8 Topics and Quotes
Equality
“Our Father in Heaven
loves all of His children equally, perfectly, and infinitely. His love is no
different for His daughters than for His sons.” –Elder Ballard,
General Relief Society Meeting, 1993.
“Even though men and
women are equal before God in their eternal opportunities, they have different,
but equally significant, duties in His eternal plan. We must understand that
God views all of His children with infinite wisdom and perfect fairness.
Consequently, He can acknowledge and even encourage our differences while
providing equal opportunity for growth and development.” –Elder
Ballard, General Relief Society Meeting, 1993.
The Apostle Paul
taught that “neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man,
in the Lord” 1 Corinthians 11:11
“Both parents should
be involved in the care and discipline of children. It is important to agree on
family goals and be willing to work toward them with their children. If parents
are not in harmony and do not have mutual respect, the children may become
confused and lose confidence in their parents.” http://www.mormon.org/faq/topic/family
“That your may be
equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea and earthly things also, for the obtaining
of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be
equal in obtaining heavenly things.” Doctrine and Covenants 78:5-6
“But by an equality,
that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their
abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:14
“Appoint among
yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak
at a time, and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken all
may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.” Doctrine
and Covenants 88:122
Equality
is a rising topic that can easily be misconstrued. I believe the Lord intends
for men and women to be equal, in that they each have responsibilities, some of
which might be different. A man is not above a woman, neither is a woman above
a man. I do believe that everyone should be treated equally regardless of his
or her skin color, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Unfortunately there is a
great deal of inequality throughout the world. The question is, what can
individuals do to promote equality? I believe it starts with being informed,
exposed, and having a Christ-like manner.
Finances
Another topic I have been researching is
finances. The Gospel is replete with suggestions and ideologies on how we
should control our finances in order to live within our means and provide for
our families. The following are quotes from Prophets, scriptures and others
leaders of the church on personal finances.
“But behold, my son,
this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall
keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know
also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut
off from his presence.” –Alma 36:30
“Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room
enough to receive it.” –Malachi 3:10
“Either we control our finances or they control us.” How simple and true is this wisdom. We
can easily be bogged down by excessive debt and feel hopeless.
“Blessings that come
from sound family finances must be built on the
foundation of paying an honest tithe and giving a generous fast offering.” –Allie
Schulte, Welfare Services, June 2009.
Brothers and sisters,
what can we do to improve our family finances? May
I suggest three important keys that will help us? They are attitude,
planning, and self-discipline. –Elder M. Russel Ballard. April, 1981 General Conference
Family
The family relationships we have here on this earth are
important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families
for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity. –Elder
Robert D. Hales October, 1996 General Conference
In the Church, our
belief in the overriding importance of families is rooted in restored doctrine.
We know of the sanctity of families in both directions of our eternal
existence. We know that before this life we lived with our Heavenly Father as
part of His family, and we know that family relationships can endure beyond death. –Elder
M. Russell Ballard October, 2005 General Conference
The family is ordained of God. Marriage
between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled
to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a
mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. –
The Family: A Proclamation To the World, 1995
One
of the greatest pieces of knowledge I possess is that families are ordained of
God. I am incredibly blessed and eternally grateful to have grown up in a
loving family that has taught me most of what I know, and has been an excellent
example to me. Families are part of Heavenly Father’s plan to carry out the
plan of salvation. We can find solace and protection within the family unit. We
can find love, comfort, joy and much more within the family unit. To me, the family
is one of the biggest ways Heavenly Father shows His love for us.
Atonement
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of
your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in
sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these
things see that ye do them.
11 And again I say unto you as I have said
before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye
have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission
of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I
would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness
of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards
you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility,
calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of
that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. – Mosiah 4:10-11
25 Wherefore, may God raise you from
death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the
power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of
God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. -2
Nephi 10:25
What
can I possibly say about the Atonement that has not been said by an Apostle or Prophet?
It is the most transcending and incomprehensible occurrence and gift that has
ever or ever will take place. The blessing and comfort that come from the knowledge
that the Savior sacrificed Himself in every way so that we could be saved
leaves me speechless. I feel the Spirit testify these truths to me even as I
write this. This is how I know it’s real and that Jesus lives.
Pornography
Researchers tell us there is a mechanism in our brain called the pleasure center.
2
When activated by certain drugs or behaviors, it overpowers the
part of our brain that governs our willpower, judgment, logic, and
morality. This leads the addict to abandon what he or she knows is
right. And when that happens, the hook is set and Lucifer takes control. -Elder M. Russell Ballard October, 2010 General Conference
This Capstone Practicum has been an excellent opportunity for me to explore topics I might not have otherwise learned as much about. General Conference is a sacred and beloved experience for me and I was so happy throughout this semester to have delve into certain talks and learned the things I did. The Spirit was noticeably more abundant in our house as I partook in these assignments. I love the Apostles and know they're men of God. Their counsel is what brings me happiness. Though it is not always easy to follow, it always brings me happiness.
