"Israel, Israel, God Is Calling"

     So the next talk I have decided to share is another talk by Jeffrey R. Holland called, "Israel, Israel, God Is Calling."
     It begins by talking about how "Israel’s history down through the ages [was that] when things got too sinful...the children of the covenant would be sent fleeing into the wilderness to reestablish Zion and start all over again. He then goes on to say "one thing that has changed is that the Church of God will never again flee." As Brigham Young said, "We have been kicked out of the frying-pan into the fire, out of the fire into the middle of the floor, and here we are and here we will stay." "We no longer think of Zion as where we are going to live; we think of it as how we are going to live." He gives us three lessons for the establishment of Zion.
     I will share with you the first example he gives of some very poor sportsmanship, to say so lightly, at a basketball game, and you can read the talk to find the other two. After this game "what was said and done and showered upon [a young basketball player] that night, and on his wife and their families, should not have been experienced by any human being anywhere anytime..." In a later event one young man said "Listen. We are talking about basketball here, not Sunday School. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We pay good money to see these games. We can act the way we want. We check our religion at the door." He then replies to that story with, "'We check our religion at the door'? Lesson number one for the establishment of Zion in the 21st century: You never 'check your religion at the door.' Not ever." This is not the what we should be catching ourselves doing ever. We are to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. If there is anything we need to make sure we are doing, it is standing as a witnesses of God, even if we are the only one. Before you make any rash decisions, stop and think, "Would I be comfortable if God caught me doing this?"

Modesty

     My last post was mostly directed towards the men so this one is directed mainly towards the women. Why is it so important to be modest? I don't believe women understand the influence they can have over a man just by the things they wear. I would like to start off with an address that an Apostle of the Lord gave to use.
     "Worldly trends in women's fashion are always inviting extremes. With their latest styles many fashion designers appear to be trying to make two or three dresses out of the amount of fabric necessary for one. Mostly, they are taking too much off the top and too much off the bottom of women's clothing, and occasionally they scrimp in the middle too." -L. Tom Perry (Nov. 2008 Ensign, Let Him Do It with Simplicity.)
     The world's changing morals are spinning out of control as to where the general opinion seems to be the less you are wearing the "hotter" you are. I would love to tell y'all the coined phrase "modest is hottest," but it is unfortunately not always viewed that way. The fact of the matter is that men are naturally attracted to what women have and vice versa. The more that women show generally the more men are attracted. My message to all is to dress modest and help us all out in being virtuous. It is so important to be modest because it shows the respect you have for others as well as yourself.
     It continues, "Many of you are trying too hard to be unique in your dress and grooming to attract what the Lord would consider the wrong kind of attention. In the Book of Mormon story of the tree of life, it was the people whose 'manner of dress was exceedingly fine' who mocked those who partook of the fruit of the tree. It is sobering to realize that the fashion-conscious mockers in the great and spacious building were responsible for embarrassing many, and those who were ashamed 'fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.'"
     Are you one of those "fashion-conscious mockers in the great and spacious building [whom] were responsible for embarrassing many?" I am in no way saying that being fashion-conscious is a bad thing. However, I am saying it is not okay to not accept or even make fun of those who are not as fashion-conscious as you may be. Everyone is different and we should accept all for how they are. Let us not be too caught up in our pride to disassociate ourselves from those who may be less fortunate.

"Leave It Alone"

     I want to talk a little bit about an article I was reading that struck me as important to write about; it was called "Leave It Alone." I am not sure why I felt it was important, but I did so hopefully it touches and helps someone.

     I would like to start off with a little excerpt. "I plead with you to leave it alone. Stay away from any movie, video, publication, or music—regardless of its rating—where illicit behavior and expressions are part of the action. Have the courage to turn it off in your living room. Throw the tapes and the publications in the garbage can, for that is where we keep garbage."

     My advice to all would be "Don't Start!" However, if you already have, "Stop It!" The path it takes you on is not worth it. People may think they are casually watching and listening to this type of so-called entertainment. They think they are spiritually strong and will be immune to its influence. They do not realize that they are trapped or else soon will be. It will relieve you from the troubles of your day and it will give you immediate pleasure. In reality, it is only relieving you of your spirituality and your capacity to draw on the powers of heaven in times of need. The consequences are eternal. "Satan has slyly and slowly lowered the social norms of morality to a tragic and destructive level." I plead with y'all to not let this spiritually destructive disease get you. Avoid it like the plague, for it is just as destructive.

     "The secret to cleansing our spirit of whatever the impurity is not very complicated. It begins with sincere, heartfelt prayer every morning and ends with prayer every night. This is the most important step I know in the cleansing process. It may simply be a prayer for strength to turn from bad habits, or a prayer that sin will be distasteful to you.

     Meanwhile, remember that not all prayers are answered the same day or even the next day. Sometimes it takes a long time. If you have tried and have given up, I plead with you to try again and again and again. Our Heavenly Father will not forsake your efforts if you persist.
     The second step in this plan of attack is to gain an added measure of spiritual strength through a daily study of the scriptures. Your study need not be long, but it should be every day. If I were you, I would read the scriptures tonight and never let a day pass without reading in them, even if only for a few minutes. The scriptures assist us to overpower darkness with light.
     The third step that I would counsel is: when necessary, receive the blessing that comes in the confession process. Too many are harboring the inner feeling of guilt resulting from unrepented mistakes. Part of the repentance process is confession. If you happen to be one of those who has this need, I plead with you to go see your bishop before the sun sets tomorrow."

     I know that this is inspired of God. We have no need to let this destructive enemy get us. If you are in this trap, I plead with you to get help. The lack of the Spirit in your life is too great a price.

Virtue

     "The mind is like a stage. Except when we are asleep the curtain is always up. There is always some act being performed on that stage. It may be a comedy, a tragedy, interesting or dull, good or bad; but always there is some act playing on the stage of the mind.
     Have you noticed that without any real intent on your part, in the middle of almost any performance, a shady little thought may creep in from the wings and attract your attention? These delinquent thoughts will try to upstage everybody.
     If you permit them to go on, all thoughts of any virtue will leave the stage. You will be left, because you consented to it, to the influence of unrighteous thoughts.
     If you yield to them, they will enact for you on the stage of your mind anything to the limits of your toleration. They may enact a theme of bitterness, jealousy, or hatred. It may be vulgar, immoral, even depraved.
     When they have the stage, if you let them, they will devise the most clever persuasions to hold your attention. They can make it interesting all right, even convince you that it is innocent—for they are but thoughts.
     What do you do at a time like that, when the stage of your mind is commandeered by the imps of unclean thinking?—whether they be the gray ones that seem almost clean or the filthy ones which leave no room for doubt.
     If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits. If you can learn to master them you will have a happy life." -Boyd K Packer (January 1974 Ensign, Inspiring Music—Worthy Thoughts.)

     What is Virtue? Virtue begins in our innermost thoughts and desires. "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45.) To me, virtue is equivalent to righteousness. Someone who has virtue focuses on wholesome, uplifting thoughts and drives wicked thoughts from their mind. Virtuous people obey all of God's commandments. They watch themselves and avoid sin at all costs. They keep themselves clean and pure spiritually; unspotted from the world. If a virtuous person commits sin, they repent of it quickly. What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue.

     Living a virtuous life brings a multitude of blessings. You will find yourself receiving guidance from the Holy Ghost on a daily, even hourly basis because you will always be worthy to receive such inspiration. You will have peace of mind and a better standing with God. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father will become. intimately close. Other people will be inspired by your righteous example as a disciple of Christ.