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July, 2011

  1. Apostle, Jeffery R. Holland

    July 31, 2011 by Ben Tanner

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  2. Blessed Honored Pioneer

    July 24, 2011 by Ben Tanner

    John Tanner and Elizabeth Beswick Tanner. My 4th Great Grand Father and Mother. First LDS Tanner's

    I am a 6th Generation Mormon.  My family has been associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 1832.  That is two years after the church was organized.  If you take a climb up my family tree you will find many early pioneers.  I don’t say this to boast, but rather to bless my God and bring honor to their names.

    One Hundred and Sixty-Seven years ago today, the saints first entered the valley of the Great Salt Lake.  Today I celebrate their faith.  I celebrate their epic story.   They moved over hundreds of miles to find safety and the freedom to live their religion.

    I am so grateful that I share that same religion.  I know that someday I will approach them and need to give an account for how I used the gifts they blessed me with.  I only hope that they will be able to smile on my efforts.  I don’t seek to compare my trials with theirs.  But rather to approach my own trials with the faithfulness that they approached their own.

    Heaven knows that I fall short, but I know their is a God in Heaven how loves me, and who has provided a way for all of us to fix the mistakes and sins we make.  It is through

    Jonathan Oldham Duke

    Jonathan Oldham Duke, first LDS Duke. My 3rd Great Grandfather on my Mothers side.

    the mercy, grace, and merits of Jesus Christ.  I honor my family tree today, I honor all pioneers who sacrificed their lives to build the Kingdom of God.

    Every person who chooses to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, is baptized, receives the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and endures to the end of their lives is grafted into this great pioneer legacy of faith.  I pray my name might be listed with theirs for all of my decendents.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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  3. “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice”

    July 17, 2011 by Ben Tanner

    Jesus told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times within a very short time.  It’s hard to imagine Peter being willing to deny Jesus even after he was willing to cut off one of the ears of the soldiers ears that were attempting to take Jesus into custody.  Peter was a valiant man.  He had left all he had to follow the Lord without hesitation.  He had followed Jesus through most all the of the trials of His earthly ministry.

    Why would Peter show such weakness in the last hours of the Saviors life?  The truth is, we are no better than Peter, and he serves as a great example of how we can pick up our selves after we falter and be redeemed through the love of Jesus Christ.

    The Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said:

     

    “My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.

    “Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret. …

    “… If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God” (“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6).

     

    So let us take comfort in the example of Peter.  Let’s remember that even the greatest among us need the atonement of Jesus Christ to be made whole.  No matter where you are in your life right now, you can make it right through mercy, merits, and grace of Jesus Christ.

    All it takes is Faith, Repentance, Baptism (or a renewing of your covenants), The Gift of the Holy Ghost, and retaining a remission of your sins. (articles of faith)

    Mosiah 4:11-12

    11And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have atasted of his love, and have received abremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own cnothingness, and his dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of ehumility, fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

    12And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the alove of God, and always bretain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the cknowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

    If you would like to know more about how the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored today please click here to talk to missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

     

     

     

     

     

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  4. 10 Tips For a Zesty Marriage…

    July 10, 2011 by Ben Tanner

    10. Listen.  I mean really listen.  Let go of all the things that you think are important right now and completely focus on your spouse when they are trying to tell you something.  Instead of trying to fix or help, just ask questions that help them talk it all through themselves.

    9. Do the things you know your spouse would like you to do, but you hate to do.  It doesn’t matter if it’s taking out the trash, keeping your stuff organized, or whatever else your spouse is constantly asking you to do, just do it.  You will both be happier.

    8. Surprise them.  Don’t stop giving gifts or doing thoughtful things.  Remember when your spouse mentions something they like and try to find ways to provide it for them.  Don’t just give gifts to make up, try to surprise them when they are not expecting it.

    7. Keep a budget.  I know, this sounds boring.  But finances are a real romance killer if they are not well taken care of.  Try to make financial goals with your spouse and be willing to let them get their toy before you get yours.

    6. Eat right and exercise.  Show your love for your spouse by trying your best to be healthy.  This doesn’t mean you have to be a health nut, only that you are willing to take care of yourself and that you will want to be attractive to them.  Also, it will cut down the health bills significantly later in life.

    5. Don’t yell.  This doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful argument about something you disagree about.  It just means that you do it in a respectful way.  Use kind words.  Don’t ague just because you are mad.  Argue only to find a real solution to the problem and to make sure your spouse understands how you feel.

    4. Get away.  Try to get away from the normal routine from time to time.  Especially if you have kids.  Make sure you are taking time just for the two of you and building your relationship.

    3.  Be willing to admit you were wrong.  In fact try to be the first to admit where you are wrong.  Don’t let pride put a wedge between you and your loved one.

    2. Make goals together.  Make goals about financial plans, vacations, classes you want to take, things you want to learn, books you would like to read, spiritual etc.  When you are working towards the same goals, it can unite you.

    1. Make God the focus of your marriage.  The closer you and your spouse are to God, the closer you will be to each other.  Reading the scriptures and praying together can go a long way to help you feel close to God and each other.  Worship together.  Serve others together.

    Any other ideas? Please post them.

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  5. He Will Give You Help…

    July 3, 2011 by Ben Tanner

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