"Thy Kingdom Come": May 2013

"Thy Kingdom Come"

"Many have asked, 'How is it that the Prophet Joseph Smith, age 14, could go into a grove, never having prayed before vocally, according to his own account, and in that first prayer receive such great and marvelous blessings?' Does that mean that he simply had far greater faith and worthiness than the rest of us?

"One response is that the visitations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith weren't just an answer to his own prayer, but to the prayers of literally millions, maybe even those beyond the veil, who had been seeking and reaching for generations for the restoration of the gospel and the reestablishment of the kingdom of God on the earth; fulfillment, in fact, of a phrase offered by billions, 'Thy kingdom come.' (Matthew 6:10.)

"That is an important insight. You and I pray not alone. We pray as part of a great modern movement and, in effect, we can be empowered in that very process. And if we care - or even care enough to try to care - to be instruments, unique privileges descend upon us, among them the authorities and gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost and the crowning blessings of the priesthood." - Truman Madsen

Monday, May 13, 2013

Questions for CHFT49

Study Questions for CHFT 49:The Destiny of the Church 1. Read the quote from Church History in the Fulness of Times, Chapter 49, contained in the fourth paragraph, “No unhallowed hand….” How has this promise been fulfilled during the history of the Church? See also D&C 65:2 and Daniel 2:31-45. 2. Why did the leadership of the Church, even in the early days of the restoration, have no fear of those who opposed the Church? See also D&C 121:33. 3. What did President Hinckley say we should DO because of what we know? 4. List areas in which the Church has progressed in the years since the publishing of the Church History in the Fulness of Times manual: approximately 2000 – 2013. 5. What has impressed you most during your study of the history of the Church this year? BONUS: How has Thomas S. Monson been uniquely prepared to lead the Church today?

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

CHFT48 Questions and Links

This week in institute we will discuss the last five years of the 20th century, and the administration of Gordon B. Hinckley. Here are a few study questions for Church History in the Fulness of Times chapter 48. 1. How was Gordon B. Hinckley uniquely prepared to lead the Church during the last years of the 20th century and into the 21st century? 2. Why did the Church issue "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" in 1995? To whom did President Hinckley personally present a copy of this proclamation? 3. How were President Hinckley's international travels unique to his presidency? 4. How did Siberian Saints join in the spirit of the pioneer sesquicentennial in 1997? How did the Mexican Saints celebrate? 5. List Church building projects that distinguished President Hinckley's administration. 6. How did curriculum change in the late 1990s under President Hinckley's supervision? What changes occurred in music on Temple Square? A few links to related articles: 1. "President Gordon B. Hinckley: First Counselor," Ensign, Feb. 1986 2. "Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995 3. "Major Curriculum Changes in Priesthood and Relief Society," Ensign, Dec. 1997 4. "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Ensign, April 2000