Power Proceeds Purity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFonxfUgfBg


You do not have to be caught in the trap of morality. You need to look to the future to see how your actions are impacting your future.

Be prepared and worthy ever ready to serve the Lord.

We understand not the things the Lord has prepared for us. The devil attempts to blind us to the rewards of the future by focusing on the now.

-->He throws dust to blind our eyes. Tempts us the the transitory pleasures of the world blinding us to the sources of eternal joy.


One has not begun to repent until he suffers intensly for His sin.

Acceptance by your peers must not come by compromising the standards of the Lord. Moral impurity causes you to shrink before the Lord, before family, and friends.

If you can feel confident in front of the family and preisthood leaders you can imagine how you will feel before the Lord.

Mosiah 3:28 keeping the commandments helps us in all things.

How to Maintain Purity
1.Know the standards.
-Don't push the limits, based on definitions. Create buffers to protect yourself from breaking the standards.
-Follow the promtings of the spirit. The promotings will never lead you to do anything to make you feel uncomfortable or unclean.
2. Live the Standards
-The Lord will take nothing in His heart unless he will do it.
-Make a firm decision to stand for what is right. Set high goals. Make it a goal to be morally clean.
-You need not face temptation alone.
-Rely on the Lord and those who have gone before you. As you gain firm footing you will be able to assist others.
-Initiate conversations with your parents about standards .
-Make a commitment to live the churches standards.
3. Choose Firends whom share your Standards.
-Establish a strong bond to help others on the path of righteousness.
4. Cultivate a Courtsey Attitude to women of all ages.
Purity recieves power.  Cleanse yourself before me then go forth to preach my message.
Sin = Shrinking
we need not fear the fututer, if we will keep the commandments. --Hugh B Brown prayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC4aV5WutY0&list=PL2CGJesU3sEjEaMhpwf-rfLIcfKtau8KJ

If we stop chopping at the branches of this problem and strike more directly at the root of the tree, not surprisingly we find lust lurking furtively there. Lust is an unsavory word, and it is certainly an unsavory topic for me to address, but there is good reason why in some traditions it is known as the most deadly of the seven deadly sins. ²

Why is lust such a deadly sin? Well, in addition to the completely Spirit-destroying impact it has upon our souls, I think it is a sin because it defiles the highest and holiest relationship God gives us in mortality—the love that a man and a woman have for each other and the desire that couple has to bring children into a family intended to be forever. Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures. But lust changes as quickly as it can turn a pornographic page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by, male or female. True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine—the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case. Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite.

These are just some of the reasons that prostituting the true meaning of love—either with imagination or another person—is so destructive. It destroys that which is second only to our faith in God—namely, faith in those we love. It shakes the pillars of trust upon which present—or future—love is built, and it takes a long time to rebuild that trust when it is lost.

Run

Pray 

Seek Blessing

The only real control in life is self control. ---Set buffers? 

The Music, The Art, The Media, The Habits

Every sin causes pain to ourselves, to our God, to our Savior, and to those you rely on our best selves. 

Purity

Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

http://mormonmatters.org/2008/09/10/common-scriptures-in-review-mosiah-319/

--> Natural Man- referring to “in a state of nature; uncultivated” and “having undergone little or no processing”. It appears that “natural” in this usage applies to those who have not been cultivated by the Spirit – who have not been involved in the repentance process. 

Chiasms (inverted parallalelism)

A. they humble themselves

  B. and become as little children,

    C. and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ,

     the Lord Omnipotent:

      D. for the natural man

        E. is an enemy to God

          F. and has been, from the fall of Adam,

          F' and will be, for ever and ever;

        E' but if he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,

      D' and putteth off the natural man,

    C' and becometh a saint, through the atonement of Christ, the Lord,

  B' and becometh as a child,

A' submissive, meek and humble . . ."

McConkie and Millet make note that the word saint is tied to the Hebrew root kadosh, which means to separate, to be apart from, and to become sacred and holy 

  According to John Welch, since the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles fell at or around the same time in ancient Israel,90 it is possible to see influences from both of these holy days upon Benjamin's speech. . . . The hypothesis that Benjamin's speech embraces the themes of the Day of Atonement is initially suggested by the fact that Benjamin refers so often to the Atonement; he does so seven times (Mosiah 3:11,15,16,18,19; 4:6,7). The number may be purely accidental, but doing something "seven times" is saliently characteristic of rituals performed on the Day of Atonement and other purification ceremonies prescribed in the book of Leviticus.91 The priest's finger is dipped in the blood seven times; the blood is sprinkled seven times on the house, on the altar, and on the mercy seat (see Leviticus 4:6,17; 8:11; 14:7,16,27,51; 16:14,19). Milgrom asks, "Is it an accident that the sevenfold sprinkling is the seventh rite [in Leviticus 4:3-12] as well as in the purification of the scale-diseased person [Leviticus 14:24-25]?" Given "the frequency of the number seven" in the rituals of the law of Moses, Milgrom doubts that its occurrence is inadvertent or insignificant in the Bible.92 The same assumption applies in Benjamin's case. [John W. Welch, "The Temple in the Book of Mormon," in Temples of the Ancient World, pp. 352-353]

Purity creates a state where we can closely walk with the Lord. 

The Lord loves purity. I should love purity. When I pursue the carnal and sensual I am warring with a kind and loving God. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoASvTdioTQ

-->consume in chaos if not controlled.

The Lord cares how people come to the world. 
The spirit and body are the soul. Only combined we may achieve a fullness of joy. 

abuses the soul, abuses another, mocks god,

Never say who does it hurt. 

You are not your own, you have been bought with a price. So glorify God. 

-Marriage is the ultimate symbol of unity. A complete merger. 

Sharing the physical symbols in a conterfit union.  Must give everything.  Give that which is not yours ( you are not your own).

The pursuit of physical satisfaction that you may undermind your ability to give a whole hearted devotion. 

Give your spouse your best self. 

Godliness is creation. The only control we are given is self control. Guard this sacramental power. 

Divinley appointed. 

Unless the commandments are kept and passions controlled your life may go up in flames. 

The Savior is willing to walk the path no matter how dark with you. 

****Russell 

"I met this girl named Ciara who was the most beautiful woman in the world, the most kind person, the most engaging person, everything that I could ever want. She was on tour and I was looking at her in the mirror, and she was sitting there. And God spoke to me and said, ‘I need you to lead her.’ And I was like, ‘Really? Right now?’ And he goes, ‘No, I want you and need you to lead her.’ And I asked her, ‘What would you do if we took all that extra stuff off the table? And just did it Jesus’ way?'"

Wilson went on to clarify that, yes, the “extra stuff” meant sex:

“Yeah, we’re talking about sex … Can we love each other without that? If you can really love someone without that then you can really love somebody … I ain’t gonna lie to y’all now. I need y’all to pray for us. Because I know y’all have seen her on the screen now. If there’s a 10, she’s a 15. Pray for me, keep my mind clear, keep my heart clear.

Cleansing the Inner Vessel

We are not speaking of a wholesome view of self-worth, which is best established by a close relationship with God. 

Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence

Moses after seeing God is met by Satan. Satan in the recent overwhelming illuminitation of the Lord was a barely visible flickering fading lit match. 

Will Conquers Everything. 

Face your fears and doubts. 

--Oliver missed the opportunity to translate because of fear. 

Moses feared saw the bitterness of hell---when afraid we see the worst not the best. Hold fast to earlire illumination. 

It was not better to stay and serve the eqpytians. It is not better to live in self doubt and fear. 

After you get the message GO FORWARD.

If God has told you something is right. HE WILL PROVIDE THE WAY FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH IT.

Follow the Lord and you will recieve your promise land. 

A sincere pleading is what openned up this dispensation. 

The Light of Christ by Marion G. Romney

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1977/04/the-light-of-christ?lang=eng


This Spirit is, no doubt, the source of one’s conscience, which Webster defines as “a knowledge or feeling of right and wrong with a compulsion to do right.”

-->Our culture surroundings can manipulate and warp our conscience? Does sin chase away this conscience? Or in the presence of sin there is an absence of the spirit? or is it the presence of the spirit course correcting? 


President Joseph F. Smith says that this Spirit of Christ “strives with … men, and will continue to strive with them [if they will resist the enticings of Satan], until it brings them to a knowledge of the truth and the possession of the greater light and testimony of the Holy Ghost.” (Gospel Doctrine, Deseret Book Co., 1973, pp. 67–68.)

The gift of the holy ghost allows one to recieve the light and guidance of the holy ghost. A real effort to constantly apply the teaching of Christ.

He will guide you to all truth and speak what he hears. 

Marion G. Romney

My brethren, I pray, and ask you to join in that prayer, that while I speak we will enjoy the Spirit of Christ. If we don’t enjoy it, we won’t enjoy these remarks, because my topic is “The Light of Christ.” There are three phases of the light of Christ that I want to mention.

The first one is the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world;

The second phase is the gift of the Holy Ghost;

And the third is the more sure word of prophecy.

In the eighty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says, “The light of Christ … proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space.” (D&C 88:7, 12.)

In another revelation, it is written that this light, which is “the Spirit of Jesus Christ … giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.” (D&C 84:45–46.)

This Spirit is, no doubt, the source of one’s conscience, which Webster defines as “a knowledge or feeling of right and wrong with a compulsion to do right.”

Mormon was alluding to this Spirit when he wrote to his son Moroni that “every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

“Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

“For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, [and that gift is because the light of Christ enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world], that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.” (Moro. 7:13–16.)

President Joseph F. Smith says that this Spirit of Christ “strives with … men, and will continue to strive with them [if they will resist the enticings of Satan], until it brings them to a knowledge of the truth and the possession of the greater light and testimony of the Holy Ghost.” (Gospel Doctrine, Deseret Book Co., 1973, pp. 67–68.)

Now, this statement of President Smith’s brings us to a consideration of the second phase of our subject: the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is a person, a spirit, the third member of the Godhead. He is a messenger and a witness of the Father and the Son. He brings to men testimony, witness, and knowledge of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the truths of the gospel. He vitalizes truth in the hearts and souls of men.

“There is a difference,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith, “between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not [been baptized], the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199.) That’s not my statement; that’s the statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith. But I know it’s true.

The gift of the Holy Ghost confers upon one, as long as he is worthy, the right to receive light and truth.

Obtaining the gift of the Holy Ghost is preceded by faith, repentance, and baptism. Retaining the spirit, power, and guidance of the Holy Ghost requires a righteous life—a dedicated effort to constantly comply with the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

The Holy Ghost is, as we have said, the third member of the Godhead. Of Him the Prophet Joseph said:

“The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones [as we know that God and Jesus Christ have], but is a personage of Spirit.” (D&C 130:22.)

The Holy Ghost is the great witness of, the messenger for, and testifier of the Father and the Son. The Savior, speaking of Him as the “Spirit of truth,” said:

“When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13–14.)

By the witness and power of the Holy Ghost we receive personal testimonies of the truths of the gospel, including knowledge of God the Father and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

Notwithstanding the availability of the gifts of the Holy Ghost, there are many people who live within reach of them who fail to see them. Concerning such tragedy, the Lord said:

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.” (D&C 6:21.)

All three of the synoptic Gospel writers record the following classic illustration of the difficulty one in darkness has in comprehending the light. Matthew’s version reads:

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” (Matt. 16:13–14.)

Now, the people who expressed these opinions were Christ’s contemporaries. Their conclusions evidenced the fact that they knew something about His mighty works. No doubt they were aware of His claim that He was the Son of God. Their minds, however, were opaque to the light of His true identity. Although the light was shining brightly about them, they “comprehended it not.”

Having heard their answer as to who men said He was, Jesus directed to His disciples the question, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matt. 16:15.)

Then Peter, speaking for himself and presumptively for the others, answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16.) In this declaration, Peter evidenced the fact that he and his fellow disciples did comprehend the light shining in the world of spiritual darkness around them.

In His response to Peter’s answer, Jesus declared a truth understood only by those who comprehend the light by and through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, for Jesus’ answer was:

“Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee,” He said, “but my Father which is in heaven, … and upon this rock”—meaning, upon the rock of revelation, which comes by means of the Holy Ghost—“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:17–18.)

Upon revelation I should pursue my calling and election, my callings, and my worship.

Now, concerning the third phase of our theme, “the more sure word of prophecy” (D&C 131:5), which is obtained by making one’s “calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10), the Prophet Joseph said:

“After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands) … then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 150.)

There are three phases of the light of Christ that I want to mention.

The first one is the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world;

The second phase is the gift of the Holy Ghost;

And the third is the more sure word of prophecy....

Do I desire to make my calling and election made sure? 

Why or why not? 

What system can I set up to help me pursue it whole- heartedly. 

---the presence of God is like that warm content feeling of being with Family in one of those few fleeting moments of perfect love harmony and acceptance. 

Covenant Marriage

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/covenant-marriage?lang=eng

Contract vs Covenant

When troubles come, the parties to a contractual marriage seek happiness by walking away. They marry to obtain benefits and will stay only as long as they’re receiving what they bargained for. But when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through. 

--> Looks to fill the needs not evade obligation. Guided by the spirit. Endowed with unseen depths of strength and mercy.

 Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent. ¹

Jesus taught about contractual attitudes when he described the “hireling,” who performs his conditional promise of care only when he receives something in return. When the hireling “seeth the wolf coming,” he “leaveth the sheep, and fleeth … because he … careth not for the sheep.” By contrast, the Savior said, “I am the good shepherd, … and I lay down my life for the sheep.” ² Many people today marry as hirelings. And when the wolf comes, they flee.

Our deepest God-given instinct is to run to the arms of those who need us and sustain us. But he drives us away from each other today with wedges of distrust and suspicion. He exaggerates the need for having space, getting out, and being left alone.

The bonds of covenants give us strength to withstand, offer compassion, and sucker.

Set Goals

Stop Drifting

Be men of momentum.

Make decisions only once.

Goals about your the time between now and your marriage.

Use your time efficiently.

Be the most faithful Elder.