Since now I have to compete with the mental intellect of Dana to sees who's emails are going to be more inspiring I am using the words of Joseph Smith =P! But I will not really give it a theme or express too much, but I will let the words of The Prophet of this Dispensation, the last and greatest dispensation to sink deep so as to prick your hearts, if you let it.
The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it. He revealed himself first to me when I was about fourteen years old, a mere boy. . . . I kneeled down, and prayed, saying, 'O Lord, what Church shall I join?' Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious Personage in the light, and then another personage, and the first personage said [of] the second, "Behold this is my beloved Son, hear him."
Interview by David Nye White, Aug. 1843, published in "The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Mormons, etc.," The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Sept. 15, 1843, 3; reprinted in The Papers of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, 2 vols. [1989–92], 1:444.
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To the iniquitous show yourselves merciful. . . . Beware, be still, be prudent, repent, reform, but do it in a way not to destroy all around you. I do not want to cloak iniquity—all things contrary to the will of God, should be cast from us, but don't do more hurt than good, with your tongues—be pure in heart. Jesus designs to save the people out of their sins. . . . I want the innocent to go free—rather spare ten iniquitous among you, than condemn one innocent one. "Fret not thyself because of evil doers." God will see to it.
History of the Church, 5:20–21.
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I shall speak with authority of the Priesthood in the name of the Lord God, which shall prove a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. . . . If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing towards the devil. . . . Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.
History of the Church, 4:588; paragraph divisions altered.
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He who scattered Israel has promised to gather them; therefore inasmuch as you are to be instrumental in this great work, he will endow you with power, wisdom, might, and intelligence, and every qualification necessary; while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can circumscribe the earth and the heavens, reach forth into eternity, and contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah in all their variety and glory.
History of the Church, 4:129.
As we are concentrating much about the organization of the Church of God, our views can be very much short-sighted when we see the temporal concerns the world imposes on the spiritual hospital provided for us. It is required by every able bodied saint to expand their view to have "an eye single to the Glory of God" and as that happens we rise above the daily confusion presented to us to a sphere of the spiritual, eternal, and then, we can comprehend the things God would have us comprehend. I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The Spirit of God has born witness to me of this fact. I know there are many mysteries that if we each seek out, like the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, we can have "the eyes of our understanding" touched by the Spirit of the Lord. It takes many different things for our hearts, minds, and Spirits to be ready to receive a direction from God. May we each strive for that prepartion daily, is my prayer.
I love you all!
Elder Blackburn
Interview by David Nye White, Aug. 1843, published in "The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Mormons, etc.," The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Sept. 15, 1843, 3; reprinted in The Papers of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, 2 vols. [1989–92], 1:444.
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To the iniquitous show yourselves merciful. . . . Beware, be still, be prudent, repent, reform, but do it in a way not to destroy all around you. I do not want to cloak iniquity—all things contrary to the will of God, should be cast from us, but don't do more hurt than good, with your tongues—be pure in heart. Jesus designs to save the people out of their sins. . . . I want the innocent to go free—rather spare ten iniquitous among you, than condemn one innocent one. "Fret not thyself because of evil doers." God will see to it.
History of the Church, 5:20–21.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I shall speak with authority of the Priesthood in the name of the Lord God, which shall prove a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. . . . If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing towards the devil. . . . Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.
History of the Church, 4:588; paragraph divisions altered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He who scattered Israel has promised to gather them; therefore inasmuch as you are to be instrumental in this great work, he will endow you with power, wisdom, might, and intelligence, and every qualification necessary; while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can circumscribe the earth and the heavens, reach forth into eternity, and contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah in all their variety and glory.
History of the Church, 4:129.
As we are concentrating much about the organization of the Church of God, our views can be very much short-sighted when we see the temporal concerns the world imposes on the spiritual hospital provided for us. It is required by every able bodied saint to expand their view to have "an eye single to the Glory of God" and as that happens we rise above the daily confusion presented to us to a sphere of the spiritual, eternal, and then, we can comprehend the things God would have us comprehend. I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The Spirit of God has born witness to me of this fact. I know there are many mysteries that if we each seek out, like the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, we can have "the eyes of our understanding" touched by the Spirit of the Lord. It takes many different things for our hearts, minds, and Spirits to be ready to receive a direction from God. May we each strive for that prepartion daily, is my prayer.
I love you all!
Elder Blackburn
He also sent these pictures...
1. Down at the mission home with President and Sister Bullock for a meeting
2. The lunch that I made for Elder Sandor and I before I left for Chorley, then Altrincham for a couple days...SO GOOD. It is a weekly thing now
3&4. China Town Manchester. The first real life China Town I have walked into...oh ya Lots of Chis...
5. Oh ya...walking up those stairs during some light rain in England...Must be punctual! =D Hopefully Dana enjoys the arid, dry, warm, comfy climate she has down there!
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