Moral Discipline

"Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42–45)."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Moral Discipline," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 105

Guided by the Holy Ghost

"What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?"President John Taylor wrote: 'Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: "Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation." Then he told me never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during that day' (The Gospel Kingdom, ed. G. Homer Durham [1943], 43–44)."

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 6

Sorry so late!!!!

I have to apologise as that I had forgotten I had the lesson this week. Hopefully my 'canned' lesson from the ensign isn't too offensive!!! :P

Elder Oaks has a great talk entitled "The Great Plan of Happiness"

FHE Thought--Plan of Salvation

"The Book of Mormon is a book that teaches 'the great plan of happiness' (Alma 42:8; see also vv. 5, 13, 31; 2 Nephi 9). In profound yet understandable terms, the Book of Mormon teaches the purpose of life, from whence we came, and what happens when we die. We learn of faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, of repentance, of the importance of baptism by immersion, and of the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. By studying and feasting upon the doctrines of the Book of Mormon, we gain 'a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men,' with a desire to 'endure to the end' that we may 'have eternal life' (2 Nephi 31:20)."

Craig C. Christensen, "A Book with a Promise," Ensign, May 2008, 107

Love, The Center of Everything

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 21

Thought from Dave

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." Phillips Brooks (1835 - 1893)

The Best of All Gifts...

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~Burton Hillis

FHE Scripture

Enos 1:4-6

4 And my soul ^ahungered; and I ^bkneeled down before my Maker, and I ^ccried unto him in mighty ^dprayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

5 And there came a ^avoice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are ^bforgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

6 And I, Enos, knew that God ^acould not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.

FHE Lesson--from Kendall

Enos Prays
. Sing or read the words to “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, p. 12),“I Pray in Faith” (Children’s Songbook, p. 14), or “If with All Your Hearts” (Children’s Songbook, p. 15).
Attention Activity
Tell the following riddle:
I am not a person, place, or object.
I can be so quiet that no one else can hear, or loud enough that everyone in the room can hear.
I can be used when you are alone or in a group.
I am used any time, any place, under any circumstance.
I am used for gratitude, guidance, comfort, forgiveness, protection, help, good health, or for any other blessing you need for yourself or for someone else.
You use me to talk with Heavenly Father.
What am I? (Prayer)
Scripture Account
Read the account in the book of Enos.
• Why did Enos go to pray? (Enos 1:1–4.) Who had taught him about Jesus Christ? How have your parents helped you learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
• What is “mighty prayer and supplication”? How do you think this kind of prayer is different from other prayers? How did Heavenly Father answer Enos’s prayer? (Enos 1:5.)
• • How did Enos know his sins were forgiven? (Enos 1:5–6.)
• • Why did Heavenly Father say Enos was forgiven of his sins? (Enos 1:8.) Because Jesus Christ suffered for our sins, we can be forgiven if we repent.
• Who did Enos pray for after his sins were forgiven? (Enos 1:9.) What answer did the Lord give Enos about the Nephites? (Enos 1:10.)
• Why do you think Enos prayed for the Lamanites when they were the Nephites’ enemies? (Enos 1:11.) What blessings might you ask Heavenly Father to give someone who has been unkind to you? What did Enos desire for the Lamanites? (Enos 1:13.)
• Enos prayed for the safety of his people’s records. Why were these records so important? What did the Lord promise Enos? (Enos 1:15–18.) What does it mean to ask in faith?
• What promises were given to Enos? (Enos 1:8, 12, 15.) How can we receive the same promises?
• What effect did the Nephites’ teachings and efforts have on the Lamanites? (Enos 1:20.)
• What have you learned about prayer from the story of Enos?
• When you pray, how do you talk to Heavenly Father? How can we make our prayers more sincere?
• Enos heard the voice of the Lord in his mind in answer to his prayer. What are some other ways that we may receive answers to our prayers? (A feeling of peace; a feeling that something is not right; comfort; ideas that come into our minds; scriptures that bring understanding to a particular situation; counsel from Church leaders, parents, and others sent by the Lord; dreams or visions.) Invite others to share experiences they have had in receiving answers to prayer.
• Why might Heavenly Father answer “no” to our prayers? How can we tell if Heavenly Father’s answer is “no”?
• Why should we take the time to listen after we have prayed, just as Enos did?
• What did Enos learn about life after death? (Enos 1:27
Testimony
Share your testimony of the power of prayer in your life. You may want to relate an experience that has strengthened your faith and testimony of prayer. Invite others to share experiences they have had with prayer.

Doctrinal Purity

As we as Latter-day Saints draw closer to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ we are assuredly going to be faced with Doctrinal stands either from with in the church or outside the church. I have taken upon myself to bring this new addition to the Garden Tower, this "Doctrinal Purity" section will be a weekly posting. This new addition will require the Garden Tower's membership participation. I encourage you members to email me questions that you may have pertaining to the Doctrine of Christ(things of a False Nature that you may want more info on, or that you may need further explanation on The Churches Stand of Doctrine). The email in which you can reach me at is shizfdc@gmail.com please have all questions in by Thursday night, if done after that deadline they will be answered the following week. All questions will be answered in a timely manner. Thank you and I look forward to assisting you in your journey to draw nearer to the Doctrines of the Eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thanks, Shiz.

shizfdc@gmail.com