Promptings - Guiding the Way

The american poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) believed that "All creation is one" and that people should try to live a simple life in harmony with nature and with others. He describes the currents of the Universal Being being circulating through him - "I am part or particle of God".

In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in December of 1832, the Lord said, referring to God,  "He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever." (D&C 88:41)

Earlier in the same section, we are told that our Father in Heaven gives directions and light to the universe, "which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space-the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things." (D&C 88:12-13)

God is omnipresent, meaning our Father in Heaven-as a person-can only be in one place at a time. His actual residence is near a great star named Kolob. (Abr. 3:3) However, by means of spirit-his universal Holy Spirit-he can permeate the vast expanse of the universe and thus be omnipresent. Consider again the following scripture:

He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things. (D&C 88:41)

By means of his Holy Spirit, God "is in the midst of all things." He is omnipresent.

His Holy Spirit centers in his presence, and communicates with and extends to the utmost verge of his dominions, comprehending and controlling all things. (Pratt, Key to Theology, p. 48.)

So God, being all knowing, all powerful and in all things and places, leads me to my topic for this blog post. Our lives are constantly being influence from unseen forces that come from God. These influences are all around us. They come through thoughts and impressions, coincidental occurrences and peoples actions, that all seem to be heavenly orchestrated in our behalf.

I am not saying that our lives are controlled by someone or something else and we have no choice. We have our agency. That is a law that God cannot break or take away. Satan tried to.

What I am saying is that there are many thoughts, impressions and occurrences, which are divinely influenced, that are helping us to make our way back into the presence of God. If we follow those promptings, whether seen or unseen, we usually will find that it results in positive outcomes that influence our lives, or the lives of others, for good. And everything which is good comes from God.

12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do  good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. (Moroni 7:12-13)

I don't fully understand how it all works, but I do know that it works. Consider the frequent times (Almost daily), when you have had an impression to do this or that. Sometimes we push those thoughts aside, or discount them as nothing. But, almost without exception, when we have not acted upon an impression, we've looked back and realized I should have followed that feeling. 

I have had those types of feelings many, many times in my life, and when followed, have led to positive outcomes, and when not followed have led to negative outcomes.

Why do they come? They come because God loves us and wants us to have what he has.  His goal is "...to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

How do they come? They come through many avenues and means. They come from the Light of Christ. They come through the Holy Ghost. And they come from his angels, our kindred spirits, who are very interested in our lives and our outcomes. "... God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men..." (Moroni 7:22)

We are sometimes part of this process for others, and sometimes we are the recipients. In other words, we are sometimes Heavenly Father's vehicle to help others, and sometimes others are vehicles in His hands to help us. As we tune into the proper spiritual channels, we become part of this incomprehensible,  powerful network that moves God's children to that eternal destination.

For us, it becomes imperative, to listen to and understand when those promptings are coming, and to act upon them. It is difficult to feel or hear them when we have a lot of commotion and distractions going on around us. The voice of the spirit is quiet and calm. It takes practice and experience to discern it and to hear it.

Here are several quotes from Elder Boyd K. Packer, giving us some understanding into the workings of these spiritual promptings:

The voice of inspiration comes as a feeling. That voice of inspiration is so quiet and still that it can be explained away. It is easy to be disobedient to that voice. It often takes great courage to follow it. But to Latter-day Saints it is a clear signal.

The voice of the Spirit is generally felt rather than heard. We do not have the words (even the scriptures do not have words) which perfectly describe the Spirit. The scriptures generally use the word voice, which does not exactly fit. These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes, nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels, more than one hears.

The depth of personal revelation comes as a feeling. If you listen with your mortal ears for the revelations of the Almighty, you will receive part of it because of the patterns of preaching. But that depth of personal revelation comes to you when you feel. You don't hear the words of an angel, you feel the words of an angel, because "angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ."

Inspiration comes as thoughts, feelings, and impressions. The Holy Ghost communicates with the spirit through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings, through impressions and promptings. It is not always easy to describe inspiration. The scriptures teach us that we may "feel" the words of spiritual communication more than hear them, and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.

Spiritual communication comes into the mind. Spiritual communication comes into the mind, it comes more as a feeling, an impression, than simply as a thought. Unless you have experienced it, it is very difficult to describe that delicate process.

The whisperings of the Spirit come gently and quietly. The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?)

Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, "Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth."

Through worthiness we have the right to spiritual guidance. We are to be in the world but not of the world. And in the world we have the right, if we would live for it, to be possessed of that quiet spiritual guidance—if we will not seek for the manifestations of it, if we will not seek after signs. If we will live to be worthy, there will attend us a guiding Spirit that will preclude our doing anything in mortality, if we are obedient, that would ultimately interfere with our exaltation and our right to return to the presence of Him who is our Father.

We must follow the promptings of the Spirit. We must be sensitive to the Spirit. We must be tuned in, and have the courage and faith to follow the promptings of the Spirit. If we do not listen to the voice of the Spirit, there is not much purpose in the Lord's communicating to us through that channel.

If one ignores promptings, the Spirit will leave. This voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you. Ignore or disobey these promptings, and the Spirit will leave you. It is your choice—your agency. 

It is reassuring to know that we are not alone in this world. We have many helping us, seen and unseen, to work out our salvation. 

... Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:16)

Let's do all we can to draw upon these spiritual powers to guide us in our decision process and in aiding our brothers and sisters.

Love, Dad

Profile of a Prophet

While serving on my mission, I heard a talk that was delivered at BYU by Elder Hugh B. Brown in 1955. To me it is one of the classics. It helped me immensely with my testimony of this Church and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Below is the transcript of the talk. I would encourage you to go to this site: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=114 and download a free audio copy of the talk.

Before  you read or listen to this talk, I want to add my personal witness that I know (Which is different than just believing) Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Why? Because the spirit has born such a strong witness to me time and time again. I had that personal witness while reading the Book of Mormon, reading his personal history, working on our past Youth Conference, standing in the Sacred Grove, on the Hill Cumorah, at the John Johnson farm, in the Kirtland Temple, in Nauvoo, in the Whitney Store, at Winter Quarters, and many, many other times. With that witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith comes a witness of this true church and the work we are engaged in. 

With being part of this true and great work, comes immense responsibility for all of us to do our part in building the kingdom. We cannot be casual members of the Church. We must be anxiously engaged in this work. It is expected of us.

Enjoy this classic talk!

Love, Dad 

Talk Transcript:

Profile of a Prophet by Hugh B. Brown

I should like to dispense with all formality, if I may, and address both faculty and students as my brothers and sisters. I adopt that form of salutation for several reasons: first, practically all who are here are members of the Church that established and maintains this university; second, I believe in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man; and third, I do not intend to give a lecture, certainly not an oration or even a sermon, but simply wish to bear my testimony to my brothers and sisters.

I should like to be for a few minutes a witness in support of the proposition that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in our day and that this is His Church, organized under His direction through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I should like to give some reasons for the faith I have and for my allegiance to the Church.

Perhaps I can do this more quickly by referring to an interview I had in London, England, in 1939, just before the outbreak of the war. I had met a very prominent English gentleman, a member of the House of Commons, formerly one of the justices of the supreme court of England. In my conversations with this gentleman on various subjects—“vexations of the soul,” he called them—we talked about business, law, politics, international relations, and war, and we frequently discussed religion.

He called me on the phone one day and asked if I would meet him at his office and explain some phases of the gospel. He said, “I think there is going to be a war. If there is, you will have to return to America and we may not meet again.” His statement regarding the imminence of war and the possibility that we would not meet again proved to be prophetic.

When I went to his office he said he was intrigued by some things I had told him. He asked me to prepare a brief on Mormonism.

I may say to you students that a brief is a statement of law and facts that lawyers like President Wilkinson prepare when they are going into court to argue a case.

He asked me to prepare a brief on Mormonism and discuss it with him as I would discuss a legal problem. He said, “You have told me that you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. You have said to me that you believe that God the Father and Jesus of Nazareth appeared to Joseph Smith. I cannot understand how a barrister and solicitor from Canada, a man trained in logic and evidence, could accept such absurd statements. What you tell me about Joseph Smith seems fantastic, but I think you should take three days at least to prepare a brief and permit me to examine it and question you on it.”

I suggested that we proceed at once and have an examination for discovery, which is, briefly, a meeting of the opposing sides in a lawsuit where the plaintiff and defendant, with their attorneys, meet to examine each other’s claims and see if they can find some area of agreement, thus saving the time of the court later on.

I said perhaps we could see whether we had some common ground from which we could discuss my “fantastic ideas.” He agreed to that quite readily.

I can only give you, in the few minutes at my disposal, a condensed and abbreviated synopsis of the three-hour conversation that followed. In the interest of time I shall resort to the question-and-answer method, rather than narration.

I began by asking, “May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a Christian?”

“I am.”

“I assume you believe in the Bible—the Old and New Testaments?”

“I do!”

“Do you believe in prayer?”

“I do!”

“You say that my belief that God spoke to a man in this age is fantastic and absurd?”

“To me it is.”

“Do you believe that God ever did speak to anyone?”

“Certainly, all through the Bible we have evidence of that.”

“Did He speak to Adam?”

“Yes.”

“To Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and on through the prophets?”

“I believe He spoke to each of them.”

“Do you believe that contact between God and man ceased when Jesus appeared on the earth?”

“No, such communication reached its climax, its apex, at that time.”

“Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God?”

“He was.”

“Do you believe, sir, that after Jesus was resurrected, a certain lawyer—who was also a tentmaker by the name of Saul of Tarsus—when on his way to Damascus talked with Jesus of Nazareth, who had been crucified, resurrected, and had ascended into heaven?”

“I do.”

“Whose voice did Saul hear?”

“It was the voice of Jesus Christ, for He so introduced Himself.”

“Then, my Lord—that is the way we address judges in the British Commonwealth—I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to man.”

“I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.”

“Why do you think it stopped?”

“I can’t say.”

“You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?”

“I am sure He hasn’t.”

“There must be a reason. Can you give me a reason?”

“I do not know.”

“May I suggest some possible reasons? Perhaps God does not speak to man anymore because He cannot. He has lost the power.”

He said, “Of course that would be blasphemous.”

“Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps He doesn’t speak to men because He doesn’t love us anymore and He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.”

“No,” he said, “God loves all men, and He is no respecter of persons.”

“Well, then, if He could speak, and if He loves us, then the only other possible answer, as I see it, is that we don’t need Him. We have made such rapid strides in science and we are so well educated that we don’t need God anymore.”

And then he said—and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war—“Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why He doesn’t speak.”

My answer was: “He does speak, He has spoken; but men need faith to hear Him.”

Then we proceeded to prepare what I may call a “profile of a prophet.”

Perhaps you students would like to amplify what I must condense today and draw your own standard or definition of a prophet and see whether Joseph Smith measures up.

We agreed between us that the following characteristics should distinguish a man who claims to be a prophet:

1. He will boldly claim that God had spoken to him.

2. Any man so claiming would be a dignified man with a dignified message—no table jumping, no whisperings from the dead, no clairvoyance, but an intelligent statement of truth.

3. Any man claiming to be a prophet of God would declare his message without any fear and without making any weak concessions to public opinion.

4. If he were speaking for God he could not make concessions, although what he taught would be new and contrary to the accepted teachings of the day. A prophet bears witness to what he has seen and heard and seldom tries to make a case by argument. His message and not himself is important.

5. Such a man would speak in the name of the Lord, saying, “Thus said the Lord,” as did Moses, Joshua, and others.

6. Such a man would predict future events in the name of the Lord, and they would come to pass, as did those predicted by Isaiah and Ezekiel.

7. He would have not only an important message for his time but often a message for all future time, such as Daniel, Jeremiah, and others had.

8. He would have courage and faith enough to endure persecution and to give his life, if need be, for the cause he espoused, such as Peter, James, Paul, and others did.

9. Such a man would denounce wickedness fearlessly. He would generally be rejected or persecuted by the people of his time, but later generations and descendants of his persecutors would build monuments in his honor.

10. He would be able to do superhuman things—things that no man could do without God’s help. The consequence or result of his message and work would be convincing evidence of his prophetic calling: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

11. His teachings would be in strict conformity with scripture, and his words and his writings would become scripture. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

Now I have given but an outline that you can fill in and amplify and then measure and judge the Prophet Joseph Smith by the work and stature of other prophets.

As a student of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith for more than 50 years, I say to you young men and women: by these standards Joseph Smith qualifies as a prophet of God.

I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God because he talked like a prophet. He was the first man since the apostles of Jesus Christ were slain to make the claim that prophets have always made—viz., that God had spoken to him. He lived and died like a prophet. I believe he was a prophet of God because he gave to this world some of the greatest of all revelations. I believe that he was a prophet of God because he predicted many things that have come to pass—things that only God could bring to pass.

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, declared, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). If Joseph Smith had the testimony of Jesus, he had the spirit of prophecy. And if he had the spirit of prophecy, he was a prophet.

I submit to you, and I submitted to my friend, that as much as any man who ever lived, he had a testimony of Jesus, for, like the apostles of old, he saw Him and heard Him speak. He gave his life for that testimony. I challenge any man to name one who has given more evidence of the divine calling of Jesus Christ than did the Prophet Joseph Smith.

I believe the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet because he did many superhuman things. One was translating the Book of Mormon. Some people will not agree, but I submit to you that the Prophet Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon did a superhuman work. I ask you students to undertake to write a story on the ancient inhabitants of America, to write as he did without any source of material. Include in your story 54 chapters dealing with wars, 21 historical chapters, and 55 chapters on visions and prophecies. And, remember, when you begin to write on visions and prophecies, you must have your record agree meticulously with the Bible. You must write 71 chapters on doctrine and exhortation, and here, too, you must check every statement with the scriptures or you will be proven to be a fraud. You must write 21 chapters on the ministry of Christ, and everything you claim He said and did and every testimony you write in your book about Him must agree absolutely with the New Testament.

I ask you, would you like to undertake such a task? I would suggest to you too that you must employ figures of speech, similes, metaphors, narrations, exposition, description, oratory, epic, lyric, logic, and parables. Undertake that, will you?

I ask you to remember that the man who translated the Book of Mormon was a young man who hadn’t had the opportunity of schooling that you have had, and yet he dictated that book in just a little over two months and made very few, if any, corrections. For over one hundred years some of the best students and scholars of the world have been trying to prove from the Bible that the Book of Mormon is false, but not one of them has been able to prove that anything he wrote was not in strict harmony with the scriptures—with the Bible and with the word of God.

The Book of Mormon not only declares on the title page that its purpose is to convince Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, but this truth is the burden of its message. In 3 Nephi it is recorded that multitudes of people testified, “We saw Him. We felt of His hands and His side. We know He is the Christ” (see 3 Nephi 11:14–15).

Joseph Smith undertook and accomplished other superhuman tasks. Among them I list the following:

He organized the Church. (I call attention to the fact that no constitution effected by human agency has survived 100 years without modification or amendment, even the Constitution of the United States. The basic law or constitution of the Church has never been altered.)

He undertook to carry the gospel message to all nations, which is a superhuman task still in progress.

He undertook, by divine command, to gather thousands of people to Zion.

He instituted vicarious work for the dead and built temples for that purpose.

He promised that certain signs should follow the believers, and there are thousands of witnesses who certify that this promise has been fulfilled.

I said to my friend, “My Lord, I cannot understand your saying to me that my claims are fantastic. Nor can I understand why Christians who claim to believe in Christ would persecute and put to death a man whose whole purpose was to prove the truth of the things they themselves were declaring; namely, that Jesus was the Christ. I could understand their persecuting Joseph if he had said, ‘I am Christ,’ or if he had said, ‘There is no Christ,’ or if he had said someone else is Christ. Then Christians believing in Christ would be justified in opposing him.

“But what he said was, ‘He whom ye claim to serve, declare I unto you,’ paraphrasing what Paul said in Athens: ‘Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you’ (Acts 17:23). Joseph said to the Christians of his day, ‘You claim to believe in Jesus Christ. I testify that I saw Him and I talked with Him. He is the Son of God. Why persecute me for that?’

“When Joseph came out of the woods, he had at least four fundamental truths, and he announced them to the world: first, that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct individuals; second, that the canon of scripture is not complete; third, that man was created in the bodily image of God; and fourth, the channel between earth and heaven is open and revelation is continuous.”

Perhaps some of you are wondering how the judge reacted to our discussion. He listened intently; he asked some very pointed and searching questions; and, at the end of the period, he said, “Mr. Brown, I wonder if your people appreciate the import of your message. Do you?” He said, “If what you have told me is true, it is the greatest message that has come to this earth since the angels announced the birth of Christ.”

This was a judge speaking—a great statesman, an intelligent man. He threw out the challenge: “Do you appreciate the import of what you say?” He added, “I wish it were true. I hope it may be true. God knows it ought to be true. I would to God,” he said, and he wept as he said it, “that some man could appear on earth and authoritatively say, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’”

As I intimated, we did not meet again. I have brought to you very briefly some of the reasons why I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. But undergirding and overarching all that, I say to you from the very center of my heart that by the revelations of the Holy Ghost I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

Although these evidences and many others that could be cited may have the effect of giving one an intellectual conviction, only by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit can one come to know the things of God. By those whisperings I say I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I thank God for that knowledge and pray for His blessings upon all of you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Fight the Good Fight!

This recent General Conference, Elder Holland delivered another premier address focusing this time on a topic that I think hit a cord for all of us, that of depression, discouragement and self-doubt.

His talk entitled "Like a Broken Vessel," as the Psalmist says,  addressed an issue that a lot of people deal with. Elder Holland went on to explain "we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind."

If we have suffered with this in the past or do so now, we are not alone. Some of the greatest men and woman in the history of the world have suffered with this mental disorder at some point in time in their lives, such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchhill, President George Albert Smith and even Elder Holland.

We should never consider ourselves alone in this struggle. It is something that is real and has, or does now, affect us. I think all of you, at one point in time, have shared with me your personal struggles in this area. And I've shared with you my struggles with it as well, trying to cope with the trials and opposition in life. It is something that is sometimes difficult to share or admit we have or are going through. But it is critical to not ignore it, hoping that it will just go away, or that we can work through it. Elder Holland said, " However bewildering this all may be, these afflictions are some of the realities of mortal life, and there should be no more shame in acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance of a malignant tumor."

Elder Holland went on to say, " In striving for some peace and understanding in these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that we are living—and chose to live—in a fallen world where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will be tested and tried again and again. Of greatest assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive."

He also counseled, " Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters—mental or emotional or physical or otherwise—do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee."

My father, Grandpa Stone, struggled with this demon most of his life. I never noticed it in him as I was growing up, but it was very noticeable after his brain tumor surgery, when he lost the nerve feelings in the left side of his face, causing it to droop. That is the Grandpa you all probably remember. I learned later that he actually suffered with depression most of his life. My Dad is now free from this mortal trial and busy giving his family love, encouragement and support.

So this leads me to a question. Is depression hereditary? And is it something that we can inherit?

Experts largely agree that the origins of depression could be caused by a mixture of genetic and other reasons such as stress, and that our genes help determine the likelihood of depression. In a 2001 study, they found that a person's genetic makeup does matter in how she or he reacts to stress and supports earlier findings that people who had a less functional short allele on a certain area of the serotonin gene had a more difficult time recovering from trauma compared to those with long alleles. (An allele is one of a number of alternative forms of the same gene or same group of genes. Source: Wikipedia)

So yes, this type of disorder can be hereditary. But because it is, doesn't mean we have to live with it all our life. There are ways to work with it. But before I get into that let's look at just what physically, or mentally, causes this disorder.

To understand this further, the website www.aboutdepressionfacts.com, states, "The hormone serotonin serves a crucial role within our brain chemistry. The level of serotonin within the brain has a major affect on our emotions, thinking and behavior. Given that anti depressants modify the amount of serotonin within the brain, it’s always been thought that the hormone plays a part in the forming of mental illness. As a result, the level of serotonin which your body makes and keeps seems to be vital in the struggle against depression. Since the TPH2 gene is a key part in controlling the serotonin level, experts believe that TPH2 plays a part in the development of psychiatric disorders.

So depression can be a chemical imbalance from our brain. There are prescribed medications, and other supplements and activity that can help to bring this imbalance into balance.

In my efforts to personally fight this demon,  I have tried the prescribed medications and did not like the way it left me emotionless and flat. So I went about doing some Internet research and found some good alternatives that have worked well for me. These are not in any particular order. But all of them are important to use in combination. If you do one and not another, I feel it will not have the same result. So here they are.

Exercise - Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Exercise also can improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. All this can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

I love to play racquetball. When I was playing, it was a great stress reliever. But with the deterioration of my knees, it has become a little more difficult to do. I have found cycling to fit the bill best for me. (I have to thank Adam for getting me into it) You've probably noticed recently that I have picked up the pace with this activity. I'm feeling much better for having done so.

Vitamin Supplements - I found vitamin supplements, namely vitamin D, that help in improving the chemical imbalance area of the brain that causes depression. A study of more than 81,000 women found those with the highest intake of vitamin D from food sources had a significantly lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. The researchers suggested that vitamin D may affect the function of dopamine and norepinephrine. These are neurotransmitters that are likely involved in depression, while also modulating the relationship between depression and inflammation.

I've tried a couple of different vitamin B supplements, and am finding the Walmart brand of "Stress Vitamin B Complex" to be working the best. It has the key B vitamins for stress, as well as vitamin C and Zinc. I would recommend this kind.

Your Family - One of the most important aspects of dealing with stress and depression is to rely upon family members for support and help. Aside from just talking with them about it (Which is extremely important to do), allow them to help and pitch in. Don't carry the burden of heavy responsibilities all on your shoulders. Be willing to allow them to help. But, you say, "They are so busy with their own lives, how can I lean on them?" Dealing with this disorder is a two way street. Let's say you ask a sibling, who is also dealing with depression. Their help will give you some relief, and them helping (Serving) is good medicine for their own struggles. To me, it seems when we are helping others, it takes our mind off of our own problems, and makes us feel better.

Spiritual Nourishment - Seek God and His spirit. Live your life such that you are constantly inviting the spirit into your life. Pray and read the scriptures every single day. Never miss a day! And don't just read the scriptures, but study, ponder and pray about them. There is great solace in studying the Word of the Lord. It is the iron rod (The Word of God) that will lead you through the dark and dreary mist of discouragement and stress, and lead you to the Tree of Life, which is the love of God.

Speaking of God's love, Elder Holland said, "Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: 'That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.' Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."

And lastly, know that Mom and I are always there for you. We love you and are amazed, on a daily basis, of how blessed our family is. We have 5 adorable and beautiful children. Your beauty is deep, both physical and spiritual. You have, along with your spouses, brought into this world, through birth and adoption, beautiful and talented grandchildren. You and your children (Our grandchildren) have been held back in the heavens to be on this earth at this particular time. You have the greatest responsibility, more than any other parent who has ever lived on this earth, throughout the history of time, to raise a generation of young people who will prepare the world for the glorious second return of our Savior Jesus Christ. They are here, living in your homes. And He will return, sooner than you may think.

That is why challenges are immense and trials unbearable. Satan knows who you and your children are and how close the Lord's return is. He has unleashed every stratagem to destroy this earth and its people. With gold and silver, he has bought armies, navies, corrupt governments and the media. He wants us to be depressed and discouraged. He wants us to to think we are worth nothing... because he knows our true value. The question is, do you?

As a family, lets pull together and fight the good fight!

For we are the army of Stones!

Love, Dad

Unlocking the Mysteries in the Scriptures

I don't know how many times I have found myself reading a part of the scriptures, and have found a verse or section that I hadn't remembered reading before.

I have often said to myself "Where did that verse come from? I don't remember ever reading it before."

Over the years, as I've matured in my scripture reading, I have come to realize that the scriptures are literally alive. They ebb and flow with the mysteries of Godliness, and those mysteries come alive to our understanding when the Lord feels we are ready to receive them.

It has been said that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. I've often wondered about that statement, as I've not immediately found all the doctrines listed there. But I have learned over time,  they are there. They have always been there. They have just been masked by the spirit and are revealed to us when we are ready to receive them.

In D&C 76:7 it says, "And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom."

So where are the mysteries, and how do we find them? Where in the scriptures are they? They're actually easy to find. Read until you come to a passage or phrase you don't understand, most probably it is oft repeated, and one which causes you to ponder. You've just found a mystery. There are thousands of them.

These precious pearls remain mysteries until revealed through revelation. Once we have learned a mystery, mortal language is not able to make them known to another. No combination of words, no matter how powerful or inspired, can be used to explain the concept. Each must acquire them through personally revealed truth.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in quoting from the Doctrine and Covenants said:

"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church -- To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant." (D&C 107:18-19)

From all of this it follows, automatically and axiomatically, that if and when the holy priesthood operates to the full in the life of any man, he will receive its great and full blessings, which are that rending of the heavens and that parting of the veil of which we now speak. (McConkie: TPM 588, commenting on 107:18-19)

The mysteries are those principles of the Gospel which must be received and understood by the Holy Ghost. Mysteries are not to be shunned, but rather appropriately sought under the guidance of the Spirit. It is the mysteries which give us the key to the knowledge of God, and in time, the actually knowledge of God -- which is life eternal. (John 17:3)

How do we prepare and qualify ourselves to receive and understand the mysteries of the kingdom? The Lord gave the Prophet Joseph Smith the answer:

 "It is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am -- not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual. For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the carnal mind. Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected. Let not your minds turn back; and when ye are worthy in mine own due time, ye shall see and know that which is conferred upon you by the hands of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun." (D&C 67:10-14)

So here are the qualifications:

• Strip yourself from jealousies and fears.
• Humble yourself before the Lord.
• Continue in patience.
• Don't allow your minds to turn back.
• In the Lord's due time.

May the scriptures come alive in our lives, as we allow the spirit to reveal to us the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Love, Dad