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Message Archive
12/20/2008
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12/20/2008
Our Dear Friends of the SEM,
It is good for us at times to set the cares of the world aside and do some serious contemplation concerning the eternal verities of life. For the last few days I have tried to "sort things out", as it were. Following are some of the thoughts that have dominated my contemplative moments:
God, Elohim, is the Father of our Spirits. Obviously, we have a Heavenly Mother, also.
The Lord, Jehovah or Jesus Christ, is our Elder Brother, the First Born of the Father and is also the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. This uniquely qualified Him to be the Redeemer of all mankind, by performing the Eternal Sacrifice, which redeemed all of God's creations and more particularly redeems us from our fallen state. The atonement was the triumph over death and sin.
The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, is the testifier of all truth and the purifier of all who abide by the tenants of the Gospel as promulgated by the Savior. He ratifies all acts of authorized servants of the Godhead.
We were in the beginning with Father and participated in the Grand Council of Heaven. We opted to follow Christ, when the Great Plan of Life and Happiness was presented in the Council.
The Lord has called many special messengers in all ages to reveal His will among the children of men. It behooves us to listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost, that we might recognize truth when it is presented to us and to act thereafter with real intent to follow the direction which we receive.
We were called to be personal ambassadors of Jesus Christ in the SEM. Once called and after accepting the call, we can never set our responsibility as an ambassador aside.
Please understand that this list is not all inclusive. I have tried only to delineate our continued responsibility to work tirelessly in His service. I recently viewed, again, the "Special Witnesses of Christ". It is a video, presented by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in person. I am sure that each of you had opportunity to view it in the past. It is my suggestion that you secure the video and view it again this Christmas Season. As you know, these fifteen men are prophets, seers and revelators of Jesus Christ. We love and revere them and look to them for direction in all spiritual matters. As long as we follow their counsel with exact obedience, we will be on the Lord's side. We will then find peace in a troubled world.
I want you each to know how much our experiences with you have influenced and altered our lives. We can never be the same as we were before that opportunity of service with you.
I know that Sister Clyde joins me in these sentiments:
I know that these above statements are true. If we are faithful and endure to the end, giving our attention to following the lead of God's Prophets in these latter days, we can dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost throughout eternity, as recipients of Eternal Life. Because of His Atonement, we can be made pure by obeying the gospel principles espoused by Jesus Christ. We must honor and keep the covenants we have made for entrance into the Kingdom of God upon the earth and the covenants of exaltation made in the temples of our God. Through our faithfulness to these covenants, we can have our calling and election made sure while in this life and at the judgment day, we can stand confidently in the presence of our Savior and our Heavenly Father.
I leave you my blessing that you may ever be strengthened by the power of the Spirit, as you go forward in righteousness, giving of your means, your time, your talents, all that the Lord has provided for you, even life itself (remember that Christ gave His life to save us, however, He only expects us to give our lives in service). I further bless you that you will find peace and contentment in righteous living in troubled times, and happiness and a fullness of joy in righteous posterities.
God bless you all.
Love,
Pres. and Sister Clyde
PS: Thanks to all of you for keeping us in the loop. We love to hear about you and your families.
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