"The Power of the Word"
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson - Chapter 8
Doctrine:
“The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.”
In a First Presidency message in 1976, President [Spencer W.] Kimball said:
“I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again. …
“The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ (Luke 12:48.) Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord’s commandment (see 3 Ne. 23:1–5); and we must let them govern our lives.” (Ensign, Sept. 1976, pp. 4–5.)
I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings. Read them in your families and teach your children to love and treasure them. Then prayerfully and in counsel with others, seek every way possible to encourage the members of the Church to follow your example. If you do so, you will find, as Alma did, that “the word [has] a great tendency to lead people to do that which [is] just—yea, it [has] more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which [has] happened unto them.” (Alma 31:5.)
Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul—these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely if He tells us that these things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost. However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life.
Read, study, or listen to the entire lesson here:
You can hear and feel President Ezra Taft Benson of the Book or Mormon and it's importance in conference talks he gave. Here are a couple of them:
The Book Of Mormon is the Word of God
"The Book of Mormon is the great standard we are to use. It shows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It contains the words of Christ, and its great mission is to bring men to Christ and all other things are secondary. The golden question of the Book of Mormon is “Do you want to learn more of Christ?” The Book of Mormon is the great finder of the golden contact. It does not contain things which are “pleasing unto the world” (1 Ne. 6:5), and so the worldly are not interested in it. It is a great sieve."
"Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not."
The Book of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion
There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.
“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67).
FAMILY
Are you struggling with your family scripture study or just want to know how to make it more effective? There is a great article found in the September 1987 Ensign titled, "Family Scripture Study" that gives four keys of family scripture study. They are: Commitment, Consistency, Individuality, and Variety. It also gives seven ideas of different ways to study, "Read it aloud, memorize it, look it up, tape record it, discuss it, share it, and plan a family-study activity."
"Latter-day Saint parents recognize the tremendous importance of scripture study in the family. Not only does learning the gospel together stimulate feelings of family harmony and appreciation, but it establishes a foundation of truth upon which children can build throughout their lives."
Read the entire article here:
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/09/family-scripture-study?lang=eng&query=family+scripture+study
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/09/family-scripture-study?lang=eng&query=family+scripture+study
RELIEF
Do you sometimes feel like it is hard to find the time to serve? LDS Living had a fun article in their April 2014 issue that gives, "52 Ways to Give Bite-Sized Service."
"Service doesn't have to take hours of planning and a large group to carry it out. Sometimes it's making one small adjustment to the things we already do each day."
Read the short article here and also watch a cute video:
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD:
"The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to “sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out [His] elect.” (Moses 7:62.) This sacred volume of scripture needs to become more central in our preaching, our teaching, and our missionary work."
"The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of the electronic media and the mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way."
"Now, my good Saints, we have a great work to perform in a very short time. We must flood the earth with the Book of Mormon—and get out from under God’s condemnation for having treated it lightly. (See D&C 84:54–58.)"
"I challenge all of us to prayerfully consider steps that we can personally take to bring this new witness for Christ more fully into our own lives and into a world that so desperately needs it."
- Quotes by Ezra Taft Benson in a conference talk, "Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon."
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/10/flooding-the-earth-with-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng&query=ezra+taft+benson+book+of+Mormon
"The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of the electronic media and the mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way."
"Now, my good Saints, we have a great work to perform in a very short time. We must flood the earth with the Book of Mormon—and get out from under God’s condemnation for having treated it lightly. (See D&C 84:54–58.)"
"I challenge all of us to prayerfully consider steps that we can personally take to bring this new witness for Christ more fully into our own lives and into a world that so desperately needs it."
- Quotes by Ezra Taft Benson in a conference talk, "Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon."
Read or listen to it here:
Relief Society Announcements:
*Stake Conference will be held this weekend April 25th and 26th.
*Sister Cassie Jensen will be home this Thursday. Give her a call or stop by to visit. She won't be getting out a lot so she would really enjoy some company.
*Congratulations to the Munn's family on their arrival of their baby girl. We will post a picture soon.
*Sister Cassie Jensen will be home this Thursday. Give her a call or stop by to visit. She won't be getting out a lot so she would really enjoy some company.
*Congratulations to the Munn's family on their arrival of their baby girl. We will post a picture soon.
Calendar:
April 25th – 26th – Stake Conference
April 28th – Stake Transitioning Meeting for all Laurels - R.S. Presidency
May 3rd – Presidency Message
May 10th – Ezra Taft Benson #9 – The Book of Mormon – Keystone of Our Religion
May 17th – Ezra Taft Benson #10 – Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon
May 24th – Teachings For Our Time
May 31st – 5th Sunday
If you have a recipe you would like to share send them to: drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083. We would love to have your favorite holiday recipes!
Visit the ward recipe blog: www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
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