Before our birth we looked forward to coming to earth and obtaining a mortal body. Our bodies are so important that the scriptures compare them to temples. Even though we may face severe tests of health, handicap or disability we can look forward to healing from these challenges. We know that our body and spirit will be reunited and eventually restored to its proper and perfect frame in the resurrection. Our bodies are sacred gifts from God. The Lord wants us to treat our bodies with respect. He revealed a law of health called the Word of Wisdom. This teaches us about eating healthy foods and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks and any other harmful substances. The Lord promises that those who obey will receive better health and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. We are stewards of our bodies. Elder Bednar said, “Both our agency and our physical body, through which we exercise that agency in mortality, are truly “bought with a price” through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are called to be, as the Apostle Peter wrote, “a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…we should be peculiar in the sense that we are distinctive, set apart from, and uncontrolled by the world. In addition, we are peculiar in a more powerful sense. As the Greek word implies, we are peculiar in that we are a purchased people. Interestingly, I have heard many people, both outside and inside the Church, declare, “It’s my body and I can do to it what I want.” The correct doctrinal response to such a statement is quite simple. No, your body is not your own; it is on loan from God.” The Word of Wisdom sets us apart from the world. One of the blessings promised to those who adhere to The Word of Wisdom in D&C 89 is in verse 21, the Lord promises the destroying angel shall pass by them as the children of Israel. In ancient times, God’s chosen people were designated as covenant Israel by blood of lamb on doorpost. The Word of Wisdom is one of the outward indicators that marks us a covenant Israel. It marks us as someone who is set apart from the world. In a historical context, God’s dietary guidelines looked different in the bible then it did to the early saints. It looked different to the early Saints than it does to us now. It actually took 100 years from when the Word of Wisdom was revealed for it to become a commandment and it will probably look different in the future. What matters, is that we are willing to do what God asks of us now. At the time it was revealed, Emma Smith was understandably frustrated cleaning up tobacco from the floor in the school of the prophets. The Prophet Joseph Smith, asked the Lord about it. In the resulting revelation found in D&C 89, we learn that God cares about our temporal concerns and physical health. We can go to him in prayer and seek his counsel in our day-to-day struggles. Prophets have promised that living the Word of Wisdom today will free us from some of the most serious dangers we can face in this life. It may be much more valuable to us spiritually than it is physically. President Nelson has explained that any addiction robs us of our agency. “We are free to take drugs or not. But once we choose to use a habit-forming drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose... My spiritual prescription would return the gift of agency to its rightful owner.” When President Taylor was young, before joining the church, he realized he was craving tobacco. In what a somewhat humorous yet serious way he told his snuff box, “Listen to me. I will be a slave to nothing!” President Oaks said undesirable outcomes from breaking The Word of Wisdom are “totally avoidable if we “never partake for the first time—even once.” Prophets have repeated counseled us to make decisions early so we don’t have to continue to debate time and time again later in life. We give the adversary less control if we make the decision once and already know how we will react before we are tempted. Honoring the Word of Wisdom can bless us in times of urgent need. A faithful member of the Church, John A. Larsen, served during World War II in the United States Coast Guard on the ship USS Cambria. During a battle in the Philippines, word came of an approaching squadron of bombers and kamikaze fighter planes. Orders were given for immediate evacuation. Since the USS Cambria was already gone, John and three companions gathered their gear and hurried to the beach, hoping for a lift out to one of the departing ships. Fortunately, a landing craft picked them up and sped toward the last ship leaving the bay. The men on that departing ship, in an effort to evacuate as quickly as possible, were busy on deck and had time only to throw ropes to the four men, that they might hopefully be able to climb to the deck. John, with a heavy radio strapped to his back, found himself dangling at the end of a 40-foot (12 m) rope, at the side of a ship headed out to the open sea. He began pulling himself up, hand over hand, knowing that if he lost his grip, he would almost certainly perish. After climbing only a third of the way, he felt his arms burning with pain. He had become so weak that he felt he could no longer hold on. With his strength depleted, as he grimly contemplated his fate, John silently cried unto God, telling Him that he had always kept the Word of Wisdom and had lived a clean life—and he now desperately needed the promised blessings. John later said that as he finished his prayer, he felt a great surge of strength. He began climbing once again and fairly flew up the rope. When he reached the deck, his breathing was normal and not the least bit labored. The blessings of added health and stamina promised in the Word of Wisdom had been his. He gave thanks to his Heavenly Father then, and throughout the remainder of his life, for the answer to his desperate prayer for help The Word of Wisdom may provide blessings in unexpected ways. Many years ago, during his surgical internship, President Nelson and his wife attended a reception where the chief surgical resident offered them an alcoholic beverage. They politely declined the first offer, and then a second offer, and by the third offer the chief surgical resident was livid at their refusal to accept his drink. He warned if they did not accept that drink, he would make life “mighty miserable”. But President and Sister Nelson had made a covenant with God and had no intention of breaking it. He says, “We kept our promise, and the chief resident kept his.” The chief resident used his responsibility of assigning operations to interns to ensure that President Nelson got the most complicated, most grueling, and most time-consuming operations. The chief resident’s form of revenge turned out to be a blessing. He said, “Assisting with difficult operations day after day made me a better surgeon. Keeping the Word of Wisdom actually propelled me forward in my surgical career.” My final example is from Elder Stevenson. He has a friend named John who was accepted at a prestigious Japanese university. As a college student, he was part of the international student program with many other top students from around the world. After his arrival in Japan he was invited to a rooftop party. Following an elevator ride to the top floor of the building. John and his friends navigated the single narrow stairway leading to the rooftop and began mingling with the others. As the night wore on, the atmosphere changed. The noise, music volume, and alcohol amplified, as did John’s uneasiness. Then suddenly someone began organizing the students into a large circle with the intent of sharing marijuana cigarettes. John grimaced and quickly informed his two friends that it was time to leave. Almost in ridicule, one of them replied, “John, this is easy—we’ll just stand in the circle, and when it is our turn, we’ll just pass it along rather than smoke it. That way we won’t have to embarrass ourselves in front of everyone by leaving.” This sounded easy to John, but it did not sound right. He knew he had to announce his intention and act. In a moment he mustered his courage and told them that they could do as they wished, but he was leaving. One friend decided to stay and joined the circle; the other reluctantly followed John down the stairs to board the elevator. Much to their surprise, when the elevator doors opened, Japanese police officers poured out and hurried to ascend the stairs to the rooftop. John and his friend boarded the elevator and departed. When the police appeared at the top of the stairs, the students quickly threw the illegal drugs off the roof so they wouldn’t be caught. After securing the stairway, however, the officers lined up everyone on the roof and asked each student to extend both hands. The officers then walked down the line, carefully smelling each student’s thumbs and index fingers. All who had held the marijuana, whether they had smoked it or not, were presumed guilty, and there were huge consequences. Almost without exception, the students who had remained on the rooftop were expelled from their respective universities, and those convicted of a crime were likely deported from Japan. Dreams of an education, years of preparation, and the possibility of future employment in Japan were dashed in a moment. The friend who stayed on the roof was expelled from the university in Japan to which he had worked so hard to be accepted and was required to return home. As for John and the other friend who left the party, the consequences in his life have been immeasurable. There will be times when you, like John, will have to demonstrate your righteous courage in plain view of your peers, the consequence of which may be ridicule and embarrassment. Be courageous! Be strong! “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” A professor once wrote a manuscript on Reasons for Observing the Word of Wisdom. The manuscript was given to the General Authorities, President Kimball referred to it as one of the finest treatments of the subject that he had ever read. Convincing economic, health, and other reasons for following the Word of Wisdom were clearly set forth. “But,” he said, “you left out the most important reason.” “What is that?” the author asked. “Because God asked us to,” he replied. What really matters is that when we obey The Word of Wisdom, we obey Heavenly Father. When faced with temptation and asking ourselves why we obey it, we can simply reply, “Because God asked me to” In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Genesis 18-23 Sunday School Lesson

President Oaks referred to the Savior, "erasing all of our repented sins." "The Savior is not disappointed with anyone who sincerely seeks to repent." -President Nelson Covenants President Oaks kite analogy God is merciful and willing to spare any righeous or repentant. Trust in God even in hard times. Abraham bargaining with God to spare the people. They needed to be righteous. Abraham was known for his hospitality. "Those who are Abraham's descendants must bear the responsibility of Abraham." "Alma knew the covenant was not like a business deal--You do this for me God and God will do this for you" but this was an opportunity for them to become His, to become God's people. Every covenant with God is an opportunity to draw closer to Him. To ayone who refelcts for a moment on what they have already felt of the love of God, to have that bond made stronger and that relationship closer is an irresistible offer." -President Henry B. Eyring (Making Covenants with God) Fleeing Wickedness Don't look back. President Oaks story, "Where will this lead?" Small and simple sidewalk torn up by small root Let people know youre a commited Latter-day Saint. Be Confident about your beliefs Seprating evil from our lives is essential Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Abraham built an alter to God. Elder Kearon- "I testify from my own experience as a boy and as a man that disregarding what we know to be right, whether through laziness of rebelliousness, always brings undesirable and spiritually damaging consequences." Sacrifice We will face difficult trials like Abraham. Sacrificing son, law fulfilled. I sacrifice now by giving Heavenly Father my heart and a contrite spirit.

The Book of Moses

Moses 7:13 so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God... to battle against them "Three thousand years before the birth of Christ, the peace in which the people of the Lord had been living was broken as fierce enemies moved against them. History does not record the reason for the hatred that drove the attacking army, but they seemed intent on exterminating these early Saints. The soldiers must have felt very confident as they marched in battle array toward the peaceful land. But instead of victory they would find an ignominious defeat, which came about in ways they could not have imagined. "At least 65 years before the invasion, Jared and his wife, followers of God, had welcomed a son into their home. They named him Enoch, a word meaning 'teacher.' Enoch grew in righteousness until, apparently when he was 65 years old, the Lord called him to be a spokesman. The Lord promised him, 'My Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course' (Moses 6:34). "The Lord was not speaking in hyperbole. Enemy armies approached, 'and so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; ... and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch' (Moses 7:13). "It takes little to imagine the wonder that must have struck that advancing army as the land quaked and heaved and whole rivers swept out of their courses. The record tells us that the attacking army fled to a 'land which came out of the depth of the sea,' and 'there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God' (Moses 7:14, 15). Few people have ever wielded such formidable power, but Enoch had proven himself worthy in the eyes of God to exercise it." (Richard D. Draper, "Enoch: What Modern Scripture Teaches," Ensign, Jan. 1998, 29) Jeffrey R. Holland I ask all of you to remember Enoch as long as you live. This is the young man who, when called to a seemingly impossible task, said, "Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, [I] am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech ..." (Moses 6:31.) Enoch was a believer. He stiffened his spine and squared his shoulders and went stutteringly on his way. Plain, old, ungifted, inferior Enoch. And this is what the angels would come to write of him. "And so great was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him" (Moses 7:13). Plain, old, inadequate Enoch! Whose name is now synonymous with transcendent righteousness. The next time you are tempted to paint your self-portrait dismal gray, highlighted with lackluster beige, just remember that so have this kingdom's most splendid men and women been so tempted. I say to you as Joshua said to the tribes of Israel as they faced one of their most difficult tasks, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Josh. 3:5). (New Era, Oct. 1980, 11) Moses 7:14 there also came up a land out of the depth of the sea Hugh Nibley Instead of the flood sent over a surprised community one fine day, we have in Enoch the picture of a long period of preparation during which the mounting restlessness of the elements clearly admonishes the human race to mend its ways... The earth itself in Enoch's day became increasingly restless. The sea was first drawn back and the fishes were flopping around; and in the Joseph Smith version, sure enough, "There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea." (Moses 7:14.) Then the wicked invaded the new land, as Enoch had foretold, and all the people were in fear and trembling: "And fear shall seize them to the extremities of the earth, and the high mountains shall be shaken and fall down and be dissolved, flow down and be turned into side channels and shall melt like wax before a flame, and the earth will be rent with a splitting and cracking, and everything on earth shall be destroyed." This passage from the Slavonic version (one apocryphal account) describes the same scene as in Moses 7:13-14, where the mountains flow down, the rivers are changed, and the earth shakes, when Enoch spoke the word of the Lord. The mountains shook, and all people were afraid; the rivers were turned from their courses, and the land rose up from the sea-the same picture. This does not sound as fantastic as it once did. Any catastrophe of the magnitude of the flood must have been accompanied by large-scale preliminary disturbances, plus side effects, exactly like those described. (Enoch the Prophet, edited by Stephen D. Ricks [Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1986], 12-13) Moses 7:15 the giants of the land, also, stood afar off Fairy tales of beanstalks, ogres, and monsters give us fanciful, imaginary ideas when we think of the term giants. In the scriptures, the term simply means a group of people of great stature. They were not supernatural. They had no special powers. They were just big. The result was that they were feared as an enemy because of their size. The Bible records a giant race up until the days of Joshua (Josh. 11:20-22). The Anakim clan was particularly tall and put fear into the hearts of some faithless Israelites (Num. 13:31-33). Moses 7:16 from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them The days of Enoch are a type for the latter days. The latter-day prophets, from Joseph Smith to today, have the collective assignment to do what Enoch did-to bring us along until we are worthy of another great city of Zion. The pattern is set. The people of the world will deteriorate. There will be progressively greater wickedness until war and bloodshed will be among all people that do not belong to the kingdom of God, "it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another" (D&C 45:69). Joseph Smith The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes. I saw men hunting the lives of their own sons, and brother murdering brother, women killing their own daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers. I saw armies arrayed against armies. I saw blood, desolation, fires. The Son of Man has said that the mother shall be against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother. These things are at our doors. They will follow the Saints of God from city to city. Satan will rage, and the spirit of the devil is now enraged. I know not how soon these things will take place; but with a view of them, shall I cry peace? No; I will lift up my voice and testify of them. How long you will have good crops, and the famine be kept off, I do not know; when the fig tree leaves, know then that the summer is nigh at hand. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 233) Moses 7:17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations When God fights your battles, it engenders great fear in the enemy. "When all the kings of the Amorites... and... Canaanites... heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over... their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more." (Josh 5:1) As Zion is built in the latter days, the effect upon the people will be the same as in the days of Enoch or Joshua. And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy. (D&C 45:66-71) John Taylor There is a scripture which says, the time will come when he that will not take up his sword to fight against his neighbor, must needs flee to Zion for safety. And they will come. But we must prepare ourselves. We have got to have the invigorating influence of the Spirit of God to permeate all of our organizations, all feeling that we are under the guidance and protection of the Almighty, every man in his place, and every man according to the order of the priesthood in which God has placed him. . . . This is the kind of feeling we should have and be governed by. (The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor, selected, arranged, and edited, with an introduction by G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1941], 71 - 72.) Moses 7:18 the Lord called his people ZION "The glorification of Enoch and his city has provided the pattern for all other societies of Saints to follow... "Coming as these revelations did at the beginning of the history of the Church, they also provide a pattern for Saints of the last days, who-under the direction of proper prophetic and apostolic authority-endeavor to establish Zion in accordance with the Lord's command. As Joseph Smith taught, 'The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 231.)" (Kent P. Jackson, "An Age of Contrasts: From Adam to Abraham," Ensign, Feb. 1986, 30) Bruce R. McConkie Please note: Zion is people; Zion is the saints of God; Zion is those who have been baptized; Zion is those who have received the Holy Ghost; Zion is those who keep the commandments; Zion is the righteous; or in other words, as our revelation recites: "This is Zion-the pure in heart." (D&C 97:21) (Ensign, May 1977, 115-18) David O. McKay Zion we build will pattern after the ideals of its inhabitants. To change men and the world we must change their thinking, for the thing which a man really believes is the thing which he has really thought; that which he actually thinks is the thing which he lives. Men do not go beyond their ideals; they often fall short of them, but they never go beyond them. Victor Hugo said: "The future of any nation can be determined by the thoughts of its young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five." Thus it is easy to understand why the Lord designates Zion as "... the pure in heart ..." (D. & C. 97:21); and only when we are such, and only when we have such shall Zion "... flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her." (Ibid., 64:41.) The foundation of Zion then will be laid in the hearts of men; broad acres, mines, forests, factories, beautiful buildings, modern conveniences, will be but means and accessories to the building of the human soul and the securing of happiness. (Gospel Ideals: Selections from the Discourses of David O. McKay [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953], 335) Brigham Young When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family. Story of picking Dad up from nursery. “My business, my business. Mankind was my business.” Moses 7:18 they were of one heart and one mind "A vital principle of the gospel is unity. In fact, it is a principle of the celestial kingdom, and Zion cannot be built up until we adhere to all of the laws. "This problem of unity is one of the great challenges to the Church today, since the gospel net gathers God's children from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Each of us in the Church and each of those who would join the Church lives in a different world from every other person. In some instances the differences are striking; in other instances the differences may be rather subtle. Whatever the degree, though, each of us has inherent differences, and each of us is influenced by differing forces-cultural, geographic, economic, social, and on and on. "And yet out of this diversity must come unity, oneness, and love. "Unless we are 'united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom,' (D&C 105:4) this people will not be sanctified and prepared to receive Christ." ("Editorial: Unity in Diversity," Ensign, Aug. 1971, 89) Moses 7:18 there was no poor among them "The commandment to reestablish Zion became for the Saints of Joseph Smith's day the central goal of the Church. But it was a goal the Church did not realize because its people were not fully prepared. In the wisdom of God, who comprehends the end from the beginning, the redemption of Zion will assuredly come as promised, but not until he has a prepared people who can live by Zion's laws. "So it becomes vitally important for us to consider (1) the law of consecration and operation of the united order, (2) why the 1831-34 effort to implement this order failed, and (3) how the Lord is now preparing a people for Zion's eventual redemption." (William O. Nelson, "To Prepare a People," Ensign, Jan. 1979, 18-19) ...it must needs be that there be an organization of my people... for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion- For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven; That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you. (D&C 78:3-7) Hugh Nibley The law of consecration is expressly designed for the establishment of Zion, where "they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." (Moses 7:18.) For that, we must consecrate everything we have to the whole; and yet we lose nothing, for we are all one. To consecrate means to set apart, sanctify, and relinquish our own personal interest in the manner designated in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. It is the final, decisive law and covenant by which we formally accept the Atonement and merit a share in it. ("The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 4," Ensign, Oct. 1990, 27) Gordon B. Hinckley If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God. (Ensign, Nov. 1991, 59) Spencer W. Kimball As we travel and visit throughout the world, we recognize the great temporal needs of our people. And as we long to help them, we realize the vital importance of their learning this great lesson: that the highest achievement of spirituality comes as we conquer the flesh. We build character as we encourage people to care for their own needs. As givers gain control of their desires and properly see others' needs in light of their own wants, then the powers of the gospel are released in their lives. They learn that by exercising the principle of love they ensure not only temporal salvation but also spiritual sanctification. And as a recipient receives with thanksgiving, he rejoices in knowing that in its purest form-in the true Zion-one may partake of both temporal and spiritual salvation. Then they are motivated to become self-sustaining and able to share with others. Isn't the plan beautiful? Don't you thrill to this part of the gospel that causes Zion to put on her beautiful garments? When viewed in this light, we can see that Welfare Services is not a program, but the essence of the gospel. It is the gospel in action. ("And the Lord Called His People Zion," Ensign, Aug. 1984, 3-4) Story of talking with Rachel about tithing (HAS, retirement). “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He just wants to know that if He were to ask, you’d give it all.” Moses 7:19 he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion Hugh Nibley The best news-indeed the only wholly good news that can come to the inhabitants of this wicked earth-is the bringing again of Zion to bless the earth with the only order of society acceptable to God and unreservedly beneficial to man. Zion is any society in which the celestial law is operative, "and though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients, for they are not our property," the Prophet Joseph reminded his people, "... yet if we are ... called with the same calling ... and embrace the same covenant ... we can ... obtain the same promises ... because we, ourselves, have faith ... even as they did." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 66.) Zion is a glorious ideal, albeit a rare reality, in the world's history; it is "the Holy Order that God has established for his people in all ages of the world when he has had a kingdom on the earth. We may call it," said Brigham Young, "the Order of Enoch, the Order of Joseph, the Order of Peter, or Abraham, or Moses, and then go back to Noah ..." who, of course, takes us to Enoch. (Journal of Discourses, 17:113.) (Hugh Nibley, "A Strange Thing in the Land: The Return of the Book of Enoch, Part 12," Ensign, June 1977, 81-82) Harold B. Lee To be worthy of such a sacred designation as Zion, the Church must think of itself as a bride adorned for her husband, as John the Revelator recorded when he saw in vision the Holy City where the righteous dwelt, adorned as a bride for the Lamb of God. Here is portrayed the relationship the Lord desires in His people in order to be acceptable to our Lord and Master, even as a wife would adorn herself in beautiful garments for her husband. The rule by which the people of God must live in order to be worthy of acceptance in the sight of God is indicated by the revelation found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 82. This people must increase in beauty before the world and have an inward loveliness that may be observed by mankind as a reflection in holiness and in those inherent qualities of sanctity. The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged; the stakes of Zion must be strengthened-all this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world. (See D&C 82:14.D&C 73:1) (D&C 11:111, p. 138) (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 409) Brigham Young We have no business here other than to build up and establish the Zion of God. It must be done according to the will and law of God, after that pattern and order by which Enoch built up and perfected the former-day Zion, which was taken away to heaven, hence the saying went abroad that Zion had fled. By and by it will come back again, and as Enoch prepared his people to be worthy of translation, so we, through our faithfulness, must prepare ourselves to meet Zion from above when it shall return to earth, and to abide the brightness and glory of its coming I have Zion in my view constantly. We are not going to wait for angels, or for Enoch and his company to come and build up Zion, but we are going to build it. We will raise our wheat, build our houses, fence our farms, plant our vineyards and orchards, and produce everything that will make our bodies comfortable and happy, and in this manner we intend to build up Zion on the earth and purify it and cleanse it from all pollutions. Let there be an hallowed influence go from us over all things over which we have any power; over the soil we cultivate, over the houses we build, and over everything we possess; and if we cease to hold fellowship with that which is corrupt and establish the Zion of God in our hearts, in our own houses, in our cities, and throughout our country, we shall ultimately overcome the earth, for we are the lords of the earth; and, instead of thorns and thistles, every useful plant that is good for the food of man and to beautify and adorn will spring from its bosom. (Discourses of Brigham Young, selected and arranged by John A. Widtsoe [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954], 443) Story of patterns, copying, walk like you, talk like you. Walk with me. James’ dance. Caroline teaching her son.

Joseph of Egypt

Funny Enjoyable Introduction from The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: The sermon this morning was nice. Young Hawkes expounded on the story of Joseph as metaphor. How he was sold to the Egyptians and therefore saved his entire backstabbing family. I cannot say if the young gentlemen cheering and moaning on the back row aided or detracted from the sermon. It might be a matter of opinion. Joseph is given a beautiful coat. Cheer. Joseph's coat is stolen, torn, and smeared in blood. Moan. Joseph is sold into slavery. Moan. Joseph is tempted by Potiphar's wife. Cheer. Joseph resists temptation. Moan. It was at this point that Young Hawkes paused his sermon and ordered the butcher to empty the back row. There were a few additional moans and cheers—both from those being expelled and the other denizens of St. Crispian's. Once Young Hawkes's Cambridge friends had been swiftly sent on their way, he gathered himself and began again, but not until after he had muttered loud enough for all to hear, "Anyone who thinks Potiphar's wife was a good idea has proven himself to be of no sense whatsoever. They can have another attempt at Christianity next week." “The Lord Was with Joseph” Genesis 37–41 We know that God blesses people who trust Him and keep His commandments. But sometimes it doesn’t seem that way. Sometimes the person who trusts God is abused and abandoned by family members. Sometimes the person who bravely refuses to violate the law of chastity gets falsely accused anyway. When things like that happen to us, we might be tempted to become angry with God. We might wonder, “What’s the point of trying to do the right thing if it only seems to make life harder?” Joseph, the son of Jacob, could have wondered that. At times, this faithful man prospered; at other times, it seemed that the more faithful he was, the more hardship he faced. But Joseph never left the Lord, and the Lord never left Joseph. That doesn’t mean the Lord prevented bad things from happening to Joseph, but through it all, “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:3). Genesis 37:1–28; 39; 41:9–45 Genesis 37:3 he made him a coat of many colours Joseph’s “coat of many colours” has become legendary. Yet, the language used may not be an accurate description of the garment. In fact the word “garment” may be a better description. A modern Torah commentary gives alternate translations such as “Ornamental Tunic. [Although] the meaning is not clear. Others translate as ’a coat of many colors,’ or ‘a robe with sleeves.’” (W. Gunther Plaut, Torah: A Modern Commentary, p. 244) Yet, apocryphal sources indicate that the garment was “the garment of Adam” which had been handed down from one patriarch to the next. This, in part, explains the anger of Joseph’s elder brothers when they learned that he would be the recipient of the garment. It represented the next link in the patriarchal priesthood—and it was going to Joseph not Reuben. “In Alma 46:21-24 we read of a particular ceremony associated with the story of Joseph's garment. Because Jewish tradition indicates that Joseph's garment was the high priestly garment of Adam, this passage may have more meaning than previously supposed.” (Donald W. Parry, Temples of the Ancient World, p. 695, footnote 50) Hugh Nibley Here the survival of Joseph's garment guarantees and typifies the survival of Joseph (Alma 46:24). In the tenth century of our era the greatest antiquarian of the Moslem world, Muhammad ibn-Ibrahim ath-Tha'labi, collected in Persia a great many old tales and legends about the prophets of Israel…Among other things, Tha'labi tells a number of stories, which we have not found anywhere else, about Jacob and the garment of Joseph. In one… there were in the garment of Joseph three marks or tokens when they brought it to his father… According to ad-Dahak that garment was of the weave [pattern, design] of Paradise, and the breath [spirit, odor] of Paradise was in it, so that it never decayed or in any way deteriorated [and that was] a sign [omen]. And Joseph gave them that garment, and it was the very one that had belonged to Abraham, having already had a long history… Note here that there were two remnants of Joseph's garment, one sent by Joseph to his father as a sign that he was still alive (since the garment had not decayed), and the other, torn and smeared with blood, brought by Judah to his father as a sign that Joseph was dead. Moroni actually quotes Jacob (“Now behold, this was the language of Jacob”) as saying: “Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son” (Alma 46:25-26)… “These interesting little details are typical apocryphal variations on a single theme, and the theme is the one Moroni mentions; the rent garment of Joseph is the symbol both of his suffering and his deliverance, misfortune and preservation.” (An Approach to the Book of Mormon, p. 218-20) Neal A. Maxwell The Book of Mormon gives us a prophecy of Jacob that we do not find in Genesis: Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain. Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said—Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment. (Alma 46:23-24.) We likewise learn that prescient Joseph saw not only the coming famine in Egypt, but he also "truly saw our day." (2 Nephi 3:5.) Twice he exclaimed joyfully over the promise given to him that the Lord would raise up a seer out of his seed. (2 Nephi 3:16-18.) In fact, the many prophecies of Joseph in Egypt (which we have yet to receive) are characterized thus: "For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass." (2 Nephi 4:2.) (Plain and Precious Things [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], 82) Genesis 37:5 Joseph dreamed a dream Joseph turned out to be a prophetic dreamer. He both received dreams and interpreted them. Each of us receives revelation in different ways. One of the most common for Joseph was dreams. Elder Gilbert telling about President Oak’s observation at the different way patriarch’s receive revelation- some in dreams, some in stories, etc. Marion G. Romney Now I know, my brothers and sisters and friends, and bear witness to the fact that revelation from the Lord comes through the spoken word, by personal visitation, by messengers from the Lord, through dreams, and by way of visions, and by the voice of the Lord coming into one’s mind. Most often, however, revelation comes to us by means of the still, small voice. (Ensign, May 1978, 50 Genesis 37:22 sold Joseph… for twenty pieces of silver Christ was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave. Joseph was also sold for the price of a slave, but there was a price differential. For slaves less than 20 years old, the price was only twenty pieces, “Twenty pieces of silver [was] the redemption price for a five to twenty-year-old male.” (The Torah: A Modern Commentary, 246) Joseph was 17 at the time. Joseph and Jesus were worth more than twenty or thirty pieces of silver, but the poignancy of public rejection and being sold for the price of slaves affected both. Genesis 37:23 they stript Joseph out of his coat The opposite of being clothed in the robes of righteousness is to be stripped of one’s clothing. Like Christ was stripped of his robe before his crucifixion, Joseph is stripped of his special coat. The divestiture is symbolic of being stripped of one’s authority, power, or position. Could the brothers forever prevent Joseph from exerting authority over them by taking away his coat? Like the Roman soldiers, Joseph’s brothers assume the authority to divest him of his inheritance—as if they had the power. Whatever protection man would attempt to remove from Joseph, God would replace. As Isaiah said, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isa 61:10). Genesis 37:24 they took him, and cast him into a pit “Joseph is thrown by his brothers into a pit—a dreadful physical fact. But morally and spiritually, too, it may often seem that the soul of man is in a pit. The realization of this may come with shocking suddenness. Joseph at one moment walked in the sunlight in his coat of many colors; the next moment he was down in stifling darkness. One moment he seemed to have no need of anything; the next moment he had agonized need of everything. So with human souls. From self-sufficiency they may be plunged into paralyzing helplessness and desperate need of God. Yet at Joseph’s worst moment there were unsuspected forces moving for his release. God’s purpose working through its own instruments would carry his life on to deliverance and great destiny. Beyond this verse in Genesis comes the sound of Ps. 40:2, ‘He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.’” (The Interpreter’s Bible, ed. by G. A. Buttrick et al [New York, Abingdon Press, 1952] vol. 1, p. 754-755) Genesis 37:31 they… killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood The blood of this kid goat prefigures the blood of the Lamb. The blood represents sin. In the case of the brothers, the blood represents their sin in selling Joseph. In the case of Christ, the blood represents the sins of the world. In both cases, the protagonist is sinless. In both cases, the protagonist would save those who had shed the blood of the innocent. Joseph would save the house of Israel; Jesus would save both Jew and Roman. The Lord will be with me in my adversity. Time and again, good fortune seemed to abandon Joseph, but the Lord never did. As you read Joseph’s story, ponder questions such as these: What did Joseph do to stay close to the Lord? How was the Lord “with him”? (see Genesis 39; 40:1–19; 41:9–45). What do you learn from Joseph’s story that could help you recognize the Lord’s presence in your life? You might also ask similar questions about your life. What evidence have you seen that the Lord has not forsaken you in times of trial? Consider how you can share your experiences with family members and future generations (see 1 Nephi 5:14). Of course, you will have other trials in the future. What can you do now to help ensure that these trials don’t pull you away from the Lord? Consider writing a letter to encourage your future self to stay close to Him no matter what. You might include insights from Joseph’s life or from President D. Todd Christofferson’s message “Our Relationship with God” (Liahona, May 2022, 78–81). “Some misunderstand the promises of God to mean that obedience to Him yields specific outcomes on a fixed schedule. They might think, “If I diligently serve a full-time mission, God will bless me with a happy marriage and children” or “If I refrain from doing schoolwork on the Sabbath, God will bless me with good grades” or “If I pay tithing, God will bless me with that job I’ve been wanting.” If life doesn’t fall out precisely this way or according to an expected timetable, they may feel betrayed by God. But things are not so mechanical in the divine economy. We ought not to think of God’s plan as a cosmic vending machine where we (1) select a desired blessing, (2) insert the required sum of good works, and (3) the order is promptly delivered. God will indeed honor His covenants and promises to each of us. We need not worry about that. The atoning power of Jesus Christ—who descended below all things and then ascended on high and who possesses all power in heaven and in earth—ensures that God can and will fulfill His promises. It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations. We do our best but must leave to Him the management of blessings, both temporal and spiritual…Joseph of old, sold into slavery as a youth by his own brothers, in his anguish turned to God. Gradually, he rose to prominence in his master’s house in Egypt but then had all this progress ripped away because of the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife. Joseph could have thought, “So prison is what I get for keeping the law of chastity.” Instead he continued to turn to God and was prospered even in prison. Joseph suffered a further crushing disappointment when the prisoner he befriended, despite his promise to help Joseph, forgot all about him after being restored to his position in Pharaoh’s court. In due course, as you know, the Lord intervened to put Joseph in the highest position of trust and power next to Pharaoh, enabling Joseph to save the house of Israel. Surely Joseph could attest “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” See also John 14:18; Romans 8:28; Alma 36:3; Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8; “Abide with Me!,” Hymns, no. 166. Sister Dennis: Only the Lord fully knows the actual level of difficulty with which each of us is running our race of life—the burdens, the challenges, and the obstacles we face that often cannot be seen by others. Only He fully understands the life-changing wounds and trauma some of us may have experienced in the past that are still affecting us in the present. Often we even judge ourselves harshly, thinking we should be much farther ahead on the track. Only the Lord fully knows our individual limitations and capacity, and because of that, He is the only one fully qualified to judge our performance. Sisters and brothers, let’s be like those spectators in the story and cheer each other on in our journey of discipleship no matter our circumstances! That doesn’t require us to break rules or lower standards. It’s actually the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves. And as our Savior has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me,” for good or for ill. He has also told us, “If ye are not one ye are not mine.” There will be times in each of our lives when we will be the ones who need help and encouragement. Let’s commit now to always do that for each other. As we do, we will develop greater unity and facilitate a space for the Savior to do His sacred work of healing and transforming each of us. Motherhood and Tamar: Now there are two ways to interpret that cultural tenet. The world’s way would be to discount the significance of having children—to make a mock of the practice by asking, “Is that all that women are good for is to have children?” The world champions the accomplishments of women in every theater but the home. The kinder and more understanding approach would be to consider the story of Tamar in the context of a woman who places posterity above all else. She is a champion of Motherhood in a strange way. Tamar wanted to be a mother in Israel. Again the curse of barrenness seems to be the single worst thing that could ever happen to a woman. This is a recurrent biblical theme: Sarah was barren (Gen. 11:30), Rebekah was barren (Gen. 25:21), Rachel was barren (Gen. 29:31), and Hannah was barren (1 Sam. 1:2). But Tamar wasn’t barren by infertility—that’s not the issue! Tamar’s problem is that she married into a family of men that won’t fulfill their responsibilities to help her become a mother. Effectively, she is barren and fertile at the same time. In a way, it is more unfair than being barren by infertility. The biologically barren woman can call upon God to give her children. Tamar had to appeal to the men of her family—a less righteous and less responsive group. “And so by the unsavory acts of two desperate women was that lineage established through which came the purest of ‘chosen vessels’—Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ! Truly, the great Jehovah ‘descended below all things’ in taking upon himself mortality and the sins of the world. How gracious he is toward the weaknesses and foibles of the human family!” (Rodney Turner, “Woman and the Priesthood” [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], 190-191) And the Lord was with Joseph Genesis 37:5–11; 40; 41:1–38 If I am faithful, the Lord will guide and inspire me. Joseph had a gift for discerning messages from the Lord through dreams. What can you learn from Genesis 37:5–11; 40:5–8; 41:14–25, 37–38 about receiving and understanding revelation from the Lord? For instance, what can you learn from Joseph’s example when revelation seems difficult to understand? (see Genesis 40:8; 41:16). Ponder how the Lord is revealing His will to you. What are you doing to act on revelation He has given you? How are you seeking additional guidance from Him?’ Genesis 39:3 the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand L. Tom Perry They took their seventeen-year-old brother and sold him as a slave to a caravan going into Egypt, a strange land, where they spoke a strange tongue and had strange customs. But the Lord was with this remarkable young man, and he seemed never to be discouraged. Though a stranger, a slave, his countenance must have radiated a special spirit. When offered for sale, he was purchased by a captain of the king's guard. It was only a short time before Joseph had so distinguished himself to the captain that he made him ruler over his house. In authority he was the first servant; and he was made overseer over all the captain had, and the captain put his complete trust, his properties, his income, into the hands of Joseph. ("Trust in the Lord," Ensign, May 1978, 51-52) Joseph Interpreting the Butler and Baker’s Dreams, by François Gérard Genesis 39:1–20 Elder Mark Pace: The Example of the Savior: “Not My Will, But Thine” Our Savior, who is our example in all things, has taught us how to endure adversity faithfully. Most poignant is His experience in Gethsemane: “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:41–43; emphasis added). The Father didn’t remove this cup of suffering, but He also didn’t forsake His Beloved Son. He sent an angel to strengthen Him, and with that strength the Savior was able to carry out the infinite Atonement. Likewise, when we face challenges, the Father does not always remove the burden, but when we submit to His will, we can count on Him to give us strength equal to the challenge. Genesis 39:21 The Lord was with Joseph...l and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison Dallin H. Oaks A common element in many of my best-loved Bible stories was the way the Lord protected his righteous and faithful sons. When I was young, that was my favorite part of the story of Joseph... In Egypt, Joseph was unjustly sent to prison. But even there he excelled, and the Lord blessed him. In time he came forth to interpret Pharaoh's dream, and he was made ruler of all Egypt. In that powerful position, he became the instrument to save his people from famine and to love and forgive the brothers who had wronged him. (See Gen. 40-45.) As a young boy, I was thrilled with Joseph's adventures and impressed with how the Lord had rescued him from the perils of murder, slavery, and prison. The first time I read the Book of Mormon, I found the statement that "Joseph ... who was sold into Egypt ... was preserved by the hand of the Lord." (1 Ne. 5:14.) In later readings in the scriptures, I found that this kind of protection is available to all. For example, the Bible states that "the Lord preserveth the faithful" (Ps. 31:23), and that God "is a shield unto them that put their trust in him" (Prov. 30:5). ("Bible Stories and Personal Protection," Ensign, Nov 1992, 37) President Eyring feeing weak in school. Response to prayer came, “I am proving you but I am also with you. I did not know then what those words meant. But I knew what to do—I went to work…. The prophet Moroni, for instance was proved and strengthened in such a way. He lived his final years alone. He wrote that he had no friends, that his father had been killed, that his people had been destroyed. He was hunted by those who sought to take away his life. Yet Moroni did not despair. Instead, he engraved his testimony of Jesus Christ on plates for people he would not live to see, including the descendants of the people who desired to kill him. He wrote for us. He knew that some would mock his words. He knew that some would reject them. Yet he kept writing… Moroni’s testimony was refined in loneliness, but is shines with light to guide all generations to seek our Father in Heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ…he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain…thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God…Because of His glorious Atonement, Jesus Christ can strengthen us in our times of trial. He knows how to succor us because He has felt all the challenges that we will ever feel in mortality. ‘He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people…that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.. I bear witness that these moments are note evidence that he the Lord has abandoned you. Rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you. He is making you strong enough to carry the weight of eternal life.” With the Lord’s help, I can flee temptation. If Joseph were to give counsel on how to resist temptation to commit sexual sin, what do you think he would say? Think about this as you read about his experience in Genesis 39. For example, consider how Joseph might respond to concerns like these: • If no one else knows what I’m doing, what’s the big deal? (see verses 8–9). • I try to resist, but the temptation just doesn’t seem to stop (see verse 10). • What should I do when I’m in a situation where temptation is strong? (see verse 12). How would you explain why obeying the law of chastity is important? (see For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, 23–28). Joseph’s example, of course, can apply to other kinds of temptation. With Joseph’s experience in mind, consider making a plan for avoiding and resisting temptation. For example, you could think of a temptation and write down situations to avoid and how you will “flee” when the temptation arises. Quotes from article How to Overcome a Lust-filled World Temptation Situations to avoid Plan to respond Here are some other scriptures that could inform your plan. What do you learn from each about how the Savior can help you resist temptation? Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Nephi 15:23–24; 3 Nephi 18:17–18. As you make your plan, it might also help to think about times in the past when you successfully avoided or resisted temptation. How did the Savior help you? (see 2 Nephi 4:18–33). Genesis 41:15–57 The Lord will help me prepare for possible hardships. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream led to some very wise and practical counsel for surviving a famine (see Genesis 41:15–57). Consider what spiritual messages the Lord might have for you in this account. How do you feel He wants you to prepare for hardships in your future? Genesis 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him You can imagine that Joseph was very excited when the butler was restored to his former position. Certainly, he would use his influence on Pharaoh to get Joseph out of his false imprisonment. Joseph had no reason to doubt but that he would be immediately released. Joseph must have thought the baker and butler incident was designed by God for his immediate release, but freedom didn't come right away. Can you imagine how Joseph felt? He certainly had the opportunity to complain, saying, "Lord, you gave me power to interpret the dream of the butler and baker; why then has the butler forgotten me? Why must I remain in this prison, falsely accused?" Joseph would suffer in prison for 2 more years. He must have wondered as the Prophet Joseph in Liberty Jail: O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed...? (D&C 121:1-2) "Josephus records: "'Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to God, did not betake himself to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was in, firmly believing that God, who knew the cause of his affliction and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him' (Antiquities of the Jews, Book II, v:1)." (Arthur R. Bassett, "Joseph, Model of Excellence," Ensign, Sept. 1980, 13) Genesis 41:9 I do remember my faults this day While Joseph languished in prison, he had the opportunity to put in a good word for himself through the butler. When he interpreted the dream about the butler and baker, he asked the butler to put in a good word for him, “make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.” (Gen. 40:14) We never hear Joseph complain or harbor hard feelings toward the butler because of this great oversight. The oversight cost Joseph an additional two years of prison time. Most men would take retribution if given an opportunity but Joseph was a man of mercy and discretion. See also David A. Bednar, “We Will Prove Them Herewith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 8–11. Genesis 41:25 God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do C. Christopher Waddell From the beginning of time, the Lord has provided direction to help His people prepare spiritually and temporally against the calamities and trials that He knows will come as part of this mortal experience. These calamities may be personal or general in nature, but the Lord’s guidance will provide protection and support to the extent that we heed and act upon His counsel. A wonderful example is provided in an account from the book of Genesis, where we learn of Joseph in Egypt and his inspired interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. (Quotes from Genesis 41) Today we are blessed to be led by prophets who understand the need for us to prepare against the calamities “which should come”4 and who also recognize the limitations or restrictions that we may encounter in striving to follow their counsel. There is a clear understanding that the effects of COVID-19, as well as devastating natural disasters, are no respecter of persons and cross ethnic, social, and religious boundaries on every continent. When considering the principle of preparedness, we can look back to Joseph in Egypt for inspiration. Knowing what would happen would not have been sufficient to carry them through the “lean” years without a degree of sacrifice during the years of abundance. Rather than consume all that Pharaoh’s subjects could produce, limits were established and followed, providing sufficient for their immediate, as well as their future, needs. It was not enough to know that challenging times would come. They had to act, and because of their effort, “there was bread.” Genesis 41:34 Take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years Joseph has already manifested the gift of interpreting dreams. His next spiritual gift is the gift of administration, manifest in his brilliant solution, immediately offered after the interpretation. How does he know that it will take a 20% surplus to provide for the years of famine? 20% times seven years is 140%. Joseph is inspired to prepare an extra 40% because the surrounding nations are going to come to Egypt near the end of the famine. The extra 40% will make Pharaoh rich and famous. Genesis 41:36 that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine “As we strive to care for ourselves and our families, one of our greatest challenges is to find peace in the midst of an uncertain future. We may have the basic necessities of life today, but what about tomorrow? The prophets have urged us to live providently—in other words, to live in a way that will provide the necessities of life not only today, but tomorrow as well. “The wisdom of living providently has been recognized since ancient times. Joseph encouraged the Egyptians to store grain during the seven ‘fat’ years against the lean years that would come. (See Gen. 41:28–36.) From the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop comes a fable about the ant and the grasshopper, which illustrates in a very simple way the principle of provident living. In time of plenty, the grasshopper took no thought for what he might need when the winter came. But the ant worked busily, preparing and providing for a time when food would not be so plentiful. The ant could look to the future with confidence, while the grasshopper—if he thought about the future at all—could only hope for the best. “But living providently is more than just putting aside food for future need. It encompasses all areas of life. If we want to face the future with confidence and peace of mind, we must prepare ourselves in six areas: literacy and education, career development, financial and resource management, home production and storage, physical health, and social-emotional and spiritual strength. When we strive to prepare in these areas, we can enjoy peace of mind as we face the uncertainties of the future. “Sister Barbara W. Winder, general president of the Relief Society, says that ‘provident living includes the prudent, frugal use of one’s resources, making provision for the future as well as providing wisely for current needs.’” (“Provident Living: A Way of Life,” Ensign, Aug. 1987, 35) Spencer W. Kimball There are in our lives reservoirs of many kinds. Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food, as we do in our family welfare program and as Joseph did in the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet the future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in lives; reservoirs of physical strength to help us meet the frequent burdens of work and illness; reservoirs of goodness; reservoirs of stamina; reservoirs of faith. Yes, especially reservoirs of faith so that when the world presses in upon us, we stand firm and strong; when the temptations of a decaying world about us draw on our energies, sap our spiritual vitality, and seek to pull us down, we need a storage of faith that can carry youth and later adults over the dull, the difficult, the terrifying moments, disappointments, disillusionments, and years of adversity, want, confusion, and frustration. (Faith Precedes the Miracle [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], 110) Genesis 41:38 Can we find such an one… in whom the Spirit of God is? L. Tom Perry Because of the service Joseph rendered, the Pharaoh said unto his servants, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Gen. 41:38.) The Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was, indeed, directed by the Lord when he said unto Joseph, “forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art.” (Gen. 41:39.) When one follows the course marked by the road signs of the gospel of Jesus Christ and places his trust in the Lord, its influence is such that it is manifest not only in action and deed but by a marked and visible change in his very being. There is a special light and a spirit which radiates from his eternal soul. It can be described in words like brightness, light, joy, happiness, peace, purity, contentment, spirit, enthusiasm, etc. (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, May 1978, 52) Genesis 41:51 The birth of Manasseh Manasseh—can we comprehend the righteous lineage of Manasseh? How many Book of Mormon prophets does it take to make Manasseh’s line a glorious one? His was certainly a fruitful bough. The following story is about one such descendant who felt a kinship to father Manasseh. A young American Indian girl was given responsibility for her father’s old and sick livestock. It was her job to shepherd them and tend them. One day she inadvertently led her small flock onto a dangerous mesa. Some of the animals fell off to their death. Others were scattering and trying to get down. It was her job to keep them safe. “Never had I felt so alone. As I made my way down from the mesa without the help of a trail, I was wrapped in the emotion of the recent disaster. The difficulty of the route I had chosen aroused my full consciousness. Was I making yet another mistake? A few weeks before, I had been chastened when my grandmother and aunt caught me teasing a rattlesnake with a whip while my frightened little brother watched. Now I was climbing down a rock face I had never climbed; somehow even teasing a rattlesnake seemed harmless by comparison. “And so there I remained, immobile and sniffling, until a calming thought came to my mind from a Sunday School lesson. It was the story of Joseph of Egypt… “Bloodlines are important, no matter how ancient; they are the ties that can never be broken. I must have believed that even as a child, for I was convinced that the same power that enabled Joseph to endure would come to the aid of a little Indian girl stuck high on a mesa ledge. “So I prayed to the same God who guided Joseph through all his tribulations: ‘Father, Father, I don’t know where to go! Where should I place my hands and my feet?’ During the rest of my climb down, I recall that I had never felt more agile or more instinctive. When my feet finally came to rest in an arroyo, I witnessed another unusual occurrence. The remaining flock had somehow found a pathway down. They had gathered together in the arroyo and were grazing on sweet grass as though nothing had happened. “That day, I didn’t understand why I had such a strong attachment to Joseph, but nine years later my patriarchal blessing would declare that I had been born through the loins of the oldest son of Joseph: Manasseh, so named, Joseph says, because ‘God … hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.’ (Gen. 41:51.) “With a heavy heart and lead feet, I drove my flock back to their pen. Closing the gate, I finally looked back at the sheer face of that mesa, and I knew from that day forth there wasn’t anything my Heavenly Father wouldn’t grant me if I asked with a pure heart.” (A. J. Rock, “The Summer of My Accountability,” Ensign, July 1992, 27) Genesis 41:55 Pharaoh said… Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do Russell M. Nelson Anciently, when “all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do” (Gen. 41:55). In the latter days, people starving for nourishment that only the gospel can provide are again to be fed—by Joseph. The Lord declared that “this generation shall have my word through [Joseph Smith]” (D&C 5:10). Today we may “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3) because of Joseph Smith. (“The Exodus Repeated,” Ensign, July 1999, 8–9) Genesis 41:56 And Joseph opened all the storehouses Sterling W. Sill When the famine began, Joseph opened the granaries. Thus, with one good idea, two nations were saved from starvation. However, this idea of storing up food for the future always has been and probably always will be one of our greatest ideas. To begin with, in one way or another these alternating periods of feast and famine continue to come with some regularity as an important part of life. (Principles, Promises, and Powers [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], 267)

Tough Love: Do I Like Being Single Too Much to Fall in Love? After four years in an unsatisfying relationship, this young woman sees ‘singledom as a complete gift,’ and wants to know: Does she have to settle for a guy? Our advice columnist weighs in. By Abigail Shrier 02.12.26 —

https://www.thefp.com/p/tough-love-do-i-like-being-single

Faithful Parents and Wayward Children

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/03/faithful-parents-and-wayward-children-sustaining-hope-while-overcoming-misunderstanding?lang=eng

Elder Bednar

Child Birth / Pre-mortal Covenants

 Rachel observed that all women love to talk about their experience giving birth. Covenants kept.

My observations that the lady administering the oath for Federal Government job said she didn't know why she always cried. Feeling, memories of covenants made before this earth life.

Institute Notes January 2026

 We once knew well our elder brother and our father in Heaven. We rejoiced at the prospect of earth life that could make it possible for us to have a fulness of joy. We could hardly wait to demonstrate to our father and our brother, the Lord, how much we love them and how we would be obedient to the in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one. Now we are here. Our memories are veiled. We are showing God and ourselves what we can do. Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our father and his face is to us. -Ezra Taft Benson

 

The earth was not the first of the Lord’s creations. An infinite number of worlds have come rolling into existence at his command. Each is an earth; Many are inhabited with his spirit children; each abides the particular law given to it; and each will play its part in the redemption, salvation, and exaltation of the infinite host of the children of an almighty God. The Lord has said that his work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life for his children and all the inhabited worlds which he has created. -Bruce R. McConkie

 

The pure principles of element are principles which can never be destroyed; they may be organized and reorganized but not destroyed. They have no beginning and can have no end. -Joseph Smith

 

We put caps on ourselves.

 

The natural elements that make up the physical earth are sometimes referred to in the scriptures as dust. Thus Adam was created from the dust of ground meaning that the physical body which he received was created from elements of the earth. Similarly, all men are created from the dust of the earth; that is, the elements organized into a mortal body are assembled together through the birth process.” -Bruce R. McConkie

 

Access God’s intelligence and wisdom

 

There will be no marrying, neither giving in marriage among those who reject the truth of the everlasting gospel. That privilege is confined to those who keep the commandments of the Lord in their fullness and who are obedient to the laws of God. Restrictions will be placed upon those who enter the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms, and even those in the Celestial Kingdom who do not get the exaltation; changes will be made in their bodies to suit their condition and there will be no marrying or giving in marriage, nor living together of men and women because of these restrictions. -Joseph Fielding Smith

 

The plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God. -Joseph Smith

 

Moroni- last covenant bearer 

Sacred failure- pass the covenant from the dust

 

Exodus -cycle of redemption

Sister Wright MTC Talk

 Sister Amy Wright: “People have agency to choose whether to accept the gospel message or not,” she said. “Your responsibility is to teach clearly and powerfully so they can make an informed choice that will bless them.”

Another key indicator of success comes after a missionary returns home.

“Your success as a missionary is how you live your life after your mission. We want you to be valiant in your testimony of Jesus Christ all the days of your life,” she said.

President Christofferson: The Condescension of God

 

“The Condescension of God”

D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/d-todd-christofferson/the-condescension-of-god/