Apostolic United Brethren Standards For Members/Youth
Apostolic United Brethren Standards For Members/Youth
Standard
Bearer
This pamphlet is dedicated to the Latter Day
Saints engaged in ‘the work’ of God and to
the Youth of Zion whom we serve.
Key to Abbreviations
JD Journal of Discourses
TPJS Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
ToK Treasures of Knowledge
D&C Doctrine and Covenants
HC History of the Church
Compiled by:
Christian Hess and the Youth of Zion Organization Presidency
Y\outh
of Zion
Contents
Foreword 1
Preface 1
What is Priesthood? 3
Articles of Faith 5
Agency 6
Dress and Appearance 8
Education 11
Entertainment and Media 13
Family 15
Friendship 18
Gratitude 21
Honesty and Integrity 23
Language 25
Music and Dancing 27
Physical and Emotional Health 29
Priesthood Courting 31
Purity and Virtue 37
Repentance 39
Sabbath Observance 41
Service 43
Tithing and Consecration 45
Word of Wisdom 47
Work and Self-Reliance 50
Faith: Doubt Not, Fear Not 52
Foreword
Dave Watson
Preface
The following material is designed for all members belonging
to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as restored by
the Prophet Joseph Smith. Though it is originally a product of the
Youth of Zion organization, it is meant for men and women of all
ages. It may aid children of reading age as they learn the gospel,
provide guidance for youth, and be a resource to which adults
may refer. The material is such that it should find its place on the
bookshelf of every family. We have felt directed by God to put
forward this work amongst our people — for His people.
The YOZ thanks all those who contributed to this project. Each
section was written by individuals in our communities, it is a product
of love from the pillars among us, and we pray the Lord’s choice
blessings upon them. I realize it is possible that some may disagree
with portions of this pamphlet, it is not a perfect project, nor is it
written to please every mind. It was completed to the best ability
of all who contributed to expounding upon correct principles. I
admonish you to deeply consider these things and use them as
a starting point to dig deeper. Return to them time and again to
refresh yourself on these topics. They will be a great benefit to
you. I ask that the Lord bless you with His Holy Spirit, and I leave
you with Moroni’s admonition:
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye
would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things
are not true: and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent,
having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the
power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may
know the truth of all things.” - Moroni 10:4-5
Christian Hess
2
What is priesthood?
3
“Perhaps it may make some of “The Priesthood of God is the great,
you stumble, were I to ask you a supreme, legal authority that governs
question, ‘Does a man’s being a the inhabitants of all redeemed and
prophet in this Church prove that he glorified worlds. In it is included all
shall be the president of it?’ I answer, power to create worlds, to ordain
‘No!’ A man may be a prophet, fixed and permanent laws for the
seer, and revelator, and it may have regulation of the materials in all their
nothing to do with his being the varied operations, whether acting as
President of the Church. Suffice it to particles, as masses, as worlds, or as
say, that Joseph was the President clusters of worlds. It is that power that
of the Church, as long as he lived, formed the minerals, the vegetables,
the people chose to have it so. He and the animals in all their infinite
always filled that responsible station varieties which exist upon our globe.”
by the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE. Can Orson Pratt, The Seer p.145
you find any revelation appointing
him the President of the Church? THE
“The Aaronic Priesthood entitles
KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD were
us to the ministering of angels. And
committed to Joseph, to build up the
if we were to magnify it through the
Kingdom of God on the earth and
responsibilities that we ought to,
were not to be taken from him in time
we could have instruction from the
or in eternity; but when he was called
Lord through them. But those who
to preside over the Church. It was by
hold the Melchizedek Priesthood
the voice of the people, though he
and stand in their office, magnifying
held THE KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
their responsibilities, have the
INDEPENDENT of their voice.
positive promise from God many
times in ancient days and in our time
Joseph was ordained an apostle —
now, that if they call upon His name
this you can read and understand.
and seek His face and keep His
After he was ordained to this office,
commandments, that they shall see
then he had the right to organize
Him and know that He is.”
and build up the kingdom of God,
Rulon C. Allred, ToK 1:341.
for he had committed unto him the
keys of the priesthood, which is after
the order of Melchizedek — the high “The power of the Melchizedek
priesthood, which is after the order Priesthood is to have the power
of the Son of God. Could he have of endless lives; ... Those holding
built up the Kingdom of God, without the fullness of the Melchizedek
first being an apostle? No, he never Priesthood are kings and priests
could. All the priesthood, all the keys, of the Most High God, holding the
all the gifts, all the endowments, and keys of power and blessings. In fact,
everything preparatory to entering that priesthood is a perfect law of
into the presence of the Father theocracy and stands as God to give
and of the Son, are in, composed laws to the people, administering
of, circumscribed by, or I might say endless lives to the sons and
incorporated with the circumference daughters of Adam.”
of the apostleship.” Joseph Smith, HC 5:554-555
Brigham Young, JD 1:133-135
4
Articles
OF faith
By Jose ph Smith
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Fa- 9. We believe all that God has re-
ther, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and vealed, all that He does now reveal,
in the Holy Ghost. and we believe that He will yet reveal
many great and important things per-
2. We believe that men will be pun- taining to the Kingdom of God.
ished for their own sins, and not for
Adam’s transgression. 10. We believe in the literal gathering
of Israel and in the restoration of the
3. We believe that through the Atone- Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jeru-
ment of Christ, all mankind may be salem) will be built upon the American
saved, by obedience to the laws and continent; that Christ will reign person-
ordinances of the Gospel. ally upon the earth; and that the earth
will be renewed and receive its paradi-
4. We believe that the first principles siacal glory.
and ordinances of the Gospel are: first,
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, 11. We claim the privilege of worship-
Repentance; third, Baptism by immer- ing Almighty God according to the
sion for the remission of sins; fourth, dictates of our own conscience, and
Laying on of hands for the gift of the allow all men the same privilege, let
Holy Ghost. them worship how, where, or what
they may.
5. We believe that a man must be
called of God, by prophecy, and by the 12. We believe in being subject to
laying on of hands by those who are kings, presidents, rulers, and magis-
in authority, to preach the Gospel and trates, in obeying, honoring, and sus-
administer in the ordinances thereof. taining the law.
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purposely obey a law unless you know what the law is. Thus,
achieving a goal is impossible without knowledge of the laws.
2 Nephi 2:27, 32:7; Matthew 7:13-14, 25:14-29; Moroni 7:15-19; Alma 41, 3 Ne.
14:13; D&C 132:21-22, 93:31-32, 39, 95:5-6, 76:75, 130:21; JD 23:63; Moses 4;
H. Verlan Andersen, Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen.
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Dress & Appearance
9
As a son or daughter of God you should never pierce or tattoo
your body, they are temples and should be treated as such. You
would never desecrate the temple and should reverence your
body with the same respect. Becoming temple-minded requires
an outward expression as much as an inward. This also means you
should present your hair in a clean and trimmed manner, free from
unnatural or extreme coloring. Your body should be kept in a clean
and hygienic condition, bathe regularly and wear clean clothes. As
you work to keep your temple clean on the outside, think about
what changes you can make on the inside.
10
Education
There are no people upon the face of the earth
who need and who can find use for education to
the extent that the Latter-day Saint can.
George Q. Cannon
• faith in God
• faith that you can commune with God
• faith in the scriptures handed down to us by
the ancient servants of God
• faith that the practice of gospel principles will
lay the foundation of a higher form of living
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Entertainment & MEdia
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2
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might lead you away from addressing your true needs.
How much is the right amount?
Some media is educational or instructional, meant to make you
a more productive individual. These can strengthen your life, but
even too much of that can lead to a place of ‘ever learning, and
never coming to a knowledge of the truth,’ or it can distract you
from actually doing good and leave you only learning about good.
Overindulgence of any kind is detrimental.
What media are you involved in? How does that media affect
your thoughts and actions?
Moroni 10:30; D&C 121:45; Colossians 3:2; Proverbs 15:24; Ephesians 1:18
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Family
When God sets up any portion of His kingdom upon the earth, it is
patterned after His own order in the heavens. When He gives to man a
pattern of family organization on the earth, that pattern will be just like
His own family organization in the heavens. The family of Abraham
was a transcript of a celestial pattern…And why did God approve of
it? Because it is the only order in the celestial heavens, and the only
peaceful, united and prosperous order, that will endure.
Orson Spencer
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Your family should be an organization of peace and order. Each
member has a role with callings and responsibilities. Strong, united
families have an established family government in which every
member strives to understand and magnify their individual roles.
Your first role will be that of a child. As such, you should honor
and obey your parents in their role of authority over you. Have
confidence in their efforts to teach, support, and prepare you for
adulthood and future callings. Their actions are motivated by love
and a desire to help you return to the presence of your Father in
Heaven.
Within your family you are taught faith in Jesus Christ and the plan
of salvation. You are shown obedience to the laws and principles of
the gospel, and you will be guided through the steps of repentance
when necessary. You should receive and cultivate the gift of the
Holy Ghost. You should be an example of honesty, virtue and honor.
You should uphold the standards of the priesthood in your home.
You should be a positive influence in every situation in which you
find yourself. To deepen the influence of these teachings, read,
study, and pray that these principles will become written upon your
heart.
Ephesians 6:1-3, 5:21-33; Proverbs 15:5, 17:22; Matthew 22:37-40; Joseph W. Musser,
Celestial or Plural Marriage: The Mormon Marriage System p.145-146; Rulon C. Allred,
ToK 1:228,326, 2:172-173, 234
17
Friendship
are :
THE Two greatest commandments are:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
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friendship. Share His love with others and be a true friend. “As ye
have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me.”
With close friends you talk, listen, laugh, and cry together. Because
of shared trust, you have the power to influence each other’s hearts
for good. In genuine friendships there will be times that you must
speak the truth in love to help a friend repent, repair, or reconcile.
When you choose a friend, consider the effect they might have
on you. What kinds of spirits, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
will they inspire in you? You should continually evaluate the friends
you have, keeping these things in mind. If you need to step back
from a relationship, do not give up on that person, instead you can
pray for them. Encourage them. Be a positive influence, even while
limiting their influence on you. Charles Wesley said, “Come on dear
brother, since the war is past, for friends at first are friends again at
last.” You should likewise evaluate yourself. How will I affect others?
Am I a true friend?
A true friend will be striving for the pure Love of Christ. A true
friend:
- endures with patience and serenity
- is kind and thoughtful
- is not jealous or envious
- is not proud, boastful, or arrogant
- is not rude
- is not self-seeking
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- is not provoked (nor overly sensitive and easily angered)
- does not take into account a wrong endured
- does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth
(when right and truth prevail)
- bears all things (regardless of what comes)
- believes all things (looking for the best in each one)
- hopes all things (remaining steadfast during difficult times)
- endures all things (without weakening)
- never fails (never fades nor ends)
Matthew 22:37-40; TPJS p. 316; Joseph Smith History 1:28; Proverbs 18:24
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Gratitude
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If you desire to be at peace and truly happy — the exact opposite
of being discouraged — you must yield your heart to God. This
will give you contentment and fill you with joy and consolation.
Gratitude is part of yielding your heart to God. By practicing an
attitude of gratitude, you can look at the beautiful world around
you with an eye of appreciation. You can see God’s marvelous
handiwork and breathe thanksgiving for the gift of life! Look at
the people you rub shoulders with and have appreciation for
where they are. Have more empathy and compassion regardless
of the weaknesses they might have, knowing that you have your
own weaknesses. It is through God’s mercy and love for us that
He gives us such opportunities to become strong! Be grateful for
every chance to grow and learn.
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Honesty & Integrity
Are you honest? Do you make decisions that will sow integrity
into your character?
D&C 98: 10-11; 1 Kings 9:4; Article of Faith 13; Alma 27:27; Job 2:3; ToK 2:148-150
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Language
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1-13
And I, God, said; Let there be light; and there was light.
Moses 2:3-31
Do not speak guile and avoid gossip. You can never take back
words you have spoken. Do not be tempted to join in the harsh
or hurtful things you hear. Do not put people down or mock them,
even if it is joking. If you are tempted, it is better to leave things
unsaid. Instead, choose the higher road and make the conversation
complimentary. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Be willing to
remove yourself if there is inappropriate talking around you.
The holy name of God is misused every day in our society. That is
a sin. The names of our Lord, Jesus Christ and our God, Heavenly
Father should only be used with the utmost reverence and respect.
Even the Savior spoke respectfully whenever He spoke to or about
His Father.
The words you speak reflect the spirit you are carrying. What do
your words say about you?
1 Peter 3:10; Exodus 20:7; Mosiah 4:30; James 3:2-13; Matthew 6:9-12; John 11:41-42
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Music & Dancing
Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing.
D&C 136:28
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caution when using earphones. Using them can be a courteous
gesture to keep from bothering those around you or using them
can be rude to those who are trying to interact with you. It can be
very easy to tune out your loved ones and the Holy Ghost if used
in excess.
Courtships should not be taken lightly, and you should have a goal
of being sealed by the Holy Priesthood in the temple of our God.
This requires a temple-minded courtship with mutually agreed upon
standards by which you will conduct yourself, all the while limiting
potential unnecessary temptations.
Definitions
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Step 2: Ask your parents. Talk to them about your experience in
receiving an answer or personal revelation from the Lord. Tell them
what impressed you about this person. Ask them to pray with you
for an answer about your decision. If the answer is ‘yes’ proceed to
step 3.
At this point the member of the Council may offer one of the
following:
*He may give his blessing and instruct you to approach the
parents of the person you are asking about directly to let them
know your intentions. (Let the parents know you have completed
the steps above.) If the answer is ‘yes’ proceed to step 4.
*He may want to speak directly with the parents of the
person you are asking about and return to you with an answer. If
the answer is ‘yes’ proceed to step 5.
Parents may ask: Do you serve God? Are you interested in the
gospel and your eternal future, or just interested in having fun?
Why are you asking? Are you keeping the commandments? Have
you kept yourselves clean? Are you in good standing? Have you
followed the proper steps for asking? Do you pay tithing? Do you
attend your meetings? Do you have a recommend?
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Step 4b: When asking about a married man:
Ask the man. After receiving permission from a Council member,
you may approach the man and express your intentions. Or you
may also have a Council member or your father speak to him first. If
the answer is ‘yes’ proceed to step 5.
Step 5: Talk to the person. Bear your testimony of the gospel. Let
the Spirit of God direct the interaction.
If the answer is ‘no’ after or during any one of these steps, drop
the matter and return and report to the previous parties involved,
informing them of the answer you received.
Courting
Now you have permission. For what? Are you married? Not yet! Do
you act like you are married? Not yet! Do you know each other? Not
yet, at least not that well.
Set guidelines and ground rules you are both willing to abide by.
Parents from both parties will/may also be involved in this step with
standards and ground rules of their own. Guidelines may concern
curfews, media and entertainment, and when it will be appropriate
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for unchaperoned outings and dates. Lengthy courtships, especially
in plural situations, often prove to be strenuous and challenging, but
they will always depend on personal circumstances.
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Your responsibility when you are asked about
• Take it very seriously — someone has taken the time and
effort to go through all the proper steps.
• Fast and pray, make it a priority to get an answer. Do not
leave someone waiting for an unnecessary length of time, but do
not feel manipulated or rushed either. This is an important decision,
an eternal one.
• Get the will of God for you directly. You may not receive a
testimony initially. You may only get confirmation to move forward
to the next step in faith not knowing how it will turn out. This is
different from courting for fun just to see if you are ‘compatible’
with the other person. Courting is not a game. It should be done with
consideration of marriage.
• Counsel with your parents.
• Keep a confidence. Be courteous and kind, even if it does
not work out.
• Be respectful. Do not gossip about the person, situation, or
parties involved with your family and friends.
*Once you have been courting, you may ask for revelation
concerning marriage. Ask God for His blessing before taking the
next step.
Marriage
• your thoughts
• your health
• your capacity to choose right and wrong
• your ability to discern truth
• your capacity to feel eternal love
When you choose virtue to rule your thoughts and beauty to fill
your eyes, you enhance that gift and plant it deep within your soul.
This secures you the right to companions with sterling character.
It makes you worthy to exchange eternal vows that produce
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kingdoms, powers,
glories, and posterity
without end.
Do you feel the value of your virtue? Do you protect your virtue
and the virtue of others?
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Repentance
Faith in God and Jesus To become free from sin, you must turn
to Heavenly Father, pray in faith, and act as commanded. The
adversary will discourage you to pray and teaches that God will
not hear your prayers. This is a lie. Your Father in Heaven is always
there if you go with a repentant heart. He has the power to forgive
and aid you in the triumph over sin. Repentance is an action of faith
—an acknowledgment of the power in the atonement. Forgiveness
comes in accepting the cleansing power of the atonement.
Faithful Living Once you have a repentant soul you will fill your
life with righteousness and engage in activities that bring spiritual
power. Immerse yourself daily in scripture and pray for the Lord
to give you strength. Obedience brings the power of the gospel
into your life, including strength to overcome weaknesses. This
obedience includes actions you might not initially consider part
of repentance, such as attending meetings, paying tithing, and
forgiving others. The Lord promised, “He that repents and does
the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.”
Have you been spiritually born of God? Do you feel like singing
the song of redeeming love? Do you feel His image engraven in
your countenance?
Alma 11:37, 34:17; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 1:18; D&C 1:32, 58:42-
43
The Lord has set for you a pattern, one that the Gods live by.
Do all your labors on the first six days of the week and the seventh
is a day of rest. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.
The Sabbath day is a holy day, a day in which you are commanded
to:
• rest from your labors
• refrain from buying and selling
• refrain from entertainment and recreation
• meet and worship together
• fast and pray
• offer up sacraments
Invest yourself in keeping the Sabbath day holy. Make every effort
to be on time for your meetings. Keep a spirit of reverence and
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observe the commandments of the Lord.
The Sabbath is also well spent in fellowship with your family and
your brothers and sisters in the gospel. You should speak with one
another concerning the welfare of your souls and feast upon the
word of God. Devote yourself to prayer, fasting, and visiting the
sick.
Your focus should be upon the Lord on His day. Faithful Sabbath
observance will help keep you unspotted from the world.
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Service
If you truly love Him, you will serve Him, and your life will become
one of service. This is a call to you regardless of your rank and
position in the world. When you love Christ, you will live your life as
He did. You will clothe the naked, feed the hungry, bless the poor,
and heal the sick. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
It was not just His atonement that was redemptive. There was
redemption in every act of His service and love. When you become
a true disciple of Jesus Christ, your belief in Him is proved through
your actions. Your faith is alive through your works of service. This
will take on redemptive power not only on behalf of those you serve,
but for yourself as you lay up treasure in heaven. “Wherefore, be
faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor
the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the
feeble knees.”
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“If you truly love
Him, you will
serve Him, and
your life will
become one of
service.”
There are many ways you can serve others in your life. Holding the
door open for others, speaking a kind word, saying a prayer, giving
to others, being a friend, attending your meetings, participating in
work projects, etc. There is no act of service that is too big or too
small; after all the Savior gave His life in service to His Father and
to you. Do your best to be in tune with the Holy Spirit that you can
discern where your Father in Heaven needs you to serve. When
you feel prompted and have the desire to serve fill your bosom,
then you are called to the work. Thrust in your sickle and embark
in the service of God.
Matthew 16:25, 20:27; Galatians 5:13; John14:21; Mosiah 4:14-15, 26; Luke 22:7;
D&C 4:3, 81:5
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Tithing & Consecration
Malachi 3:10
In 1838, the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the
law of tithing. This commanded that you should pay 10% of what is
given to you. “And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my
people. And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay
one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing
law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.”
The Lord also says that if you do not pay your tithing, you will not
be able to live in Zion. What greater blessing could there be than
to live in a land where peace reigns and everyone has their needs
met? You might ask, “Why does He require this of me, everything
already belongs to Him?” Or you might think that the Lord does not
need what you have, and you would be right; He does not need it.
You can build the kingdom of God by giving freely of your substance.
This includes more than just your money. You can also build the
kingdom by performing labors as a tithe of your time.
“You can tithe almost anything, and you will be blessed for it.”
Consider the parable of the talents. What you have been blessed
with was not meant to be “hid up in the earth.” The Master of the
vineyard expects you to use that which has been given to you to
bless the lives of others.
Do you offer an honest tithe? Do you tithe your time? How are
you building the kingdom?
Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:8-9; D&C 119:6, 64:23; Genesis 14:20; Numbers 18:21–28
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Word of Wisdom
All through time, the Lord has given instructions to His people
concerning proper dietary habits. From the Garden of Eden to
Daniel to the children of Israel, God has always placed importance
on the food His people consume as they carry out His purposes.
The care of your body is a sacred duty. If you are a temple of God,
everything you allow into your body must be fitting for a temple.
You become hungry every few hours and must eat regularly for
your body to function properly. This recurring need for nourishment
shows that the things you put in your body are important and
intended by the Lord to serve you. They have a direct effect upon
your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The Prophet Joseph taught that knowledge is power – wisdom is
more than that. Wisdom implies the proper use of knowledge. The
Word of Wisdom, as given in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89,
promises you both wisdom and knowledge if you are obedient to
its teaching, which is the Lord’s will. You show not only a willing
heart to obey your Father, but you will be blessed with a body
equal to the work He has for you.
Outlined in the Word of Wisdom are instructions that can be
separated into four basic principles:
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vine, of your own make. And, again, strong drinks are not for the
belly, but for the washing of your bodies. And again, tobacco is
not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but
is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment
and skill. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. And
again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained
for the constitution, nature, and use of man — Every herb in the
season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to
be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord,
have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless
they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they
should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the
staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and
the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the
earth; And these hath God made for the use of man only in times
of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of
man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether
in the ground or above the ground — Nevertheless, wheat for man,
and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls
and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all
useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings,
walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in
their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and
great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall
run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord,
give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by
them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them, Amen.
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Work & Self Reliance
Before the world was, there was work. Work is not a curse from
the fall, but an act of creation itself. The opening verses in the Bible
show us God working, and what He is working for. There are some
lessons to learn from the creation story:
• His work is endless; He labors every day and rests on the
Sabbath.
• He finishes the task at hand.
• He inspects His work, and He is able to say, “It is good.”
Your Father in
Heaven placed man
and woman on the
earth and gave them
the responsibility
to perform a good
labor. Responsibilities
that give you the first
picture of what it is to
be like God Himself;
one who creates, one
who builds, one who
works. In Hebrew,
work is “avodah.” This
is the same word that
is used for worship.
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in the garden of Eden to work (avodah) it and keep it.”
“Choose ye this day whom you will serve … but as for me and my
house, we will serve (avodah) the Lord.”
You may think of worship, not work, as a religious act. The Israelites
did not divide work and worship. Work was to be done daily and
worship on Sunday. Honorable work is the opportunity to worship
God. Pulling weeds, attending church, making dinner, cleaning
house, setting up chairs, babysitting, reading your scriptures,
pounding nails, participating in a work project, or saying your
prayers can be a continuous act of worship.
Colossians 3:22-24; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 18:9, 13:4, 12:24,
14:23; John 5:17, 6:27; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 25:40; Moses 1:4
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faith: Doubt Not,
Fear Not
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
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If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
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To step forward with faith, remember these admonitions:
I wonder what they are thinking today. And yet we still have the
responsibility, dear ones, to sanctify our lives, to purify our lives in
the face of all this wickedness that is before our eyes and before
our ears almost every day, unless we are sheltered. And some of us,
I’m sure, are more sheltered than others… I can tell you, dear ones,
that the Lord will allow us to have our temptations. He will allow us
to go through what we can bear, and knowing our loving Heavenly
Father, he won’t give us any more than we can bear, if...IF we will
trust in him, if we will be prayerful, if we will live up to the gospel
of Jesus Christ that we understand, if we will seek his Holy Spirit
and abide by the whisperings thereof. But sometimes we freely
give way to the pressures and the carnal desires that are in every
one of us. And I think many times, dear ones, that Heavenly Father
leaves us, to some degree, but not entirely because we can’t be
without excuse. He won’t allow us to be without excuse, and will
strive with us, bear with us far more than we realize, far more than
we give him credit…God bless us to do it and improve every facet of
our lives. It is our job, dear ones, as was stated this morning. God
expects us to raise the bar, to be better and better and better so
that he can call us to receive all of the ordinances of the House of
God. That’s what he expects. It’s a broad statement and I don’t
want to be specific at this time, but that is what is expected of you
and me.
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personal notes:
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