"The Rock"

1. 

Peter 

Simeon Peter was the son of Jonah a fisherman of Bethsaida and had a brother named Andrew.  He was living in Capernaum with his wife and mother-in-law when he was called by Jesus Christ to be a Disciple and Apostle of our Lord and Savior.  He was given the name Peter by His Redeemer and Friend.  This name means Rock.  Peter was present upon the Holy Mount when the Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave Peter the necessary keys to perform the saving ordinances of Salvation.  Though he had mortal weaknesses, Heavenly Father and His Begotten Son chose Peter to lead and guide the Church after Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension into Heaven.  He learned by faith, and taught the early Christian Saints to do the same.  Through Peter, the gospel was brought to the Gentiles.  It is believed that Peter was martyred in Rome around the year 65 A.D.

 

In the year 1829 Peter, with James and John, came from heaven and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys thereof upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

Most know the story of when Peter denied knowing the Christ. 

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

“And [Peter] said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me...

“But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not."

This is Peter's first denial.

“And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not."

This is Peter's second denial.

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

“And Peter said, 'Man, I know not what thou sayest.'"

This is Peter's third denial of the Christ.

 "Immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

(Luke 22:31–34, 56–62).

I can only imagine how Peter felt.  Jesus Christ, having just suffered the Atonement hours earlier, knew exactly how Peter felt.  He knew the suffering and pain that came along with denying knowing his dearest friend.  He understood, and was thus merciful unto Peter.  Just as Peter had denied the Christ 3 times, he was allowed to declare his love for the Redeemer.

Three days after Christ was crucified, he appeared unto a few of His disciples.  On one particular day, Peter went fishing with a few of the disciples.  As they cast their nets out, a figure stood on the shore.  From the things said, John the Beloved told Peter it was the Lord.  Peter threw himself into the sea and swam to the shore.  Can you imagine the feeling in Peter's heart as he hurried to the Savior?  The Divine Being who gave him all, whom he had denied in His most perilous hour, stood on the shore, beckoning him to "come and dine." 

After they had eaten, Jesus turned to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"

Peter declared, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

"Feed my lambs," replied the Savior.  This was the first time Peter was given the chance to declare his love for his Redeemer after denying Christ thrice.

Jesus again said, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"

"Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

"Feed my sheep."

This is Peter's second redemptive declaration.

"He saith unto him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?'  Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, 'Lovest thou me?'

"And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

"Jesus saith unto him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

This is Peter's third redemptive declaration.

Jesus is the Christ.  I know that regardless of how many times we slip up or how many wrong turns we take, the Lord always gives us the opportunity to declare our worthiness before Him.  For Peter, his wrong turn was made in the streets of Jerusalem as he denied knowing and walking with the Savior.  It was on the banks of the sea of Tiberias, where Peter was able to declare his unending devotion to the Savior.

If we can but turn to the Lord as Peter did, our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ will always heal our wounds of past transgression.  They can and will build us upon their rock, and teach us how to prevail against further temptation.

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

-Matthew 16:18

Prophet, Seer and Revelator

This is President Thomas S. Monson.  He has been called of God as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator for the entire world.  He was called by revelation, and sustained by millions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He is the authorized successor of all the Priesthood Keys on the earth. 

Twice a year, the world has the opportunity to hear him speak, giving us guidance and direction from Heavenly Father.  The prophet is a regular man, just like you and me, who has been given the responsibility to care for the salvation of men's souls here on the earth.  He travels around the world, taking care of affairs of the Lord's Kingdom, authorizing the building of temples, and strengthening the faith of millions. 

President Thomas S. Monson was born on August 21, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He graduated from the University of Utah in 1948, and later that year married Frances Beverly Johnson.  He also served in the Navy towards the end of World War II.

In the year 1959, at the age of 32, He was called to preside over the Canadian Mission until 1962.  At the young age of 36, Thomas S. Monson was called, sustained, and ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October of 1963.  He was called as Second Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson on November 10, 1985; to President Howard W. Hunter on June 5, 1994; and called as First Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 12, 1995 until February 3, 2008.

Now, President Thomas S. Monson serves as the 16^th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Feel Something

One of the most important things we can ask ourselves after we pray or read the word of God is, "Did I feel something?"  If we haven't, perhaps we need to pray a little more earnestly, or read more intently.

In past months, I felt my personal prayers were brief, and rather well, dead.  I wasn't feeling much when I was praying.  During a meeting, an Elder challenged each of us missionaries to go in a seperate room, where we could pray out loud, and talk to God about concerns we had.  I went into a secluded part of the building, and got down on my knees.  With a pad of paper and pen, I wrote down the thoughts and impressions that came to my heart as I prayed aloud to my Father in Heaven.  It was a sweet and beautiful experience.  Every night since, I have kept a notebook next to my bed, where I can write down the feelings I have before, during and after my prayers.

Doing this has brought me closer to my Father in Heaven.  It was helped me realize that I, Joy Valentine, have real potential.  Potential to become like Heavenly Father.  Potential to grow, develop, learn, and be eternally happy.  This knowledge has bettered my self esteem, and brightened my happy moments.

I know that if we take the time to pray and write down impressions, that each time, we will be able to say, "I feel something."  That something is the Holy Spirit of God.  That Spirit will always testify to us the things we must do to return to our Father in Heaven.

"Dear Self..."

A year ago, I was making some big changes in my life.  I was thrilled with the excitement I felt, and the wonderful spirit that was in my heart!  I didn't want to lose the way I felt or the warmness that filled my soul.  I was so happy! 

It was then that I found a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks titled, "The Challenge to Become."  As I rea through the talk, it struck me that I was becoming something.  I was becoming the woman that Heavenly Father wanted me to be.  The thought also came that this pursuit would be a life-long development.  This challenge to become more than I was, became an exciting adventure. 

One morning, I decided to get out a piece of paper and pen, and write myself a letter.  It was a long letter.  I wrote down the desires of my heart and the things that I loved.  I smiled, remembering the wonderful events, people, and things in life that made me so happy. Then I wrote down the hard lessons I learned.  Tears filled my eyes as I remembered past mistakes, regrets, sorrows, trials, and challenges. 

It was in those hard moments that I was able to look back and realize what I had become because of them. 

I then wrote down goals, things I wanted to accomplish, habits I wanted to continue doing, as well as old poor habits I wanted to keep out of my life. 

I signed my letter, sealed it up, and wrote a date on the envelope of when I would allow myself to read my letter.

This letter has become a treasure to me.  Though I cannot recall everything I wrote in it, I do remember the way I felt as I wrote it.  It is a constant reminder to be willing to change, grow and become.  Having that letter within daily sight has motivated me to be a little kinder, a littler happier, a little more repentant, a little more willing, to work just a little harder, and see things a little differently.

I love my Father in Heaven for challenging me to become something great-a daughter in His Kingdom.  I am grateful that He sees such potential in each of us.

I challenge you to read this talk, (It's linked up yo!) write yourself a letter, seal it up, and save it for a rainy day. 

What is Love?

Every human being has a desire to feel loved. 

When I was in my first year of college, I felt a lack of love in my life.  I felt alone, frustrated and depressed.  I searched for meaning in my life but found little.

One day, I decided I needed to have a really good one-on-one conversation with God.  I found myself alone, and there I prayed.  I begged for some sort of feeling of comfort.  With tears spilling across my cheeks, I knew that Heavenly Father knows me, my challenges, and LOVES me.

That feeling has never left me.  What strengthened me even more was a dear friend of mine who took the time to show me how important I was.  It reaffirmed the feelings I felt from  Heavenly Father.

We all need to do a little better at reaching out to those who have lost their way on the path of God's love.  We need to bring them back, pull them in, and help them understand the importance they have to us, and to Heavenly Father.

Modest Moustache: Influence

The way we dress not only influences the way we look, but also the way we feel, and the way others view us. 

If I were to attend a party designed for the elite, I would make sure I looked the part.  That is how we should dress.  We should dress appropriate to our  Heavenly Father's standards, as well as appropriate to the occassion.

The Modest Moustache: A Line Drawn

Modesty is an expression of our commitment to honor our Heavenly Father.  It shows our willingness to obey ALL of His commandments.