captainseapig's Blog

This weekend marks an event that happens twice a year in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. General Conference. If you are curious about The Mormon church this is a good opportunity for you. Tune in on The BYU channel on your cable and satellite systems or go to LDS.org and watch it in video stream this Saturday and Sunday. Female and male leaders including the President/Prophet of the church will speak to the general population of the church via the internet, satilite TV and closed curcit systems giving council and direction, inspiration and doctrine. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will follow the speakers at certain times. Each conference session lasts 2 hours there are appox 4-5 speakers per session. The sessions begin 12pm EST on Saturday and 12pm EST on Sunday. 

When the Lords servants speak or write under the influence of the Holy Ghost, their words become scripture. From the beginning the Lord has commanded his prophets to keep a record of his revelations and his dealings with his children. The Bible is a collection of sacred writings containing Gods revelations to man. These writings cover many centuries, from the time of Adam through the time when the Apostles of Jesus Christ lived. They were written by many prophets who lived at various times in the history of the world.As we read pray and ponder about the scriptures and ask God for understanding, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the truth of these things. We will each know for OURSELVES that these things are true. If we sincerely ask in humble prayer in privacy and with pure intent.So many will try to convince you that the scriptures a just stories and that Jesus Christ was just a good man not the Son of God. That there is no such thing as sin or repentance or resurrection or exaltation. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Remember that there is opposition to all that is good and true. The scriptures are a source of truth and a source for understanding the purpose of life and the personality of God. Sincere Prayer is the litmis test that allows us to communicate with God and learn if these Bible Prophets and Apostles were true servants of God. And that their words written down and translated into the Bible we have today are genuine and true. 

Repentance is the way provided for us to become free from our sins and receive forgiveness for them. Sins slow our spiritual progression and can even stop it. Repentance makes it possible for us to grow and develop spiritually again.
The privilege of repenting is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. In a way we do not fully understand, Jesus paid for our sins. Joseph Fielding Smith said this:
"I have suffered pain, you have suffered pain, and sometimes it has been quite severe; but I can not comprehend pain.... that would cause the blood like sweat, to come out upon the body. It was something terrible something terrific.....
" The was no man ever born into this world that could have stood under the weight of the load that was upon the Son of God, when he was carrying my sins and yours and making it possible that we might escape from our sins".
Repentance sometimes requires great courage, much strength, many tears, unceasing prayers, and untiring efforts to live the commandments of the Lord.
Lastly, Spencer Kimball said, " There is no royal road to repentance, no privileged path to forgiveness. every man (and woman) must follow the same course whether they be rich or poor, educated or untrained, tall or short, prince or pauper, king or commoner... There is only one way. It is a long road spiked with thorns and briars and pitfalls and problems."
It can be done it is being done every day, sure the road can be tough at times and you feel rotten for something you've done wrong. It's all part of the process. However when the process is done the feeling is good. More on the process later.

Pride is misunderstood... Most of us think of pride as being self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All these are elements of pride, but the heart, or core, is still missing.

The central feature of pride is 'enmity'- enmity toward God and enmity against our fellow men. Enmity means, 'hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition'. It is a very negative and dark power.Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God's. When we direct our pride toward God it is in the spirit of, 'my will and not thine be done'..... Our will in competition to God's will allows, desires, appetites and passions to go unbridled.The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. They pit their perceptions of truth against Gods great knowledge, their abilities versus God's power and authority, their accomplishments against his mighty works.Pride distorts the truth about things as they are as they have been and as they will be. Pride and honesty cannot coexist.

The Savior provided the perfect example of service. He explained that he didn't come to earth to be served but to serve and to give his life for us. ( Matthew 20:28)Jesus loves all of us more than we can understand. When he was on earth he served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner the despised. He taught the gospel to all who would listen, fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear him, healed the sick and raised the dead.He is our God and Savior and Lord of the universe, yet he did many acts of humble service. Just before his crucifixion he met with his disciples. After teaching them, he took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet ( John 13:4-10). In those days washing a visitors feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did this as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like him.Service and voluntary giving of our time and effort bring us closer to the way the Lord would like us to treat each other. We can start in our families and homes serving one another freely and unselfishly. Making a little heaven on earth.

Each of us should ask ourselves why we obey Gods commandments. Is it because we fear punishment? Is it because we desire the rewards for living a good life?  Is it because we love God and Jesus Christ and want to serve them? It is better to obey the commandments because we fear punishment than not to obey them at all. But we will be much happier if we obey God because we love him and want to obey him. When we obey him freely he can bless us freely.

Sometimes we may think a commandment is not very important. The scriptures tell us of a man named Naaman who thought that way. Naaman had a dreadful disease and traveled from Syria to Israel to ask the prophet Elisha to heal him. Naaman was an important man in his own country, so he was offended when Elisha did not greet him in person but sent his servant instead. Naaman was even more offended when he received Elisha's message: "wash seven times in the river Jordan". " Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?" he demanded. He went away in a rage. But his servants asked him, " If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, would have you done it? How much rather then, when he sayeth unto thee, wash and be clean?" Naaman was wise enough to understand that it was important to obey the prophet of God even if it seemed a small matter. so he washed in the Jordan river and was healed. 2 KIngs: 5 1-14Sometimes we may think a commandment is too hard to obey, like Abraham being asked to sacrifice his only son. Look at the blessings that came to Abraham because of his obedience, his son was spared and the Lord promised that his seed or posterity shall number as much as the sands on the seashore. And that Jesus himself would be born through his lineage. What an honor. The kingdom of heaven is governed by law, we need to learn obedience now so we will be prepared when we get there.

How can we increase our faith in Christ? Knowing of the many blessings that come through exercising faith in Jesus Christ, we should seek to increase our faith in him. The Savior said:" If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed.....nothing shall be impossible to you. (Matthew:17:20)
A mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a large tree.
We can increase our faith in God by acting on our desire to have faith in him. We can also increase our faith by praying to Heavenly Father about our hopes, desires and needs. We must not suppose, that all we have to do is ask. We are told in the scriptures, "That faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone". (James 2:7) Spencer W. Kimball has said, "There must be works with faith. How foolish it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but how wise to ask the Lords help to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain those things we have learned." An important way to increase our faith is to hear and study the word of the Lord. We can hear the word of the Lord at our church meetings. we can study his word in the scriptures. Faith involves doing all we can to bring about the things we hope and pray for. If we pray for an education we must do all we can to be the best student, setting time apart to study and do the home work. To pay attention in class and humbly learn from those with more experience. My faith is increased when i observe other people helping others. Their WORKS inspire me. People helping tornado victims clean up the rubble and give them food. They don't just pray for them, they also give real assistance, food ,shelter, clothing. In doing good we increase our faith in Christ for he taught that we all should be busy doing good, we have it within us to do so.

This weekend marks the General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It originates in Salt Lake City and is broadcast worldwide over the churches satellite-network to congregations all over the world. It is also broadcast on BYU Television, channel 374 on Direct TV's satellite network.

General Conference is held twice a year, once in April and again in October. It is when the leadership  of the church addresses the membership. It starts on Saturday 12pm-2pm EST with talks from the woman's leadership and the leadership for the Primary (children's Sunday School) organization.  Then Sunday at 12pm-2pm EST is for the general populace of the church and again at 4pm-6pm EST. This particular conference is special because we have a new President of the church ,Thomas S. Monson and many are interested to hear what he has to say. He precedes Gordon B. Hinkley who passed away this past  winter. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings at these meetings and they are amazing and most inspiring. The whole experience is very uplifting and wonderful. I like the music best. If your interested tune in on channel 374 on Direct Satellite TV. You can also go to www.lds.org for more info and internet viewing.

It's interesting that Easter comes at Spring time when life and rejuvenation come back to the earth. Flowers slowly emerge, sap begins to run in the trees, birds come back from the warmer climates, animals come out of a long hibernation. 

Jesus Christ being the first fruits of the resurrection (the first ever to be resurrected) has lead the way by his example. I have talked with many that do not understand that all of mankind will be resurrected through the power of Jesus Christ. That this,  like having life (being born) is a gift from our father in heaven through his son Jesus Christ. Many have thought that only Jesus is to be resurrected. It is wonderful to think that all of us will have immortal bodies in perfect order without decease or physical deformity without mental illness but perfect in every way. All a free gift because of the love our father in heaven has for us. No wonder so many all over the world rejoice in spring rejoice in Easter. And entering into the sepulcher they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment: (an angel) and they were affrightened. And he saith unto them, be not affightened: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Mark 16: 5,6

The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'day of rest'. The Sabbath day commemorates God's day of rest after he finished the creation. we read in the book of Genesis that God created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time he called days.: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it" (Genesis 2;2-3).

 The Sabbath day is a holy day ordained by God for us to rest from our daily labors and worship him for all our blessings. And to pray for help with our trials and tribulations. To visit the sick and to enjoy our family associations ,strengthening our relationships and in a quiet environment listening to that still small voice ( conscience) that so many times gives us direction.

Honest people love truth and justice. They are honest in their words and actions. they do not lie, steal or cheat.

To lie is dishonest. Lying is intentionally deceiving others. Bearing false witness is a form of lying. The Lord gave his commandment to the children of Israel: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". Exodus 20:16 Jesus also taught this while in his ministry, see Matthew 19:18. There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.We cheat when we give something less than we owe, or when we get something we do not deserve. Some employees cheat their employers by not working their full time; yet they accept full pay. Some employers are not fair with their employees; they pay them less than they deserve. Taking unfair advantage is a form of dishonesty. Providing inferior service or merchandise is cheating.People use many excuses for being dishonest. People lie to protect themselves and to have others think well of them. Some excuse themselves for stealing, thinking they deserve what they took, intend to return it, or need it more than the owner.To the Lord there are no acceptable reasons for lying cheating or stealing. To be completely honest, we must look carefully at our lives. If there are ways in which we are being the least bit dishonest, we need to change.When we are true to every trust, duty, agreement, or promise even if it costs us money, friends or even our lives (heaven forbid). Then we can face the Lord, ourselves and others without shame.Imagine the change in our society if everyone were honest in all their dealings. It has been my experience that the most successful ( I'm not talking just monetarily) people are honest in all they do. They are always blessed with what they need and many friends. 

Old values are upheld by good people, not because they are old but because they are right. Those who seem to flout the institution of marriage, and who regard chastity before marriage and fidelity after as old fashioned, seem determined to establish a new fashion of their own and impose it upon others. Remember the 'new morality' is the same old immorality

Can't they see the gross selfishness that will finally lead to deep loneliness? Can't they see that, pushed by pleasure, they become more and more distant from real joy?Illicit sex is a selfish act a betrayal and is dishonest. To be unwilling to accept responsibility is cowardly and disloyal. Marriage is forever. Lustful sex  and all other deviations are for today, for the hour, for the now. Marriage gives life purpose. Recreational sex is a dead end.When I look at the portrait of my mom and dad on the wall in my fathers home. I look at a couple who were faithful to one another for 32 years before cancer took my mom. I see in my minds eye my father comforting my mother in her times of trial. laughing and having fun at family outings. Were they perfect, no, but they held the values of fidelity after marriage in highest regard. Their example has helped me to enjoy a  marriage of 25 years, with deepening love as time goes on. When God instituted the order of marriage and the family he had an eternal perspective. He doesn't give rules as experimentation. May I quote from "The Family" a document published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.:  Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children."Children are the heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3) Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve on another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives- mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligation." end quote.Let us hold fast to those values and principles that give lasting happiness and joy in our families. Oh ya one last thought, no one said it would be easy.

Each individual is a child of God a special offspring of he who created us. We each are entitled to have a personal relationship with our creator. He loves us he gave us this earth and all things on it to enjoy. He gave us free agency to decide the course of our lives. He sent his son to atone for our sins and mistakes to strengthen us and help us. Prayer is a part of that relationship we have with deity. May I quote from Spencer W. Kimball: Having given them their free agency, our Heavenly father persuades and directs his children, but waits for their upreaching, their prayers, their sincere approach to him... The Lord is eager to see their first awakening desires and their beginning efforts to penetrate the darkness. Having granted freedom of decision, he must permit man to grope his way until he reaches for the light. But when man begins to hunger, when his arms begin to reach, when his knees begin to bend and his voice becomes articulate, then and not till then does our Lord push back the horizons, draw back the veil and make it possible for men to emerge from dim uncertain stumbling to sureness in heavenly light. End quote. Each of us have a special purpose in life. Prayer is essential to find out what that purpose is. It can not be delegated or put off to someone else. That purpose is known to God and revealed to us personally after a sincere approach to our Father in Heaven. Remember, If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, Who given unto men liberally... James Chap 1;5

Change happens all around us especially here in New England. Spring, summer,fall and winter bring with them all the beautiful changes that accompany that particular season. Children grow up and change to adults then senior citizens. Sports teams change their roster hire and fire players based on performance and a whim. The purpose of church as I see it is to make bad men and women good and good men and women better. Nothing is static or stagnant change is all around us. In the human condition change can go from bad to worse and hopefully most of the time from bad to better and from better to excellent. No one is spared trials and tribulation where their choices can impact the course of life for generations. It all depends upon choices and decisions, are they going to be good choices that will steer things in a good direction or poor choices that will bring hardship and unhappiness.
My point is that it is OK to change, tradition is the killer of change, I will repeat myself, tradition is the killer of change. False traditions are e worst killers of change. We should be looking for things that stretch us that enlighten us that expand our understanding of God and things around us. Fear is also one of the qualities that prevent change. "For god hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love,and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 .
I think the voices of unenlightened minds speak of stagnation. Don't get me wrong I think some traditions are delightful, but when they prevent spiritual,emotional or intellectual growth I have a problem with them. Enough said.

I have been pondering why so many atheists and secularists put up such a stink during Christmas season. Why do they fight to take nativity's out of public spaces. Why are they so offended by the mention of Christ and his birth. Why do they voice their biggest objections at this time of the year. Why not on the 4th of July? I don't think it has anything to do with separation of church and state or a lack of tolerance on the part of Christians. Or them exercising their right of freedom of speech. I think the paramount reason is because they hate being reminded that they could be accountable to God. That moral relativism is not OK, that there are eternal consequences, for poor behavior here on earth. That denying the existence of God is an affront to their creator. It is like the table telling the carpenter, you didn't make me I don't believe it. I guess the greatest gift God gave us all is free agency and the freedom to believe or not. Their are good and bad consequences to which side of the fence we fall on. Atheists and secularists don't like the idea that maybe they are on the wrong side of the fence.