Which path shall I follow Alice asks the Cheshire cat.

Last weekend (April 2-3, 2016) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints held its Semi-Annual General Conference.  During this conference the General Authorities of the Church, including our Prophet Thomas S Monson spoke to the world offering words of encouragement, counsel, and inspiration to help us live in the challenging world that we find ourselves in today.

One of my favorite talks of the conference was given by President Monson, President of the Church.  The talk is titled "Choices"  Here are some quotes from his short, simple, yet insightful talk:

"I have been thinking recently about choices. It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny."

"Most of you are familiar with Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. As she contemplates which way to turn, she is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?  The cat answers, 'That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.'  Unlike Alice, we know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life." 

"Although it is imperative that we choose wisely, there are times when we will make foolish choices. The gift of repentance, provided by our Savior, enables us to correct our course settings, that we might return to the path which will lead us to that celestial glory we seek."

"May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."

"As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice."

Here are the things that ran through my mind from the above quotes:

1. Life is full of choices.  Daily we have more choices that we can even remember.
2. While we are faced with difficult or important choices they are really few in number compared with the every day simple choices we make.
3. The every day simple, routine choices we make will impact our decision when faced with those difficult and important choices.
4. We need to keep in the fore front of our minds where we want to end up.  Knowing where you want to go or what you want to be helps you make the right choices, keeping you on the road to your final destination.
5. We are human and will make a bad choice from time to time.  Because of Christ's atonement we can repent.  By repenting our bad choice is removed and we will find ourselves on the right course to reach our desired destination.
6. Making the right choice is not always easy because it is not the popular choice.  We all want to feel accepted by friends and acquaintances.  We may find ourselves ridiculed for making the right choice.
7. Following Christ and keeping his teachings in our mind will help us make the right choices.

I personally am trying to remember the simple message that President Monson gave us in this conference.  To reflect on it daily as I have the faith that by doing that I will find it easier to "Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."

I encourage you to read or watch President Monsons entire talk.  It is short and will take just a few minutes.  It will be well worth your time!  Read or Watch President Monson's Talk Here

To me personally, during this conference, the Tabernacle Choir performed one of the most spiritually felt songs I have ever heard them sing.  The song was "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  It brought me a peaceful spirit and emotions that draw me closer to my Father in Heaven.  Below is a video of this great song.

Keep smiling.  We live in difficult and challenging times but God has not left us alone.  Seek and ye shall find his goodness in all around you!

Submitted by:  James Tanner

Come Listen To A Prophet's Voice

Thomas S. Monson
President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. (Articles of Faith 1:6)  Christ chose Peter to lead of His Church.  He also chose 12 apostles to carry his work into the whole world.  This organization was intended to continue forward.  After the death of Judas the remaining apostles met and selected Matthias as a replacement. (see Acts 1:23-26)

 

We live in very troubling and difficult times.  Life is so much more complicated today than it was even 20 years ago, let alone 2,000 years ago.  If ever there was a time in history where heavenly guidance was needed the most, it has to be right now.  In the restored Church of Jesus Christ, we are led by apostles and prophets.  Each of them called as "special witnesses" of the Savior Jesus Christ.  (see Doctrine & Covenants 107:23).  They have the same charge as the apostles of old, to go into all the world to preach His gospel.  (see Mark 16:15)  

Elder D. Todd  Christopherson, one of these modern day apostles, said this:  "Throughout my life, general conferences of the Church have been exhilarating spiritual events, and the Church itself has been a place to come to know the Lord.  I realize that there are those who consider themselves religious or spiritual and yet reject participation in a church or even the need for such an institution.  Religious practice is for them purely personal.  Yet the Church is the creation of Him in whom our spirituality is centered - Jesus Christ.  It is worth pausing to consider why HE chooses to use a church, His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to carry out His and His Father's work to 'bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man'(Moses 1:39)." 

"Jesus Christ is the 'author and the finisher of our faith.'(Moroni 6:4)  Uniting ourselves to the body of Christ-the church- is an important part of taking His name upon us.(3 Nephi 27:5-7)  We are told that the ancient Church 'did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak on with another concerning the welfare of their souls'(Moroni 6:5) ' and to hear the workd of the Lord.'(4 Nephi 1:12)  So it is in the Church today.  Joined in faith, we teach and edify one another and to strive to approach the full measure of discipleship, 'the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' we strive to help one another come to 'the knowledge of the Son of God'(Ephesians 4:13) until that day when 'they shall teach no more every man his neighbour .... saying Know the Lord: for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of the, saith the Lord."  (To read or watch the talk in its entirety click here: Why the Church - Elder D. Todd Christopherson

This weekend, April 2nd and 3rd we have the opportunity to hear from our modern day apostles and prophets during the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  To hear their words of council, hope and peace that the Lord wants us to know today.  We invite you to join us in watching and listening to what they have to say.  Here are the details for you:

• Times: 9:00 am - 11:00 am & 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm on both April 2nd and 3rd (Times are Arizona time - Pacific Day Light Time)
• You may stream each session live using this link: LDS.org webiste
• You may view all sessions live on BYUTV
• Dish Network Subscribers: Chanel 9403
• DirectTV Subscribers: Chanel 374

So we invite you to join us to:

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.

LDS Hymnal #21

Submitted by:  James Tanner