Brothers and sisters, thank you for all you do to become, and to help others become, true followers of Jesus Christ and enjoy the blessings of the holy temple. Thank you for your goodness. You are wonderful; you are beautiful.
It is my prayer that we will recognize the confirming influence of the Holy Ghost as we come to fully understand that we are children of God. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”1 We are “choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work.”2 President Russell M. Nelson declared: “You were taught in the spirit world to prepare you for anything and everything you would encounter during this latter part of these latter days (see D&C 138:56). That teaching endures within you!”3
You are elect sons and daughters of God. You have the power to overcome the adversary. The adversary, however, is aware of who you are. He knows of your divine heritage and seeks to limit your earthly and heavenly potential by using the three Ds:
Deception
Distraction
Discouragement
General Authority Seventy
Elder Peter M. Johnson was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 2019, at age 52. At the time of his call, he had been serving as an Area Seventy and a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southeast Area.
Elder Johnson received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Southern Utah University. He received a PhD in accounting from Arizona State University. He began his career in 1992 as staff accountant for Grant Thornton CPA. He has worked as an associate professor at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, assistant professor of accountancy at Brigham Young University, and associate professor of accountancy at the University of Alabama.
Elder Johnson has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Alabama Birmingham Mission, counselor in a bishopric, ward Young Men president, stake financial clerk, ward mission leader, and stake president.
Peter Matthew Johnson was born in New York City, New York, on November 29, 1966. He married Stephanie Lyn Chadwick in 1990. They are the parents of four children.
“Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer, and we need prayer again,” said President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who spoke at a devotional in Massachusetts on Sunday. “I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God. Remember, this country was established and preserved by our founding fathers and mothers who repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God through prayer.”
President M. Russell Ballard | Quorum of Twelve Apostles
President M. Russell Ballard Notes I took
·Nephi saw the life of Christ as recorded in The Book of Mormon.
He also saw the discovery and colonizing of America. 1 Nephi 13
·Please look for the Lords hand in your lives and in your families -
genealogy
·As you see the Lords hand in your
lives recognize and give Him thanks 🙏🏼
·Nephi saw the pilgrims who would
settle here.He then saw the
revolutionary war.Nephi observed that power of
the Lord was with them once they humbled themselves
·I invite you to see how your
ancestors came here to this country...and how the hand of the Lord has guided
you and your ancestors.Please look for the Lords hand in your
lives and in your families – genealogy and family history.
·I don’t believe you’re here today
hearing my voice by accident or coincidence.
·I have a solemn duty as an apostle to face the Lord and communicate to
you His will and word.The
prophets and apostles are watchmen on the tower today.Acknowledging the Lords hand and obeying His commandments
are essential to our wellbeing.
·America and all nations of the earth are at a crossroads, that will
determine the future for our children and our grandchildren.Please pray for the leaders of our
country.Reach out on social media and ask
all we know to PRAY for our leaders and our country.
·Washington acknowledged the hand
of the Lord
·Our forefathers who Signed the Declaration of Independence acknowledged
God.
·Doctrineand Covenants 98:4-10And now, verily I say unto you concerning
the alaws of
the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things
whatsoever I command them.5 And that alaw of
the land which is bconstitutional,
supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges,
belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. 6 Therefore, I, the
Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law
which is the aconstitutional law
of the land;7 And as pertaining
to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.8 I, the Lord God,
make you afree,
therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.9 Nevertheless, when
the awickedbrule the
people mourn.10 Wherefore, ahonest men
and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should
observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
·Forsake all evil and cling to the
good.
·America and the nations of the
earth are at another crossroads. We’ve grown in numbers, in wealth and power
like no other nation BUT we have forgotten the Lord our God.
·Our nation was founded upon
prayer 🙏🏼.And I plead with you
now to pray for our country and it’s leaders.This area was the seed bed that led to our
freedoms.
·I invite you to pray and invite
others to prayer.
·Let it begin TODAY with you being
a leader and a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Thousands of Latter-day
Saints and invited guests gathered at the DCU Center,
an arena in Worcester,
located about an hour west of Boston.
“This area was the seedbed
of so very much that led to the founding of this nation,”
said President Ballard. “I
invite you to join in a new movement. Invite your neighbors,
your colleagues, your
friends on social media to pray for this country.”
President Ballard, who
turned 91 earlier this month, was joined by fellow apostle,
The Apostles returned to
Salt Lake City Sunday evening. (Church Newsroom)
WORCESTER, Mass. — President M. Russell Ballard urged members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New England on Sunday evening to “join a new movement” by inviting their neighbors, colleagues and friends on social media to pray for the United States, its leaders and its families.
“Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer and we need prayer again,” said the acting president of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God.”
Speaking to an estimated 12,000 people gathered in the DCU Center, the senior church leader reminded the congregation that “this country was established and preserved by our founding fathers and mothers, who repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God through prayer.”
New England, he continued, was the seedbed of so very much that led to the founding of this nation.
“We must stand boldly for righteousness and truth and must defend the cause of honor, decency and personal freedom espoused by Washington, Madison, Adams, Lincoln and other leaders who acknowledged and loved God.” Attendees listen to the prayer during a devotional in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
This was a very exciting devotional to attend. My witness of living apostles has been strengthened even more after listening and watching them speak live. Here we are :) watching the two apostles leave the stage. They both have a glow about them and are filled with love, faith, and dedication to the Lord's work. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of Jesus Christ's restored gospel and church.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has begun filming and producing The Book of Mormon video series to bring to life the stories found in The Book of Mormon. Above is the week 2 video when Nephi and his brothers are commanded to return unto Laban to obtain the brass plates.
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
Nephi is a great example of faith by taking action and doing the things that he was commanded of the Lord. In my own life I have found this same principle to be true. When I exercise faith and take action in righteous endeavors the Lord blesses me and prepares a way for His purposes to be accomplished. He loves each of us and wants us to be happy. I am very grateful for this new video series which brings The Book of Mormon Stories to life!
A BAPTIST PREACHER Shares his witness and testimony of
The Book of Mormon
Dr. Lynn Ridenhour, Southern Baptist minister, guest speaker at Book of Mormon Conference hosted by Pastor Dale Warren, Fairfield Community of Christ, Fairfield, Illinois. Excerpt from Dr. Ridenhour’s sermon, “The Book of Mormon: How Baptist Can You Get!
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
I am so excited for this new video series that will walk us through the chapters of The Book of Mormon.
I have read The Book of Mormon more than a dozen times and love the peace and clarity it brings me. It teaches my family and I to build our home and lives upon the Rock of our salvation, even the Lord, Jesus Christ. It shares several examples of faith and enduring despite challenges. It teaches us about the Atonement and Resurrection. It teaches us about hope and charity. It teaches us about humility and obedience...and so much more! Come Unto Christ and Get a FREE COPY
Even statistically, he’s the dominant figure of the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon was preserved to come forth in these latter days to convince “the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.” Its purpose is to verify the divine Sonship of the Nazarene to those who “ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ.” (Moro. 10:4.)
The divinity of Christ is proclaimed by prophets in the Book of Mormon. They had a conviction of his divinity because the Holy Ghost had revealed it unto them.
Through the instrumentality of the Holy Ghost, these prophets also knew that their writings were to bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. This they solemnly did, more than I had ever realized. In a word-by-word study, I have found some form of the Lord’s name mentioned an average of every 1.7 verses in the Book of Mormon. (See Table 1.)
I have found that the Savior is referred to by one hundred different names—from the first reference to him as “Lord” in 1 Nephi 1:1 [1 Ne. 1:1] to the final reference to him as “the Eternal Judge” in Moroni 10:34. [Moro. 10:34] (See Table 2.) Each of the one hundred names signifies a different attribute or characteristic of the Lord and was used appropriately to convey the prophets’ recognition of who he is and what his mission represents. For example, “Savior” means that Christ came to save his people from their sins. “Holy One” signifies that he is holy and without sin, being perfect in all things. “God of the Whole Earth” reflects his universal interest in all men and their redemption. “Lord of Hosts” indicates that Christ is a God of battles. And “Lord Omnipotent” means that Christ is the Lord of all, possessing all power. The names given to our Lord take on new significance when they are approached through a thoughtful and sensitive study of their meanings. His profound character, his singular mission, and his divine relationship to man are thereby more clearly revealed.
Further understanding of man’s relationship to Christ, the central figure of the Book of Mormon, occurs through a study of the periods of apostasy, contention, and war. Fewer references to Christ are made during these periods of darkness, probably because his influence is lessened due to the unrighteous actions of man. (See Alma 50–59, for example.) During periods of peace, joy, and prosperity, which come through man’s keeping the commandments, the names of Christ are used profusely, indicating the abundant presence of his Spirit. (See 4 Ne. 1, for example.) Thus, the righteous actions of the people brought the influence and blessings of Christ among them.
Being aware of the number of references to Christ, having an understanding of the meanings for each name, and knowing when his influence can be greatest upon the earth can inspire reverential awe for our Savior. The witness of his divinity, however, must come personally to each of us—we cannot rely exclusively on the testimonies of others. The conviction that Jesus is the Christ occurs only when God, the Eternal Father, manifests the truth of it “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Moro. 10:4.) To the prayerful and the sincere, the Book of Mormon bears a powerful testimony that “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”
The ROME, ITALY temple will be dedicated this Sunday, March 10, 2019. It is the first time in history that all 12 apostles along with the First Presidency will be at a temple dedication outside of the U.S.A. all together.
SALT LAKE CITY — For many outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church’s temples may seem a mystery.
Only faithful members of the church are invited to participate in what Latter-day Saints believe to be sacred rituals and ceremonies inside the temple — though the public is welcome to tour the buildings before they are dedicated for sacred use.
In an “unprecedented” new video released Thursday, however, two Latter-day Saint apostles walk viewers through a virtual tour of the newly-constructed Rome, Italy, temple and explain the symbolism, rooms and rituals inside.
For the month of December our family has joined millions of other Christians around the world to take part in a worldwide effort to #LightTheWorld. The goal is to share goodness and light by serving others as Christ did while He was upon the earth. This initiative helps us to reflect upon the Savior's life and ministry and honor and serve Him. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and remember His good works we are encouraged to #LightTheWorld and #ShareGoodness! We are inspired to #GiveAsHeGave
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