LDS Freedom Forum

Truth B Known wrote:Russell M. Nelson:

'There are many who claim that our existence and the universe came about from a giant explosion eons ago often referred to as the big bang - can an explosion in a printing press shop produce a dictionary'?

Love it! )

“It is God who orchestrated the “big bang” 20 billion years ago and set the universe on its way. He it is who devised, promulgated, and now enforces the laws of nature with never-failing accuracy and consistency.” — Reflections of a Scientist, Henry Eyring

http://ldsbooks.pbworks.com/w/file/fetc ... html#29359" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Like wrote:

Truth B Known wrote:Russell M. Nelson:

'There are many who claim that our existence and the universe came about from a giant explosion eons ago often referred to as the big bang - can an explosion in a printing press shop produce a dictionary'?

Love it! )

“It is God who orchestrated the “big bang” 20 billion years ago and set the universe on its way. He it is who devised, promulgated, and now enforces the laws of nature with never-failing accuracy and consistency.” — Reflections of a Scientist, Henry Eyring

http://ldsbooks.pbworks.com/w/file/fetc ... html#29359" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

God - The Who
Big bang - The How(or one possible part of "The How")

morefiyah wrote:God - The Who
Big bang - The How(or one possible part of "The How")

Right now, Elder L. Tom Perry is talking about the DELIVERANCE of the people of Limhi (many died) -- contrasted with that of Alma Sr and the people with him (more miraculous delivery, few or no killed).

In the past, I've called this Plan B and Plan A... will have to dig up the old posts I guess.

Great talk!

Elder Perry: The Power of Deliverance

“As we study and prepare and participate [in studying the Book of Mormon in Sunday School this year], may we be motivated to share our love of this special scripture with others not of our faith.”

“Prophecies foretelling the life and mission of Jesus Christ promise us the deliverance that He will provide. His Atonement and Resurrection provide all of us an escape from physical and spiritual death, bringing with it the blessings of eternal life.”

“In contrast to the beautifully designed beliefs for us in the Holy Scriptures, we find the opposing forces of secularism engaged in challenging the longstanding beliefs in the holy writings; writings which have given us guidance through these many centuries in defining the eternal values and standards for our conduct through life.”

“Neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon in and of themselves is sufficient. Bot are necessary for us to teach and learn about the full and complete doctrine of Christ.”

“We can be delivered from the ways of evil and wickedness by turning to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. The Savior is the great deliverer for He delivers us from death and from sin. I testify to you that much of the Book of Mormon’s greatness stems from its harmony with the Holy Bible.”

Lowell Tom Perry (born (1922-08-05) August 5, 1922 (age 89)) is a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), having become a member of that body in 1974. Currently, he is the third most senior apostle among the ranks of the Church, and is also the oldest member of the Twelve.

Perry was born in Logan, Utah, to Leslie Thomas Perry and his wife Elsie Nora Sonne. Perry, Utah is named for the Perry's ancestor, Gustavus Adolphus Perry and his family, who were among the first settlers at that place.

From the time of Perry's birth until he was eighteen his father was bishop of their Logan ward. From 1942-1944 Perry served as a missionary in the Northern States Mission, headquartered in Chicago. Just after returning from his mission he joined the United States Marines. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. Perry was part of the American landing forces on Saipan and remained there for about a year. While there he participated in the construction of an LDS Chapel on that island. He was among the United States troops sent to occupy Japan after the war. While in Nagasaki, Perry coordinated a group of Marines to help rebuild a local Protestant church.

Perry graduated from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University in 1949 with a B.S. in finance.

Perry's first job out of college was with a retail business in Idaho. He was later involved in business jobs that took him to Washington State, California, New York, and Massachusetts.

He had a career in the retail business during his time spent in Boston, Massachusetts. He became a fan of the Boston Red Sox; Perry threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game on May 8, 2004.

In Idaho, Perry served as a counselor in a bishopric. Over the years he served in other positions including as an early-morning seminary teacher.

Perry served the LDS Church as a stake president in Boston.


Perry first became a general authority by serving in the position of Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972. The death of Church President Harold B. Lee created a vacancy among the Twelve Apostles when Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum moved from the position of President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to that of church president. Perry was called by Kimball on April 6, 1974 to become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; subsequently he was ordained to the office of apostle on April 11, 1974.

Today, Perry ranks after only church president Thomas S. Monson and Quorum president Boyd K. Packer in apostolic seniority. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Perry is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator.

In 2004, Perry was asked by Hinckley to serve as the area president of the Europe Central Area of the church, headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, a position normally held by a member of the seventy, making Perry one of the most senior officials of the church ever to be stationed away from Salt Lake City. While serving in this capacity, Perry initiated a more proactive institute program that emphasized meeting the social and intellectual needs of young single adult church members.

L. Tom Perry married Virginia Lee in the Logan Temple on 18 July 1947. They had three children, including Lee Tom Perry. Virginia died in 1974. In 1976, L. Tom Perry married Barbara Dayton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Tom_Perry" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Melvin Russell Ballard, Jr. (born October 8, 1928) is an American businessman and a religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Ballard is accepted by the church members as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Currently, he is the sixth most senior apostle among the ranks of the Church.

Ballard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Melvin Russell Ballard Sr. and his wife Geraldine Smith Ballard. As a young man he served as a missionary in England from 1948 to 1950. He met his wife while they were studying at the University of Utah. In 1974, Ballard was called to be the president of the Canada Toronto Mission of the church. He served as mission president and was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976; he completed his three-year term as mission president as a member of the Seventy.

Following the death of apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Ballard was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 6, 1985, and ordained an apostle of the LDS Church on October 10, 1985.

Ballard is the grandson of apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith and is a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of church founder Joseph Smith, Jr.

Professionally, Ballard became involved in several enterprises, including automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He was the top-selling salesman for his father’s Nash car dealership when he left it in the early 1950s to pursue other business interests. In 1956, Ballard returned and took over the Ballard Motor Company from his father. During this period he also served in the United States Army Reserve, resigning his commission as a first lieutenant in 1957.

During the late 1950s, Ballard was recruited by the Ford Motor Company to become the first Edsel car dealer for Salt Lake City. After praying for guidance, he had the "clear impression" not to sign the franchise. He did anyway and incurred a huge loss, "without doubt the darkest period" of his business career.

One highlight of his business career was his presidency of the Valley Music Hall in Bountiful, Utah, which offered high-quality family entertainment. There Ballard worked with Art Linkletter, Danny Thomas, Bob Cummings, and other Hollywood celebrities who were advisers to the enterprise. Although the music hall failed financially, he ensured that investors recovered the money invested.

Ballard married Barbara Bowen in 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. The Ballards are the parents of seven children. One of their daughters is married to Peter Huntsman, who is the brother of Jon Huntsman, Jr., former governor of Utah, and the son of LDS Church area seventy and billionaire philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Russell_Ballard" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Elder Ballard: That the Lost May Be Found

“Brothers and Sisters, we have available to us a tool even more remarkable than the best GPS. Everyone loses their way at some point, to some degree. It is through the promptings of the Holy Ghost that we can be brought safely back onto the right path; and it is the atoning sacrifice of the Savior that can return us home.”

“It is our homes and families that need reforming in this increasingly materialistic and secular world. A stunning example is the growing disregard for marriage here in the United States. Earlier this year the NYT reported that: “‘more than half of births to American women under 30 occur outside marriage.’”

“Equally worrisome is the ever growing gap between rich and poor and between those who strive to preserve family values and those who have given up on doing so.”

“Prosperity and education seem to be connected to a higher likelihood of having traditional families and values.”

[(In the United States?)

Cause and effect? Religious commitment = temporal success.]

“If we will devote ourselves to the cause [of our families] we will improve ever other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a Church, an example and a beacon for all the peoples of the earth.”

“We may be relatively small in number, but as members of this Church we can reach across these widening gaps. We know the power of Christ-centered service that brings together God’s children regardless of their spiritual or economic status.”

“The Church is a mooring in this tempestuous sea, an anchor in the churning waters of change and division, and a beacon to those who value and seek righteousness.”

[Remember, quotes are inexact and sometimes abbreviated. Check transcripts later.]

“What can we do to avoid becoming lost? First, prioritize. Put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support of what happens inside your home. Organize your personal lives to provide time for prayer and scripture and family activity. Give your children responsibilities in the home that will teach them how to work.

Second, do things in the right order. Marriage first, and then family. Trust the power of God to guide you.

Third, husbands and wives, you should be equal partners in your marriage. Avoid unrighteous dominion in any form.

Finally, use the family resources of the church. In raising children, families can draw upon the help of the ward.”

Elder O. Vincent Haleck was sustained a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2011, at age 62. At the time of his call, he was serving as president of the Samoa Apia Mission.

Elder Haleck received a bachelor's degree in advertising and marketing from Brigham Young University in 1973. He owns a number of businesses in his native Samoa and served as president of Tuna Ventures, Inc., and Tropical Beverage Distributors, Inc. He has also been involved in philanthropy work for the Haleck Foundation.

Since joining the Church in 1966, Elder Haleck has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Apia Samoa Mission, bishop, stake high councilor, patriarch, stake president, and president of the Samoa Apia Mission.

Otto Vincent Haleck was born in Utulei, American Samoa, in January 1949. He married Peggy Ann Cameron in June 1972. They are the parents of three children and have seven grandchildren. Elder and Sister Haleck recently relocated from Pago Pago, American Samoa, to Salt Lake City, Utah.

http://www.lds.org/church/leader/o-vinc ... k?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vision... what should be our vision? Zion

Will you go away too?

For whom shall we turn to?

Only Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. Not the new age phrase... you are god, look no further.

Jesus is the only way. Jesus should be our vision. We need to act on this vision to see ourselves as we really are children of a Heavenly Father with infinite potential.

Elder Haleck: Having the Vision to Do

“The Savior saw more in those humble fishermen whom he called to follow him than they saw in themselves; he saw a vision of who they could become. With that vision, these faithful and devoted disciples were able to do hard things as they traveled to preach the gospel and establish the Church after the Savior departed.”

“Before the Savior departed, understanding that we will need help, He said, ‘I will not leave you comfortless.’ The Holy Ghost can empower and motivate us to do the things that the Savior and our modern-day prophets and apostles teach.”

“We experience hard things in our lives that can sometimes diminish our vision and faith to do the things we should. …We must focus our vision on the Savior and His teachings. The Savior has a great vision of who we can become.

As we gain a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us, and as we act on that vision, our lives will be blessed in unexpected ways.”

My direct TV, byu channel is like 20 seconds ahead of the internet broadcast.

Larry Young Wilson (born December 1949) has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since April 2011. He is a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Prior to this, Wilson was the senior vice president for finance of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan.

Wilson has a bachelors degree in English and American literature from Harvard University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Wilson has served as an administrative officer of several health care systems.

As a young man, Wilson served as a missionary for the LDS Church in Brazil. He has also been a bishop, stake president, chairman of the Oakland Family History Center, and an area seventy. He became a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 2011.

Wilson and his wife Lynda Mackey Wilson, are the parents of four children

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Y._Wilson" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

no

Elder Wilson: Only upon the Principles of Righteousness

“The Doctrine and Covenants explains that the right to use the priesthood in the home or elsewhere is directly connected with righteousness in our lives.”

“We lose our right to the Lord’s Spirit and to whatever authority we have from God when we exercise control over another person in an unrighteous manner. Compulsion builds resentment. It conveys mistrust, and it makes people feel incompetent. Learning opportunities are lost when controlling persons pridefully assume they have all the right answers for others.”

“Women, too, may exercise unrighteous dominion, though the scriptures identify the problem especially with men.”

“Unrighteous dominion is often accompanied by constant criticism and the withholding of approval or love.”

“If parents hold onto all decision making power and see it as their right, they severely limit the growth and development of their children. Our children are in our homes for a limited time. If we wait until they walk out the door to turn over to them the reins of their moral agency, we have waited too long.

Wise parents prepare their children to get along with out them.

Helping children exercise their agency properly requires teaching them how to pray and receive answers to their prayers. In raising our family, we decided that our most important goal would be to help our children establish their own connection to heaven.”

“An additional and tragic side effect of unrighteous dominion can be a loss of trust in God’s love. I have known some people who were subject to demanidng and controlling leaders or parents, and they have found it hard to feel the very love from their Heavenly Father that would sustain them and motivate them along the path of righteousness.”

If we are going to help those in our stewardships make the all-important link with heaven, we must be the kind of parent and leader described in Doctrine and Covenants Section 121. President Eyring: “‘Of all the help we can give to young people, the greatest will be to let them feel our confidence that they are on the path home to God and that they can make it.”‘

“Even if you’ve been mistreated in the past, I know the Lord wants you to come unto Him. All are loved. All are welcomed.”

Elder David F. Evans was called to serve as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2005, at age 53. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Missionary Department.

Elder Evans has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Japan Mission, bishop’s counselor, Scoutmaster, stake Young Men president, bishop, stake president’s counselor, stake mission president, stake president, president of the Japan Nagoya Mission (1998-2001), counselor and president of the Asia North Area, and Assistant Executive Director in the Missionary and Priesthood Departments.

In 1976 Elder Evans received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Utah in community health education. In 1979, he received his juris doctorate in law from Brigham Young University. His professional career involved being a partner/attorney for several law firms in Utah. He also served as an executive for an investment banking firm.

David Frewin Evans was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 11, 1951. He married Mary S. Evans in 1973. They are the parents of eight children and enjoy 19 grandchildren.

http://www.lds.org/church/leader/david-f-evans?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Elder Paul Pieper – Peter’s brother? nevermind

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Paul Bowen Pieper (born October 7, 1957) has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 2005. Pieper was the first leader of the LDS Church in Kazakhstan.

Pieper was born in Pocatello, Idaho, United States. As a young man, he served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Mexico Monterrey Mission of the church, where he became fluent in Spanish. He studied at Brigham Young University and received a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah. He is married to the former Melissa "Lisa" Tuttle of Salt Lake City. She is the daughter of the late general authority and educator A. Theodore Tuttle.

In the late 1990s, Pieper and his family moved to Kazakhstan, where he learned to speak Russian while working for a law firm in international trade law. Pieper became the branch president and the first-ever leader of the LDS Church in Kazakhstan. By the end of 2003, the Piepers had assisted approximately 50 Kazakhstani people in being baptized into the LDS Church.

In 2004, Pieper was asked by the church to be the president of the Russia St. Petersburg Mission of the church. In April 2005, he was added to the church's First Quorum of the Seventy and became a general authority of the church. He is currently the president of the church's Europe East Area.

On 23 June 2007, Pieper presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the LDS Church's planned Kyiv Ukraine Temple in Kiev, Ukraine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_B._Pieper" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Neil Linden Andersen (born August 9, 1951) is the junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was accepted by church membership as an apostle on 4 April 2009 during the April 2009 General Conference of the church. Andersen has been a general authority of the LDS Church since 1993 and was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy from 2005 to 2009.[1]

Andersen was born in Logan, Utah and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. As a young man, he served in France as a LDS Church missionary. After his mission, he graduated from Brigham Young University and earned an MBA degree from Harvard Business School. He lived and worked in Tampa, Florida, where he was the vice president of the Morton Plant Health System. In the church, Andersen was a stake president in Tampa.

Between 1989 and 1992, Andersen was president of the France Bordeaux Mission of the church. In 1993, he became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. As a general authority, he has been the executive director of the church's Audiovisual Department and assistant executive director of the Priesthood Department. He has also been in the presidencies of the Utah North, Utah South, North America Southwest, North America Northeast, and Europe West Areas of the church. From 1997 to 2001, Andersen was a member of the general presidency of the church's Sunday School. He also served as a president of the Brazil South Area.

In 2005, Andersen became a member of the seven-man Presidency of the Seventy. In this capacity, he acted as president of the Idaho Area of the church, where in 2006 he broke ground for the construction of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. In 2007, Andersen was reassigned to preside over the North America Southwest Area. In this capacity, he oversaw the activities of the area seventies in this area. From August 2008 to April 2009, Andersen was the senior member of the seven-man presidency.

In April 2009 Andersen was called by church president Thomas S. Monson to fill a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that was created in December 2008 by the death of Joseph B. Wirthlin.

Andersen married Kathy Sue Williams in 1975. The Andersens are the parents of four children and have thirteen grandchildren.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_L._Andersen" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Elder Andersen: What Thinks Christ of Me?

“In this turbulent environment, we rejoice in being disciples of Jesus Christ. Being a disciple in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout the eternities.”

“Our journey of discipleship is not a dash arond the track, or even a lengthy marathon. It is a life-long migration toward a more celestial world.”

“Wherever you now find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road, the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one another in the great and important days ahead.”

“Discipleship is believing in Him in seasons of peace, and believing Him in seasons of difficulty, when our pain and fear are calmed only by the conviction that He loves us and keeps His promises.”

“Miracles are not always so immediate. But as we trust in the Savior, promised miracles will occur. Whether in this life or the next, all will be made right.”

President Monson: As We Close This Conference

“If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now.”

Like wrote:President Monson: As We Close This Conference

“If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now.”

are you better off than you were 36 hours ago?

for me.. yes.

Like wrote:President Monson: As We Close This Conference

“If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now.”

funny how that was the theme of today's opening talk.. and again touched on within the closing remarks.

while contention is never good, it could be a warning that we all must be unified and prepared for whats to come..

contention will not be tolerated in Zion.

morefiyah wrote:are you better off than you were 36 hours ago?

for me.. yes.

:-BD

Thanks all! :ymapplause: You have helped make this a delightful journey in Faith and Hope!

Like wrote:

morefiyah wrote:are you better off than you were 36 hours ago?

for me.. yes.

:-BD

so yeah.. that was one of the takeways from the closing remarks..

'Hopefully you are better off from the start of conference.."

at the closing remarks, is it just me, or did it seem like President Monson was looking right into your soul when he first stood at the podium?

in any case, all talks were on point.. they motivated me to do better... i will surely have all these talks on repeat going forward.