Showing posts with label Priesthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Priesthood. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Blessed are the Pure in Heart


     Just a quick post because I wanted to share a story... it is a story that I read in this book today.... and it's awesome.
     Just so that you know before you read, this was experienced and later shared by Jon M. Huntsman Sr.

Enjoy.
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     I learned this important lesson during a time I had the privilege of serving as the stake president (the ecclesiastical leader) for Howard W. Hunter, then the prophet and President of the Church. He was a dear and trusted friend. On one occasion, I felt the Spirit move me to go by his home to see how he was doing. When I knocked on the door, his wife said, "President Huntsman, come on in. We knew you would come by. President Hunter told me a few minutes ago, 'President Huntsman will come by our home this evening to see how I'm feeling.'"
     When I went in, he was leaning back in his recliner, looking pale and quite ill. When I asked him what I could do to help, he said "I would like a priesthood blessing. Would you be kind enough to give me one?" I said I would be honored and humbled to do so and asked if he wouldn't mind explaining the nature of his illness.
     He responded, "Today I had an ill thought toward another man, and it's made me physically and emotionally sick all day. Every bone in my body aches. My heart burns because I had a negative thought in my heart toward another person. Would you bless me that any harsh thoughts toward any man or woman would dissipate immediately and be eradicated from body and heart, mind and soul?"
     So I placed my hands on his head and, as soon as I did so, I thought of Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." I had just put my hands on the head of a man who was so pure in heart that it made him physically ill if he had negative feelings toward anyone. That was one of my greatest experiences, to learn from such a pure man the impact of carrying ill thoughts toward another.

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     That is an awesome story that stood out to me, because it is crazy to think that something like this could happen. Howard W. Hunter had a very, very pure heart. (Along with all of our other prophets)...


Psalms 24
3 - Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 - He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
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I don't really know how to end this post, because I just wanted to share that story... so... bye.




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Monday, January 16, 2012

Modern Day Miracles

2 Nephi 27:23- For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.



     I have so many thoughts and things to say on this subject... but I'm having a hard time putting them into words... let's see how this goes. I'll probably think of something else tomorrow that I should've added... it usually works that way! :)


     Our God is a God of miracles. We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We also know that He is no respecter of persons. (By the way... it says both of these things in the Bible.. meaning ours isn't the only religion that believes these things.)
Why then, do people think that God would perform miracles long ago, and not now? These people are sadly mistaken. 


     I know that miracles happen. With God, all things are possible. It may not be as drastic or noticeable as what happened to the girl above, sometimes our miracles come as tender mercies that may be hard to recognize. Make an effort to recognize His hand in your life.


     Men who hold the Priesthood are often an instrument in the Lord's hand, and are used to bring to pass miracles.

"Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. Whom God calls, God qualifies."     - Thomas S. Monson

The following video is a perfect example of a Priesthood miracle...




     We hear of things everyday. Things that shouldn't have happened, but did. Lives spared, or lives made better in some way. 


     Miracles happen all around us... They happen All. The. Time. 


     One last thing I would like to add... 
2 Nephi 10:24- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.


Never forget... God knows more than you. Sometimes things may be a burden to you now, but will be a blessing for you later... maybe even a miracle. Trials give us a different perspective on life. A new perspective often leads to people re-prioritizing their lives. If a trial can bring someone closer to God... that certainly seems like a miracle to me. 

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