Pro Eternal Progression

🌺 Here's a beautiful miracle from the tiny island of Ofu in American Samoa. Leva’aia Levao had suffered for years with diabetes. She had lost one leg, she was completely deaf, and painful boils caused her eyes to bleed constantly. Every day was a struggle. In 2016, two missionaries felt strongly prompted to visit her. They couldn’t speak directly because she was deaf, so they showed her a picture of Jesus healing the sick and asked if she would like a blessing. She immediately said yes. They gave her a priesthood blessing and felt inspired to promise her that she would be healed by the next day. Then they walked the long, hot path back to their home, fasting and praying for her all night. The next morning when they returned, her whole family was gathered outside in amazement. Leva’aia’s eyes were completely clear. No bleeding, no boils. She could see perfectly again. That miracle touched her deeply. She asked for a Book of Mormon, read it with real desire, and received a powerful answer. With tears in her eyes she kept repeating, “E moni! E moni! E moni!” — “It’s true! It’s true! It’s true!” She and her daughter were baptized. More of her family later joined the Church, and Leva’aia went on to serve as Relief Society president on a neighboring island. Real miracles still happen today. ✨ Sources: Pacific Area Church website – Miracles in Samoa pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/miracles-in-sa…

God does not assign us to heaven or hell. President Dallin H. Oaks (@OaksDallinH) taught that Final Judgement "is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become." EVERY HUMAN BEING will be saved and resurrected through Jesus Christ. EVERY HUMAN BEING will be exalted if they choose to live by God's celestial laws. This is simple and straightforward. God honors our agency. We determine the blessings we receive through our actions. God has a place for us depending on the actions we take. The Kingdoms of Glory that God prepared for us, and Paul spoke of, is the plan that allows EVERY HUMAN BEING to receive what they choose to receive. This understanding of the after-life is far more reflective of the human experience and Jesus Christ's teachings than simply being assigned to heaven or hell based on belief alone. Listen to President Oaks explain 👇

Just just spent the last few hours swimming in black widows. Hundreds of them. Some of the biggest ones I've ever seen. You literally just have to disassociate and pretend they're not there. The joys of being a plumber.

"**IF** ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you" The Lord is instructing truth seekers how to receive revelation. Yes, the Book of Mormon is true regardless of any particular individual's sincerity or intent, but we are told in this verse that the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth of it to the truth seeker ** IF ** they sincerely desire to know and pray with intention, not just casually. Furthermore, in the previous verse the reader is told to "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men", or in other words, they must also study the Book of Mormon with gratitude if they want the power of the Holy Ghost to reveal the truth of it. Of course the Lord can answer however and to whoever He likes. Nevertheless, the counsel is to be sincere, intentional, and grateful and "he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

@mopaditi Maybe... But, truth is independent regardless of any one person’s sincerity or realm intent to know it. Read it again. Moroni is in saying in effect, “These things are true. You have to confirm it to your own soul, and to know you’re doing it right, the answer should be TRUE.”

There is a simple reason some people who read the Book of Mormon do not feel the truth of it. Recall that a crucial part of the promise of Moroni 10:3-5 is that it be read with "a sincere heart, with real intent." "It can be said about the writings of ...the Book of Mormon ...that they bring the conviction of their divinity to the heart of every one who reads them in the spirit in which they were written. Read in that spirit, they fill the soul with a sweet and heavenly joy which only the spirit of God can produce." (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 454)

@jonathanplumb Thank you for your powerful testimony.

This is historically and verifiably false. Not a SINGLE woman claimed to be a plural wife (or otherwise involved) of Joseph’s until decades after his death, when Brigham Young made being a plural wife to the prophet a mark of honor. The judge in Temple Lot even eviscerated the testimonies given to him in that case in the 1890s, pointing out that Joseph was in the prime of his life popping out babies with Emma all over, yet somehow didn’t produce a single heir through any other woman. He said if the purpose of polygamy was to increase membership, then either Joseph was just really bad at it or it never actually happened. Moreover, no modern DNA tests have been able to locate a SINGLE alleged descendant of Joseph’s from a plural marriage. Joseph also was never convicted of a crime. Having charges brought is wholly different from a conviction, especially in a country where men are INNOCENT until proven guilty. Ergo, without a guilty verdict ANYWHERE, Joseph Smith was an entirely innocent man and therefore a martyr. I find it fascinating how apostates and critics can just flat-out make up verifiable lies, and yet so many people choose to believe them without verifying just because they really REALLY want to hate Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints, and Mormonism at large. Yet in 200 years, not one thing has been able to prove the Prophet, the Church, or the Book of Mormon false. Truly fascinating.

@TruthHolder2023 @Lew541207 Thank you for your testimony

I have had the privilege of walking through, sitting in, and pondering the events that took place in this stand of trees on the border of the townships of Palmyra and Manchester, New York. It's a sacred place, and all who enter it feel the Spirit of God. While those who didn't like Joseph Smith, his family, and others who associated with them ran them out of town, they still preserved this grove of trees. In talking to a local who grew up in Palmyra and lived across the street, he told how most non-Latter-day Saints find the place special. At a time when I was having a bit of a faith crisis, I went to the grove just to walk and take some pictures. In my mind, I was expressing my doubts -- not in prayer, but just some self-conversation. As I did so, a voice came forcefully to my mind. It wasn't a harsh voice and it wasn't audible, but it wasn't my voice. The voice chastised me for my doubts, but in a loving way. It spoke to me in a vernacular that I could understand. It was the Holy Ghost testifying to me that the Father and Son did appear to Joseph Smith in that grove. Since that day, I have not doubted for one second that Joseph Smith, Jr., did in reality see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. They did in reality speak to him. In that moment, the young Joseph was transformed spiritually so that he could withstand the presence of the Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth. The Holy Ghost doesn't lead us astray, but transforms us into new beings. I know this because I am a better person for knowing. I changed my bad habits into good habits. My attitude towards others changed. Truth transforms us into better people.

@LDSquotable @NelsonRussellM I love the image that this scripture paints in my mind: Isaiah 51:11 ...the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away

Rewards for obedience to the commandments are almost beyond mortal comprehension. Here, children of the covenant become a strain of sin-resistant souls. @NelsonRussellM

@Bobby_Clayson One of the greatest prophets to walk the earth. Oh, and thanks for giving me the chance to block more anti-LDS. They always emerge from the basement lairs to mock and hate like their master Satan whenever the prophet is named.

I love Joseph Smith. He deserves to be revered.

@MattTestifies "The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.” ~President Ezra Taft Benson

A lot of people do not hate the restored gospel because they studied it too deeply. They hate it because it asks too much of their pride.

@TruthHolder2023 "The Holy Ghost not only helps us to recognize plain truth but also plain nonsense." ~ Neal A. Maxwell

Years ago, around 2018, I was asked to speak in stake conference about social media "red flags". Julie Rowe, now a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was actively leading members astray with her so-called visions and prophecies. I wouldn't call myself an expert on red flags, but the Holy Ghost is available to testify of truths. From Gospel Topics, we read: The Holy Ghost performs several vital roles in the plan of salvation. (1) He bears witness of the Father and the Son (1 Cor. 12:3; 3 Ne. 28:11; Ether 12:41). (2) He reveals the truth of all things (John 14:26; 16:13; Moro. 10:5; D&C 39:6). (3) He sanctifies those who have repented and become baptized (John 3:5; 3 Ne. 27:20; Moses 6:64–68). (4) He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (D&C 76:50–53; 132:7, 18–19, 26). We've been warned that without the constant companionship and influence of the Holy Ghost, we will be led astray. Occasionally, I read stuff here on X, and stop and say an unsolicited prayer for that brother or sister. I have no idea if they are active or not, or if the hold a recommend or not. I only know from the words they post that they are struggling. I know this because I see the red flags. If you struggle with your faith in Jesus Christ, know that there are those of who pray for you. We may only know you by a pseudonym that you use here on X, but God knows your name when we mention your X handle. I care. God cares even more.

Witness the power of the Book of Mormon in this wonderful conversion story: In the book, No More Strangers, Elder Hartmann Rector Jr. tells the conversion story of an American minister living in Uruguay. The minister, F. Woodworth Whitlock, Jr., read the Book of Mormon and explained the great impact that the words of 2 Ne 33 had upon his thinking at this important time: "[Nephi] said: 'And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.' "And that is true; that is what these words do. You can't argue that they teach anything bad. Nevertheless, to say that they're the words of Christ and 'he gave them to me' is the most daring, dangerous, damning kind of a thing to say if it's not true. You just don't serve the cause of Christ in the world by writing fictions about Jesus Christ. I couldn't believe that any honest, responsible group or church or people would put a thing like this across on the world while trying honestly to serve Jesus Christ. "In the next verse the writer of those words goes on to indicate that he understands exactly how serious it is. He says: 'And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye-for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.' "That is about the strongest thing I'd ever read in my life, because I knew there was going to be a "last day" before I ever heard of this Book of Mormon. But then in the next verse the writer said the most touching thing I'd ever read: 'And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at the great and last day.' (2 Nephi 33:10-11.) "That struck me as wonderful! I thought: 'What's wrong with that? That's absolutely right. He doesn't want me to join any 'Mormon' Church-no mention of it. Just entrance into the Father's kingdom by believing in Jesus Christ! If that isn't true the Bible's not true either, because that's all that the Bible is about.' And yet, if what I had now read was true, why in heaven's name hadn't we heard about it before? I just didn't know what to make of it! "...So I just put my doubts on the shelf as fast as they came to mind and tried to deal with what the book seemed to say. By the time I had finished reading the book I was really in turmoil about the whole thing. If it were true, I couldn't understand why all this had been kept from the world in general for so long. Yet, if it wasn't true, I didn't know what I believed. I knew that if I went to any of my colleagues in the ministry for counsel, with the best of intentions they could only say one thing... "...The next day [after a meeting with the missionaries] I went into the little chapel next door to our house, took the Bible and Book of Mormon with me, closed the door, and went up front and knelt down. Then I poured it all out to the Lord-everything that was churning inside me about the mess that I was in now, for I knew what would happen if I went ahead and was baptized. I knew it would be the end of my ministry, but I could take that. I was afraid, however, that it might also be the end of my marriage, for my wife was already extremely upset about what I'd been doing all week long...I also worried about my friends, my fellow colleagues in the ministry, and the people who believed in me.... "I poured all this out to the Lord. Then I left it with him and went back and sat down to try to think through things again. I opened up the Book of Mormon and reread the things I had underlined the first time through it to see if they still impressed me now as they did then. They did. I concluded that this book had to be true even though I couldn't explain where it came from and why we hadn't had it before. But then fear would just sweep me off my feet again... "Round and round it went like that all day long from about 7:00 A.M. until toward 6:00 P.M. Then suddenly I realized what was happening. Here I was asking God for the answers and was being turned to the scriptures. Comparing the Book of Mormon with the Bible, I concluded that it had to be true even though I couldn't explain it. Then just when I was ready to move out in faith, fear and doubt would sweep over me again and block everything. Finally it dawned upon me that my fears and doubts were not coming from God in answer to my prayers, so I knew where they were coming from. "I put the two books together, walked back over to the elders' quarters and knocked on the door again. This time I said to the elder who opened the door, 'I'm ready now. I've got a lot of fears yet, but no more doubts.' He invited me in and they all gathered around. One of them had a big grin on his face as he said, 'We've been having a great spirit here, fasting and praying for you all day.' Of course I didn't know they did that kind of thing and they didn't know what I was doing. But God knew, and together we won." (Hartmann and Connie Rector, No More Strangers, pp. 50-56.) From gospeldoctrine.com/book-mormon/2-…

@Latterdaytruth Best: Temple ordinance worker (my most spiritual). Second best: Primary pianist (most fun). Third: ward food taster.(ok, I made that one up. But I am going to suggest it to my bishop.)

What is the BEST calling in the Church?

@1000HolyPlaces I wish I were a firefly Fireflies are never glum Because how can you be gloomy When the sun shines out your bum?

Have you ever memorized a poem? If so, which one?

The blessings of the gift of charity, are profound and eternal: D&C 121:45,46 45 ...be full of charity towards all men...and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

We can do a million wonderful things, but if we don’t have charity, none of it will even matter. We often think of charity as kindness, which it is. But it is also much, MUCH more.

"When our hearts are filled with charity, we love as Christ loved, his goals become our goals, his work becomes our work, and ultimately his glory becomes our glory, for we will become 'joint-heirs with Christ' (Romans 8:17) of 'all that my Father hath' (D&C 84:38). With this thought in mind, and thinking of charity in relationship to hope, it might be said that hope is a hungering and thirsting after righteousness for oneself, and charity is essentially a hungering and thirsting after righteousness for others.  Not surprisingly, therefore, we find that Lehi, after tasting the fruit of the tree of life, 'began to be desirous that [his] family should partake of it also' (1 Nephi 8:12), and that Nephi wrote, 'I pray continually for [my people] by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them' (2 Nephi 33:3)." (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, edited by PR Cheesman,  MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 147)

@j_divis Good job, Dad. Hap B to the youngster.

My son’s 12th birthday today! We let our kids choose what they want to do all day. His plan: Take the FrontRunner to SLC and then TRAX to City Creek. (He loves trains 🚊) Go to the toy store. Go to lunch. Back on TRAX and FrontRunner to Lehi station. Drop by Walmart on the way home to get candy. Dinner at Freddy’s. Birthday cake and ice cream.

O God, how long will this weary world groan under sin, war, confusion, and sorrow? Send Thy Son. Hasten the day when every knee bows, every tear is dried, every wrong is made right, and the true King reigns in righteousness and peace. Until that holy day, keep me faithful. Keep my lamp burning. Keep my heart clean. Let me not grow casual in a world that desperately needs Christ. Come, Lord Jesus. The earth needs her King.

“What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord? Speaking for myself, it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest IN CHRIST, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens. I desire to impress this thought upon your minds, for I want you to understand that this is the meaning intended to be conveyed by the words, “entering into the rest of God.” Let me assure you that that man who is not thoroughly established in the doctrine of Christ, who has not yielded his whole soul unto the Lord, and to the Gospel He has taught to the world, has not yet entered into that rest. He is still at sea, so to speak, wandering, unstable, lacking firmness, lacking the faith that cannot be moved, ready to be overtaken by the cunning and craftiness of him who lies in wait to deceive and mislead into error and darkness. While he that has received the testimony of Jesus Christ in his heart, he that has yielded his all to the kingdom of God and to the will of the Father, is so established. His heart is fixed; his mind is made up; doubts have been dispelled; fears have all been removed; he knows in whom to trust; he is thoroughly established in his PURPOSES and in his DETERMINATION that, as for him and his house he will serve God, keep His commandments and walk, as far as it is possible for human creatures to walk, in purity of life, in honor, fidelity, and uprightness before the Lord. I thank my God that this spirit and feeling of unrest has been removed from my thoughts and mind with reference to the work in which we are engaged; and that the Lord has given me assurance that is beyond ALL other things in relation to this matter. I rejoice in the Gospel; I rejoice in the testimony of the Spirit of God in my heart; I rejoice in the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith; I rejoice in every principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we have become acquainted with, so far as my knowledge goes. I cannot ask for, I do not want anything better than the principles of life and salvation revealed in this great plan of redemption restored to the earth in the latter days.” Joseph F. Smith Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Chapter 48 #SaintsOnX

This story was referenced on the Follow Him podcast this week, and it is one of my favorites! It is an account shared by Melvin J. Ballard— “ I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night in that sacred building, the temple. After a season of prayer and rejoicing I was informed that I should have the privilege of entering into one of those rooms, to meet a glorious Personage, and as I entered the door I saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious Being my eyes have ever beheld, or that I ever conceived existed in all the eternal worlds. As I approached to be introduced, he arose and stepped towards me with extended arms, and he smiled as he softly spoke my name. If I shall live to be a million years old, I shall never forget that smile. He took me into his arms and kissed me, pressed me to his bosom, and blessed me, until the marrow of my bones seemed to melt! When he had finished, I fell at his feet, and, as I bathed them with my tears and kisses, I saw the prints of the nails in the feet of the Redeemer of the world. The feeling that I had in the presence of him who hath all things in his hands, to have his love, his affection, and his blessing was such that if I ever can receive that of which I had but a foretaste, I would give all that I am, all that I ever hope to be, to feel what I then felt! (Improvement Era, October 1919, No. 12, vol. XXII) Every time I hear this story, it makes me want to be a better person— to stay more focused on what is really important— to shut out the things of the world and give my time and energy to the things of eternity. To bring more of the light of Jesus Christ into my life! #SaintsOnX