THE NEED FOR PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS

(This article is inspired by a talk at the October 2002 General Conference by an Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.)

How many time have you asked yourself, what is my purpose here?  What is my life going to be like?

I had those same questions inside of me.

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I was twenty seven while serving in the Army in Hawaii.

After a while in the church, I had a period of three nights that I had some troubling dreams.  So I decided to see my Bishop and find out what he thought of those dreams. 

He said he didn’t know and that he could not tell me what dreams mean, but a Patriarch could, and it was about time that I should get my Patriarchal blessing and I should ask him then about the dreams.

So he gave me the needed Recommend and I made an appointment with the Patriarch. 

It was 7PM and we were the only ones in the church. 

We went to the conference room and we sat and talked for a few minutes. 

Then I asked him if he could tell me about the dreams I had three days in a row.

He listened and then told me that I would have a great calling coming to me in this church and that I would be protected against all evil when I receive this calling. 

We talked a little more and then he stood up and laid his hands on my head and gave me the blessing.

In my blessing he told me of my lineage, meaning what tribe of Israel I descended from or was adopted into.  The majority of this church is descended from Ephraim and not the Jews. 

He also told me things that have already happened in my life that I did not tell him of and others that I did not know had happened because of the Lord's will,  and how I was protected by the Lord, and he told me of what blessings would come to me.  He again said that I had a great calling coming, if I remained righteous. 

That was the key. 

Part way through the blessing he stopped, keeping his hands on my head.  It seemed a long time to me, like two or three minutes, and then he began again and completed it.

I then asked him why he stopped.  He said that the blessing was almost identical to his blessing.

He said to read the blessing often and the blessings given to Abraham and pray and meditate on it. 

Patriarchal blessings are given by the Lord Himself through His ordained Patriarchs to guide His children in life so they will accomplish the missions they come for and gain the experiences He knew they needed.

He said that all things in your blessing will come true in this life or the next. 

Have faith and believe. 

Use it as your Guide in Life.

To Watch, Hear or Read what Elder Boyd K. Packer has said on Patriarchal Blessings and the Duties of a Patriarch, click above.

Further research can be done at www.lds.org. 

Please pass this blog on to everyone you know. 

 

 

 

 

MODERN PROPHETS AND APOSTLES WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST

(This article was inspired by a talk by Apostle Boyd K. Packer, President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.)

Many in the world believe that the only authority you need is to go to a Seminary or other religious school and get a certificate and suddenly you are a minister or pastor. 

That is NOT recognized by God.  That is called Priest craft and He will deal with that later.

That is not authority from God.  That is making it legal to act as a minister on earth, to start a church or preach.

Real authority comes directly from God through another Authorized Servant in Line of Authority directly back to God. 

No schooling is required. 

Only being called by God through those of His authorized Priesthood Holders that have the MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD and have been place in positions of Authority in His Church and Kingdom can Extend that call.

In the year 2000, the Prophets and Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made a recording containing their witnesses of Jesus Christ to the entire World. 

Click HERE to go to the Special Witness of the Prophet and the Apostles that are living RIGHT NOW, TODAY, sent to guide us in the world today through His RESTORED CHURCH. 

When you do so, you will hear Apostle Boyd K. Packer's own Testimony among the others.

AUTHORITY

As the Prophets and Apostles of old, these Prophets and Apostles NOW, HERE, in modern times hold the SAME Authority and Power as the Ancient Prophets and Apostles did.

OVERVIEW OF HOW A PROPHET IS CHOSEN BY THE LORD.

There must be Priesthood Authority on the earth, to organize and operate the Kingdom of God.  Speaking of the church: 

Ephesians 2: 19-20

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 

They bear the same Responsibility, as the prophets of old, to testify of the Divine Son ship of the Lord Jesus Christ that He is the First Born in the Spirit and the Only Begotten in the Flesh. 

All Apostles are upheld by the Lord as Prophets, Seers and Revelators. 

There are fifteen Apostles in the High Councils of the church.  They are in the Council of the Twelve Apostles to gain experience, to be tutored and trained in their duties. 

They are sustained by the membership of the church every six months at General Conference, which is held World Wide in April and October of each year.

They are organized this way, under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose church this is.

The most Senior Apostle is chosen, AFTER confirmation by prayer and supplication of all of the Apostles in the upper chambers of the Temple, to become the next Prophet, Seer and Revelator, holding ACTIVE, ALL of the Keys of the Kingdom. 

These KEYS are not metal earthly keys, but Spiritual Authoritative Keys to Act with Authority from Him in directing and building His Church in these Last Days.

All of the Apostles have ALL of the keys, but they are dormant until the Prophet activates a key or keys to authorize that Apostle to use it or them in performing his office, mission or function under his direction. 

The Prophet of the Church is the only one who can receive Revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ for the WHOLE CHURCH. 

The Lord has designated the Prophet of THIS church to be the Prophet of the WHOLE WORLD, but the world, at this time, is NOT LISTENING to him and will later reap the consequences.

He is like a watchman on a tower who will warn us of dangers to come.

For further investigation or studies on the church, go to www.lds.org.

Please pass this blog on to everyone you know.

CLEANSING THE SPIRIT INSIDE

(This article was inspired by a talk given in an LDS General Conference by President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.) 

The Lord is very kind and merciful when you repent of your sins.

President Packer was talking about the young people today.  With so many things pulling them in all directions, they hardly know which way to go.

With pornography so rampant on the internet, all of us need to be careful where we look.  If something unholy comes to us, delete it and get out immediately. 

Thoughts are quickly absorbed into the mind.  Get out.  If for some reason, it stays with you, see your priesthood leader, usually the Bishop.

Unnatural thoughts, like same sex attraction are NOT natural.  You are a son or daughter of God.  This was not given to you at birth as they try to tell you.  It is acquired and can be gotten rid of. 

There is Gender in Heaven.  God created man and woman for a specific reason; otherwise He would have created all men or all women.  He didn’t.

When the Prophet and the Apostles made up the Family Proclamation, they were inspired by the Lord to tell all of us about why we were here and who we are and our duties and responsibilities while here. 

That has not changed and will not change.

When you do something wrong or commit a sin, you cannot say that the Devil made me do it because all he can do is entice you and tempt you. 

You have the power inside, from God, to reject his temptations. 

You have had Free Agency before you came to earth, while you are here and you will have it after this earth test and throughout eternity. 

He made it this way so when you come before Him at Judgement, you cannot say, "I had no choice, I had to do it".  Sorry, it is on your own head and everything is RECORDED, Except what you REPENT OF.

The Lord said:

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS 58: 42-43

42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

 

You have the power to overcome. 

Remember, you can use your Free Agency to choose which way to go, to choose from right and wrong, but you DO NOT have the choice to choose the Consequences of your choices. 

Those are Eternal Laws and are already set in place.

The only way to cleanse yourself from sin is through Repentance.

All sins can and will be forgiven through repentance except the shedding of innocent blood and the sin against or rejecting the Holy Ghost. 

ALL OTHERS can be forgiven.  So, don’t feel lost or that it is hopeless, it’s not.

Pro-creation or sexual intimacy is a privilege given to us here on earth for this test for a couple of reasons.

1.    It is given to us to see if we will abuse it.  We are only supposed to use in in the bonds of wedlock.  If we use it outside of marriage, it is a sin.  Sexual sins are next to murder in the sight of the Lord.  You can reject that council by the Lord, but you will eventually regret it at Judgement and for all Eternity. 

 

2.   We come here as individual spirits to get a body and to learn how to use it.  We learn to become parents.  We bring others of our brothers and sisters still in the spirit world here for their tests.  We make the bodies their spirits will inhabit.  Our sons and daughters will learn to be parents themselves.  If we mess them up and not teach them the right when they are young, we will ALSO regret it at Judgement.  REMEMBER, they are GOD'S Children before they were entrusted to us to bring up here.

This power is only for this life, unless, we are married in the Temple of the Lord, which marriage DOES NOT end at death as all the other marriages that are performed do. 

Once married in the Temple and you endure to the end, you will have this blessing of pro-creation permanently. 

All others will become single beings again, as they were before coming here and their bodies will be changed so that intimate relations cannot happen, nor the urge to do so. 

REMEMBER, anything is allowed while on Earth because this is our FINAL TEST.

Same sex attraction can be changed and and must be, because this same sex attraction cannot bring our spirit brothers and sisters here for their test.

To learn more about cleansing the Inner spirit from an Apostle Boyd K. Packer. 

President Packer talks about many other problems and sins that can be cleansed away if you listen to his council.

Remember, these are the Last Days and the Satan knows he does not have much time left to draw as many of Heavenly Father’s children down with him, do he will do all he can to hurt the Father as much as he can.  He knows he is going to loose, but he will keep trying.

Pray for the Spirit to witness to you of the truthfulness of the message.

For further study of the Restored Gospel, go to www.lds.org.

Please pass this blog on to everyone you know.

PRIESTHOOD POWER FOR US TODAY

This article was inspired by a talk given in an LDS General Conference by President Boyd K. Packer.

The Priesthood is the Power and Authority of God, delegated to man on the Earth.

President Packer talked about how Gideon, in the Bible, who was given authority to head the army of Israel, which were thousands strong but he only chose a select few because of the way they drank water from the stream.  Instead of bowing down, these men scooped up water in their hands and drank, while upright, being alert for the enemy.

The Lord has chosen certain men in the pre-existence to hold the priesthood after coming to earth in these Last Days.  While here, they receive the Aaronic or the preparatory priesthood.  With this priesthood he is given authority from God to administer in the outward ordinances like Baptism, passing the sacrament and service to others.

The Melchizedek priesthood is the higher priesthood.  Authorized Melchizedek Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the Gospel, administer the ordinances of Salvation, and to govern the Kingdom of God on the Earth and to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom.

Now this has to do with the Authority which is given by God to a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, but the Power that is in that Priesthood can only be controlled or used only when the holder is Righteous.

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS 121: 34-37

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

 

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

 

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

 

Fathers listen up.  You have the opportunity to have the Authority and Power of God by receiving the Priesthood from someone holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.  You can bless and protect your family and give them the saving ordinances of the Gospel.

You can also bless and anoint them with Holy Oil when they are sick and heal them if its the Lords will that they are to be healed. 

 

This Melchizedek Priesthood, with direct line of authority to Jesus Christ is only found in this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Each holder of the Priesthood can have upon them a card showing their LINE OF AUTHORITY back to JESUS CHRIST to prove their Authority.

 

To watch, hear or read this address from a modern Apostle Boyd K. Packer, click here.

 

For further information, go to www.lds.org .

Send this article to everyone you know and care about.

WHY PRAYER TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

This is a series of addresses by Modern Prophets and Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
FIRST:  is a series of talks by Apostle BOYD K. PACKER
of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

“This article was inspired by a recent talk given in an LDS General Conference by  Apostle Boyd K. Packer.”

Our Heavenly Father sent each of us here to earth as spirit sons and daughters.  The object was to obtain a physical body, learn how to use it and care for it. 

We are also here to be tested to see how we make our decisions and use what we had learned while with Him in the spirit world.

WHY DO WE NEED PRAYER? 

He did not leave us all alone.  He gave us a way to communicate back and forth with Him whenever we needed.  This is called Prayer.

No matter what situation we are in, we can pray to Him on our knees or from our mind and heart while we are doing things.  He hears us.

He knows ahead of time what we need, but He wants us to ask him anyways and to learn how to be sensitive to His Spirit so we will recognize an answer when it comes. 

He may not always answer us immediately, but in His own time. 

Sometimes He may not answer a prayer at all because of circumstances, which He knows about, will come up, that answering the prayer, will not be needed.

He gave us a mind and sound reasoning to use much of the time.  We are not expected to ask Him about every decision that He knows we can make for ourselves.

WHY ARE PROMPTINGS OF THE SPIRIT NEEDED?

There is a perfect manner of communication through the Spirit:

1 CORINTHIANS 2: 10

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

All of the sons and daughters of God were given the Spirit of Christ to guide them in choosing between right and wrong.

After baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, another ordinance which is the Laying on of the Hands for the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST is performed.  From that moment on, as long as the person is righteous, the Holy Ghost stays with that person and guides them in ALL THINGS throughout their life on earth.

If that person strays from righteousness, REPENTANCE is needed BEFORE the Holy Ghost returns.

Without this second ordinance, the baptism is not complete.  It is like putting a key in a car ignition but not turning it.  It all works together once the key is turned.

Promptings of the Spirit will guide you in the things that you do.  The Spirit will warn you of some danger coming or that something is not right.  Listen to it.

Most of the time it will come as thoughts or impressions to our mind.  Most of the time you will feel this spiritual communication more than you will hear it.

We are sent here to mortality to gain experiences in choosing good over evil.  Satan knows us from the spirit world and tries to prompt us in NOT praying.  That is the time we most need to pray.

To watch the full talk, go to PRAYER AND PROMPTINGS, 9 Oct. 2009.
For further information, go to www.lds.org.

Send this article to everyone you know and care about.

A Witness Of An Apostle Of The Lord On Who We Are And Our Purpose Here On Earth

Most people that are living, at some time or another, ask themselves, who are we?

Where did we come from?

What is our purpose?

Where do we go after we die?

I flew in to Salt Lake City, Utah from Honolulu, Hawaii where I was stationed in the Army, and it was 1 year after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I attended the April 1973 General Conference. This is a World Wide Conference of all church members which happens twice a year, April and October.

Members listen to the Prophet of the church and some of the Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities as they speak to all the members.

This is where you hear modern Revelation from the Lord through His servants to us, to guide us in this day.

I had the same questions about myself and life and the purpose of it.

One speaker on that occasion answered my questions, right there as I sat.

It was a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord, Elder Boyd K. Packer. I have never thought of life the same after that moment.

His talk was named: BEHOLD YOUR LITTLE ONES.

He was talking to the children, but it had to do with ALL OF US, since we were all children once and are still children inside.

He said that before we were born on earth, we lived in the spirit world with our Heavenly Father.

He told us that when we were born on earth, we were NOT created then, only our PHYSICAL BODIES were.

We came from our Heavenly Father INTO these bodies to live and be tested here on earth for a period of time.

To watch and listen to this Apostle, click on the link below.

ELDER BOYD K. PACKER, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

Many things can be learned from this talk from Elder Packer, but the most will be taught to you by the Holy Spirit, talking to your spirit inside your body.

Try to listen to the whisperings inside of your heart and mind and you will know the truth of what he is saying.

“Lesson 7: What Happens after Death?,” Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher’s Manual, 34

Then, go to www.lds.org and search the scriptures and the rest of the site and you will know for yourself, the truth of what you read, hear and see.

Did We Exist Before This Life

Did WE Exist before this life?  YES!

WHERE?  In the Pre-Existence.  This is also known as the spirit world.

ETERNAL LIFE    The Great Plan of Heavenly Father.

YOU SAY:  "I don't remember any other life.  This guy is nuts.  We didn't exist until we were born here to our parents.  I don't remember any other life, world or place".

THAT IS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE WHILE WE ARE HERE, IN THESE BODIES, ON THIS EARTH.

The only way we know that there was something else to us is what we feel DEEP INSIDE. 

We also learn many things from the Scriptures as recorded by the Prophets of Ancient Times.  The LORD has not left His children alone. 

In our day, the LORD as RESTORED His Gospel and Church and has given us Prophets TODAY to Guide us in these LAST DAYS.

LET ME TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS IN SOME KIND OF ORDER FOR YOU.

The Prophet Joseph Smith, a modern prophet chosen to receive Revelation from the Lord and set up His church again on the earth before His Second Coming with the RESTORED GOSPEL has told us many things.

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS 131: 7-8

7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;

 

8 We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter.

 

"This spirit element has ALWAYS EXISTED; it is co-eternal WITH GOD."

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 352-354)

 

It is also called Intelligence or the Light of Truth which:

 

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS 93: 29

 

29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

 

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS 93: 33

 

33 For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy.

 

When the Bible says:  God CREATED the Heavens and the Earth, it was MIS-TRANSLATED.  In the original Hebrew, the word BAURAU, does NOT mean to Create out of Nothing, it means to ORGANIZE. 

 

As just stated above in 33, ALL ELEMENTS ARE ETERNAL.

 

As today's scientist say, that they think there are Black Holes.  All elements are taken into it. 

 

Our Earth was ORGANIZED in the Center of the Milky Way Galaxy.  Scientist agree with that. 

 

At the Center is a Gigantic Governing planet called KOLOB. 

 

To scientist, it would, from this distance, be called a BLACK HOLE. 

 

As one earth or planet is finished, it is taken in.  From these NEW materials or elements, NEW EARTHS are made, and sent out as needed in the Galaxy.

 

The world was ORGANIZED out of MATERIALS that ALREADY EXISTED in the Galaxy.  You will see this in Abraham's Own words, below. 

 

Spirits are also, Eternal Elements or Intelligences, in the beginning. 

 

FOR YOUR NOTE:  This is about the Book of Abraham.

A Translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. (See History of the Church, 2:235–36, 348–51.)  This reference will give the details of what happened.

 

Abraham talks about these intelligences, WHICH WAS US, BACK IN THE SPIRIT WORLD:

 

ABRAHAM 3: 22-25

22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

 

23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me:  Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

 

(This was the Lord speaking to Abraham, A NORMAL MAN, who was chosen as a PROPHET, to be a RULER in the Lord's Kingdom or Church.  We are the intelligences or spirits that were there, at that time, because the Earth WAS NOT YET MADE for US to come down to, to be tested.)

 

24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, (Speaking of Jehovah, BEFORE He came to Earth as Jesus Christ, our Savior.) and he said unto those who were with him:  We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

 

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

This is why the Earth was made, JUST FOR OUR TEST.  Many Earths come and go, but THIS IS OURS,  JUST FOR US.

Abraham also talks about Astronomy or the organized planets in this Milky Way Galaxy.  Scientist are coming around, slow but sure, of understanding what Abraham knew long ago.

The LORD tells him about the organization of the Galaxy just before he talks about the Intelligences, US.

ABRAHAM 3: 1-21

Read this carefully.  Also, wrapped in with the scrolls of Abraham's writings were these facsimiles.

ABRAHAM Facsimile 2

What we understand from Modern Revelation through living prophets is that ALL THINGS were organized spiritually in Heaven before it was organized PHYSICALLY or  Naturally here on Earth.

Yes, that means we had Homes, gardens, flowers there.  And when we get back, is will be Fantastic.

But, only there, things were perfect and clean. 

You will notice when reading GENESIS 1, that He created or Organized the Heavens and the Earth, organizing man and then resting on the Seventh Day.  

NOTICE:  GENESIS Chapter 2.  Many reading this thought it might be a mistake, repeating the creation or organization Again, but it wasn't. 

It is explained that chapter 1 is the SPIRITUAL CREATION or ORGANIZATION, in HEAVEN. 

It is NOT until Verses 1 through 7 that the ACTUAL CREATION or ORGANIZATION took place PHYSICALLY.  This was the ACTUAL organization of the Earth and Man on it, then He WATERED the whole earth.

ALSO NOTICE:  He created Man and Woman.  Man and Woman was in His image.  IMAGE means, both had a head, arms, legs, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.  This is His Image.

BUT, UNDERSTAND, He created GENDER. 

A Female had His Image in most ways, BUT DIFFERENT in other ways, STILL IN HIS IMAGE.

THIS BRINGS US A QUESTION? 

Did we have a MOTHER in HEAVEN?

YES, but that is another Topic all by itself.  This can be proven!

THINK:  Why would God let us have a Family and Love of Family, IF IT DID NOT CONTINUE into ETERNITY.  HE would not be that Cruel. 

HE WOULD NOT DEPRIVE HIMSELF or that JOY either. 

We are His children, we are like Him as we are like our Earthly Parents, in their image also, but different.

For more investigation, see www.lds.org