“This great American nation the Almighty raised up by the power of his omnipotent hand, that it might be possible in the latter days for the kingdom of God to be established in the earth.”
~ President Joseph F. Smith
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fully Christ-centered. The Church is also Christ-powered, and it is also designed to help its members become more Christlike. Since the gospel of Jesus Christ focuses on the truths that deal with everlasting things and not on obsolescent realities, it is very important for us, brothers and sisters, to recognize that the truths in which we traffic as members of the kingdom pertain to eternity as well as to this life.
I am surprised (I would be amused if the cost were not so great) that people think they can remove the foundations of our social structure--things like work, chastity, and family and then wonder why other things crumble. You can't remove the foundation of a building while standing inside and not be hit with falling plaster. We are now in the interesting position in the kingdom of trying to warn about what is happening in the world and, at the same time, of keeping ourselves personally secure. We must be Christ-centered individually. We must have his and God's power to do our work, and we must take seriously the challenge of becoming more Christlike. You're soon going to go out into a world full of marshmallow men. Like the act of putting a finger into a marshmallow, there is no core in these men, there is no center, and when one removes his finger, the marshmallow resumes its former shape. We are in a world of people who want to yield to everything--to every fad and to every fashion. It is incredibly important that we be committed to the core--committed to those things that matter, about which our Father in heaven has leveled with us through his Son, Jesus Christ, and his prophets.
Of course the world is going through an identity crisis. Of course it's adrift: it's got no anchor. It does not have core principles upon which to decide all other things. I am grateful that our beliefs are related to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that God has told us that we must be ready for the trials that life will bring our way." Neal A. Maxwell was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address, "But for a Small Moment", was given at Brigham Young University on 1 September 1974.
How do you strengthen your personal relationship with Jesus Christ to fortify your beliefs and values?
Elin I love your posted quote by Elder Maxwell! The world IS full of marshmallow men. People who cannot understand the "hard sayings" of the Lord. These teachings are not often politically correct by today's standards. I am so impressed with Chapter 14 of 1 Nephi. It is definitely not for marshmallow men or women. From the if/then statement in v. 7, through the eye-opening doctrine in v. 9-17. I wept aloud when I came to v. 14. I pictured the temples dotting the earth, where the scattered Saints are directed to go - to be armed with power and righteousness. My heart aches for those who don't understand. The church of the devil takes in not only the anti-Christians and secularists, but any who pridefully cling to false doctrines. He is extremely subtle and crafty in luring people into his large and spacious church. My heart mourns for those so shackled. What can we do??? We are not to be marshmallows! I read a wonderful article on faith yesterday! It can be found at this url:http://ldsmag.com/church/article/9156?ac=1
ReplyDeleteFaith is the empowering force we need to better understand how to access and use in the work the Lord would have us do.