What Would You Do?

                What would you do if a prophet appeared in your life and told you that Jesus Christ would return to earth within five years?  Would you believe him or mock him?  Would you take action to change your life or would you stay as you are?   The Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ contains a story about a prophet suddenly appearing among the Nephites and telling the people that Jesus Christ would be born in five years.

                Nephi was a prophet of God who had recently received the sealing power, the same power possessed by the prophet Elijah.  Nephi and his equally righteous brother had been traveling throughout the land of the Nephites preaching, teaching, and calling the people to repentance.  Still the Nephites remained very wicked while the Lamanites had become righteous.  One day Samuel the Lamanite appeared in a Nephite city and began preaching.  He preached for “many days,” but the people did not appreciate his message and cast him out of their city. 

                Samuel was in the act of returning to his people “when the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart” (Helaman 13:3).  Samuel was obedient and returned, but the people would not allow him to enter their city.  The prophet Samuel was determined to deliver God’s message to the Nephites, and he climbed upon the wall of the city in order to deliver it.     

          

                Samuel told the Nephites that “an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul.  And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me.

                “Therefore, thus saith the Lord:  Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people of the Nephites, except they repent I will take away my word from them, and I will withdraw my Spirit from them, and I will suffer them no longer, and I will turn the hearts of their brethren against them.

                “And four hundred years shall not pass away before I will cause that they shall be smitten; yea, I will visit them with the sword and with famine and with pestilence….

                “But if ye will repent and return unto the Lord your God I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lord; yea, thus saith the Lord, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto him that repenteth not….” (Helaman 13:7-11).

                The Nephites still did not like Samuel’s message, but he continued to deliver the words of the Lord.  He told the Nephites that the Son of God would be born on earth in five years; he told them that they would know when the Christ was born because there would be no darkness in their land during the night before His birth.  He also told them that a new star would appear in the sky, “such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you” (Helaman 14:1-5)

                Samuel was not finished with his prophecy about the birth of Jesus Christ.  He continued with a prophecy about the death of Christ and gave the signs of His death and the destruction that would take place at that time.  Samuel continued with his warning, and many people believed his words; these people went to the prophet Nephi, confessed their sins and were baptized (Helaman 16:1).

                There were also many people who were angry with Samuel because they did not believe his words.  They began to cast stones at him and to shoot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall.  More people became believers when they saw that the stones and arrows could not touch Samuel.  They too sought Nephi to confess their sins and be baptized (Helaman 16:3).

                Most of the people did not believe the words of Samuel and tried to capture him.  When Samuel was finished delivering his message, he jumped down from the wall and went back to his people.  The Nephites heard no more about him.  (Helaman 16:6-8).

                So, I ask you again:  what would you do if you heard a prophet crying repent and prepare the way of the Lord?  Would you hear his words and be baptized?  Would you change from wickedness to righteousness?

                What would you do if I told you that there is a prophet on earth calling us to repentance in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to earth?  Would you believe me and seek him out or would you get angry and mock him?

                The Lord’s prophet on the earth in our day is Thomas S. Monson; he is the prophet, seer, and revelator for our day and the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In his latest message in December 2015, President Monson encouraged all of us to make room in our lives and hearts for the Savior as we celebrated Christmas.  

                President Monson spoke twice in our last General Conference, October 2015.  He counseled the brethren in the priesthood session to keep the commandments.  “God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness.  Just the opposite is true.  He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.  He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey.  We remember the words of the familiar hymn:  `Keep the commandments!  In this there is safety; in this there is peace.’” 

                To the general Church membership, President Monson gave counsel to be a good example to others and let our lights shine.  “Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me.  Both are familiar to us.  The first is from the Sermon on the Mount:  `Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’  The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first.  It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy:  `Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.’

                “I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first.  We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.  As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.”  

                There we have the words of the living prophet of God telling us how we can prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  President Monson counseled us to make room for Christ in our lives and in our hearts, to keep the commandments, to be good examples, and to let our light shine for others to follow.

                Now, what will you do with this information?  Will you believe it?  Will you accept it?  Will you follow the counsel of the living prophet?  As to myself, I believe it and accept it as though the words came from the mouth of God.  I will make room for the Christ in my life and in my heart.  I will keep His commandments.  I will be a good example and let my light shine that others may also find the Christ.  I will follow President Monson’s counsel because I know he is God’s prophet on earth today.

President, Pope, and Prophet

                Barack Obama stopped in Rome to visit with Pope Frances at the Vatican last Thursday.  Since his own influence is slowly declining, Mr. Obama apparently sought the visit in order to have some of the popularity and coolness of the Pope rub off on him.  Only time will tell if the visit helps him.  The New York Times reported that the two powerful men “skirted social issues” particularly the ones that cause tension between them such as religious liberty and right to life.  Instead, they visited for about an hour about “income inequality, the conflict raging in Syria, the persecution of Christians around the world and the elusiveness of global peace.”

                There is another man in the world, one who is even more powerful than the Pope and Mr. Obama together; he is the prophet of God.   Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet of the Lord on the earth today, and he acts and speaks in the name of God.  He does not get a lot of press, but he is also “cool” and “popular” with those who follow his counsel.  President Monson will most likely be speaking four different times in the upcoming General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 5-6, 2014.  You can listen to him speak at this site.  Meanwhile, consider some statements made by President Monson as quoted in Church News for the week of December 29, 2013. 

                “Though exaltation is a personal matter, and while individuals are saved not as a group but indeed as individuals, yet one cannot live in a vacuum.  Membership in the Church calls forth a determination to serve.  A position of responsibility may not be of recognized importance, nor may the reward be broadly known. Service, to be acceptable to the Savior, must come from willing minds, ready hands, and pledged hearts.

                “Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion.  In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, `You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless.  You haven’t time to be concerned for others.’  Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord.  In moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we can take comfort from His promise:  `Be not weary in well-doing.  … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (Doctrine and Covenants 4:33)” (See “The Path to Peace,” Ensign, May 1994, p. 62.”)  

                “There are thousands upon thousands, yes, millions upon millions of spirit children of our Heavenly Father who have lived here, who have never heard of the word `Christ,’ who have died, who have gone back to the spirit world in their state of progression and have been taught the gospel; and now they are waiting the day when you and I will do the research which is necessary to clear the way, that we might likewise go into the house of God and perform that work for them, that they, themselves, cannot perform. Are we willing to accept that challenge?  My brothers and sisters, I testify that the Lord will bless you as you do accept and respond to that challenge.”  (Delivered at the dedication of the Los Angeles Temple Genealogical Library, June 20, 1964)

                “Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple?  Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings.  There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure.  They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.”  (See “The Holy Temple – A Beacon to the World,” Ensign, May 2011, p. 92.) 

               At a recent General Conference President Monson spoke about obedience.  “Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness.  Such a search is undertaken by each of us.

                “This knowledge and understanding are available to all mankind.  They are contained in truths which are eternal….

                “Some would ask, `Where is such truth to be found, and how are we to recognize it?’  In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:

                “`Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.  …

                “`The Spirit of truth is of God.  …

                “`And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.              

                “`He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things’ (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 26-28). …

                “There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth.  A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide – even obedience.  A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.

                “We learn obedience throughout our lives.  Beginning when we are very young, those responsible for our care set forth guidelines and rules to ensure our safety.  Life would be simpler for all of us if we would obey such rules completely.  …

                “There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety.  Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual safety so that we might successfully navigate this often-treacherous mortal existence and return eventually to our Heavenly Father.

                “Centuries ago, to a generation steeped in the tradition of animal sacrifice, Samuel boldly declared, `To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams’ (1 Samuel 15:22).  In this dispensation, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that He requires `the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days’ (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34).

                “All prophets, ancient and modern, have known that obedience is essential to our salvation.  …

                “Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages.  It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge.  It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God’s commandments.”  (“Obedience Brings Blessings,” Ensign, May 2013). 

                President Monson is the prophet of God for all the world at this time.  He, as well as all those who listen to him and follow his counsel, is more concerned about what happens in the next world than what happens here.  He knows that we are each put here on earth for a few years to gain bodies and to learn obedience.  He knows that the riches of eternity are available to all who are obedient to the commandments of God, and he desires all to gain those riches.  I encourage you to listen to President Monson and his associates as they speak to us during this General Conference.

Finding the Real Joy of Christmas

                I read through the headlines for today in order to find come current event to write about.  The longer I read, the more depressed I became.  The President of the United States makes the usual fool of himself by taking a “selfie” during the funeral of Nelson Mandela. The Budget Committee Chairmen for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House have reached a bipartisan agreement to prevent a government shutdown in January – but conservative radio host Mark Levin calls it “Mickey Mouse.”  Shaw Air Force Base caved to pressure and took down a Nativity display on the base.

                I could not find any current story in the media that made me feel good inside, and I kept reflecting back to Sunday, December 8, 2013, when I had the opportunity to attend – or at least watch live - the First Presidency Fireside.  All of the speakers were outstanding and had good counsel.  I wish I could share all of them.  I was most impressed with the words of President Thomas S. Monson  who told us plainly how to have a joy-filled Christmas.  “Christmas is a glorious season of the year.  It is also a busy time for most of us.  It is my hope and prayer that we may not become so caught up in the pressures of the season that we place our emphasis on the wrong things and miss the simple joys of commemorating the birth of the Holy One of Bethlehem.

                “Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done.  We find the real joy of Christmas when we make the Savior the focus of the season.

                “Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God.  His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world.  He lived for us, and He died for us.  What can we, in return, give to Him?  …

                “Our celebration of Christmas should be a reflection of the love and selflessness taught by the Savior.  Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit.  We feel more kindly one to another.  We reach out in love to help those less fortunate.  Our hearts are softened.  Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed.  The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things.  To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.”

                President Monson quoted President David O. McKay – it is very important when a prophet quotes another prophet – as saying, “True happiness comes only by making others happy -- the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it.  In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

                “It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring `peace on earth,’ because it means -- good will toward all men” (Gospel Ideals (1953), 551).

                President Monson continued, “May we give as the Savior gave.  To give of oneself is a holy gift.  We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given.  May we also give gifts that have eternal value, along with our gifts that eventually break or are forgotten.  How much better the world would be if we all gave gifts of understanding and compassion, of service and friendship, of kindness and gentleness.

                “As the Christmas season envelops us with all its glory, may we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us in our celebration of the Savior’s birth.  May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior….”

                President Monson counseled us to “focus” on the Savior.  Do you know how to do as he counseled?  One of the best things I do to keep Christ at the center of my Christmas celebration is to fill my home with Nativity sets.  I have heard that Nativity sets are difficult to find this year.  I have not been looking for any new ones, but I have seen a beautiful, large Nativity set at Costco for approximately $100.00.  I have also seen less expensive ones -- starting at about $15 -- advertised at Deseret Book Store.  The large expensive ones are beautiful, but the less expensive ones can bring the same Spirit of Christ into your home.       

         

                A second way to focus on the Savior is to play Christmas hymns.  Christmas carols such as “Silent Night” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” do much to encourage the Spirit of Christ to abide in our homes.

                Another way is to concentrate on what you are giving rather than what you are getting.  There is not a single thing that money can buy that is more valuable than giving of ourselves.  Millions of people in our world are starving for kindness and friendship.  I encourage you to take a part of your Christmas funds and do something for someone less fortunate.  Find someone who is lonely or having a difficult and invite them to spend Christmas with you in some way. 

                As a parent, I really appreciate all those who help my children in any way.  I believe that our loving Heavenly Father feels the same way when we help His children.  He loves and cares about each of His children, and He asks us to help each other in any way that we can.  Give freely of your abundance – or your little – and you will be richly blessed.

Thomas S. Monson

                    My very important person for this week is Thomas Spencer Monson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I chose to write about President Monson because he has such a sense of duty and is such a good example of service to other people.

                    President Monson serves other people because he has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is converted to following Him.  He explained how Christ is the perfect example of doing one's duty to serve others.   "Although He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served those around Him.  He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God.  His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world" ("The Bridge Builder," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 68).

                    The scriptures tell us that He said, "I came into the world to do the will of my Father" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 27:13).  Another scripture tells us that He "went about doing good,… for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

                    President Monson reminded us that Christ answered His call of duty in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).  President Monson also said, "The Savior was ever up and about - teaching, testifying, and saving others.  Such is our individual duty as members" ("Anxiously Engaged," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 56).

                    Thomas S. Monson follows his own advice.  We often hear stories of his visits to the many aged widows in his ward, but we know that he served other people also.  He was only 22 years old in 1950 when he was called to serve as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in the Temple View Utah Stake.  This was his home ward, the same ward where he grew to manhood.  He accepted his responsibility to be the "father of the ward, the president of the Aaronic Priesthood, a provider for the poor and needy, the keeper of proper records, and the common judge in Israel" with his usual optimism and love for others.

                    One of his assignments as bishop was to send a subscription to the Church News and to the Improvement Era to every serviceman from his ward.  He was also counseled to write a monthly personal letter to every serviceman from his ward.  Then Bishop Monson understood the importance of personal letters because he had served in the navy during World War II.  He called a sister in the ward to assist him in mailing the letters, and then he proceeded to write to every one of those 23 servicemen every month.  He continued to write to all of them even though some of them did not write back.  One young man did not write to his bishop for seventeen months, but Bishop Monson never got discouraged.  Then he received a letter:  "Dear Bishop, I ain't much at writin' letters.  Thank you for the Church News and magazines, but most of all thank you for the personal letters.  I have turned over a new leaf.  I have been ordained a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.  My heart is full.  I am a happy man."

                    Several years later while he was speaking at a stake conference,  Elder Monson mentioned writing to all his servicemen.  After the meeting was over, this former serviceman came up to him and thanked his former bishop once again.  "Thank you again for your concern for me and the personal letters which you sent and which I treasure" ("The Call to Duty, "Ensign, May 1986, 39).

                    Elder and then President Thomas S. Monson gave the same counsel for many years as shown by the following quotes (All quotes are from Heidi S. Swinton in "Thomas S. Monson - Answering the Call of Duty," Ensign, August 2012, 11). 

"As we follow in [Jesus Christ's] steps today, we too will have an opportunity to bless the lives of others.  … Jesus invites us to give of ourselves:  `Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.'" ("The Gifts of Christmas," Ensign, Dec. 2003, 2)

                    "To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves.  No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellowmen.  Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy" ("The Lord's Way," Ensign, May 1990, 93).

                    "Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and then go and do, remembering the words of the Master, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised, `I am with you always, even unto the end of the world'" ("They Pray and They Go," Ensign, May 2002, 51).

                    "We can strengthen one another; we have the capacity to notice the unnoticed.  When we have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that know and feel, we can reach out and rescue those for whom we have responsibility" ("The Call to Serve," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 47).

                    "None of us lives alone - in our city, our nation, or our world.  There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor's poverty" ("In Quest of the Abundant Life," Ensign, Mar. 1988, 3).

                    "There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save" ("How Firm a Foundation," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 68).

                    "Perhaps when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, `How many positions did you hold,' but rather, `How many people did you help?'" ("Faces and Attitudes," New Era, Sept. 1977, 50).

                    "As we go about our daily lives, we discover countless opportunities to follow the example of the Savior.  When our hearts are in tune with His teachings, we discover the unmistakable nearness of His divine help.  It is almost as though we are on the Lord's errand; and we then discover that, when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help" ("Windows," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 69).

                    "By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him.  [Our] countenance can change; [our] heart can be softened; [our] step can be quickened; [our] outlook enhanced.  Life becomes what it should become" ("The Way of the Master," Ensign, Jan. 2003, 4).

                    Thomas S. Monson is a very important person in the eyes of the Lord because President Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece on earth today.  President Monson is also a very important person in my eyes because I know he is the living prophet of God.  I encourage all of us to follow his counsel because I know that his counsel is exactly what the Lord would have us do.  I know that God desires each of His children to serve His other children; in fact, I know that we have a duty to do so!

                   

                    

Prophets

God has spoken to His prophets since the time of Adam and continues to speak to His prophets in our day. In fact, the prophet Amos said, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). Through Joseph Smith, this statement was corrected to read, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing until he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (JST Amos 3:7) (emphasis added). From these two statements, we learn that God always warns His people through a prophet before He does anything affecting His children.

Adam was a prophet who walked and talked with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God continued to instruct them by revelation through the Holy Ghost.

God spoke to Noah and instructed him to cry repentance to the people, and Noah preached to the people for 120 years before the Flood came. God also told Noah how to build the ark. Noah followed God's instructions and was able to save his family and some animals from the Flood.

God spoke to Enoch and instructed him to call his people to repentance. Enoch and his people built the city of Zion and became so righteous that the entire city of Zion was translated and taken into heaven.

God spoke to Moses and instructed him to take the Israelites out of Egypt. By following God's instructions, Moses led thousands, maybe millions, of people out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land.

God spoke to Lehi 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ and warned him to take his family and flee out of Jerusalem because the city was going to be destroyed. Lehi was obedient and took his family to the American continents.

God spoke to Nephi, the son of Lehi, and he became a great leader. He and those prophets who came after him left many important writings in the Book of Mormon.

The mission of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. According to Jesus Christ, there were no prophets greater than John.

Joseph Smith was a modern-day prophet who translated the Book of Mormon, organized the Lord's Church once again on earth,and laid the foundation to prepare the people in our day for the Second Coming of Christ.

The Lord's prophet for all the people on earth today is Thomas S. Monson, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is assisted by fourteen other men who are the two Counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Council of Twelve Apostles.

A prophet is a man that has been called by God to be His spokesman on earth. When a man speaks for God, it is as though God himself were speaking. A prophet testifies of Jesus Christ as His special witness and teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. A prophet explains or interprets the word of God and teaches His truth. He calls all sinners to repentance. He receives directions, instructions, and other revelations from God to bless all mankind. He can see into the future and know of events to come in order to warn the world. How grateful I am to know that God does speak to His children and that He does so through His prophets.

A prophet may be old or young. He may be uneducated or highly trained. He may be an engineer, a doctor, a farmer or a businessman. He does not look like the prophets of old with long beards, tunics, and staffs. Modern day prophets look like businessmen with their suits, briefcases, and Blackberries. A true prophet can be identified because he is always chosen by God and called through proper priesthood authority.

Many people are able to believe in the prophets of old but do not believe in prophets today. Heavenly Father always works through His prophets on earth. We need prophets today to help us with today's problems. The information that God gave to Noah on how to survive the Flood or to Moses about leading the Israelites to the Promised Land will not help us to know what we need to do today. God always reveals to the living prophet whatever He wants his people to know. I know that the Lord speaks to his prophet today and tells him what we need to survive these troubled times.

Our duty is to pray for the prophet and to pay attention when he speaks. We should be completely obedient to his teachings. When we follow the prophet obediently, blessings flow down from heaven.

I know we have a prophet on earth today, even Thomas S. Monson. I have received many blessings through following the counsel of prophets and am always anxious to hear the counsel given by the living prophet. President Monson, our current prophet, recently reminded us of the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17. As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. He was met by ten lepers who called to Him to have mercy on them. When He saw them, He told them to go to the priests. As they went, they were healed of their leprosy. One of them, a Samaritan, turned back to thank Jesus for the healing. "And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? … Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

President Monson added, "Through divine intervention those who were lepers were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on life. The expressed gratitude by one merited the Master's blessing; the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment.

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."

President Monson then quoted the late prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley as saying: (Whenever a prophet quotes another prophet, we need to pay particular attention because it means that the information is very important.) "When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives."

President Monson added, "A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort - at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don't get around to it. Someone has said that `feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

President Monson summarized his thoughts, "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." (See Ensign, Nov 2010, pp 87-90.)

I thank God everyday that He has a prophet on earth today to guide us through these troubled days.

Past, Present, Future

Families are strengthened when they “learn from the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future” (Thomas S. Monson).

There is much to learn from past experiences – good or bad, our own or those of others. The scriptures are full of stories depicting both good and evil. When faced with a choice, remembering those stories could help in our decision. For example, when Joseph faced the “opportunity” to become immoral with his boss’s wife, he remembered that adultery was forbidden and fled the scene. He suffered in prison for his decision but was later given great responsibility and honor. A study of family, American, or world history would produce many other experiences that could teach us important lessons. Remembering past years can help us too.

We must live in the present in order to be truly happy. We must not dwell on past problems or continue to brag on past accomplishments. Today is to be enjoyed. “Take time to smell the roses” and “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” are sayings that have real meaning. Live life fully today – but prepare for tomorrow.

Preparing begins with making plans and setting goals. Preparing also means getting appropriate education and saving for a rainy day. There are many ways to prepare for tomorrow.

Gordon B. Hinckley said, “I don’t worry too much about the future, and I don’t worry very much about the past. The past is gone, and you can’t change, you can’t correct. The future, you can anticipate, but you can’t necessarily do very much about it. It is the present you have to deal with. Reach out for every good opportunity to do what you ought to do” (Stand A Little Taller, 382).

President Hinckley is a good example of a person who studied and learned from the past, lived with enthusiasm, and prepared for tomorrow. Families can grow stronger when they follow his examples.

Prophet Speaks

One of my favorite hymns starts with these words, "Come, listen to a prophet's voice, and hear the word of God, and in the way of truth rejoice, and sing for joy aloud. We've found the way the prophets went who lived in days of yore. Another prophet now is sent this knowledge to restore." I had the opportunity to listen to a modern-day prophet on several occasions over the past weekend.

President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator by more than 13 million members of the Church. I am one of those who believe that President Monson is the spokesperson for God.

President Monson related the story of the Ten Lepers from the New Testament. While Jesus Christ was walking from Jerusalem to Galilee, He passed through the midst of Samaria. As He entered into a certain village, He was met by ten men who were lepers. They stood afar off and called to Him, "Master, have mercy on us." When Christ saw them, He did have mercy on them and told them, "Go shew yourselves unto the priests." As the ten men traveled, they became clean from the leprosy. One of the men, when he saw that he had been healed, went back to Jesus. He fell on his face at the feet of Christ and thanked Him for the great blessing of being healed from leprosy. Jesus Christ asked the Samaritan man where the other nine men were, and then said, "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole" (St. Luke 17:11-19).

Following this story, President Monson told us that we need to remember to give thanks because gratitude is the key that unlocks heaven and lets the blessings pour down upon us. You too can listen to a prophet's voice at lds.org under October 2010 General Conference.

Later in the conference President Monson told us that we should read the words from the conference. He also said that our peace and safety is found in keeping the commandments of God and that we should show increased kindness to each other.

An ancient prophet taught, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, [until] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). I believe that President Monson spoke the words that we need to guide us for the next six months. I am grateful to live in a day when a prophet of God walks the earth once more.