entire duration of the journey, but for this task the Lord did not give the Brother of
Jared any instructions. Therefore, the Brother of Jared was required to use his own initiative, creativity, and spiritual understanding to solve the problem at hand. The brother of Jared did not let the circumstance overcome him; rather, he conquered the circumstance. By the way, what was the Brother of Jared’s solution to the light conundrum? He fabricated sixteen (two for each barge) white and clear stones, and then asked the Lord to touch them with His finger
so that the stones might “shine forth in darkness.”

Was this the only possible solution? Probably not, but it is important to note that after the Brother of Jared made the stones he approached the Lord and asked for help because he knew that he could not do it all by himself. This example shows that if we begin to do our part then the Lord will eventually step in and help in whatever may be left over to accomplish. The following quotation from President Ezra Taft Benson reiterates this idea,

"I work as hard as I can, and then I try my best to be obedient so that the Lord knows I am mindful of Him. Then, I have the faith that He will make up the difference between what I am able to do, and what I am not able to do."

The Lord may not give to us the same tasks He gave to the Brother of Jared or Nephi because those were experiences that the Brother of Jared and Nephi needed for their own salvation. Meaning, the principles and concepts they learned as they struggled through those experience are necessary for their eventual salvation. The same can be said for everything we experience. Since the Lord is familiar with each of lives, then He is able to customize and tailor
everything we experience for our eternal benefit. Brigham Young could not have said better when he said,

"Every calamity that can come upon mortal beings will be suffered to come upon the few, to prepare them to enjoy the presence of the Lord. ... Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation." (Discourses of Brigham Young, pg. 345)

The trials and experiences of our life shape and mold us into something far greater than we could ever imagine. The Lord in His infinite grace and wisdom understands what each of us need to experience in this life in order to obtain the divine gift of eternal life. Sometimes we resist, but we all must come to the understanding that these experiences, both good and bad, are for our benefit (D&C 24:8).

I concluded the lesson with one of my favorite quotes that constantly reminds me to do my best and not always be worried with the outcome.

"In the battle of life it’s not the critic that counts. Not the one who points out how the strongman stumbles, or how the doer of great deeds might have done better. The credit actually belongs to the man in the arena whose face is marred by sweat, and dust, and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again. Who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends his time in a worthy cause. Who if he wins knows the triumph of great achievement and who if he fails at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls that know neither victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt).

Announcements March 3, 2009

1. Home Teaching Reporting:

• Please email Reed Crouch at pazuldesign@gmail.com, Reed Peterson at reedpeterson@gmail.com, Adam Barlow at adamwbarlow@gmail.com, or Sean Maclaurin at seanmaclaurin@gmail.com with your HT reporting if you haven’t already.If you have any questions, comments or insights about your HT, please let us know.

2. Childcare for Enrichment Thursday Night:

• The Relief Society needs volunteers to provide childcare this Thursday. If you can spare some time on Thursday evening please post a response below or contact Annie Blackwood at ablackwood9@hotmail.com. "We are looking for 4 volunteers and they need to be at the church at 6:45pm. Dinner and dessert will be provided…FREE FOOD!"

3. Bjerkenes funeral:

• The Bishop has asked that we forward the following funeral information: Funeral services for Sister Janet Louise Bjerkenes will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the: DOBBINS-MAYES-WARD FUNERAL HOME (180 CHURCH STREET,NE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, PHONE 770-428-1511).There will be a public viewing beforehand from 9:00 a.m -10:45a.m. Bishop Waller will be conducting the services.

4. Stake Basketball:

• Basketball game will begin this Saturday at 11 a.m.

Announcements February 27, 2009

1. The Ward Basketball game will begin on Saturday February 28 at 11:00 AM. This time has been changed from a previously published time, so please make note of the change. You're attendance will be appreciated and will be a good time.

2. Tomorrow is the last day of the month. It should go without saying that this should serve as a reminder to get the home teaching families contacted. Reach out to them. Help them feel loved. Further, please make sure to have your home teaching reporting number ready and submitted either at church on Sunday or feel free to call or email a member of the presidency with your results. That will really make life much easier.

Generally, thank you for all of your prayers, and hard work. Being a member of the Church is not always an easy thing. But can you ever think of a time that you've given service and not been blessed? Even if that blessing is just a feeling of fulfillment, we are always rewarded, and I hope that we can all recognize that.

Pray Always-Message from the Bishop

This year, Bishop Waller identified four gospel principles that we should strive to master as a ward. The principles are faith, prayer, obedience, and hope. This document covers the second principle, prayer.

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We should pray to Him and no one else. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, "Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name" (3 Nephi 18:19). As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.

Principles of Prayer

Our Heavenly Father is always ready to hear and answer our prayers. The power of our prayers depends on us. As we strive to make prayer a part of our lives, we should remember this counsel:

• Make our prayers meaningful. The prophet Mormon warned that if anyone "shall pray and not with real intent of heart . . . it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such" (Moroni 7:9). To make our prayers meaningful, we must pray with sincerity and "with all the energy of heart" (Moroni 7:48). We must be careful to avoid "vain repetitions" when we pray (Matthew 6:7).
• Use language that shows love, respect, reverence, and closeness. If we pray in English, for example, we should use the pronouns of the scriptures when we address God—Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine, rather than the more common pronouns you, your, and yours.
• Always give thanks to Heavenly Father. We should "live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon [us]" (Alma 34:38). As we take time to remember our blessings, we will recognize how much our Heavenly Father has done for us.
• Seek Heavenly Father's guidance and strength in all we do. Alma counseled his son Helaman: "Cry unto God for all thy support…yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord…Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good…let thy heart be full of thanks unto God" (Alma 37:36–37; see also Alma 34:17–26).
• Remember the needs of others as we pray. We should offer prayers "for [our] welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around [us]" (Alma 34:27). We should ask our Heavenly Father to bless and comfort those in need.
• Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost so we will know what to include in our prayers. The Holy Ghost can teach us to pray and guide us in the things we say (see Romans 8:26; 2 Nephi 32:8; 3 Nephi 19:9, 24). He can help us pray "according to the will of God" (D&C 46:30).
• When we make a request through prayer, we must do all we can to assist in its being granted.
• If we have a difficult task before us, Heavenly Father is pleased when we get on our knees and ask for help and then get on our feet and go to work. He will help us in all our righteous pursuits, but He seldom will do something for us that we can do ourselves. (see D&C 9:7–8; Alma 34:28)
  

Personal Prayer

Personal, private prayer is an essential part of our spiritual development. At least every morning and every night, we should find a place that is free from distractions and kneel in humility and commune with our Heavenly Father. Although sometimes we may need to pray silently, we should make an extra effort at times to pray vocally (see D&C 19:28; 20:51). We can also let our hearts be "full, drawn out in prayer unto [God] continually" (Alma 34:27; 3 Nephi 20:1).

Prayer is two-way communication. As we close our prayers, we should take time to pause and listen. At times, Heavenly Father will counsel, guide, or comfort us while we are on our knees. We should never give in to the idea that we are not worthy to pray. This idea comes from Satan, who wants to convince us that we must not pray (see 2 Nephi 32:8). If we do not feel like praying, we should pray until we do feel like praying.

Family Prayer

Every morning and every evening, we should kneel together in humility, giving each family member frequent opportunities to say the prayer and uniting in gratitude for the blessings Heavenly Father has given us. Through regular family prayer, our family members will draw nearer to God and to each other. Our children will learn to communicate with their Father in Heaven. We will all be better prepared to serve others and withstand temptations. Our homes will be places of spiritual strength, a refuge from the evil influences of the world.

Public Prayer

At times we may be asked to offer a public prayer, perhaps in a Church meeting or class. When we receive this opportunity, we should remember that we are communicating with Heavenly Father, not giving a public sermon. We should not worry about what others may think of what we say. Instead, we should offer a simple, heartfelt prayer.

Receiving Answers to Prayer

The Savior taught, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). To the Nephites He said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you" (3 Nephi 18:20).

Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He may not always answer as we expect, but He does answer—in His own time and according to His will. Because He knows what is best for us, He may sometimes answer no, even when our petitions are sincere.

Answers to prayer come in many ways. They often come through the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost (see "Revelation"). They may come in the circumstances of our lives or through the kind acts of those around us. As we continue to draw near to our Heavenly Father through prayer, we will recognize more readily His merciful and wise answers to our pleadings. We will find that He is our "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).


Sources: www.lds.org (Gospel Topics)
Scripture References
Matthew 6:5–15; James 1:5–6; Enos 1:1–17; Mosiah 4:11–12; 3 Nephi 13:6–7; 14:7–8; D&C 19:38; 88:63–65

Home Teaching Assignments

These are the most recent home teaching assignments (see below). Please print them out if it makes it easier for you. I find that it makes home teaching much easier if you keep a copy both at home and in your car. You never know when you'll get the desire to visit a home teaching family.

Read this excerpt from the Ensign in 1998 from the First Presidency in a talk, "Priesthood Perspectives:"

"At the waters of Mormon, Alma declared that those who seek baptism into the Church “are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:8–9).

"There has never been a time in the history of the Church when this kind of watchcare is more needed. Home teaching is a program inspired by the Lord through which priesthood holders render this service. The scriptural foundation of home teaching is the Lord’s commandment for priesthood holders to “watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53).

"Through home teaching, priesthood holders watch over and strengthen all Latter-day Saints, particularly those with special needs, such as widows, new converts, and families with less-active members.

"Home teachers are the Church’s first source of help to Church members. They offer help when members are unemployed, ill, moving, or have other pressing needs. They assist with spiritual, emotional, and physical challenges. They help parents teach their children to “walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:28). They “warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59). In monthly visits they are to present the First Presidency’s message printed in the Church magazines. Under the direction of the senior companion, an Aaronic Priesthood holder may be invited to present the message. They include prayer in each visit."

Welcome to the Elder's Quorum

Troy Jaques is 26 years old and married to Marcy. They have a 3-year old daughter named Kate and move to Atlanta from Idaho. They plan on being in our ward for roughly five years. He enjoys hunting, fishing, roping and the like. They live at 609 Vinings Crest SE. We welcome them!


Ryan Inns is 26 years old and is married to Heather. He moved to Atlanta to work at Delta in an engineering capacity and plans on attending Georgia Tech in the near future. They come to us from Idaho Falls and plan on being in our Quorum for at least a year. He enjoys golf, hockey, fishing, backpacking and reading (and he's a solid board gamer). He lives at 453 Maner Terrace. We welcome them!


Jared Hall is 27 years old and married to Hayley. They have a 3-year old daughter named Tatyanah and a 1-year old daughter named Jenalynn. He enjoys sports, kids and finds himself doing a lot of homework. He came to our Quorum from the Kennesaw Mt. ward in order to study at Life University. They plan on being in our Quorum for many moons and they live at 116 Lakewood Rd., SE. We welcome them!

We also want to welcome:

Jim Reznick . Paul Mitchell . Oli Tauiautusa

Directions for Stake Conference

Saturday, January 24

• 4:30 PM, Ponce Building (Priesthood Leadership Meeting)
• Should Attend: Stake Presidency, High Council, Stake Executive Secretary, Clerk and assistants, Stake Young Men Presidency, Bishoprics, Elders Quorum Presidencies, High Priest Group Leadership, Young Men's Presidencies, Ward Clerks (and Assistant Ward Clerks), and Executive Secretaries.
  
  
• 7:00 PM, Ponce Building (Adult Session),
  
• Should Attend: Every member that has or work with youth of the Church.
  
• Baby-sitting provided.

Sunday, January 25

• 9:00 AM, Glenridge Building (General Session)
• Should Attend: Everyone
  

Glenridge Building
6449 Glenridge Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328


Ponce Buidling
1450 Ponce de Leon Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30307

From Aaron Higley-Clothing Donations

Brethren,

Many of you have been extremely generous this year with your donations to the Cunningham branch. For the last few months I have received numerous bags of clothing and other items for the branch and have passed these on to the Branch President for him to distribute to his members as needed. I thank you and want you to know that your help was very much appreciated. Many of the struggling members of branch have been greatly helped by your generosity. May the Lord bless you for your generosity.

As the tax season is upon us, I am attaching below a letter from President Hernandez (Branch President) and a list of suggested values for certain donation items that Goodwill has posted on their website. This should give you an idea of what values to place on the items you have donated. Please feel free to use these documents to support deductions you claim for tax purposes related to your branch donations.

Thank you again for the help, and may you have a prosperous 2009!

Kind regards,

Aaron Higley

(You can click on any of the images below to make them larger)

ELDER'S QUORUM-HAPPY NEW YEAR EDITION

Brethren,

Announcements:

1. We have been blessed with two sets of missionaries in our ward. You have all been great about offering the Elders your support and we encourage you to keep up the good work. At the same time, please help your wives (if applicable) to free up some time to do visits with the sister missionaries. We have heard that they could really use some of the members support. Thank you in advance.

2. Stake Conference is not this weekend but the following weekend. On Saturday the 24th we will be meeting at 7:00 PM at the Ponce building. This meeting is for every member with children or those that work with the youth. We are told that babysitting will also be provided. At 4:30 PM that same day there will also be a Priesthood leadership meeting. On Sunday the 25th, we will be meeting at the Glenridge Building for the general session of conference at 9:00 AM. We do need 4 members of the quorum to help with ushering and another 4 to help with putting chairs away. Please reply on this post if you are willing to help with either one of those. Please give your name, and phone number. Thank you.

Message:

The holiday season has come to an end. Many of us have been out of town visiting loved ones, celebrating the season, and taking a break from the regular week to week activities. Hopefully we all took time to pause and reflect on Christ and all that he has given each one of us throughout the year.

Most of us start the new year with resolutions. Some are written down. Some are specifically fixed in our minds. And some, though not labeled specifically as “resolutions” are definitely things that we know we should be working on may take on a greater importance with the birth of the new year.

My brother and his wife drove home from California just before the new year. They have three boys, the oldest is 6 (I think). They ended up arriving home at roughly 1:30 AM. They carried the boys inside and put them to bed and my brother began carrying in the luggage, gifts, and other items from the minivan. In that process he noticed the light in the boys room turned on for 10-15 minutes and then shut off. My brother did not think much of it and finished his task and went to bed himself. The next morning as he was preparing for work he saw his 6 year old in the kitchen as asked him what the light was doing on so late at night? His son replied, “I couldn’t go to bed without reading the scriptures.”

I hope we treat the scriptures as a vital part of each day the same way that my nephew does. If we can remember times in our lives when the spirit was stronger in our lives then it is right now, then let us all make the scripture a more central focus in our lives. For my nephew, the scriptures were not some he COULD do in the day, but they were in fact PART of his day.
Whatever the steps we take, brethren, we hope there is some way that the Elder’s Quorum can help you reach your goals.

We love you.

Sincerely,
EQ Presidency