Lesson for January 22, 2017

Lesson for January 22, 2017 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen on President Monson’s speech on “Principles and Promises.” It was given in the priesthood session. Kristine started the lesson by talking about the story of an LDS man who was in the Coast Guard during WWII in the Phillippines and were left to take a landing craft out to his ship that was escaping a Japanese kamikaze attack. He had to climb a rope up to the deck of his ship with a radio strapped to his back. Partway up, he was so tired he thought he would fail and die. He prayed and said he kept the Word of Wisdom and tried to do what was right. He was given strength and got to the deck. He said he was blessed. He gave thanks then and gave thanks throughout his life. In D&C 89 it says it is for the weakest of people. It also says that those who keep these commandments shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint. Other promises that follow from keeping this principle get health, wisdom, knowledge, even hidden knowledge, Reading scriptures, we can get more insights. Also, the destroying angel shall pass by them. So on average, we’ll have a longer and happier life. So the Word of Wisdom has wonderful blessings and when we follow those principles, we can be blessed. What is a principle? Bruce R. McConkie said a principle is doctrine. Some principles are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. What are some of the promises that come from these principles, Kristine asked? Faith, hope, and love give us the power to tap the power of the Atonement--to help us to get through every day, What promises do we have? Claudia Laycock said it gives us an inner peace that can be there in spite of the hardships we go through. Lisa Anderson said the and in the story had confidence in the Lord’s blessings and promises. Joanne said she married into a family of born again Christians and her brother-in-law told a story about his wife as she repented of something, but Christ said He forgets those things that have been repented of. Diana Barker said that membership in God’s church also gives us temple blessings. Lori Freytag said that when she and her family started going to church again, it brought her peace and a grounding point. Joanne said a feeling of cleanliness comes from repentance. Diana said that a friend joined the Church and felt such joy in the gospel. Emily Campbell said the proof is in the acting on the principles and she finds it interesting that people who do not understand these principles feel like it is OK to forget wrongs or sins, but don’t understand the repentance process. She said it is important to meditate or pray and write in journals. Comfort and guidance and priesthood blessings and testimony come from living these principles. We feel connected to the Lord. The Holy Ghost gives us instructions and helps us be an instrument in the hands of God. Kristine said she was going to a conference with a friend and she felt prompted to get her drivers license and ask her friend if she has her drivers license, but Kristine ignored it and her friend almost couldn’t get on the plane. Others told stories of how promptings helped them to help loved ones. It can be a sweet experience we can remember for a long time. If you get a prompting, act on it, even if it doesn’t seem to be important. Then the Lord will trust you to act on promptings. Megan Miller said that her mother always acted and she knew when Megan’s brother fell in a pond. She jumped up and said, “He fell in a pond. I have to go.” He knew his mother would go. Virginia Roundy found out about a sale she needed to go to but it was on Sunday. She fought the temptation to go and a lady her daughter babysat for called the next day and offered her some of that very thing that was needed. Tithing is a very important principle to follow. One sister said she seems to get just the right blessings by paying tithing. Kristine said her niece and husband had trouble paying their tithing. They did pay up all that was owed at the time of tithing settlement and received several blessings, including a new car from her father. Sabbath day observance is a blessing, too. One sister said that when she tried to not focus on school on Sunday and it was good to have her brain have that rest. One sister said her husband turned down a job with Disneyland so he wouldn’t have to work on Sunday. Instead, her husband had to work long hours at another job, but he knew about himself that he wouldn’t break the Sabbath. Sometimes the blessings are not immediate but we have to have patience. A principle that have a lot of promises is fasting. One of the promises is a closeness to the Spirit and good health. Our bodies need a rest from time to time, even if we do feel hungry. Kristine said she feels so good when she is fasting. If we pay our fast offerings, it blesses others. Fasting also helps us to be forgiven of our sins. It boosts our spirituality. Isaiah said it is like a watered garden that keeps giving. Elder Nelson’s recent talk about obedience to divine laws is irrefutable. Blessings are always contingent on following God’s laws. Divine laws must be followed or consequences must be paid. These principles save us from the bonds of sin. Blessings are dependable. Kristine bore her testimony that divine principles bless us.