Randal S. Chase's Blog, page 2
May 1, 2013
April 30, 2013
LDS Freebie Handouts: Laws of Tithing and the Fast
Laws of Tithing and the Fast (Freebie Handouts)
This week in Gospel Doctrine, we are studying the Laws of Tithing and the Fast.
James E. Faust and Gordon B. Hinckley used this little couplet in past talks when speaking about the subject of tithing (a poem they learned in Primary).
I have a 4 page handout for you with quotes about tithing HERE...
...and a 3 page handout with quotes about fasting HERE.
Also, here are some talks you may be interested in:
Like a Watered Garden, Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign November 2001
The Law of the Fast, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign May 2001
The Blessings of a Proper Fast, Carl B. Pratt, Ensign November 2004
Happy Studying :)
April 29, 2013
Our Earth is a Gift from Heavenly Father
Our Earth is a Gift from Heavenly Father
In February 2013, Tom Reese wrote a beautiful article about the creations that surround us. He said, "The supreme
beauty of the natural world reminds us of the power and perfection of
God. When we are in nature, feelings of hope, peace, and reverence come
to us through the Spirit. In nature we can see the handiwork of the
perfect Artist. For centuries mankind has tried to emulate the handiwork
of God. No human, however, has been able to match the perfect artistry
of the Lord. Sometimes I wonder if God created the earth as He did to
give us a small taste of what is in store for us in the future. If this
earth can be so astoundingly beautiful, what must the renewed and
perfected earth look like?
"Alma
taught, 'All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all
things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also
all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there
is a Supreme Creator' (Alma 30:44).
Every tree, every mountain, every bird in the air testifies of our
Heavenly Father’s power. By appreciating nature and treating the earth
with respect, we show the Lord our gratitude for everything He has given us."
To read the full article, click HERE.
He Restoreth My Soul
He Restoreth My Soul
No matter what the turbulences are in our lives, the Lord can calm and restore our souls just like the still waters!
LDS Hymns, #108 The Lord is My Shepherd
"The Lord is my Shepherd; no want shall I know.
I feed in green pastures; safe-folded I rest.
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when oppressed."
April 25, 2013
On this day in LDS Church History (April 26th)
April 26, 1839 Although Lilburn W. Boggs' extermination order was issued on October 27, 1838, five apostles -- accompanied by many others -- risked great danger to return to the Far West temple site just after midnight on April 26th, 1839 in fulfillment of prophecy. Aware of the Lord’s commandment, enemies of the
Church were determined to make sure that this meeting at Far West would never
take place. A large stone was
rolled on the southeast cornerstone as recommencement of work on the
foundation, and the apostles left to prepare for their overseas
missions. See D&C 118:4-5
April 24, 2013
LDS Gospel Freebie Handout: Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy
This Week's Gospel Doctrine Lesson: Sacraments Upon My Holy Day
This Sunday in Gospel Doctrine, we will be studying lesson #16 (Sacraments Upon My Holy Day). Along with discussing the sacrament, the lesson discusses Sunday worship, and the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. I have a 2-page handout with additional quotes about keeping the Sabbath Day holy for you today. Click HERE to retrieve the pdf file.
You can also view the full lesson article and comments on our Gospel Doctrine Church History Study Guide page.
Have a wonderful day!
April 20, 2013
Faith Can Move Mountains
Faith Can Move Mountains
Hello, I'm Michelle, a writer here at Making Precious Things Plain. I'm working on a Relief Society lesson this weekend titled, "Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart" in the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow manual. I love how the lesson talks about how we can improve our character through faith so that we can stand clean before God. He tells us, "It would be well to examine ourselves, hold communion with ourselves
in the secret closet, to ascertain how we stand before the Lord."
A great supplement talk for this lesson is Richard G. Scott's October 2010 Conference Address titled, "." In this talk I am reminded that faith is a true power on this earth -- such an easy concept for me to understand, yet so hard to implement. I love this quote, "When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically
far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from
maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness.
The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness." It's so easy to have fear in this world, but we know that faith and fear cannot coexist. In a 2009 April Conference talk titled "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the Quorum of the Seventy tells us about "6 Destructive Ds" that can wipe out our faith: DOUBT, which leads to DISCOURAGEMENT, which leads to DISTRACTION, which leads to LACK OF DILIGENCE, which leads to DISOBEDIENCE, which leads to DISBELIEF. I have seen myself on a roller coaster of fear and doubt many times in my life, but thankfully I am reminded in my patriarchal blessing that Faith Can Move Mountains. It helps me to be believing and gives me hope!
April 19, 2013
Communicating with Our Father in Heaven
Communicating Effectively with Our Father in Heaven
Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk in October 1989 titled Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer. Here is an excerpt: "Our
Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed
gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why recognizing answers
to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Some face life with only
their own experience and capacity to help them. Others seek, through
prayer, divine inspiration to know what to do. When required, they qualify for power beyond their own capacity to do it.
"Communication
with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter. It is a sacred
privilege. It is based upon unchanging principles. When we receive help
from our Father in Heaven, it is in response to faith, obedience, and
the proper use of agency.
It
is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered
immediately. Some prayers require considerable effort on our part. True,
sometimes impressions come when we have not specifically sought them.
They generally concern something we need to know and are not otherwise
able to find out.
"We
are here on earth to gain experience we can obtain in no other way. We
are given the opportunity to grow, to develop, and to gain spiritual
maturity. To do that, we must learn to apply truth. How we face
challenges and resolve difficult problems is crucially important to our
happiness."
To read the full text, click here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/10/learning-to-recognize-answers-to-prayer?lang=eng
