June 10, 2012 by Ben Tanner
White noise, coming from the central air.
Mother and daughter both reading.
Two sons watch veggie tales down stairs.
I sit watching the sunbeams glow through the front window while playing hymns on the guitar.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Category The Gift Of the Holy Ghost | Tags: | No Comments
June 3, 2012 by Ben Tanner
I testify that there are living apostles today. Just as in Jesus’ day. They are found in His church. Find out more here:
CLICK HERE
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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May 20, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Mary Jane Duke Tanner
Growing up, my Mom would often greet me with the words “How’s my heart?” As if I was her heart. I was thinking about those words today during stake conference. President Brinley of our stake presidency spoke about the importance of giving your whole heart to the Lord. He cited the passages in Isaiah where the Lord was not pleased with the sacrifices and religious observance of the people:
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
These passages seem odd because God had told them to do these religious rites in order to observe the law of Moses. But if we look closer we will understand what the Lord is getting at here. The Lord does not want us to perform our ordinances or sacrifices in vain. Meaning if we don’t have our hearts in the right place, if we need to repent, if we are holding back or giving a halfhearted effort, if we are just trying to check things off our list so we can think that we are good or righteous we are missing the point. Our service and sacrifice will not be consecrated for our good if we approach it in this way. The service and sacrifices we make in the work of the Lord are to be with real intent and sincere. They are to be performed with humility relying on the merits and mercy of Christ. They should be wholehearted we should give Him our all. If we do, we will receive all of the blessings associated with our service, including forgiveness and the retaining of a remission of sins.
So how is my heart? It’s a question I should ask daily.
Thanks Mom.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Category Enduring To The End | Tags: | No Comments
April 29, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Category Enduring To The End | Tags: | No Comments
April 8, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Today is Easter Sunday. It’s interesting to me how as we age, this holiday in particular becomes more and more important to us. Yesterday, we spent time doing the traditional Easter egg hunt and outdoor games at Jessica’s parents house with our children. They were so happy to find little treasures scattered all around the yard. We have told them that the Saturday before Easter, we celebrate that way, but the real importance of Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ and all He did for us.
I remember being just like them, the Resurrection was mostly an afterthought in my mind as a child. But now, it seems I feel keenly it’s importance. I’m of course not and old man yet. I’m only 34. However, as I’ve grown, I recognize the weaknesses of mortality. We all have them. Some struggle with physical weakness, some with emotional or mental weakness. We all struggle against the lusts of the flesh in some form or another. But it brings great hope to me that someday, these will all be overcome because of the Master and His marvelous Resurrection.
No matter what your struggles are today, know that they will have an end. And all of your troubles can end with the power of Jesus Christ. Keep your faith in Him. Repent when you sin, renew your promises and covenants with Him, take the Holy Ghost as your guide, and endure to the End. And eventually, he will conquer all of your enemies, including any that come from being mortal. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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March 25, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Today in sacrament meeting one of the young women (Katherine Hanzel) told about a recent experience. With her permission, I will share it here. She and a friend were at a climbing gym. They were mostly trying the easiest climbs. But then a man came into the gym who was blind. They watched in a amazement how this man chose one of the harder climbs in the gym, and then proceeded to climb it successfully using only the instructions of his belayer.
She said they decided to try it for themselves. They picked a harder climbing rout, one which they would never have believed they could accomplish, and then she closed her eyes and used only the instructions of her belayer. To their astonishment, both were able to navigate to the top.
She testified that they would never had even tried if they were relying only on themselves. Instead they put their trust in the other persons hands, who had a much better view than they did 
and were able to accomplish what they never thought possible. She said that she believed that life is the same way. If we take the Holy Ghost as our guide, and trust Him to tell us what to do and how to navigate through life, He will help us accomplish much greater things than we would even consider trying on our own.
That is one reason faith is essential. Without faith in God, we will never reach our fullest potential. With faith in God, our potential is unlimited.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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March 18, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Category Repentance | Tags: | No Comments
March 12, 2012 by Ben Tanner
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March 4, 2012 by Ben Tanner
1. Pray for the love of God to be in your heart. (Moroni 7:47-48)
2. Try to look at your neighbor how God looks at them. (1 Samuel 16:7)
3. Find ways to serve your neighbor secretly. (Matt: 6:1,3)
4. Forgive them. And ask for forgiveness. (Luke 6:37)
5. Be kind. Be more concerned about loving them than correcting them. (Eph 4:32)
Category The Gift Of the Holy Ghost | Tags: | No Comments
February 19, 2012 by Ben Tanner
Category Repentance | Tags: | No Comments