Proverbs 23:7
‘Repentance’ Category
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For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he
May 12, 2013 by Ben Tanner
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REPENTANCE AND ENDURING TO THE END
May 6, 2013 by Ben Tanner
(My mother’s notes from a talk she prepared and recently gave in her ward.)1. Repentance begins with Testimony.
2. What is your reason for being here in Sacrament meeting today?
3. Is it because it’s required by the Lord?
4. Or you’ve been taught that you must be here?
5. Or your parents told you it is the right thing to do?
6. Or you need to partake of the Sacrament? If so why?
7. All of these reasons are all good reasons. But they are not enough. We should be here today because of our love for Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and because we choose to do Their will. We should be here to nurture our Testimonies however strong or weak they may be. As we grow line upon line and precept upon precept, we need to know that Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ are real and perfect people, with bodies of flesh and bones and that they love us with a perfect love and that they know us personally. They know our needs and They know our hearts. They watch our actions. They know by our actions how much we really love them. They know that we are mortal beings with weaknesses and that our test in this life is to repent of those weaknesses and that the more Light and Truth we take in will enable us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to conquer our sins and bring our bodies and minds into subjection with Their Will. And as we grow in Testimony through study, prayer and keeping the commandments, we gain more strength to repent of our sins. Thus Testimony is the beginning of Repentance.
8. President Uchtdorf has said: “Compared to God man is nothing. Yet we are everything to Him.”
9. Our Heavenly Father knew we would need a “Savior” so He sent his only begotten Son to come to this Earth to atone for our sins. Jesus Christ was chosen before the world was to come and suffer pain unimaginable for the sins of the World. OUR SINS. As He accepted this responsibility, He knew what He would have to suffer; and yet he said “Thy will be done Father and the Glory be thine”
10. I know of many areas where I could do much better in doing His will and where I need to improve. And I also know that coming to church
each week and partaking of the Sacrament (which is a re-baptism) helps me in all areas of my life to become stronger. We need the reminding
strength of the Sacrament of our Savior and His sacrifice to bring us more fully to humility and Repentance. Many of you have heard me say that
“There is no such thing as living the gospel out side the Sacrament.” Partaking of the Sacrament prompts us to repentance and our need to try a
little harder each week. Our Savior loves us not so much because we are good, but because He is good. And as we strive to overcome our weaknesses each week, we can become more refined, like Him and have a stronger desire to serve and love our fellow man.11. Elder Meridith of the Seventy told a group of Missionaries: “ We don’t aspire to be mainstream Christians, we aspire to obtain Truth.”
12. As we come each week and fulfill our callings and seek knowledge and partake of the Sacrament, our souls are taking in more light and truth. We must embrace this great opportunity to grow spiritually and feel after the enlightening power of the Holy Ghost.
13. “ In reality, everyday is a day of judgment. Stored in our body and mind is a complete history of everything we have done. We speak, think,
and act according to CELESTIAL, TERRESTRIAL OR TELESTIAL LAW. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which
kingdom we will inherit. (see Romans 2:15).
14. It kind of shakes you up a little when you hear this because from day to day we are all tempted and tried and sin can be very suttle. I found this little poem called “SIN” by Lisa J. South in the Ensign:
15. A little blue flower—It didn’t belong in my garden, but it looked so appealing, smelled so sweet. What could it hurt to leave it? Pretty blue
bells, deep green leaves on dainty, curling stems that slowly, silently choked the life out of my lilies.16. In order for us to progress we must have opposition in all things to exercise our agency.
17. Elder Nelson said in our recent general conference: Satan wants to lure us to sin. Guilt is to our spirit is as pain is to our bodies. (un quote)
18. I believe repentance gives needed relief.
19. Brigham Young has said: “When men truly and heartily repent, and make manifest to the heavens that their repentance is genuine by
obedience to the requirements made known to them through the laws of the Gospel, then are they entitled to the administration of salvation, and no power can withhold the good spirit from them.
20. The eye, the ear, the hand, all the senses may be deceived, but the Spirit of God cannot be deceived; and when inspired with that Spirit the
whole man is filled with knowledge, he can see with a spiritual eye, and he knows that which is beyond the power of man to controvert.
21. All the angels in heaven are looking at this little handful of people, and stimulating them to the salvation of the human family. So also are the
devils in hell looking at this people, too, and trying to over throw us, and the people are still shaking hands with the servants of the devil, instead of sanctifying themselves and calling upon the Lord and doing the work he has commanded us and put into our hands to do. When I think upon this subject, I want the tongues of seven thunders to wake up the people.22. In Galations Chapter 3, after Paul the apostle’s conversion, on one of his first preaching assignments he had taught the people of Galatia
that the Law of Moses was fulfilled and not to practice it any longer. Then when he visited them again they were still practicing the law…because they were afraid to let their families experience agency. They were afraid to take off the training wheels or do away with “spiritual busy work.” Paul chastised them and said “Oh foolish Galations, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey truth.
23. Even though Laman and Lemual saw many great and marvelous miracles…they would not seek for a testimony and therefore they could
not truly repent. Testimony is the beginning of Repentance. We are here on earth to take upon us a body of flesh and blood to be tested and refined, to prepare us for Exaltation and Eternal Life. The way will not always be easy. But we can make it and I rejoice as I see people in my life having experienced many trials that have truly brought them to their knees hanging on with even more gratitude for the Gospel because they say their trials have brought them closer to Christ.
24. Elder Jeffery R. Holland said: “Everyone has times when we need to know things will get better….My declaration is that this is precisely
what the Gospel of Jesus Christ offer’s us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. DON’T YOU QUIT. You keep walking,You keep trying. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. Some blessings come soon, some come late,
some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.
25. Matt. 11: 28-30 is one of my favorite scriptures: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
26. I rejoice that in these latter days we have the pure gospel of Jesus Christ and the comforting power of the Holy Ghost to guide us through
trouble and gloom. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that We have a living Prophet, even President Thomas S. Monson to guide us here on this earthly journey, and that the scriptures bring us Light and Truth as we strive to follow the plan of Salvation. I am also so grateful for my Heritage in the Gospel. My wonderful ancestors sacrificed so much to bless my life with truth and I pray that I will always cherish that great gift and not sell my birthright for “a mess of pottage”. That we may endure to the end in righteousness and remember that testimony is truly the beginning of Repentance, and through our many trials and mistakes, Our Savior is there to lift us and love us. In the name of Jesus Christ amen. Jane TannerCategory Repentance | Tags: | No Comments
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The First Great Commandment – Jeffrey R. Holland
February 17, 2013 by Ben Tanner
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The Plan of Happiness Revisited…
February 10, 2013 by Ben Tanner
Have you ever wondered how God plans to save all of this children, even those who never even get the chance to hear about Jesus Christ in this life? Mormon’s believe that through modern prophets, the Lord has revealed the answer to this and many other questions.
Sometimes it’s good to step back from the details of life and remember who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. For some people these questions seem unanswerable. However, I testify that through modern day prophets the Lord has revealed the answers to these questions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently released this video. I hope you enjoy it:
Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to overcome all obstacles in our journey back to our heavenly home. With His perfect love, Mercy, and Justice all wrongs will eventually be made right. He can take you where ever you are today and heal your heart, strengthen your mind, and make more out of you than you could ever make of yourself.
I invite you to find out more. Click here to talk with missionaries.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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The Last Supper
March 18, 2012 by Ben Tanner
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The Road To Damascus
February 19, 2012 by Ben Tanner
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Living Water
February 12, 2012 by Ben Tanner
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