NEW TESTAMENT

1Corinthians 4-6
Manual Chapter 35

Paul's 3rd mission was set to order the branches of the church under his care.  In 3 years he went through Taurus mountains, past lakes of Pisidia to Ephesus on Aegean coast ship to Troas and Philippi onto Thessalonia and down the Macedonian Peninsula to Corinth.
He was visited by Abel, Enoch and taught by them.
Corinth had a worldwide reputation in the ancient world for it's immorality.  Located close to two major ports it was subject to many vices.
Corinth was the site of the famous temple of Aphrodite Venus.  1000's of 'preistessess' who were simply prostitutes. 
This is why Paul talks so much about being clean.
If we make it in righteousness we're better than Angels who haven't progressed that far yet.

BOOK OF MORMON

Helaman 3

46th year some people left Zarahemla cause they were mad.
Because there wasn't much timber they became great at working with cement.  They planted trees.  Did a lot of shipping of wood to each other.
Journals were passed down amongst Nephites.
Helaman did a great job as judge.  Helaman had 2 sons.  Nephi was the eldest and Lehi was the next.
49th year Gadianton was working his evil but the government didn't know.
1000's joined the church that year.  Even 10's of 1000's.
53rd year Helaman died.  Nephi became the judge and was a righteous judge just like his Dad.


ENSIGN

August 2011 'One Stalwart Pioneer'

Sara Elvira Eriksen was born in Norway.
She heard the gospel and it sounded familiar even though it was new.  Just like my parents story.
Her father told her not to go to the church.  She went anyway.
When she was 17 she asked for her present to be baptism into the church.  Her Dad said no.
He forced her to leave home but then his heart softened and she went back home after a week.
Finally she was allowed to be baptized.
Then after three more years of working on her father he was finally baptized and well as he mum, youngest brother, sister and her sister's husband.

'Dear Mum and Dad'

When our kids are young adults we still need to help and parent them.  This article was letters from young adults to their parents, thanking them for their examples.


DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM

Chapter 9

The creation provided a place where families could live.
The fall provided a way for the family to grow.
The Atonement allows for the family to be sealed together eternally.
The Lord will open a way.  Even when we can't see any possible way.
This means a lot to me right now and really hit home since Dru can't find full time work.
I know I need to trust the Lord and trust that he will help us to find a way, even though I can't really see a way at the moment.
We need to speak wisdom to our kids and avoid fault finding.
I also need to always speak well of Dru infront of the children.
I can do better with fault finding in my kids.  I don't think I'm bad but I'm not 100% and I know I shouldn't.  Sometimes I say 'You're being lazy' and I need to change that kind've talk.
I think I do a good job of always speaking well of Dru to the children.
Sometimes Dru and I have 'words' infront of the kids and we shouldn't.  I need to leave it till they're in bed or work out a way to simply 'talk' about it without getting fired up.
Easier said than done ;)

NEW TESTAMENT

NT Manual Section 7 Chapter 32

Silas was a prophet who preached the gospel.  Silas was Pauls' companion on his 2nd mission.  Part of Paul's follow up visits to the saints were letters and such.
Diviniation - determining the future in satan's ways.  Wrong practice.
Epicurean and Stoicism were two different philosophies at the time.  Epicurean was more about man and Stoicism believed in a higher being.
Athens was the capital of Greece.  It had many great  people come from it.
Paul preached in the marketplace called Agora there.  His message was mostly rejected but a member of the high court, Dionysius believed and the local woman Damaris.
We were born into the families and nations we were as a reward for the kind of lives we lived before we came here according to your faith.
Pres Harold B Lee 1973 conference talk October
A people 'chosen' haven't been chosen to relax or boast but to perform a special service.
There are NO 'chosen' people for having EVERY gospel blessing.  We're ALL chosen.
We HAVE to do missionary work.
To be 'chosen' is to be 'called'.
Our work and sacrifice won't be in vain.  many who are only awaiting our testimony to know the truth are out there.

BOOK OF MORMON

Alma 57

Helaman receives threats from the king Ammoron but holds fast and gets Antiparah to claim back.
End of the 28th year.
29th year they received 6000 men and provisions.
They intercepted the Lamanites provisions and they gave up their city.  They ended up slaying 2000 prisoners due to escape attempts.
2060 stripling warriors fought again.  200 fainted from loss of blood.  No one died though.
1000 of the other Nephites were slain and it was amazing to everyone about these 2000 young men and their protection from God.

ENSIGN

July 2011

'We will not turn back'

Clifford E Young talks about his Grandma Riter and how she told her husband they weren't going to turn back from their trek and how inspired he was at his Grandmother's dedication to the church.

DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM

Chapter 5

'Strengthening the Bonds of Charity'

1939-1945 WWII was happening. 
1940 the church tried to cut down their spending.  They wanted to safeguard the family.  They encouraged women to find ways to stay at home with their kids without their husbands and older sons to help.  They asked them to develop skills and be their children's spiritual guides.
1942 over 10,000 Relief Society women completed a Red Cross course of some kind.
Relief Society always felt a huge support from the priesthood.
1947-1996 was the Indian student placement programme.  The was where Indian youth lived with LDS families for a while and got educated and an understanding of another culture.

'The pure love of Christ: Charity in Action'

It is better to walk with God in the darkness than without him in the light
Maria Speidel.