Honesty

*Written on the chalkboard: Our actions define us. True or false?

To avoid moving chairs and missing out on what each of you has to say, I’m going to forgo the suggestion to split you into groups, have you read silently, and then discuss your thoughts. We’re going to attempt to do this as a group instead. But, let me warn you, if the participation is scarce, I won’t think twice about moving chairs… J

So let’s start with defining dishonesty. What does it mean to be dishonest?

Definition of DISHONESTY (Mirriam-Webster)

1: lack of honesty or integrity : disposition to defraud or deceive

2: a dishonest act : fraud

To me, this is less than clear. What constitutes defrauding or deceiving? If we don’t rob banks, shop lift, cheat on our spouse, etc. are we then “honest” by default?

The manual splits dishonesty up into three parts: lying, cheating, and stealing. These three are absolutely fraudulent and deceitful behaviors. But again, what constitutes lying, cheating, and stealing?

So let’s talk about it. What is lying? What real-life situations have you observed that you felt constituted lying? (personal stories/examples)

Here are some ideas from my grandma:

1. Gossip – including exaggerated or untrue items about someone.

2. TV and movies where immoral lifestyles are presented as bringing happiness.

3. Lying about your accomplishments.

4. Advertisements, either in print or on TV, claiming miraculous medical cures.

5. “Lying about your age and weight…My weight on my driver’s license has been the same over the last 20 years although I’ve lost 50 pounds. Sister Adams said when she went for her new license, she told the examiner she’d gained some weight since the last time and he said, “That’s o.k., you still look good. We’ll leave it the same.” (said in good humor)

6. “We mentioned talking to someone on the phone and saying, ‘Oops! There’s someone at the door. I’ll talk to you later,’ when, of course, there is no one at the door and we just want to stop talking.

7. “Or telling someone you can’t attend some event because you’re going to be out of town when you just don’t want to go.”

8. “Then we talked about being honest with yourself and with Heavenly Father in the process of repentance.”

How many forms of lying can you think of? Bearing false witness is only one of them…

1. Bearing false witness (what exactly does this mean?-false accusations, slander)

2. Speaking untruths

3. Telling only half truths (A half truth is a whole lie. ~Yiddish Proverb)

4. Deceitful looks or gestures

5. “White lies” (Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind. ~Austin O'Malley)

6. Saying nothing at all

“Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.” (manual)

Cheating, where have you witnessed cheating? (Personal stories/example)

1. Over promising, under delivering (business again)

2. Tests at school, homework

3. Games of all kinds

4. Tithing

5. Taxes

6. Over selling (business, again)

7. Employers cheating their employees and vise versa

8. Borrowing more than we can pay

We cheat when we give less than we owe, or when we get something we do not deserve. Some employees cheat their employers by not working their full time; yet they accept full pay. Some employers are not fair to their employees; they pay them less than they should. Satan says, “Take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor” (2 Nephi 28:8). Taking unfair advantage is a form of dishonesty. Providing inferior service or merchandise is cheating. (manual)

Stealing. What does it mean to steal?

Stealing is taking something that does not belong to us. When we take what belongs to someone else or to a store or to the community without permission, we are stealing. (manual)

Stealing, where has this taken place in your life? (Personal stories/examples)

1. Supplies from work

2. Toys/clothes/personal items from family members

3. Cars and other inventory from parking lots and stores

4. Hearts (winning someone’s love based on lies)

*some of the most hurtful, lasting damage that results from dishonesty is spiritual and emotional

5. Taking more money from a till, in a business deal, etc.

6. Ideas

7. Copy righted material

8. Taking more than your share of something (The store house example-my friend who ONLY take a small amount of food-what she can scrape by on for two weeks-each time she visits the store house. That’s what she feels is right, her “share”.)

(Richard C. Edgley’s story of his three towels and a 25 cent newspaper-found in the talk I linked to at the bottom)

“Jim, for 25 cents I can maintain my integrity. A dollar, questionable, but 25 cents—no, not for 25 cents.” You see, I remembered well the experience of three towels and a broken-down 1941 Hudson. A few minutes later we passed the same newspaper vending machine. I noticed that Jim had broken away from our group and was stuffing quarters in the vending machine. I tell you this incident not to portray myself as an unusual example of honesty, but only to emphasize the lessons of three towels and a 25-cent newspaper.

Excuses

“Practically all dishonesty owes its existence and growth to this inward distortion we call ‘self-justification,’” Elder Spencer W. Kimball once told a group of businessmen. “It is the first, the worst and the most insidious and damaging form of cheating—to cheat oneself.” (A Matter of Honesty)

We MUST NOT excuse our dishonesty.

Think about all the times we’ve excused ourselves from being accountable from our lies. What have you used as an excuse, or heard someone else use?

1. I meant to but…

2. I wanted to spare her feelings (“Those jeans don’t make you look fat, your fat makes you look fat.”-Dad)

3. I just didn’t want to (kids are asking you to do things, you make up excuses so you don’t have to do them, etc)

4. I didn’t really mean it…

5. I was uncomfortable, put in an awkward position

6. I didn’t want to get her into trouble! (Mattie’s story with C)

7. It wasn’t my fault! (REI story about the shoes)

8. It was an extreme circumstance

9. Nobody got hurt

10. I didn’t want to hurt his/her feelings

11. My dad would have killed me if he knew the truth!

12. I earned it!

13. He owed me anyway!

14. I needed it more!

15. It wasn’t fair, so I made it fair.

16. It was only a “white” lie

17. Think of what others might think of me if they knew the truth!

18. Everyone else does it

To the Lord, there are no acceptable reasons. When we excuse ourselves, we cheat ourselves and the Spirit of God ceases to be with us. We become more and more unrighteous. (manual)

In a 2003 article in the Ensign, Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis likened dishonesty to cancer. He spoke of honesty as a spiritual cancer. It starts small but with early detection, the problem can be fixed, your life can be saved. Oppositely, if such things are neglected it can overtake your life, ending it far too early and far too painfully.

When I asked my dad for a good story for my lesson, we both concluded that ALL his stories include lying, cheating and/or stealing…and the ALL end miserably. Dishonesty lands you in prison, in this life AND the next.

Which, leads me to something my dad reminded us kids of often. “The worst lies are the lies you tell yourself.” As an aside, I feel as though I could have this calling fifty years from now, grey hair and all, and still be quoting my dad. I think it makes me look super young now, maybe it’ll still have that affect then! Either way, he’s a wise guy and I figure it’s far easier to share his wise words than have to come up with my own! J

So let’s operate under the assumption that my dad is right (as always). Why are the worst lies-or any form of dishonesty- you tell the ones you tell yourself? Many excuses we use have to deal with other people. If it’s them we’re worried about, why is a lie so bad for ourselves?

1. One lie leads to another, which leads to another, which leads to another…

2. Who lies for you will lie against you. ~Bosnian Proverb

3. Our thoughts become our ACTIONS, our actions become our HABITS, our habits become our CHARACTER and our character ultimately becomes our DESTINY

4. Developing a reputation for dishonesty

5. We halt our own spiritual progression

6. We allow ourselves to do things we know we shouldn’t

7. We allow ourselves to hurt people who don’t deserve to be hurt

8. Not allowing the atonement into our lives (I know that you can never repent without being honest - The atonement can never be part of our lives if we don't repent - Without making the atonement a part of our lives, we will never progress, we will never be spiritually healed, and we will never become what our Heavenly Father wants and needs us to become.
~Mom)

(I plan to tell this story in my own words in class, but I figure I might as well include it in its entirety for you hear)

“As we view the world around us, it’s possible to feel at times that no one is really honest or virtuous or honorable anymore. We see those who seemingly get ahead in life as a result of deceit, through false promises or by cheating others. In the glow of unearned good repute, people are apt to fall prey to self-delusion and think that they can get away with anything. Others who want too badly for all men to speak well of them come to care more about outside opinions than their own actions.
Being true to oneself is anything but easy if the moral standards of one’s associates conflict with his or her own. The herd instinct is strong in the human animal, and the phrase “Everybody else is doing it” has an insidious attraction. To resist what “everybody else” is doing is to risk being ostracized by one’s peers, and it’s normal to dread rejection. Nothing takes more strength than swimming against the current. You, my friends, are strong and must at times decide to swim against that current.
Perhaps the surest test of an individual’s integrity is his or her refusal to do or say anything to damage his or her self-respect. The cornerstone of one’s value system should be the question, “What will I think of myself if I do this?”
In a Business Law class where I was a student years ago, I remember that one particular classmate, a popular athlete, never prepared for class. I thought to myself, "How is he going to pass the final?" I discovered the answer when he came to the classroom for the final examination, on a winter's day, wearing a pair of sandals on his feet. I was surprised. I watched him as the exam began. All of his books had been placed upon the floor. He slipped the sandals from his feet; and then, with toes that he had trained and had prepared with glycerine, he skillfully turned the pages of one of the books which he had on the floor, thereby having the answers to the examination questions.
This student received one of the highest grades in that course on Business Law. But the day of reckoning came. As he prepared to take his comprehensive examination, for the first time the dean of his particular discipline said: "This year I will depart from tradition and will conduct a personal, oral examination rather than a written test." Our favorite, trained-toe expert found that he had his foot in his mouth on that occasion and failed the examination. He was required to remain in school an additional year before he could graduate.
That has been over sixty years ago; but whenever any of us from that law class looks at that particular man, he does not think of the man's abilities on the football field as an all-conference player. Rather, he thinks of him as one who lacked integrity.
What is the point of all the fame and glory if, in the end, we can’t look ourselves in the eye, knowing that we have been honest and true. A poem I learned as a boy is as pertinent today as it was back then. I share with you just the last stanza. Before I do, I must explain that the word “glass,” as used in the poem, refers to a mirror.” (President Monson’s address to Dixie College)

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass;

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

When we are completely honest, we cannot be corrupted. We are true to every trust, duty, agreement, or covenant, even if it costs us money, friends, or our lives. Then we can face the Lord, ourselves, and others without shame. President Joseph F. Smith counseled, “Let every man’s life be so that his character will bear the closest inspection, and that it may be seen as an open book, so that he will have nothing to shrink from or be ashamed of” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 252). (Manual)

There will never be honesty in the business world, in the schools, in the home, or anyplace else until there is honesty in the heart...When we are true to the sacred principles of honesty and integrity, we are true to our faith, and we are true to ourselves.(Richard C Edgley, Three Towels and a 25 cent newspaper)

Think for a second how our personal actions affect the world of business etc. Dishonesty is never victimless. What consequences have you seen in your community or home?

1. Higher prices at stores

2. Good people stuck with bad cars etc. (Katie’s car)

3. “Madoff and did not even mention the Idaho Falls Madoff, Derek Palmer, who as an honest appearing Elder's Quorum President bilked some of the pillars of this community out of tens of millions of dollars entrusted to him. He has yet to be indicted and the community wonders why he is not in jail. I'll bet that you could get plenty of information from Googling Palmer/Idaho Falls/Ponzi Scheme....Part of the reason he has yet to be prosecuted is that the faithful members who invested with him thought that they would be getting a 20% return and now are afraid of appearing guilty of being greedy rather than honest and upright Mormons. “ Father-in-law

4. Families torn apart (financial, adultery etc)

5. Stores closing

6. Friendships end

7. Insurance rates skyrocket

When I had my ecclesiastical interview for my admittance into BYU, the counselor at the time, someone I didn’t think knew me as well as I knew him (a sheer numbers thing)-said something I have never forgotten. He said “You have been an example to and have helped kids you don’t even know about.” Without meaning to sounds prideful in the slightest, I had heard this a time or two. I usually took it as hogwash meant to boost the sometimes failing confidence of a high school kid who was trying to keep her footing. Not this time, not when said with such conviction and honesty. His serious, verging on teary, eyes met mine and I understood that he knew something I did not. Something I had said or done reached someone he knew, personally. I still don’t know what, where or how, but it doesn’t matter. I got the message loud and clear. My actions affect not only my life, but those around me. Our behavior is so important for our own progression, but it is ALSO important in the lives of others. Let us be that example to others; that example of honesty in all things so that we might be as the people spoken of in the Book of Mormon who were “distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end” (Alma 27:27).

If you can hang on for a few more minutes, let me leave you with a quote on this very topic of being an example and teaching honesty:

“This training in honesty begins in the home. Each of us has personal possessions which are ours alone. We can and should share such things as toys and games and our services to one another; but we have money, or jewelry, or clothing that is the personal property of each and should not be taken without the consent of the owner. A child who respects such honesty in the home is not apt to violate the principle outside the home. … Lack of such training fosters disrespect for the rights and property of others. …
“As a child matures and starts working for money, … [he should be taught to] deal honestly and give honest labor for the returns he gets” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 64; or Ensign, May 1978, 44).

“I hope you will teach my dear ones to be honest. There is so much cheating and stealing and dishonesty. Integrity is laughed at and dishonesty is taught by the family and the community. Little dishonest pranks are laughed at. The little child is often clever enough to deceive and take advantage of its cuteness. The child is often permitted to get by with little thefts. A parent who understates the age of the child to avoid adult prices in shows and planes and trains and buses is forcefully teaching the child to be dishonest. He will not forget these lessons. Some parents permit the child to break the law as to fire crackers, the use of guns, fishing and hunting without license. The children are permitted to drive without a license or to falsify their ages. Those who take little things without accounting for [them] such as fruit from the neighbor’s yard, a pen from a desk, a package of gum from the … shelf, all are being taught silently that little thefts and dishonesties are not so bad. Cheating in school examinations has reached an alarming state, say the school officials.
“We may be bucking a strong tide, but we must teach our children that sin is sin. …
It is important to recognize that we cannot ignore little thefts, lies, or deceptions. We must not treat lightly or laugh at cheating or breaking the law. (Women’s Manual)

Do our actions define us? You bet!

Other quotes I simply like:

A lie has speed, but truth has endurance. ~Edgar J. Mohn

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger. ~Tad Williams

‎"Honest hearts produce honest actions" Brigham Young

"Integrity is the value we set on ourselves. It is a fulfillment of the duty we owe ourselves. An honorable man or woman will personally commit to live up to certain self-imposed expectations. they need no outside check or control. They are honorable in their inner core." James E. Faust Ensign, May 1982

Gospel Principle Manual

Richard C. Edgley, Three Towels and a 25-Cent Newspaper, October 2006LDS Women's Manual, Lesson 7

President Monson's Remarks at the 2011 Dixie State College Commencement

Honesty in the Small Things, Elder marcos A. Aidukaitis, September 2003

The Law of Sacrifice Brings Forth Blessings

As I prepare my lessons, I often feel the desire to seek knowledge and understanding not only from the scriptures and words of our prophets, but from those I know personally. I find there’s no better way to make the gospel personal than consulting with others; discovering their experiences and opinions on the things that matter most to them as well as to me. And, in my effort to share the gospel online, I thought I’d ask my Facebook friends what they think about when they hear the word ‘SACRIFICE’.

But before we go any farther, I want to ask you the same question. What do YOU think of when YOU hear the word “SACRIFICE”? Think about it while I read you some of my friends’ responses.

“I think of sacrificing dinner for dessert” (Now, this was from my good friend and cousin who is a member and was trying to be funny…which I think he accomplished. He is the reason I brought treats!)

“I think of Heavenly Father's sacrifice of His Son first and foremost. Then I think of the sacrifices parents make as they bare and raise children.”

“My first thought was all that Joseph Smith sacrificed. He was jailed, beaten, tarred and feathered, persecuted, had children die because of the treatment and eventually sacrificed his life in the Carthage jail so that the mob would stop. And of course the ultimate sacrifice of Christ for us. Then I think of parents and all the nights we stay up with sick kids or the money we scrimp so that they can have the "good things" while we go without. All of the sacrifices are worth it.”

“So when I think of sacrifice, I obviously think of our Savior, but in my own personal life on a daily basis.....I think of myself. I think being a mom is the biggest sacrifice. We give up our free time to do laundry, clean, cook, etc. We put all of our energy into chasing kids around, running errands, keeping our home in order. We sacrifice our bodies to have children. We give up our education and careers to raise our families. We give ...up our sleep. We give up commitment or other opportunities because you never know when your kids will be sick/not up for going out. You sacrifice alone time with your spouse. And you give up all hope of ever wearing a clean outfit out the door! haha jk. But with sacrifice comes blessings. Lots and lots of blessings. We as moms are trying our best to raise righteous children, and when we ourselves do it in a righteous manner, our families will be blessed.”

“ Marriage and Motherhood. Marriage and Motherhood are about giving of yourself to others to build them up. To fail to do so is to fail in both endeavors. Both are incredible blessings as well.”

“Kinda odd, but when I think of sacrifice I think of Blessings. Those two are always a pair for me. Every sacrifice brings a blessing.”

“I think of sacrifice as a law of the universe, like gravity. If I want to be strong and physically fit I have to sacrifice my will (to relax or sit on the couch), time, energy and sometimes pain to exercise. If I want to be knowledgeable about something I sacrifice my will (to goof off and waste time), time, thoughts, and effort to study or practice. If I want my kids to be good I sacrifice my time and effort to teach them and (try) to be patient with them. These are just things that need to be done if I want the desired outcome. If I want those outcomes it is worth it to me to do what it takes to get them even if that process requires sacrifice.

Same as with spiritual things, laws of the universe, like gravity. D&C 130: 20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— 21And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

If I want a good relationship with God and my fellow men I sacrifice to love them and serve them, read about God and his laws in the scriptures, [and] pray (can't have a good relationship without good communication). If I want to be happy I sacrifice to follow the commandments because I have faith that following them will bring me happiness as I have been promised.

Christ sacrificed for us because he loved us enough to go through all the pain and everything that he did because it is what needed to be done to meet the demands of justice and save us from death and sin. I can't imagine the weight and difficulty of his sacrifice, but to him it was worth it for the desired outcome.”

Now your turn. Did they miss anything?

What are some things we sacrifice as members of the church in these latter days? As parents? As spouses? As daughters of God?

A few examples are:

-Food (fasting), money (tithing), popularity, certain activities/foods/behaviors.

-Money, traveling, independence, time, energy, sleep.

-Time, friends, independence, the way you like the toilet paper.

-Mortal, day to day challenges that come with having a body and making our way back to him.

The lists are endless. But so are the blessings that come with them.

Think of the blessings that come from those sacrifices.

A few examples are:

-Answers to prayer, stronger testimonies, stronger relationships, healthy bodies less self inflicted hardships.

-Love, laughter, happiness, joy.

-Companionship, eternal love, and trust.

-The love of our Heavenly Father and promises of blessings.

Does anyone have a specific story about blessings they received as a result of sacrifice that they are willing to share?

(My Stories:

The best friend I have in the world is someone I met, got to know, and became friends with because of service. I sacrificed my time, energy etc. to watch her daughter and help her out from time to time. She did the same for me. After a little while, we became amazing friends.

I got married super young-obviously. In giving up my “independence,” so to speak, and the traveling/adventures/time with friends, I’ve been blessed with not only a husband far greater than I ever would have found otherwise, but a second family that loves and supports me more than I thought possible.)

Blessings from our Heavenly Father who loves us. Those are the things I want to focus on today. Each person will sacrifice and experience hard things. It’s unavoidable. But the upshot of it, the consequence of it, will be something positive down the road. I don’t want anybody to leave today feeling burdened, weary, or frightened. I don’t want anybody to leave feeling as though their sacrifices are too little (or too much for that matter). Instead, I want you to have an increased determination to endure and to serve, a greater hope for good things to come and even more gratitude for the sacrifices of our Savior and our leaders/ancestors/friends.

Let’s start with the basics. According to the manual, sacrifice means “giving to the Lord whatever He requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further His work. The Lord commanded, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33). Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God. People have always been tried and tested to see if they will put the things of God first in their lives.” But the sacrifice required has changed over time.

(Can anyone tell me how the Law of Sacrifice was practiced anciently and why?)

When the Law of Sacrifice was practiced anciently it was required that the firstlings of the flock, those that were without blemish, to be sacrificed to remind people that Jesus Christ would come to this earth, the perfect son of God, and would sacrifice himself for us. And Christ DID come and HE DID sacrifice himself for us. With that the Law of Sacrifice changed.

The Guide to the Scriptures (an online publication on LDS.org) says that “In ancient days, sacrifice meant to make something or someone holy. It has now come to mean to give up or suffer the loss of worldly things for the Lord and his kingdom.”

It is interesting also to note that in 3 Nephi 9: 19-20 Christ says “And ye shall offer up unto me ^ano more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a ^asacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”

As a child I never understood what a broken heart and a contrite spirit was. I heard it all the time and I kind of understood by the context that it had something to do with humility. The manual says it the best, and the simplest when it says, “A ‘broken heart and a contrite spirit’ means that we offer deep sorrow for our sins as we humble ourselves and repent of them.” A broken heart and a contrite spirit, our time, talents, resources, energy and whatever else may be needed is what we are now asked to sacrifice.

The Apostle Paul (Romans 12:1) wrote that we should become living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Also from the manual, we read “Members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. Joseph Smith taught that ‘a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.’ In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up.”

When we think of people that have truly sacrificed (in addition to He who paid the greatest sacrifice, even Jesus Christ) we think of Joseph Smith and the pioneers. We think of the amazing saints all over the world that go without food/shelter and sell all they have to make it to the temple. We think of those who choose to live the gospel in countries where branches span miles upon miles and attending church meetings means hours of travel each way. We think of the missionaries serving for two years in foreign lands far from their families and all they’ve ever known. And we think about converts who have been tossed out and disowned by those they love most as a result of their membership in the Gospel. To us, these are all hard, hard things, huge sacrifices. But as Won Yong Ko of the Second Quorum of the Seventy said “Today we are not likely to be asked to make such a big sacrifice as giving up our lives, but we can see many examples of Saints who make painful sacrifices to keep their faith and testimonies alive. Maybe it is more difficult to make the small sacrifices in our daily lives. For instance, it could be regarded as a small sacrifice to keep the Sabbath day holy, to read the scriptures daily, or to pay our tithing. But these sacrifices cannot be easily made unless we have the mind and the determination to make the sacrifices that are needed to be able to keep those commandments.

So are these small sacrifices of lesser value? Do we fall short because we haven’t had a Abraham and Isaac experience? Should our sacrifices be forgotten because we haven’t crossed the plains or laid down our own lives for the cause? (No) Can we be like the pioneers and devote our entire selves to the cause of our Heavenly Father, even if we’re not crossing the plains? (Absolutely) Should we? (Yes) Why? (See above)

-We are commanded to

-It’s the way we will make it back to our Heavenly Father.

-We will be blessed.

“The Primary purpose of the Law of Sacrifice is twofold: to test us and to assist us to come unto Christ.” Elder M. Russell Ballard

As we make these small sacrifices, we are compensated by more blessings from the Lord. King Benjamin said, “And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever” (Mosiah 2:24). And, as he did with his own people, King Benjamin encourages us so that we will receive more blessings as we continue to obey the Lord’s word.”

So let’s talk blessings.

“Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29).

Here’s the thing…do we get to decide how we are blessed? Or when we are blessed? Sometimes the blessings we want, need and crave DO come when and how we want them. But sometimes they don’t.

“Occasionally there is a time gap between the sacrifice and the blessing. The sacrifice may come according to our time schedule, but the blessing may not come by our, but by the Lord’s, calendar. Because of this, the Lord comforts us by saying, “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work” (D&C 64:33).

The blessings surely come to us. Please remember that the sacrifice itself might be a form of blessing. Let us make the sacrifice of small things.

When we read the Book of Mormon while rubbing our sleepy eyes, let us remember that we are following the counsel of our prophet and receive the joy that comes from that knowledge. We have many bills to pay, but when we pay tithing, let us feel joy for having the opportunity to donate something to the Lord.

And then greater blessings will be poured out on us. It will be just like our surprise and joy when we receive an unexpected gift.”

It’s not just about the blessings though. Why else do we sacrifice?

-To help others (I think people often over look the sacrifices they make, not even seeing them as such, because they have a true desire to help others)

“Deciding to sacrifice is a personal choice that has consequences to more than just yourself.” (Mom)

-To become like Christ

“Only through sacrifice can we become worthy to live in the presence of God. Only through sacrifice can we enjoy eternal life. Many who have lived before us have sacrificed all they had. We must be willing to do the same if we would earn the rich reward they enjoy.” (Manual)

“…a place in our Heavenly Father’s kingdom is worth any sacrifice we have to make of our time, talents, energy, money, and lives. Through sacrifice we can obtain a knowledge from the Lord that we are acceptable to Him (see D&C 97:8).” (the manual)

As President Spencer W. Kimball said, “As we give, we find that ‘sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!’ [“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27.] And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all” (“Becoming the Pure in Heart,” Ensign, Mar. 1985, 5).

Sacrifice is not easy. It’s something that we must do deliberately. We must CHOOSE to sacrifice.

“Private choices are not private. They all have public consequences…Our society is the sum totally of what millions of individuals do in their private lives.” James E. Faust Ensign May 1987

“To reach any significant goal you must leave your comfort zone.” Hyrum W. Smith (Mom’s Franklin Convey)

“Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid of sacrifice. Please enjoy the happiness and blessings from the sacrifice itself.” Elder Won Yon Ko

I know that this church is true. It is that simple testimony that allows me to push forward and accomplish those things which I know are pleasing unto my Father in Heaven. I know that as we strive to do what is right, to sacrifice for the right reasons and follow our Savior, we WILL BE BLESSED. I know that as we experience hard things and sacrifice much there will always be one person, one perfect person, standing beside us, holding our hand while we finish the race. He, our Savior Jesus Christ, knows up personally and has suffered what we have suffered. It is He would can stand by our side, not with sympathy, but with empathy. He has suffered more than we can imagine. I know that if he could do that for me, I can sacrifice what little he asks of me, for him. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

D&C 68:6

Gospel Principles Manual
Sacrfice Is A Joy And A Blessing, Elder Won Yong Ko 2005 October Ensign
The Guide to the Scriptures

Additional resources
Quotes on Sacrifice,
The Law of Sacrifice, Elder M. Russell Ballard 1998 October Ensign

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Before discussing the Holy Ghost, let’s recall what we know from previous lessons…

-He is the third member of the God Head

- He is a “personage of Spirit” (D&C 130:22), doesn’t have a body of flesh and bones

-His influence can be everywhere at once (he is like the sun, having the ability to radiate light to us all at the same time).

-His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and OF ALL TRUTH

-He is the messenger for and the witness of the father and the Son

-“Comforter, a teacher, and a revelator”

-He purifies, or sanctifies, us to prepare us to dwell in the presence of God; he purifies our hearts so we no longer have the desire to do evil

Those are the qualities, the characteristics, of the Holy Ghost. But what is the difference between the Holy Ghost and the GIFT of the Holy Ghost? Aren’t they the same thing?

NO.

(Share 3 personal stories-Discussions with Kaylin, Dad at Work, Mom in the Car)

So how is it that you only receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism, yet it’s the Holy Ghost that helps you know that the Church, Book of Mormon, etc. are true? This is a concept I understood better as I got older…

Answer: The biggest difference between the promptings of the Holy Ghost before baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost received at baptism is TIME, permanence. “A person may be temporarily guided by the Holy Ghost without receiving the GIFT of the Holy Ghost (D&C 130:22). However, this guidance will not be CONTINUOUS unless the person is baptized and receives the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (manual)

The story of Cornelius in Acts 10- Cornelius received inspiration through the Holy Ghost that the gospel of Jesus Christ was true. He didn’t receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Joseph Smith taught that if Cornelius hadn’t received baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost thereafter, the Holy Ghost would have left him.

“the gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege—given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church-to receive CONTINUAL guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.” (manual)

RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST

However, it is both interesting and imperative to mention the words spoken when a worthy member of the Melchizedek administers this blessing. He says, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” He does not say “Here’s this gift I bestow unto you forever and ever that you must do nothing to receive or to keep.” The statement uttered is a command of sorts. While a worthy baptized member is confirmed a member of the church and is given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the power of the priesthood, it only opens the door for that permanent companionship. It does not guarantee it. Just like baptism requires continual commitment and perpetual righteousness, so does the gift of the Holy Ghost. It requires you to act (surprise, surprise…the Lord’s gospel is one of action, not just belief).

“…there is no guarantee that the person will receive inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost just because the elders have laid their hands on his or her head. Each person my ‘receive the Holy Ghost.’ This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us only when we are faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger.” (manual)

“The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness” ~Joseph Smith (I would add ‘cannot be received OR maintained)

THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Let’s expound on this. What was Joseph Smith referring to? What exactly did he mean? If we need to DO, to act, in order to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, what righteous behavior do we need to have part of our daily lives?

Well, lucky for us we have modern day prophets that help with just these kinds of things! In October’s General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar (one of my person favorites) expounded on this principle in list form. Elder Bednar listed three things that will make the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost a reality.

First, we need to have a sincere desire to receive the Holy Ghost.

- Desire, yearn and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost

- Pray earnestly and consistently for that which we want most, even the Holy Ghost

Second, we need to appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives.

“We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).”

-Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur through many ways…making and keeping covenants, praying sincerely, diligently searching the scriptures, strengthening family relationships, seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions and language; and worshipping in our homes, temples and churches.

Mosiah 2:36 (if you go against what you know Is right, the spirit of the Lord cannot bless you)

Lastly, we need to obey God’s commandments.

Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.

RECOGNIZING THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST

-He USUALLY communicates quietly, “still small voice”

-“The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear…While we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘ I had a feeling…’…This voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you.” Boyd K. Packer, October 1994 General Conference

ONE OF GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS

Through the Holy Ghost we may:

-Know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been restored to Earth

-Have promptings to show us all things we should do (2 Nephi 32:5)

-Be sanctified in preparation to be in God’s presence

-Enjoy gifts of the spirit

-Have peace in our hearts

-Have an understanding of the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12)

Kathleen H. Hughes describes the Holy Ghost and his promptings as a sweet gift to unwrap and remember when life is difficult:

(This quote comes after she relays the story of losing her own mother-as she was a young mother herself-and the yearning she felt for her..)
"One night as I was praying and crying (which I did often then), I felt comfort fill my body—suddenly and powerfully. The feeling restored me; it gave me peace. It did not last long physically, yet it was immensely comforting. I knew what it was—the Lord’s love encircling me and granting me peace and strength. But just as important, that moment has remained in my memory as a sweet gift to unwrap and remember when life is difficult."

What a blessing it is to have the GIFT of the Holy Ghost help us recall such tender experiences. As I bear testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel, I experience again and again the Lord's witness of truth. That sweet, gentle nudging of the Spirit. What a blessing it is to receive guidance and comfort when needed and then to recall those feelings and experiences time and time again. What a loving Father in Heaven we have!

I'd like to close with another quote from Kathleen,

"As faithful women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been blessed with the Holy Ghost. As we invite the Savior into our lives, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the love which the Father and His Son, our Savior, have for each of us. But feeling Their love is dependent not only on our desire but upon our actions as well. And the actions we need to take are known to us: genuine prayer that is specific and humble, followed by quiet listening for the Lord’s answers; regular scripture study and time to ponder what we read; and, finally, a willingness to be introspective about ourselves and to trust in the Lord’s promise that He will “make weak things become strong unto [us]” (Ether 12:27). As we study and ponder, we are entitled to the promptings of the Spirit, and as we grow more attentive to these promptings, we come to recognize each day the workings of the Lord in our lives. We will find Him, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated, “in the details of our lives” (“Becoming a Disciple,” Ensign, June 1996, 19). And when that recognition comes, we feel His peace and recognize that we are truly encircled in the arms of His love."

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, Amen.

My Sources:

Gospel Principles Chapter 21
David A. Bednar's October 2010 General Conference Address
Kathleen H. Hughes's October 2006 General Conference Address