Today, I want to talk about Thanksgiving.  At this time of year, many people take some time to count their blessings and list the things they are thankful for. I want to shift your focus just a bit to make your Thanksgiving holiday even more meaningful.

The story of Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life (The Book of Mormon, Chapter 8 & Chapter 11):  
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8?lang=eng and
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/11?lang=eng

"In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants 59:21)

Today, I want to talk about being more publicly Christian. My views have changed regarding public involvement since the days of my youth. Society has also changed significantly since I was a youth. In this episode, I will address some common concerns and explain how you can get more involved as a Christian.

"...Love one another; as I have loved you...by this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)

"Never, never, never check your religion at the door." - Jeffrey R. Holland

"11 And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12-17)

Today, I want to talk about 3 leadership choices that we each have to make on a regular basis, and how mighty prayer can help us make better choices.  We make these 3 kinds of leadership choices even when we are not serving in significant leadership positions. It might look like these are just personal choices that don't affect anyone but ourselves, but it's just not true, and at the end of this episode, I will tell you why.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Behold, this is choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ." (The Book of Mormon, Ether 2:12)

"This land shall be a land of liberty...and there shall be no kings upon it...For I, the Lord, the king of heaven shall be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words..."
(The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 10:11-19)

Today I want to talk about things that block or drive away the Spirit of the Lord. Anything that blocks the Spirit will block the answers and guidance that we could receive through the Spirit. In this episode, I am going to focus on two of the biggest Spirit blockers, explain how they affect the process of prayer, and give some tips for how to shut these Spirit blockers down so that the Holy Spirit can return.  

The great lesson about good and evil. (The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi Chapter 2)

"...to act and not be acted upon..." (The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:26)

"The Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7)

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

The story of King Benjamin's people seeking the Lord for a mighty change of heart. (The Book of Mormon, Mosiah Chapters 2-5)

"...no more place for the enemy of my soul..." (The Book fo Mormon, 2 Nephi 4:27-28)

"It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." (The Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:11)

"If you don't feel like praying, pray until you do." (Brigham Young)

Today I want to talk about praying to know what is good and right and true. God is the best source to go to for all that is good and right and true. He understands things so completely and perfectly, and because He is willing to communicate with us and teach us, He can expand our understanding of these principles far beyond human understanding. In this episode, I will talk about how God can help us find and establish those things that are good and right and true through the process of mighty prayer.

"...I the Lord speak righteousness. I declare the things that are right." (Isaiah 45:19)

" Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ, and if ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." (The Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:32)

" And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (The Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:4-5)

Today I want to talk about what is required of us after we receive answers from the Lord. Then it's time to go and do as God commands. This can be hard for a number of reasons, but it will always be the right thing to do. 

"I will go and do the things the Lord hath commanded, for I know the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

"I made this my rule: when the Lord commands, do it." (Joseph Smith)

Sharing my thoughts about our society's views on prayer, particularly prayer in public, and how it has changed over my lifetime. How is it now? How is it where you are in America? And How should it be?

"I would that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting." 
(1 Timothy 2:8)

"And now my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray."
(2 Nephi 32:8)

Today, I want to say a few words about crying unto the Lord. I am staying at the home of my daughter and her husband and their new baby, and I have heard some crying. That is the inspiration for this episode. I have been thinking about when we cry unto the Lord, how we cry unto the Lord and what happens when we do. As always, I have a few verses of scripture to share and a few questions for you to prayerfully consider and discuss. 

“Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.” (The Book of Mormon, Alma 34:18-27)


(Psalms 120:1) 
“In my distress, I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.”