Mormon Musings

If I were to read, much less answer, all the attacks made upon me, this shop might as well close for any other business.  I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.  If the end brings me out right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.  If the end brings me out wrong, ten thousand angels swearing I was right would make no difference. Abraham Lincoln

True faith is not to be brought about by overwhelming and intimidating intervention from God...The Lord is a shepherd with a "mild" and "pleasant" voice--not a shouting and scolding sheepherder.  Those who demand a "voiceprint" of the "voice of the Lord" probably would not like His doctrines anyway.  The things of the spirit are to be "sought by faith"; they are not to be seen through slit-eyed skepticism. Neal A. Maxwell, " Not My Will, but Thine " p. 35

here is a wonderful message from President Hinckley: http://lds.org/broadcast/ces090901/transcript/0,11006,566,00.html

“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. “But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. “No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.” Joseph B. Wirthlin ,  "Dark Friday, Bright Sunday," New Era, Mar. 2008, 4

Complete honesty is necessary for our salvation. President Brigham Young said, “If we accept salvation on the terms it is offered to us, we have got to be honest in every thought, in our reflections, in our meditations, in our private circles, in our deals, in our declarations, and in every act of our lives”  (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 293).

whether you've never heard/read it, or have it memorized, its worth another read/listen: http://lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come?lang=eng

"Satan would diminish your faith and dilute your priesthood power to work mighty miracles, but a loving Heavenly Father has provided you with providential protection--the gift of the Holy Ghost. In the first chapter of the Book of Mormon we learn that as Lehi read the scriptures 'he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord' (1 Ne. 1:8-12). Nephi later promises us that as we 'feast upon the words of Christ . . . the words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do' (2 Ne. 32:3). "You may be facing decisions regarding a mission, your future career, and, eventually, marriage. As you read the scriptures and pray for direction, you may not actually see the answer in the form of printed words on the page, but as you read you will receive distinct impressions, and promptings, and, as promised, the Holy Ghost 'will show unto you all things what ye should do' (2 Ne. 32:5)." Spencer J. Condie ,  "Becoming a Great Benefit to Our Fellow Being