Mar 7th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
Our capacity to forgive is linked to our capacity to love; and our capacity to love is linked to our capacity to become like God. Perhaps more than any other virtue, forgiveness—our willingness to thoroughly and “frankly forgive,”[i] as did Nephi—demonstrates redeeming, reconciling, Christlike love. Continue Reading »
Posted in Deliverance, Forgiveness, Offense, Patience, Rescuing Wayward Children | No Comments »
Mar 1st, 2010 by larrybarkdull
If Zion is “the highest order of priesthood society,”[i] we can be assured that priesthood authority and power will bring Zion about. Every priesthood holder, therefore, would do well to learn his priesthood duty, as it pertains to the establishment of Zion, and do his best to advance this magnificent cause. Continue Reading »
Posted in Premortal Life, Priesthood, Redemption, Zion | 2 Comments »
Feb 20th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
During our thirty-eight years of marriage, we have experienced long seasons of distress when no sign of relief was in sight. Looking back, we have wondered how we ever survived such times. My wife and I adopted a standing joke that we told each other on Thursdays, as we wheeled the garbage cans to the edge of the road. “Well, we made it to another garbage day!” Continue Reading »
Posted in Adversity, Deliverance, Endure to the End, Patience, Purpose of Life | 3 Comments »
Feb 4th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
Imagine a world in which there is no poverty of any kind—neither the impoverishment of financial distress, ignorance, relationship problems, nor emotional, physical or spiritual health. Amazingly, a few civilizations achieved this ideal by applying to a higher law. Continue Reading »
Posted in Caring for the Poor, Consecration, Zion, Zion--Characteristics | No Comments »
Jan 25th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
Elder Neal A. Maxwell wrote, “Apparently it is necessary for us on occasion to be brought to a white-knuckles point of anxiety so as to be reminded, when rescued, of who our Rescuer is!”[i] Continue Reading »
Posted in Endure to the End, Rescuing Wayward Children | 2 Comments »
Jan 21st, 2010 by larrybarkdull
The sum of sacred covenants and ordinances coupled with life’s experiences help served to create in us a new and pure heart, one that has “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”[i] There remains but one essential step to regain the presence of the Lord: taking upon us fully the name of Jesus Christ. By fully taking upon us the Lord’s name we approach the ideal of Zion. Continue Reading »
Posted in Covenants, Gospel Definitions, Name of Jesus Christ, Zion, Zion--Characteristics | No Comments »
Jan 13th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
Sometimes we do things so often that they become commonplace and lose significance in our lives. The sacrament is a case in point. But worthily partaken of and understood, the sacrament can serve to sanctify and empower us so that we might better rescue wayward souls. Continue Reading »
Posted in Covenants, Holy Ghost, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sacrament | 1 Comment »
Jan 5th, 2010 by larrybarkdull
Frustrated with the Saints’ apathy towards becoming Zion people, Brigham Young said, [We] have been praying to the Lord for…years for that which we might have received in one year.” Was the prophet exaggerating, throwing out a figure on a whim? Do prophets stoop to such tactics when exhorting their people? Were it not for the account in 3rd Nephi, we might discount President Young’s preparatory “year” as optimistic at best. Continue Reading »
Posted in Contention, Zion, Zion--Characteristics | No Comments »
Dec 28th, 2009 by larrybarkdull
In the autumn of 1941, Avilda Curtis received an unexpected gift. Continue Reading »
Posted in Character of God, Charity & Charitable Service, Faith, Miracles | 1 Comment »
Dec 17th, 2009 by larrybarkdull
What would it have been like to have been an eyewitness of the Savior’s birth? What would the shepherds have seen and experienced? Through the eyes of Joshua, a shepherd, this first-person narrative attempts to describe the extraordinary events that took place that first Christmas eve. Continue Reading »
Posted in Angels, Christmas | 1 Comment »